Acupuncture has undergone quite the evolution in its journey from being a health care practice 3,000 years ago to becoming a part of modern medicine and the field of chiropractic services. At Forest Park Chiropractic & Acupuncture, serving the Greater Cincinnati area, the team of physical therapists and certified chiropractors explain how acupuncture has changed over the years.

Acupuncture originated in China, rooted in the belief of restoring the body’s energy flow and balance. That harmony was (and still is) believed to be achieved by placing pressure on specific points located throughout the body to alleviate sources of pain. Acupuncture before the 20^th century gained popularity within East Asia in countries like India, Japan, and Korea, spawning new schools and varying techniques among each culture. However, acupuncture was very much a practice that was passed through generations in China, with each family having its own rendition of the basic methods.   

Acupuncture arrived the West in the 18^th century after European travelers brought the practice back to France, Austria, and Germany. However, the practice gained much more popularity in the rest of the Western world in the late 20^th century following President Richard Nixon’s trip to China. Since then, acupuncture has been exposed to modern medicine and has become rooted much more in science while retaining its spiritual base. Today, lasers and ultrasound techniques are commonly used as part of acupuncture practice and training. However, the essence of acupuncture, which is the philosophy of restoring energy and harmony to body, remains the same 3,000 years later.

Integrating both traditional beliefs and modern technology, acupuncture has become an effective way to alleviate back pain and neck pain and has also shown itself to be a natural way to help pregnancy-related muscle pains and nausea as opposed to drugs. Not only has modern medicine benefited the popularity of acupuncture, but acupuncture has also benefited the quality and range of modern medicine.

For more information on acupuncture or to find a chiropractor or physical therapist near you, contact Forest Park Chiropractic & Acupuncture at (513) 742-0880 and visit their website.