Acupuncture originated in China over 2,500 years ago and is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is one of the most well-known and popular forms of alternative medicine. Inserting thin needles into specific points on the body known as acupoints, promotes healing and relieves pain. Acupuncture has since spread globally and is practiced in various forms, with notable differences between traditional TCM and modern Western approaches, as well as Japanese styles of acupuncture.
Acupuncture is based on the understanding that the healthy body is maintained by the correct flow of energy, or qi, which travels along distinct channels called meridians. In disease there can be an excess or deficiency of qi and blockages in one or more meridians. By needling certain acupoints along these meridians, acupuncturists aim to restore balance in the body's energy flow.
Russia’s border with China meant that doctors’ training included both modern western medicine alongside TCM, giving them a dual appreciation of health. With perestroika came increased Pharma influence, so I don’t know if doctors in Russia are still trained in both approaches.
For those who doubt the existence of meridians and acupoints, I have a Russian device called the Acuvision which delivers high voltage/low current to the grounded body. According to the law of Physics, the electricity flows through the path of least resistance which just so happens to correspond with the meridians. Prof Tiller of Stanford University demonstrated that acupoints have a lower electrical resistance than the surrounding skin. Consequently, when hooked up to the Acuvision, if a dielectric material such as a clear plastic is placed over the skin, it facilitates a corona discharge formation from the acupoint to the plastic which can be seen in the dark as the picture below demonstrates. It turns out that there are more bioactive points than the main acupoints identified by the ancient Chinese, the latter of which which tend to show up larger and brighter. The Acuvision can also be used for air ion puncture – a no-needles way of doing acupuncture!
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Acupuncture
TCM acupuncture is based on the ancient Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang (the balance of opposites) and Five Elements theory where the conceptual elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water within the body are all interconnected and interdependent.
The key features of TCM acupuncture include:
Qi and Meridians: TCM acupuncture focuses on balancing Qi along the body's 12 main meridians, each linked to specific organs. There is a meridian clock whereby the activity of each meridian cycles such that there is an hour of peak activity and a corresponding low midway between. There is a set order for the peak of each meridian. For example, the peak time for the liver meridian is 1am, with a corresponding low at 1pm which explains why people often say that drinking alcohol in the afternoon has greater effect than drinking in the evening as the liver meridian is approaching its peak.
Diagnosis: A TCM diagnosis is more thorough and holistic than the allopathic approach, involving physically feeling the pulse not only to assess its speed but also the strength and nature of the pulse too. The tongue is also assessed along with questioning, and observation of the patient’s overall condition.
Herbal Medicine Integration: Acupuncture in TCM is often paired with herbal remedies and other treatments like cupping and moxibustion, which is the application of heat to acupoints either directly via the needles or indirectly by hovering a heat source over the desired acupoint. You might have noticed some of the swimmers with strange circular lesion on the skin over their back from cupping, which seems to have become popular with quite a few athletes.
Energetic Framework: The understanding of disease and health is based on the energetic interaction of qi within the physical, mental, and emotional states.
The consequence of this individual approach is that 2 people who from an allopathic perspective would be given the same diagnosis and treatment are not necessarily treated and needled at the same acupoints from the TCM perspective. It makes the understanding and practice of TCM far more complex and difficult to master.
The fact that TCM has lasted for thousands of years through this individualised understanding and approach and has been successful by balancing the individual’s qi according to TCM principles demonstrates how 2 people can appear to have the same symptoms but for different aetiologies. If the individualised approach could have been as successfully simplified into a cookbook approach, I have no doubt that it would have been. It demonstrates the ignorance and arrogance of allopathy to think that it can be.
The Primo-vascular System (PVS)
Superficial primo-vessels, also known as Bonghan ducts and Bonghan channels, were first reported to have been in 1962 by the North Korean scientist, Kim and remain a contentious subject. Despite Kim later demonstrating their existence through dye-staining techniques with Trypan blue, their existence is still debated. I mention the PVS here because the ducts and channels closely follow the paths of the TCM meridians which has led to questions as to whether they are one and the same. Some scientists who support Kim’s findings say it is a “new” anatomical system, while others are convinced that these infinitesimal channels may act like fibre-optical cables that transmit DNA-related information continuously throughout the body using biophotons which would closely correlate with the concept of qi from TCM. The extra-cellular matrix as described by Prof Alfred Pischinger is now being more recognised as a myofascial information highway throughout the body which we might discover in future also tallies up with the PVS, or they may work entirely separately but in parallel. It just goes to show yet again how much we still have to learn in order to fully understand anatomy and physiology with obvious implications for medicine and surgery.
Western Medical Acupuncture
Western medical acupuncture has evolved from laziness and not wishing to learn the full TCM practice because it acknowledges the energetic fundamental nature of the body and the wider implications that would have. However, when it became impossible to suppress and ignore the success of acupuncture a “more scientific” explanation that fitted the allopathic understanding of health had to be invented that fitted in with the accepted biomedical approach.
According to the western approach, acupuncture is viewed as a way to stimulate the nervous system, muscles, and connective tissue through biochemical changes, such as the release of endorphins (natural pain relievers) and other neurochemical reactions that reduce pain and inflammation. The idea of a flow of qi through meridians is therefore denied.
Consequently, western acupuncture tends to focus mostly on treating musculoskeletal issues and/or pain such as arthritis and migraines etc.
According to western acupuncture, needling stimulates nerves, modulates the immune response, and affects the central nervous system through measurable effects like blood flow and endorphin release. TCM practitioners don’t deny that endorphins etc aren’t released but rather recognise that they are released through the process of balancing qi in the meridians.
Unlike TCM, western acupuncture is not individualised according to the holistic examination, but is a more standardized cookbook approach with an emphasis on just needling specific points for a certain pain manifestation and allopathic diagnosis.
Japanese Acupuncture
Japanese acupuncture shares similarities with TCM but differs in terms of technique, diagnostic methods, and philosophy. It is known for its subtle, gentle, and precise needle techniques, as well as a more minimalistic approach compared to the Chinese practice.
There are some key differences of Japanese acupuncture. Japanese needles are typically thinner and are more shallowly inserted than in TCM, making the treatment less invasive and more comfortable, although the better TCM acupuncturists will be able to insert the bigger needles painlessly too.
Japanese acupuncture relies more heavily on palpation (physical examination) to locate areas of discomfort and to determine treatment points, feeling for muscle tightness, tenderness, and skin texture to guide acupoint choice and needle placement.
Whereas TCM focuses more on excesses or blockages of Qi, Japanese acupuncture more often emphasizes deficiencies of energy. On the basis of this understanding, Japanese acupuncture incorporates moxibustion (the burning of moxa, a herbal substance) more extensively than TCM acupuncture to warm the body and stimulate healing.
Japanese acupuncture tends to have a more minimalist approach, using fewer needles with treatment focused on a few targeted areas rather than treating multiple meridians.
Electro-acupuncture
Electro-acupuncture became a logical progression after electricity was rolled out in public for lighting primarily. It began in the mid-20th century, with its origins often traced back to the 1930s in China and some later developments in the 1950s. It was introduced as a way to enhance traditional acupuncture treatments by applying electrical currents to the acupuncture needles placed according to the usual principles.
Nowadays it has been adopted more within the western acupuncture field where the microcurrent can be applied to the acupoints without necessarily inserting needles. It is therefore perceived as safer and doesn’t require the same skill as is necessary for painless needle insertion. Patients, especially those who are needle-phobic and children therefore tend to prefer it too!!
Other variations and developments of acupuncture
The recognition of reflexology, where distant parts of the body can be influenced from a much smaller localised area has led to the amalgamation of acupuncture with reflexology. Most people in the west are probably familiar with reflexology as a modality in its own right through the feet, but this is by no means the only reflex map of the body. It is no great leap to realise that there is also a body map on the hands (Su Jok), but fewer people realise that the ear and the face can also be similarly used to influence all other areas, and that needling can be used to achieve this, or acupressure/massage.
These modalities often incorporate acupuncture to needle specific points on the face/ear in order to influence distant parts body, but they may also use alternative methods or integrate other forms of therapy. Those of you who are sharp-eyed will notice that the eye point is very close to where a piercing occurs for an earring to be worn. It is not uncommon soon after the piercing to result in vision changes. Likewise, other piercings for jewellery and tattooing can have unintended deleterious effects on health, which may occur quickly or more insidiously over time. I have one client and friend who deliberately used this idea to have a ring inserted at the allergy point to reduce her severe allergy which has worked very successfully.
Some of the prominent acupuncture-related modalities include:
1. Auricular Acupuncture (Ear Acupuncture)
Auricular acupuncture involves stimulating acupuncture points located on the ear. The ear is considered a microsystem that mirrors the entire body, meaning that specific points on the ear correspond to various organs and body parts as per the chart above.
2. Scalp Acupuncture
Scalp acupuncture involves inserting needles into specific regions of the scalp that correspond to different areas of the brain and nervous system. This method is often used in treating neurological conditions.
3. Acupressure
Acupressure is similar to acupuncture but does not involve needles. Instead, it uses manual pressure, usually applied with the fingers, elbows, or specialized tools, to stimulate acupuncture points or reflex points too. Points requiring attention can often feel more sensitive to the touch.
4. Laser Acupuncture
Laser acupuncture is similar to electro-acupuncture but uses low-level laser beams instead of needles or microcurrent to stimulate acupuncture points. It is a non-invasive technique, making it suitable for patients who are needle-phobic or children.
5. Dry Needling
Dry needling is a Western physical therapy technique used primarily in sports medicine. It involves inserting acupuncture needles into trigger points (tight bands of muscle or knots) to relieve myofascial pain musculoskeletal disorders, and sports injuries. and tension.
6. Acupuncture Point Injection Therapy
Also known as biopuncture, this method involves injecting small amounts of natural substances (such as vitamins, homeopathic solutions, or saline) directly into acupuncture points to enhance the therapeutic effect.
It is used for a variety of conditions, including pain relief, inflammation reduction, and immune support. For example, vitamin B12 can be injected at points commonly used in treating fatigue and nerve-related issues.
A scientist, unfortunately called Cyril Smith, did lots of research work looking at the frequencies of homeopathic remedies and correlating them with acupuncture points. He discovered that the frequencies of commonly used homeopathic frequencies matched the acupuncture points that would commonly be needled when treating the same condition - which validates both approaches to my mind. Appropriate biopuncture with the common homeopathic solution for the condition being treated therefore reinforces the action of both modalities on each other.
7. Tui Na (Chinese Medical Massage)
Tui Na is a form of Chinese medical massage that incorporates acupressure and manipulation of the body’s energy pathways to balance Qi and treat musculoskeletal pain, tension, and injury.
8. Gua Sha (Scraping Therapy)
Gua Sha involves scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool (usually made of jade, metal, or bone) to stimulate circulation and break up stagnant energy. It is mostly used to treat muscle pain, inflammation, colds, and respiratory issues.
9. Acupuncture Anaesthesia
Certain acupoints that were recognised in China can be used to reduce or eliminate pain during surgical procedures. Acupuncture anaesthesia has been used in China for human surgeries like thyroidectomy, dental extractions, and even heart surgery. It can be combined sedatives or analgesics which can then be administered in considerably lower doses. I’m not aware of any veterinary surgery that has been performed in this way, but given that no TCM acupuncture courses have been held in the UK for many years, the number of veterinarians who might be capable of doing it is sadly very low.
Conclusion
Acupuncture, whether in its traditional Chinese form, the modern Western adaptation, Japanese or other adaptations offers a diverse array of approaches to healing. Each has its unique perspective, techniques, and applications, allowing patients and practitioners to select the form that best suits their individual health needs and philosophies.
If you have tried western acupuncture without much success, then you might well find that the more individualised TCM approach will be more successful.
People sometimes ask me why I haven’t or don’t learn acupuncture. With Scenar I am using microcurrent stimulation via the skin, and I have no doubt that the Scenar signal takes the path of least resistance and will likely travel via bioactive points – whether the more recognised acupoints or the unknown/unnamed ones I’ve see with the Acuvision. I therefore suspect that Scenar not only works via the nervous system but via the meridians too which helps explain it’s sometimes distant effects and overall effectiveness.
Resources
B. H. Kim, “The Kyungrak system,” Journal of Jo Sun Medicine, vol. 108, pp. 1–38, 1965.
B.-C. Lee, K. W. Kim, and K.-S. Soh, “Visualizing the network of bonghan ducts in the omentum and peritoneum by using trypan blue,” Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 66–70, 2009.