History Of Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been practised for over 2,500 years, with its origins rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and Daoist philosophy. Early texts, including The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (around 300 BC), established the principles of balance, energy flow, and the network of meridians that continue to guide acupuncture practice today. Over the centuries, acupuncture evolved alongside Chinese herbal medicine, remaining an important part of healthcare despite periods of decline.

Today, acupuncture is widely used around the world to support health and wellbeing. It remains an integral part of the healthcare system in China, while in the UK it has grown steadily since the 1950s. Thousands of professionally trained practitioners now provide acupuncture, with many registered through recognised professional bodies such as the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC), reflecting its increasing acceptance as a complementary therapy.