Acupuncture in Western medicine

Despite their ancient tradition of acupuncture in the Western world is not so long known - and until relatively recently, they also enjoy with us due recognition in the science and the public.

In the 14th Century could be heard thanks to Marco Polo's travel reports for the first time in Europe by acupuncture. Only 300 years later, she was the trade between the maritime powers of England, Holland and France to East Asia more widely known. At the time, wrote the Dutchman Jacob de Bondt an extensive and highly regarded book on the natural history and medicine in Asia. However - it stayed with the theory: Even in the 18th Century was used acupuncture at best in aristocratic circles as particularly "exotic" form of therapy. For example, the lover of Count doctor tells of the lip, Engelbert fighters on its application results. In the 19th Century became the acupuncture temporarily forgotten.



Only in the 20th Century, after the end of World War II, was the acupuncture in the Western world really "discovered": The inspiration came in 1950, the fourth International Congress of Acupuncture in Paris 1950: In the following years, many companies were founded, devoted to the research and dissemination of acupuncture - including the World Medical Association for Acupuncture (DÄGfA). Another turning point of the visit to China by President Nixon in 1972, marked: he drew not only the political situation, but also the advanced sciences of the country in the eyes of world opinion. The television reports of operations where the anesthesiologist worked with acupuncture needles, left in the world a lasting impression. Since then, intensive research and development activities for a steadily increasing acceptance and application of acupuncture have provided.

Today, acupuncture developed in Europe more and more recognized supplement conventional medicine (while mainly in the U.S. is still in place as the domain of Chinese immigrants). Particularly for chronic pain such as migraines and joint pain, but also in phsychosomatischen diseases, asthma, allergies, chronic gastrointestinal disorders, tinnitus, eczema - yes, even in cases of mental illness, this is now being used successfully. In a number of pain clinics is now a routine method. And estimated to practice in Germany now - based on the population - almost twice as many doctors as acupuncture in China!

For the future is to be hoped that the blessings of the acupuncture patients still wider circles can be made accessible. In The World have at least begun the health insurance as part of the pilot to recognize acupuncture as a form of therapy and finances. Now it is the policy of creating the right conditions. on new developments in this area we will keep you regular updates on our site up to date.