The ancient act of body piercing has been with man from the dawn of human creation. History tells us that body piercing is one of the most ancient body modifications known as science.
A record of a 5,300-year-old man found preserved in the Alpha had 61 tattoos and pierced ear rings – on different body parts, from ears to nose to nipples in extremely ancient civilisation.
That is to say, before human could write, they were piercing to communicate class, document experience or participate in societal rituals.
Among the many reasons why ancient people pierced body part may vary, but my interest as an international students of TCM Acupuncture is embodied in its health benefits.
History
According to history, Ancient Indian tradition of piercing the left nostrils was to help with menstrual pains in women. Why doubt acupuncture now in dealing with the same menstrual problems today?
Additionally, for centuries in Ancient Europe, there was this one belief endorsed by some sailors that a pierced ear could improve eye sight on the sea.
There was an Acupuncture technique at work in addressing health challenges of the eye.
Interestingly, one of TCM’s Acupuncture magical areas is in dealing with pains. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that there is that practice among the Demi-monde in Parisian society.
There is this legend that Victorian-Era doctors recommended nipple piercing to women as a way of easing pain during breastfeeding.
TCM Acupuncture has all the above traits and even more. TCM Acupuncture is just not an act of piercing but rather inserting of needles at some points on the body called Acupoints. And most often, needles are left there for a while to ignite its miraculous healing powers. Simply put, the body heals itself with Acupuncture needles insertion.
It, is, however enlightening to note not how medical theories and practices are different from each other but rather how they are similar to each other.
TCM Acupuncture
TCM Acupuncture is over 5000 years old, and its origin are found not only in China but in Egypt, South Africa, Middle East, Alaska and Brazil.
For example, one Dr. J Mathew said: “The Egyptians talked about vessels that ressembled the 12 meridians in 1550BC in their medical treatises called Papyrus Ebera. The South African Bantu Tribesmen scratched parts of their bodies to cure diseases”.
The Arabs cauterized their ears with hot metal probes. The Eskimos used sharp stones for simple Acupuncture.
Brazilian cannibals shot tiny arrows with blow pipes to diseased parts to cure diseases. Primitive sharp stones and bamboos were later replaced by fish bones, bamboo clips and later various sharp needles made of metal around the year 700AD.
It comes as no surprise at all that Acupuncture is among the oldest health solutions to health challenges and it is still a living blessings to mankind.
Unfortunately, Acupuncture for a long time did not enjoy enough yearning within international health circles. Less and less was it called upon as used in dealing with health challenges. It may have once upon a time been regarded as a source of hope and life to the sick, but was relegated to the secret dungeons of history.
Today, through the efforts of the Chinese Government and people, TCM universities and TCM training centres are scattered all over the world. This ancient treasure of Acupuncture did not die, but thrived with hope and promise in abundant measure.
I therefore entreat all to champion the cause and desire for Acupuncture. This will go a long way to make it matrimonially established alongside any medical practice with its long history, high efficacy, cost effectiveness, safe and free from toxins with no side effects and simplicity.
TCM Acupuncture is truly ensuring a global health bliss; just a change of mind away from its fully established as a true living blessings. TCM Acupuncture to the world!
The writer is a student of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Writer’s email: nseth411@gmail.com