Acupuncture is an ancient healing practice most commonly associated with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)   believed   to  have   originated  around  the  time  of  the  Warring   States   period  (475-221  BC).

However, some evidence, such as the discovery of acupuncture-like tools and references in ancient Chinese medical texts like the Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine), suggests that similar practices may have existed in much earlier forms.  

 

 

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China remains the birthplace of acupuncture as we know it today.  The primary aim of acupuncture is to restore optimal health by inserting needles in specific points along the body to activate energy pathways (meridians) thereby influencing the body’s vital energy Qi.  Over centuries, acupuncture became a cornerstone of Chinese medicine, influencing health practices globally.

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One of the earliest references to acupuncture-like techniques outside of Asia comes from ancient Egypt. The Ebers Papyrus, dating to 1550 BCE, describes practices involving stimulation of the specific body points to improve health.  Egyptian physicians believed that the body had pathways, akin to meridians, which could be influenced to promote wellness.

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In ancient Europe, particularly among the Celts and Druids, there is evidence of healing practices that may have included acupuncture-like techniques.  Archaeological findings have revealed tools resembling needles and references to the use of sharp instruments in rituals and healing.  Celtic medicine emphasised a deep connection to nature and the belief in the body’s innate ability to heal, reflecting a holistic philosophy. Druids, known for their medicinal knowledge, likely employed a range of techniques, including those targeting specific pressure points, to restore health and balance within individuals.​

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In ancient Greece, physicians such as Hippocrates (c.460-c.370 BC), who famously said 'Foolish the doctor who despises the knowledge acquired by the ancients.', documented the use of needle-like instruments for therapeutic purposes.  The Greeks and Romans adopted a comparable idea of somatic equilibrium, using physical stimulation on targeted points to introduce alleviation and improve overall wellness.​​

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Acupuncture-like treatments were also found in Native American cultures, South America, India, Africa, and ancient Scandinavia. Shamans used a form of acupuncture with needles made from bone and even stone.  Each culture had its own unique methods, often intertwined with spiritual beliefs and ceremonies. In India’s Ayurvedic system, Healers used "Marma points" as key locations for physical and spiritual healing.  Though acupuncture needles were not employed, the stimulation of these vital points resembles the principles behind acupuncture.​​

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While acupuncture has been perfected and popularised by Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is evident that civilizations across the globe have independently discovered similar ways to harness the body’s energy for healing.  From ancient Egypt to Native American tribes, and from Celtic and Druidic practices to Scandinavian traditions, the global roots of acupuncture-like techniques demonstrate a shared understanding of the body’s natural ability to restore balance and well-being.