Acupuncture for Mental Health

Acupuncture for Mental Health.

Chronic stress, anxiety and depression are the most common and disabling mental health concerns in modern society. They are often experienced as a complex set of emotional, physical and behavioural symptoms.

People with anxiety disorder frequently experience unpleasant feelings of worry or fear accompanied by physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, digestive complaints, trembling, irritability, sweating and hot flashes.

Depression is characterised by low energy, mood and low self-esteem, poor concentration, negative thoughts and emotions, and loss of interest in normally enjoyable activities. Appetite, body weight and sleep are also commonly affected.

What is our clinical experience?

Based on feedback collected from over 2,310 initial appointments for Stress, Anxiety & Depression, 88% of our patients reported improved quality of life after their first 4 appointments. See our detailed benchmarking statistics.

Initial
Consults
2,310
Average
Appointments
4
Improved
Quality of Life
88%
Refer Family &
Friends
92%

What does the research say?

The following insights are obtained from systematic reviews and analysis of clinical trials investigating the efficacy of Chinese medicine and acupuncture for mental health.

Consult with our practitioners for personalised care and advice.

Although well-conducted clinical research can help members of the public to make better-informed decisions about their healthcare, we cannot claim that any particular treatment may be effective for any individual person.

When you consult with our Chinese medicine practitioners, you'll receive personalised advice and treatment based on your symptoms and Chinese medicine diagnosis.

Scientific References

Browse our collection of scientific clinical research on acupuncture for mental health.

It includes recent and reputable papers published by peer-reviewed journals within the last 10 years.



The Natural Products Journal

2024, Feb

Pumpkin Seeds (Cucurbita spp.) as a Nutraceutical Used In Various Lifestyle Disorders
The Natural Products Journal

The therapeutic benefits of pumpkin seeds & the potential disease-preventing mechanisms are updated in this review article, also on the chemical make-up, nutritional value, phytochemical research, pharmacological characteristics, bioavailability, food use, & industrial applications of pumpkin.

Wal A, Singh MR, Gupta A, Rathore S, Rout RR, Wal P Full Article

Nutrients

2023, Apr 04

Vitamin D in Depression: A Potential Bioactive Agent to Reduce Suicide and Suicide Attempt Risk
Nutrients

Several studies have shown that deficiencies in this vitamin reduce the immunomodulation of inflammation and serotonin synthesis, two processes associated with depression and suicidal attempts. Therefore, it supports the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation in reducing symptoms of depression and a possible indirect effect in the prevention of suicide and suicide attempts.

Somoza-Moncada MM, Turrubiates-Hernández FJ, Muñoz-Valle JF, Gutiérrez-Brito JA, Díaz-Pérez SA, Aguayo-Arelis A, Hernández-Bello J Full Article

Sleep Medicine Clinics

2023, Mar

Acupuncture as an Adjunct Treatment to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
Sleep Medicine Clinics

The study concludes that there is growing evidence supporting the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating insomnia and comorbid conditions, and further research is needed to explore its potential as an adjunct to CBT-I.

Kutana S, Mao JJ, Garland SN Full Article

Journal of Functional Foods

2023, Sep

Effects of Pueraria lobata root and Glycine max (L.) Merrill extracts fermented with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on the depressive-like behavior in ovariectomized mice via upregulation of hippocampal BDNF
Journal of Functional Foods

Fermented P. lobata root extract (FPE), fermented G. max (L.) Merrill extract (FGE), and a mixture of the two extracts (FPE-FGE) can be used as a raw material for the development of dietary supplements for menopausal women as they increase ERβ expression and alleviate depressive-like behavior through the regulation of BDNF and neurotransmitters.

Ha J, Jang HM, Choi I Full Article

Research in Nursing & Health

2022, Dec 12

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for depression: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Research in Nursing & Health

Acupuncture, either in isolation or as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment, has clinical benefits and can be considered a safe option for managing depression.

Chen B, Wang CC, Lee KH, Xia JC, Luo Z Full Article

Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies

2022, Dec 31

Effect of Acupuncture on Physical Symptoms and Quality of Life in Treatment-Resistant Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder: a Single-Arm Longitudinal Study
Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies Medical Association of Pharmacopuncture Institute

Acupuncture may improve not only psychiatric symptoms but also physical symptoms and QoL in patients with treatment-resistant mood disorders. Further studies are required for confirmation of the preliminary data collected thus far.

Matsuura Y, Hongo S, Taniguchi H, Yasuno F, Sakai T Full Article

Frontiers in Pharmacology

2022, Aug

Research progress on classical traditional chinese medicine formula xiaoyaosan in the treatment of depression
Frontiers in Pharmacology

This review highlights the current evidence supporting the use of Xiaoyaosan as an antidepressant and provides an overview of the potential mechanisms involved.

Chen J, Lei C, Li X, Wu Q, Liu C, Ma Q, Chen J. Full Article

Medicine

2022, Jan 14

Can acupuncture improve sleep quality and anxiety among women during perimenopause?
Medicine

This study will provide new evidence on the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, and depression in perimenopausal women, and provide additional options for clinicians and patients to improve insomnia and anxiety.

Ping Y, Liang C, Fan X, Zhang L, Ying D, Wang Z Full Article

Annals of Medicine

2022, Jan 31

A network pharmacology approach to predict potential targets and mechanisms of “Ramulus Cinnamomi (cassiae) – Paeonia lactiflora” herb pair in the treatment of chronic pain with comorbid anxiety and depression
Annals of Medicine

This study preliminarily predicted and verified the pharmacological and molecular mechanisms of “Gui Zhi–Shao Yao” herb pair for treating CP with comorbid AD and MD from a holistic perspective. In vivo and in vitro experiments will be required to further investigate the mechanisms.

Pan HT, Xi ZQ, Wei XQ, Wang K Full Article

Natural Product Communications

2022, Aug

Screening Traditional Chinese Medicine Combination for Co-Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and Major Depressive Disorder by Network Pharmacology
Natural Product Communications

Taken as a whole, the current study indicates a TCM combination with positive advantages in the combined treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) .

Huang Z, Fang Y, Wang X, Wang Q, Wang T Full Article

Plants

2022, Jan 19

Major Plant in Herbal Mixture Gan-Mai-Da-Zao for the Alleviation of Depression in Rat Models
Plants

The present study confirmed the antidepressant-like effects of Gan-Mai-Da-Zao (GMDZ). Additionally, licorice (Gan Cao) may play a key role in the effectiveness of GMDZ.

Li YX, Cheng KC, Hsu CT, Cheng JT, Yang TT Full Article

Frontiers in Neuroscience

2022, Jul 14

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Functional Dyspepsia With Psychological Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Frontiers in Neuroscience

The current evidence shows that CHM treatment has great potential and safety in alleviating the symptoms of FD and improving the psychological disorders of anxiety and depression in patients with FD.

Luo X, Wang L, Fang S, Qing X, Jiang T, Yang Y, Su X, Wei W Full Article

Journal of Diabetes Research

2022, Mar 03

Vitamin D Supplementation for the Treatment of Depressive Symptoms in Women with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Journal of Diabetes Research

There was no difference in the dosing effect of vitamin D3 supplementation for the treatment of depressive symptoms in women with T2D who present with significant symptoms and low vitamin D. Regardless of the dose, participants’ mood improved over time. Further study of vitamin D to target depressive symptoms in comorbid populations is needed.

Penckofer S, Ridosh M, Adams W, Grzesiak M, Woo J, Byrn M, Kouba J, Sheean P, Kordish C, Durazo-Arvizu R, Wallis D, Emanuele MA, Halaris A Full Article

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

2022, Apr

The association study of chemical compositions and their pharmacological effects of Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu), a potential traditional Chinese medicine for treating depression
Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Cyperi Rhizoma (CR) could be a significant potential herbal medicine to develop antidepressant drugs with lower side effects.

Lu J, Li W, Gao T, Wang S, Fu C, Wang S Full Article

Pharmacological Research

2022, Jan

Saffron, as an adjunct therapy, contributes to relieve depression symptoms: An umbrella meta-analysis
Pharmacological Research

Saffron consumption significantly reduced BDI scores, indicating potential efficacy in alleviating depression. However, it did not show significant changes in HAMD scores and mixed scores (HAM-D/BDI/DASS), suggesting that saffron alone may not be considered a sole therapeutic approach for treating depression.

Musazadeh V, Zarezadeh M, Faghfouri AH, Keramati M, Ghoreishi Z, Farnam A Full Article

Medicina

2022, Dec 27

A Chinese Classical Prescription Chaihu Shugan Powder in Treatment of Post-Stroke Depression: An Overview
Medicina

Gao Z, Wang Y, Yu H Full Article

Annals of General Psychiatry

2021, Jan 30

Effectiveness of acupuncture on anxiety disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Annals of General Psychiatry International Society of Neurobiology and Psychopharmacology

The study suggest that acupuncture therapy showed beneficial effects in reducing anxiety in patients with anxiety disorder. It indicated that acupuncture is more effective than western medicine. It also further suggests that acupuncture works better in earlier stages.

Yang, Xy., Yang, Nb., Huang, Ff. et al. Full Article

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience

2021, Aug 13

Acupuncture Reduced the Risk for Insomnia in Stroke Patients: A Propensity-Score Matched Cohort Study
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience

Acupuncture treatment reduced the risk of insomnia in stroke patients. Future research be conducted with increased sample sizes and further elaboration on the specific acupuncture protocols that were used.

Qiu X, Han NS, Yao JX, Yu FR, Lin YY, Zhuang X Full Article

Trends in Food Science & Technology

2021, Jun

Dietary prospects of coconut oil for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD): A review of recent evidences
Trends in Food Science & Technology

The study concludes that coconut oil has significant therapeutic value in the prevention or treatment of AD, based on its multi-pronged biochemical effects.

Ramesh SV, Krishnan V, Praveen S, Hebbar KB Full Article

Complementary Therapies in Medicine

2021, Jun

Lavender essential oil on postmenopausal women with insomnia: Double-blind randomized trial
Complementary Therapies in Medicine

The study found that although there were no significant differences between the groups, participants who inhaled Lavandula angustifolia essential oil showed improved overall sleep pattern, quality, and sleep efficiency, as well as decreased sleep onset latency, depression levels, hot flashes, and postmenopausal symptoms.

dos Reis Lucena L, dos Santos-Junior JG, Tufik S, Hachul H Full Article

Journal of Trauma Nursing

2021, Nov

Effects of Acupuncture and Acupressure on Burnout in Health Care Workers: A Randomized Trial
Journal of Trauma Nursing

Auricular seed acupressure was found to be associated with a reduction in burnout and secondary traumatic stress in health care workers, leading to improved professional quality of life and caring ability.

Afrasiabi J, McCarty R, Hayakawa J, Barrows J, Lee K, Plouffe N, Schomberg J Full Article

Annals of Palliative Medicine

2020, Jan

Placebo effect of acupuncture on insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Annals of Palliative Medicine

Compared to the sham groups, acupuncture significantly decreased the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score. In addition, a significant difference was detected in the change of Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores between acupuncture and sham acupuncture. The authors concluded that acupuncture treatment of insomnia is efficacious, not because of its placebo effect.

Liu C, Xi H, Wu W, Wang X, Qin S, Zhao Y, Zheng S, Wan Q, Xu L. Full Article

Nature and Science of Sleep

2020, Dec 10

Efficacy and Safety of Electroacupuncture for Insomnia Disorder: A Multicenter, Randomized, Assessor-Blinded, Controlled Trial
Nature and Science of Sleep

Ten sessions of electroacupuncture can improve the sleep quality of patients with insomnia without serious adverse effects. Thus, it can be recommended as an effective, safe, and well-tolerated intervention.

Lee B, Kim BK, Kim HJ, Jung IC, Kim AR, Park HJ, Kwon OJ, Lee JH, Kim JH. Full Article

Frontiers in Pharmacology

2020, Oct 15

Regulation of GABAA and 5-HT Receptors Involved in Anxiolytic Mechanisms of Jujube Seed: A System Biology Study Assisted by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS and RT-qPCR Method
Frontiers in Pharmacology

Jujube seed (SZJ) extract was found to contain 35 phytochemicals interacting with 71 anxiolytic targets. Protein-protein interaction and pathway analyses revealed the involvement of serotonergic and GABAergic synapse pathways in the anxiolytic effects of SZJ. RT-qPCR validation in human neuroblastoma cells showed SZJ's ability to modulate the mRNA expressions of GABAA and serotonin receptors, particularly up-regulating GABRA1, GABRA3, HTR1A, HTR2A, and HTR2B, while exerting inhibitory effects on GABRA1, GABRA2, HTR1A, and HTR2A in oxidative stress conditions. The findings suggest SZJ's potential as an anxiolytic agent through the regulation of GABAergic and serotonergic synapse pathways.

Chen L, Zhang X, Hu C, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Kan J, Li B, Du J Full Article

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience

2020, Dec 04

Acupuncture Treatment Reduces Incidence of Parkinson's Disease in Patients With Depression: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study in Taiwan
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience

The cumulative incidence of PD was significantly lower in the acupuncture cohort than in the non-acupuncture cohort. The results suggest that acupuncture treatment significantly reduced the development of PD in patients with depression; however, a future study should be conducted to provide more objective evidence.

Huang CH, Lin MC, Hsieh CL Full Article

Integrative Cancer Therapies

2020, Jan

Comparative Effectiveness of Cheonwangbosimdan (Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan) Versus Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Cancer Patients: A Randomized, Controlled, Open-Label, Parallel-Group, Pilot Trial
Integrative Cancer Therapies

There is no difference between treatment and control groups, but both groups showed tendency to alleviate cancer insomnia symptoms. However, treatment group score was highly lowered than control group score. The study can contribute to more attentive care for insomnia in cancer patients.

Moon SY, Jerng UM, Kwon OJ, Jung SY, Lee JY, Yoon SW, Shin WC, Byun JI, Lee JH Full Article

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

2019, Jun 24

Acupuncture for Chronic Pain-Related Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Acupuncture therapy is an effective and safe treatment for CPRI, and this treatment can be recommended for the management of patients with CPRI. Due to the low quality and small sample size of the included studies, more rigorously designed RCTs with high quality and large sample size are recommended in future.

Fushui Liu, Jianyu You, Qi Li, Ting Fang, Mei Chen, Nana Tang, Xiaojun Yan Full Article

Frontiers in Psychiatry

2019, Feb 12

The Effects of Acupuncture on Glutamatergic Neurotransmission in Depression, Anxiety, Schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's Disease: A Review of the Literature
Frontiers in Psychiatry

We conclude that the treatment effects of acupuncture may be underpinned by its intervention in the dysregulated glutamate system. Further preclinical and clinical studies are needed to clarify the possible mechanisms of acupuncture in these neuropsychiatric disorders and to establish protocols for treatment guidelines.

Tu CH, MacDonald I, Chen YH Full Article

Current Medical Science

2019, Jun 17

Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Alzheimer's Disease: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Current Medical Science Huazhong University of Science and Technology

In most of the studies assessed in the current meta-analysis, acupuncture alone was better than conventional western medicines for the treatment of AD.

Huang, Q., Luo, D., Chen, L. et al. Full Article

Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica

2019, Jan 20

The effects of acupuncture on the secondary outcomes of anxiety and quality of life for women undergoing IVF: A randomized controlled trial
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Acupuncture may reduce anxiety at embryo transfer. Quality of life did not differ between the groups. Women experience reduced emotional well-being 3 months following the IVF cycle, highlighting ongoing unmet psycho-social needs.

Smith CA, de Lacey S, Chapman M, Ratcliffe J, Norman RJ, Johnson NP, Fahey P Full Article

Nutrition Reviews

2019, May 28

Effect of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Nutrition Reviews

Saffron could be an effective intervention for symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Marx W, Lane M, Rocks T, Ruusunen A, Loughman A, Lopresti A, Marshall S, Berk M, Jacka F, Dean OM Full Article

Frontiers in Neuroscience

2019, Jan 22

GABA and 5-HT Systems Are Involved in the Anxiolytic Effect of Gan-Mai-Da-Zao Decoction
Frontiers in Neuroscience

The present data show that GMDZ decoction possesses strong anxiolytic-like effects in the EPM, LDB, and OF tests but did not alters locomotor activity and motor coordination. The antagonism experiments suggest that the mode of action for GMDZ is via the GABAergic and serotonergic systems.

Chen HS, Gu LJ, Yang YX, Guo JY Full Article

Medicine

2018, Feb 23

Acupuncture for adults with overactive bladder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Medicine

The combined results showed that electroacupuncture (EA) may be more effective than sham electroacupuncture (sham EA) in improving the 24-hour nocturia episodes and EA may enhance tolterodine for relieving voiding symptoms and enhancing patients’ quality of life. Acupuncture might have effect in decreasing the number of micturition episodes, incontinence episodes, and nocturia episodes.

Zhao Y, Zhou J, Mo Q, Wang Y, Yu J, Liu Z. Full Article

Journal of Pharmacy And Bioallied Sciences

2018, Jan

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.): As an antidepressant
Journal of Pharmacy And Bioallied Sciences

The study concludes that saffron has potential as an antidepressant and contains various bioactive compounds such as safranal, crocin, and picrocrocin.

Siddiqui MJ, Saleh MSM, Basharuddin SNBB, Zamri SHB, Mohd Najib MH, Che Ibrahim MZ, binti Mohd Noor NA, Binti Mazha HN, Mohd Hassan N, Khatib A Full Article

Journal of Physics Conference Series

2017, Aug 30

The effect of acupuncture treatment for insomnia in chronic hemodialysis patients
Journal of Physics Conference Series

Acupuncture treatment effectively improved the quality of sleep and the quality of life for these chronic hemodialysis patients.

J A Widjaja, C Simadibrata, A Srilestari, M B H Marbun Full Article

Mental Health Clinician

2017, Jul 01

Essential oil of lavender in anxiety disorders: Ready for prime time?
Mental Health Clinician

The favorable safety and efficacy profile of SLO makes it a reasonable alternative to consider in patients with anxiety disorders.

Malcolm BJ, Tallian K Full Article

Mindfulness

2017, Aug 29

The Effect of Mindfulness and Acupuncture on Psychological Health in Veterans: an Exploratory Study
Mindfulness

The combined treatment of iRest plus acupuncture resulted in significant psychological benefits for Veterans, particularly in reducing depression, psychological symptom severity, and emotional interference with life activities, with clinically meaningful changes noted. Additionally, the combined treatment was equally beneficial across different demographic factors such as age, gender, and race.

Wheeler MS, Glass CR, Arnkoff DB, Sullivan P, Hull A Full Article

Neuropediatrics

2016, Oct 04

Crocus sativus L. versus Citalopram in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress: A Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial
Neuropediatrics

Saffron demonstrated significant improvement in scores of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety, comparable to the effects of citalopram, indicating its potential as an efficacious and tolerable treatment for major depressive disorder with anxious distress.

Ghajar A, Neishabouri S, Velayati N, Jahangard L, Matinnia N, Haghighi M, Ghaleiha A, Afarideh M, Salimi S, Meysamie A, Akhondzadeh S Full Article

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

2015, Jan

Prescription of Chinese Herbal Medicine in Pattern-Based Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Depression: A Systematic Review
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

We found that Xiaoyao decoction was the most frequently used herbal formula for the treatment of liver qi depression and liver depression with spleen deficiency, while Chaihu Shugan decoction was often used for liver depression and qi stagnation. Bai Shao (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) and Chai Hu (Bupleurum chinense DC.) were commonly used across different TCM patterns regardless of the prescribed Chinese herbal formulas. The rationale underlying herb selection was seldom provided. Due to the limited number of studies on TCM pattern-based treatment of depression and their low methodological quality, we are unable to draw any conclusion regarding which herbal formulas have higher efficacy and which TCM patterns respond better to CHM.

Yeung WF, Chung KF, Ng KY, Yu YM, Zhang SP, Ng BFL, Ziea ETC Full Article

The FASEB Journal

2015, Feb 24

Vitamin D and the omega‐3 fatty acids control serotonin synthesis and action, part 2: relevance for ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and impulsive behavior
The FASEB Journal

We propose a model whereby insufficient levels of vitamin D, EPA, or DHA, in combination with genetic factors and at key periods during development, would lead to dysfunctional serotonin activation and function and may be one underlying mechanism that contributes to neuropsychiatric disorders and depression. This model suggests that optimizing vitamin D and marine omega-3 fatty acid intake may help prevent and modulate the severity of brain dysfunction.

Patrick RP, Ames BN Full Article

Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental

2014, Sep 22

Saffron (Crocus sativus) for depression: a systematic review of clinical studies and examination of underlying antidepressant mechanisms of action
Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental

Research conducted so far provides initial support for the use of saffron for the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression.

Lopresti AL, Drummond PD Full Article

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

2014, Jan

Neurological Effects of Honey: Current and Future Prospects
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Raw honey exhibits memory-enhancing effects and neuropharmacological activities, including anxiolytic, antinociceptive, anticonvulsant, and antidepressant effects. Honey polyphenols play a crucial role in quenching reactive oxygen species, countering oxidative stress, restoring cellular antioxidant defenses, participating in apoptotic activities, and attenuating neuroinflammation induced by microglia. These findings suggest that honey, at the molecular level, may have a positive impact on neurodegenerative diseases, apoptosis, necrosis, neuroinflammation, synaptic plasticity, and behavior-modulating neural circuitry.

Mijanur Rahman M, Gan SH, Khalil MI Full Article

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

2011, Sep 07

Acupuncture for autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Cochrane

This review found that acupuncture might result in improvement in some outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, the high heterogeneity of the result did not provide a firm conclusion.

Cheuk DKL, Wong V, Chen WX Full Article

Journal of Medicinal Food

2010, Jun

Effects of a Tart Cherry Juice Beverage on the Sleep of Older Adults with Insomnia: A Pilot Study
Journal of Medicinal Food Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition

The results of this pilot study suggest that CherryPharm, a tart cherry juice blend, has modest beneficial effects on sleep in older adults with insomnia with effect sizes equal to or exceeding those observed in studies of valerian and in some, but not all, studies of melatonin, the two most studied natural products for insomnia.

Pigeon WR, Carr M, Gorman C, Perlis ML Full Article


Yin Tang
“It is by virtue of the twelve channels that human life exists, that disease arises, that human beings can be treated and illness cured. The twelve channels are where beginners start and masters end.” The Classic of Acupuncture
Circa 1st Century BCE