The story of acupuncture begins in the ancient landscapes of China, where healers once wielded sharpened stones and bones before the advent of surgical steel. Initially used for bloodletting, these primitive tools evolved into the sophisticated practice of acupuncture.

A fascinating chapter in this story is the discovery of Otzi the ‘Ice Man’. Found in 1991, Otzi was preserved in an Alpine glacier near the Austria-Italy border, dating back to 3200 BC. His body bore mysterious tattoo marks that aligned with known acupuncture points, corresponding to his ailments such as degenerated spinal discs and digestive parasites.

Fast forward to 1971, when New York Times columnist James Reston found himself in a hospital in China, undergoing an appendectomy. Reston shared how acupuncture effectively managed his post-operative pain, capturing the curiosity of the Western world.

President Richard Nixon’s visit to China further ignited interest in acupuncture. Witnessing an open-heart surgery performed with acupuncture as the sole anesthetic, Nixon’s encounter brought this ancient healing art into the spotlight in America.

Over the decades, acupuncture’s popularity has flourished, supported by extensive research validating its therapeutic benefits.