ACUPUNCTURE ANALGESIA & ANAESTHESIA

Abstract

The word "Acupuncture" is from the Latin and refers simply to "piercing with a sharp instrument" and it sometimes taken to refer exclusively to the traditional Chinese method of treatment, but in the present context it should be taken to mean the therapeutic use of needles, without any presupposition of any underlying theory structure.

Acupuncture originated in China . in prehistory and has been used for more than two thousands years in china and Japan; the earliest literary reference is in the Yellow Emperor's Book oflnternal Medicine, dating from the. second or third century. Acupuncture reached Japan in the sixth century of the Christian Era and was introduced into Europe by Ten, who had learned it in Japan. As a therapy it spread very slowly in Europe. The first Europian and American publication on acupuncture treatment appeared in the early nineteenth century.