Akupunktur und Schmerz – eine Historie in 3 Teilen: Teil 1: Geschichte des Schmerzes und der Akupunktur vom Altertum bis ins lange 19. Jahrhundert

Abstract

Background The issue ‘pain’ has preoccupied mankind from the very beginning. Still, this individual phenomenon, which depends on physical, emotional, spiritual, and cultural factors, has yet to be fully understood, but is of vital interest. Acupuncture is one of the oldest and most effective means of pain therapy. In its theory, it provides an interface for body, emotion, mind, and culture. Aim By portraying and analyzing the historical evolution it will be shown that a modern understanding of both pain and acupuncture can lead to an integrative therapeutic approach, and that acupuncture – due to its physiological concepts and its idea of man – can lead to an all-encompassing approach in pain therapy. Methods In-depth study of literature, long-time practical experience in the therapy of acute and chronic pain, intensive study of acupuncture in historical context, as well as practical, own clinical and basic research, and knowledge in medical history as well as sinology, thereby joining the competences of two university institutes. Results The first part analyzes the history from ancient times up to the 19 th century. It is found that within the course of history, the interpretation of pain has always been a synthesis of individual sensation and cultural, philosophical concepts in both the Eastern and Western world, and that by the time of the 16 th century, both worlds had come to influence each other. In the 18 th and 19 th centuries, acupuncture experienced its first heyday in Europe, which came to an abrupt ending due to the pharmacological breakthrough discoveries of potent analgesics, both in Europe and in China. Discussion The rationalization of the concepts of pain in the historical course from ancient times until the 19 th century, and its dissociation from the individual lead to an increase in reputation of modern pharmacological pain therapy over acupuncture, both in Europe and the East. It may be postulated that still today, the results of this historical process stand in the way of the evolution of a much needed, all-encompassing approach including biological, psychological, and sociological factors. It would be necessary to establish an effective theoretical system integrating scientific findings while at the same time paying tribute to the subjectivity of pain. The following parts trace the development of the understanding of pain, modern pain therapy, and various approaches by acupuncture in the 20 th and 21 st centuries in order to finally, using a model, show a way out of this dilemma.