THE HISTORY OF ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLES

Abstract

Background: Acupuncture is one of the essential components of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The acupuncture needle is the main tool of every acupuncturist. Practices similar to acupuncture might have been practiced elsewhere in Eurasia during the early Bronze Age. Even though such methods of treatment are common for many parts of the world, the present tradition preserved and greatly developed is originally Chinese.
Aim: The aim of this study is to present the history of acupuncture needles from the past to the present.
Results: The needles are among the first tools of medicine, present even in the earliest remains of human activity. Recently, 15 groups of tattoos were found and described on the 5,000-year-old mummified body of Ötzi the Iceman. Many of them are located at points coinciding with points where acupuncture needles are used for abdominal or lower back problems. Inside some of the tattoos ash was found. Along Ötzi, many other mummified bodies with tattoos have been found. While some of the tattoos are clearly signs of status, the location of others leads towards the assumption that they might be a side effect of treatment procedures involving insertion of medicines. Tools used for acupuncture, tattooing, bloodletting, piercing, and abscess drainig share similarities and it is possible that initially they have been the same. During the Neolithic era, the earliest acupuncturists used stone and bone needles. The type of stone used for therapeutic purposes in China is called "Bianshi" (Bian Stone). Bone needles were mainly made from animal bones. There were also needles made from bamboo. Later, needles were made from metal (copper, bronze, gold, silver and iron). Ancient acupuncture needles were thicker than the modern ones. Usage of bronze needles is dated in 800 BC from the Zhou dynasty, while the gold needles were made during the Han dynasty, around 200 BC. Tattooing and piercing during the Neolithic era might have been performed in present day Bulgaria as well. Reportedly in more recent times spikes of acacia and whitethorn have been used in folk medicine. Modern acupuncture needles are made out of stainless steel and come in various lengths and gauges of width. They are flexible and rust- and breakproof. Needles vary in length between 13 to 130 mm, needle diameters vary from 0.16 mm to 0.46 mm. These acupuncture needles consist of a stainless steel shaft, with a handle made out of copper or steel, while some needles have a color-coded plastic handle.
Conclusion: Acupuncture needles are present from ancient times. The ancient needles have gone a long way of transformation. From sharp stones and wooden thorns through thick and dull metal spikes to more sophisticated golden and silver tools, finally to become the standard stainless high technology sterile single use disposables. The appearance of the ancient and modern needles is similar, even though the material they are made of, their size and sharpness, and the number of times a single needle is used have change tremendously.