needles into the skin. Other
methods of stimulation
include the application of
pressure and the passing of
a weak electrical current
(see below).
A basic 365 mapped
acupuncture points are
situated along the merid-
ians. A further 1000 extra
points and special use
points may also be identi-
fied on the hands, ears and
scalp. It is not known how
these points were discov-
ered – probably it was by
observation over hundreds
if not thousands of years –
nor is it known exactly
how many points were first
identified. Pain points can
be located anywhere on the
body where there is a pain
locus. Figure 6.6 shows an
acupuncture doll with acupoints on the head and neck marked.
Acupoints cannot be identified by their appearance and no consistent
features of their anatomy have been found that distinguish them from other
tissues. It has been suggested that the points may be sites of tenderness.^28
The methodology for investigating the tenderness of acupuncture points has
been explored.^29 The study of the acupoint known as spleen 6 found that
there was no strong evidence to support the hypothesis that acupuncture
points were more tender than control points.
Practice of acupuncture
There is archaeological evidence that shows that the earliest acupuncture
needles date back to the Stone Age, when instruments called bian were
thought to have been used in China.^30 By the Bronze Age acupuncture was
already well developed and needles were made of bronze. Needles were
subsequently made of many different metals: gold, silver, copper, etc.
Modern acupuncturists use solid sterile disposable needles of narrow bore,
about 3 cm long (although longer needles may be used at different sites).
Recently two novel acupuncture techniques have been reported. In the first
136 | Traditional medicine
Figure 6.6 Acupuncture points on head and neck.