Conclusion: We can clearly summarize that we can trace the origins of Chinese Medicine back to the past of shamanistic beliefs and practices, but Chinese Medicine at present develops into verified clinical practice.
It is not merely a healing art, but the expression of thousands of years of Chinese culture. Most researches emphasize Chinese Medicine effectiveness on particular diseases at some point. Secondary interest of researchers is concern to find how TCM Traditional Chinese Medicine can benefit health, which conditions it can treat and how it works.
Very few researches published scientific articles about TCM origins - when, and more importantly, why the ancient Chinese began to treat diseases by puncturing the body with bare needles or use herbs to relieve sickness. On the other we have two additional Chinese Medicine theory of development such as 1.
Scientific theory of identification of the meridians which actually predated the appearance of acupuncture Figure 1 [1]. Sacrificial elements were of utmost meaning in the ancient China. Figure 2: Oracle shell with inscriptions. The status of individuals in ancient China was determined by the perceived degree of his or her association with the supernatural. In ancient China, supernatural capabilities were common to virtually all Chinese medical doctors.
They all had supernatural capabilities that were all documented in medical texts. However, in most cases those abilities were not given prominent attention by most researchers. Shang dynasty?? There is clear evidence of a shamanic culture existing in early Asian civilization, and many shamanistic practices are believed to lie at the foundation of Chinese Medicine. By the sixth century B. Shamanism dates back thousand years and is considered as oldest spiritual and healing practice known to humankind.
Virtually all cultures around the world evolved from shamanic cultures Figure 3. Figure 3: Oracle bones pit at Yin. Most shamans begin their spiritual paths during a life-threatening illness, having a spiritual journey and communicate with the spirits and ancestors that become the source of their powers. After recovering from the illness, they go through a ceremonial practice of cleansing. Archaeological excavations have found records of the shamanistic use of divination dating from the time of Shang dynasty.
Invention of acupuncture and moxibustion originated during clan commune period of the primitive society.
The activities of human beings appeared in China about 1,, years ago. It was about , years ago that China entered the clan commune period which lasted till 4, years ago.
In the ancient literature there were many legends about the origin of acupuncture and moxibustion such as Fu Xi's?? Yellow Emperor invention of acupuncture and moxibustion. However those two legends actually represent the clan commune of primitive society effort to explain acupuncture and moxibustion and to rise it on cultural pedestal [2].
Originally shamans had two ways to communicate with divine ancestors: in mystical practice, involving dances and trances; and the second is the method of the oracle bones, a rational way. It is clear that the origins of Chinese Medicine extend far into the past and lie firmly rooted somewhere in the midst of their shamanistic beliefs and practices [3]. Archaeological evidence testifies to the ancient use of acupuncture. Excavations from the Stone Age reveal that cattle bones - and, later, turtle shells - were used for medical practice as well.
Medical advice was among the more prominent requests made of diviners. During the Shang dynasty the Chinese pictographic writing system is invented. Early character writing has developed out of the need to diagnose sickness and disease Figure 4. Figure 4: The Daoyintu. Oracle bones are pieces of bone and turtle shells that were used to divine the future for members of the royal household. It is known as scapulimancy, and it had purpose for the ruling class to seek spiritual guidance in affairs of house and the state [4].
Method of using of oracle bones: a question was carved into the oracle bone and then bone was heated via the insertion of hot metal rods into holes carved in the back of it. Result of this action produced a series of cracks on the bone. Finally cracks would be interpreted by the shaman in order to answer to the question at hand. These oracles were used as an attempt to determine the outcome of illnesses and the sacrifices necessary to bring about recovery.
Sacrifice was believed to be a way of sharing divine powers and ensuring longevity. Many of the pictographs and ideographs represent disease names and symptoms. Other characters indicate early classifications of diseases by their location on the body Figure 5.
Analysis of the cracks allowed the shaman to diagnose and treat the disease. Figure 5: Ideograms of wu? Toothache, headache, bloated abdomen and leg pains were only different symptoms of the same disease. The shaman was often called upon by the community to perform a psychodrama, make sacrifices to Shang Di??
Chinese Medicine and particularly acupuncture originated from the exorcist practices of the early shamans. Several important concepts related to Chinese Medicine also appear to have emerged and developed during the time of the Shang, such as a primitive understanding of the pulse, blood and other body fluids [7]. Additionally, the formation of the theoretical thinking of Yin Yang and the Five Elements can be traced back to this period, and the concept of the dual soul was also developed.
Every living human has both the Po? Primary understanding of Shen? Shen is the emotional, mental, supernatural and spiritual aspect of a human being, whereas Jing, translated as nutritive essence, sperm or seed is held to be responsible for growth, reproduction, development, sexual maturation and pregnancy.
Acupuncture has been used in the West since the 17th century , recorded first in Europe in The U. In the National Institutes of Health NIH acknowledged acupuncture as an effective therapy for a wide range of health conditions. More than 40 states have licensing and certification training for acupuncture practice, and most states now require a national examination. Today there are over 40 accredited acupuncture schools in the United States.
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Pain ; 86 : — Ernst E, White AR, eds. Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford.
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