Acupuncture in dermatology: an historical perspective

Tan, Eunice K, Millington, George W M and Levell, Nick J ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3393-8305 (2009) Acupuncture in dermatology: an historical perspective. International Journal of Dermatology, 48 (6). pp. 648-652. ISSN 0011-9059

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

Classical acupuncture focuses primarily on treating the person, and secondarily treating the illness. The "symptoms" are regarded as "branch" expressions of a "root" (constitutional) imbalance. Different root imbalances can produce the same symptoms. Five patients with eczema, for example, may reveal five distinct root imbalances and would all be treated very differently. Because acupuncture treats the whole person, it has something to offer almost every condition. In many cases, acupuncture aims to bring about a complete cure; in others, it aims to manage the problem. Acupuncture remains a substantial part of the traditional Chinese medicine, which is used to treat many conditions including acne, alopecia, dermatitis, pruritus, psoriasis, rosacea, systemic lupus erythematosus, urticaria, herpes zoster, chicken pox, impetigo, leprosy, vitiligo, and tinea. This review introduces the historical context of acupuncture within Chinese medicine and how it relates to skin disease. Specifically, a key question is, what can we learn from the ancients with regard to their use of acupuncture as part of a holistic system of medicine, and how does this relate to the practice of modern dermatology?

Item Type: Article
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User: Pure Connector
Date Deposited: 11 Feb 2017 02:18
Last Modified: 22 Oct 2022 02:17
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/62458
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.03899.x

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item