Natural Healing Acupuncture, LLC
Oriental Medical Practice

220 S. Business Park Drive
Suite A4
Oostburg, WI 53070
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Stephanie Balthazor, MSOM, LAc

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262-853-4198

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Classic Chinese Texts
Branches of Chinese Medicine
History and Dissemination of Chinese Medicine
Bibliography

History and Dissemination of Chinese Medicine
The earliest form of Chinese Medicine is based in shamanism; a system that considered disease a product of evil spirits. It was the job of the shaman to bring health back to the people by exorcising these evil spirits. This early concept of medicine and illness is not unique to China. Many early cultures had a similar tradition. However, the development of this medicine from these early ideas to modern day is interesting. As Chinese Medicine has developed, it has always held onto the past. This can even be seen in the language, where exterior pathogens are still sometimes called exterior evils. Despite maintaining connection to its roots, Chinese Medicine has developed a sophisticated and intricate medicine. This sophisticated medicine is based in fundamental principles that at first seem simplistic. Upon further study it becomes clear these seemingly simplistic principles are extraordinary because they describe and explain the phenomena that occur in health and in illness. First and foremost is the principle of Yin and Yang. These two principles are the most basic mechanism of balance. Later development saw the theory of the five phases. This theory subdivides the organism by systems and develops a complete system of correspondence that greatly aids in both defining the imbalance as well as treating the imbalance. Much of the theory and philosophy intrinsic to Chinese Medicine is Daoist in origin. As a result the human body is viewed as a microcosm of nature outside of us. Early development of the theories were based in observations of nature and then applied to the human body.

The theory of Yin and Yang became more widely accepted in the latter Chou dynasty, which was 1122 B.C. to 256 B.C. It is during this time that the Five Phase Theory of Correspondence was developed. These two theories coexist in Chinese Medicine and are not competing concepts. In addition, the organ system developed. This system does coincide with the Five Phase theory. There are twelve organs and these organs have an associated meridian. The twelve organs are paired off; one being considered Yin and the other Yang. These organs then are related to the phases: fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. The organs are conceived of as corresponding to various substances and ideas. For instance, earth is associated with the yin organ, the Spleen and the yang organ, the Stomach. They are corresponded with the color yellow, the flesh of the body, the idea of worry, and the sound association is a sing-song.
Another important concept in the development of Chinese Medicine is that of the five substances; qi, blood, fluids, spirit, and essence. These five substances need to be in balance to maintain health. Imbalance in these substances is considered pathological and thus treated.

The development of the medicine in understanding, diagnosing, and treating is evidenced in the development of the classic texts discussed. As new theories and understanding was developed books were written to document them. However, as new concepts were formed the old ones were not necessarily discarded. To this day, we still refer to the earliest of classics. Both in writing and in practice the Yellow Emperor’s classic treatise is still a reference tool.

Throughout China’s history it remained rather isolated from the Western world. While the concepts of Chinese Medicine as well as other philosophical concepts spread to other Asian nations, they were little known outside of Asia. In the early 1900s, this began to change. Contact between China and the Western world increased. This was a time of change in China. The traditional form of government of Emperors and Dynasties were replaced by Communism. Communism regarded traditional values, thinking, and beliefs with hostility and sought new and modern concepts. Traditional Medicine started to become replaced by Western Science-based Medicine. Shortly before World War II, it was decreed in China that only Western Medicine could be practiced. This decree came from Chang Kai-Shek, a leader in China prior to the war. Unfortunately, only a few doctors were trained in this medicine when war broke out. They were unable to keep up with the needs of the soldiers and citizens. At this time the traditional doctors were called upon to practice medicine again. There success was clear and when Mao Tse-Tung was in control he ordered that the traditional medicine be reevaluated and reinstated. For some time these two medicines were practiced separately. Today, these two disciplines are practiced together, with many doctors educated in both forms of medicine.

Around two thousand years ago the Japanese were introduced to Chinese culture. A Japanese diplomat traveled to the Chinese capital during the Han dynasty and wrote about his experiences. After this exposure many Japanese traveled to China to study. In 562, a man named Chih Tsung traveled to Japan and brought many medical texts. One of these books was Chia I Ching, a classic on acupuncture. To this day Japanese acupuncturists refer to this book. Chinese Medicine received continued exposure in Japan when a Buddhist priest went to Japan in 754 bringing hundreds of medical books.

The Chinese conquered the Korean peninsula in 108 B.C. It wasn’t until the Liao dynasty, 907-1168, and the Kin dynasty, 1115-1234, that Korea was a separate country. At this time Korea still paid homage and tribute to China. Just as with the Japanese, the Koreans used the Chia I Ching as the foundational acupuncture text. In 693 the government appointed doctors to teach medicine. In 1613, the Korean King ordered that the Chinese medical classics be condensed and edited. A Korean physician, Hsu Tsuen, accomplished this task and is likened to Hippocrates in Western Medicine.

Chinese Herbal Medicine was known and practiced in Vietnam as early as 221-227. Chinese Medicine was officially recognized by the government in 1403 when Nyuen Ta-cheng was appointed Minister of Public Health and Welfare. He was a well-known doctor with considerable knowledge of herbal medicines and moxibustion.

It was much later that Chinese Medicine became known outside of Asia. In 1690 a German doctor named Engelbert Kampfer traveled to Nagasaki with the Dutch West Indies Company. While there he learned about acupuncture techniques and theory. He wrote about his experience and knowledge. Acupuncture has steadily become more popular in Germany. The Germans formed the German Acupuncture Association in 1937. Today all medical students must take a course in Chinese herbs, material medica, in order to graduate.

Chinese Acupuncture was known in France as early as the Seventeenth Century, but was not used until 1810. Dr. Louis Belioz reported successful treatment of many patients with neurogenic disease. In 1929, Dr. Soulie de Morant wrote a text to formally teach medical practitioners. His book, L’acupuncture chinoise, laid a foundation for the teaching of acupuncture in France.

Soviet Russia developed a research association early in the Twentieth Century to study Oriental medicine. From 1937-1945 many Russian physicians went to China to study acupuncture and moxibustion. Use of these techniques appear not to start until 1957. The primary focus of acupuncture in Russia has been neurological.

Great Britain was introduced to Chinese Medicine in the Seventeenth Century. The British had ready access to Chinese Medicine through its Hong Kong colony. In 1960 the British Acupuncture Society and Registry was founded. Several books about Chinese Medicine have been written in Britain and have been widely circulated.

Chinese Medicine came rather late to the United States. Little was known about this medicine until 1972. Prior to this time only a very few people knew about these techniques. In 1972 President Nixon traveled to China. It was because of this visit and the experiences of the media that acupuncture became better known in the United States. Since that time the practice and acceptance has steadily grown. Most states have regulation and licensing of acupuncture practice. There are now many schools throughout the country teaching these techniques. Additionally, Chinese Medicine is receiving more media attention and scientific study. The acceptance of Chinese Medicine by Western doctors and scientists is slow, but is growing.