History and basic introduction to veterinary acupuncture

This chapter offers a brief introduction to the basic principles of acupuncture and a description of its development since its probable origin in China approximately 3,000 years ago. The acupuncture paradigm and its theories of health are compared and contrasted with those of orthodox Euroamerican medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is asserted as distinct in its reliance on astute observations of a patient that tend to be more detailed and subtle than those to which practitioners of orthodox western medicine are accustomed. TCM also tends to adopt a more holistic approach. The historic account of the development of veterinary acupuncture begins with a brief history of human acupuncture followed by a discussion of the history of veterinary acupuncture as it developed in China, and subsequently spread to Korea, Japan, Europe, North America, and elsewhere. The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society is mentioned with regard to its role in promoting and coordinating veterinary activities in countries outside Asia.