Acupuncture originated from one of the early civilizations of man, with evidence pointing to the Yellow River region of China.
Human beings and particularly those living hundreds or thousands of years ago, were entirely reliant on nature for survival.
For example, hunter-gatherers and farmers were dependent on the changing seasons and the weather. Food had to be collected or grown, harvested, processed and stored safely for the winter ahead.
Peasant peoples from these societies may have led relatively simple lives compared to us, but they were astute, observant and adaptable.

Classical Five Element Acupuncture (also known as five phases or the twelve patrons)
Five element theories were first formulated around 200BC and derived from mankind’s need for the basic necessities of survival- fire, earth, metal, water and wood. The ancients believed that these basic components formed the building blocks for all of nature and life itself.
From observation and interaction with nature, it followed that physicians drew parallels between the five elements and the health and functioning of man.

Take as an example the Wood element, which is related to the Spring. Spring is the dynamic season following on from the quiet slumbering hibernation of winter. Spring is the season of life awakening and birth. It is noisy, active and exciting. Newborn lambs baa and leap, birds twitter and nest. Seeds burst forth from the ground and plants become lush, green and vibrant. Farmers have observed the cyclical qualities of nature and plan for the year ahead. They till the land in winter, plant the seed in spring, the crops mature in summer and are harvested in late summer or autumn.
The first acupuncturists noticed that similar qualities of energy at work in nature, were also at work, within man. One of the wood element qualities at work within us include our ability to give birth and not just to our children, but also to ideas. We need to have vision and plans and hopes for the future in order to thrive. It follows that judgements and decisions will have to be made and there has to be the adaptability and flexibility to make changes.
Sometimes our plans are thwarted. If our wood energy is overly constricted, instead of moving smoothly and enthusiastically, it starts to stagnate and we feel frustrated and irritable. Should the situation continue, our irritation may well explode into anger and could manifest as headaches or it could implode as hopelessness, despair and depression.

The essence of acupuncture is to observe the nature of interacting energy in each patient. When an element or energy within us is out of balance, it will manifest as signs and symptoms which lead back to the cause of distress. When the core weakness is balanced and revitalised, symptoms resolve and good health is restored.

The other basic concept in Chinese medicine is that of Yin and Yang, which first appeared in written text about 700 BC.
The symbols for yin and yang represent the sunny side of the hill and the shady side of the hill. Yang represents the sunny side, which is light, hot, noisy and active. The yin side is dark, cool and quiet and restful.

Yin and yang, though apparently opposite in nature are in a state of change and transformation. For example, day (yang) becomes night (yin) with the intermediate phases of dawn where yin is becoming yang and vice versa for dusk. Absolutes are relative and one state contains within it, traces of the other.

It is said that everything basically boils down to yin or yang.
These two apparently simple concepts have spawned a highly complex system of medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine, the name given to the style currently practiced in China today, is based on eight principles:-

Yin and Yang
Full and Empty
Hot and Cold
Inside and Outside

Diagnosis involves identifying syndromes (which are patterns of disharmony) and imbalances in order to form suitable treatment strategies.

Traditional Acupuncture has become the generic term for all of the older styles of acupuncture, which had their origins in the Orient.