Acupuncture as a method of treatment of mans' illnesses is know to have its origin amongst the ancient Chinese possibly as long ago as 4,500 years - before recorded history. Early evidence of this development of acupuncture consists of diagrams of human and animal bodies with acupuncture points identified and ancient implements used in its application.

The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine is often cited as the definitive history of acupuncture but was probably a compilation of observations and documents over centuries. It is thought to have been written between 300 - 400 BC. Primitive forms of acupuncture started when people began using small sharp stones to pierce or press the skin. Bone needles replaced this and when metals were discovered, gold and silver were used.

Many myths have survived to partly explain some of the observations as the secrets of acupuncture have been slowly unravelled