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The use of acupuncture in psychotherapy.

Article Excerpt
Acupuncture followed faith healing and herbology and is the third youngest healthcare art. Through stimulating special points throughout the whole body, diseases and discomfort can be identified and relieved. It is an efficient, inexpensive treatment with little or no side effects. It is believed that acupuncture was initiated in China approximately 3,000 to 5,000 years ago. At that time, the ancient Chinese discovered that stimulation on the body with sharp instruments might reduce acute pain and discomfort. In addition, they found that pre-existing discomfort or chronic pain was also relieved. At first, they thought it was coincidence or luck. However, they figured out that stimulation to different parts of the body could result in a similar outcome, and stimulation to the same point could cause improvement of different discomforts. As more of these points were discovered, a special line was drawn to link them with similar functions. Gradually, these channels were proved to have connections to special. organs; regulating the function of each. This is basis of meridian, where the energy flows much" like blood circulates throughout the body inside blood vessels. There are branches connecting these major meridians. Although invisible to regular people, ancient Qigong practitioners can sense the movement of Qi, the vital energy, or see the meridian. Later on, Yin and Yang theory was introduced to explain the function of points and meridians, instructing diagnosis and the treatment of acupuncture.

After initiation and maturing, acupuncture spread eastward to Japan and Korea,...