Acupuncture: meaning, definitions and examples
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acupuncture
[ ˈakəˌkəmpCHər ]
alternative medicine
Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that involves the insertion of needles into specific points on the body to alleviate pain and treat various physical, mental, and emotional conditions. This ancient practice is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, which posits that critical life force, or 'Qi,' flows through pathways in the body called meridians.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She seeks relief from her chronic pain through acupuncture.
- Acupuncture has been used to treat headaches effectively.
- Many athletes use acupuncture to enhance their recovery.
- The clinic specializes in acupuncture for stress management.
Translations
Translations of the word "acupuncture" in other languages:
🇵🇹 acupuntura
🇮🇳 एक्यूपंक्चर
🇩🇪 Akupunktur
🇮🇩 akupunktur
🇺🇦 голковколювання
🇵🇱 akupunktura
🇯🇵 鍼治療
🇫🇷 acupuncture
🇪🇸 acupuntura
🇹🇷 akupunktur
🇰🇷 침술
🇸🇦 الوخز بالإبر
🇨🇿 akupunktura
🇸🇰 akupunktúra
🇨🇳 针灸
🇸🇮 akupunktura
🇮🇸 nálastung
🇰🇿 игло терапиясы
🇬🇪 აკუპუნქტურა
🇦🇿 akupunktur
🇲🇽 acupuntura
Etymology
The term 'acupuncture' originates from the Latin words 'acus', meaning 'needle', and 'punctura', meaning 'to puncture'. The practice itself has roots in ancient China, dating back thousands of years. It is believed that the earliest use of needles was for therapeutic purposes around 100 BCE, although the techniques and understanding of its principles evolved significantly over time. Historical texts like the Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine) describe acupuncture’s theoretical foundation. With the advent of trade and cultural exchange along the Silk Road, acupuncture spread to various parts of Asia and eventually to Western cultures, where it has seen increased acceptance as a valid medical practice. Today, acupuncture is recognized worldwide as a legitimate form of therapy that can complement traditional medical treatments.