針灸是我國古代勞動人民創造的一種獨特的醫療方法，有著悠久的歷史。幾千年來，人們利用金屬針具或艾炷、艾卷，在人體特定的部位進針施灸，用以治療疾病，解除病痛，并由此創立了獨具特色的人體經絡腧穴理論。

Acupuncture is a unique traditional medical practice created by the working people of ancient China, with a long history. For thousands of years, people have used metal needles or moxa sticks on specific points of the human body to treat illnesses and relieve pain. From this practice, a distinctive theory of meridians and acupoints developed.

遠古時期，人們偶然被一些尖硬物體，如石頭、荊棘等碰撞了身體表面的某個部位，會出現疼痛減輕的現象。古人開始有意識地用一些尖利的石塊來刺身體的某些部位以減輕疼痛。古書上曾多次提到針刺的原始工具是石針，稱為砭石。

In ancient times, people noticed that when their bodies were accidentally struck by sharp objects like stones or thorns, the pain in other areas would ease. Gradually, they began to deliberately use sharp stones to pierce certain parts of the body to relieve discomfort. Ancient texts often mention that the earliest acupuncture tools were stone needles, known as "bian stones".

之后針灸在不同時期得到發展，一直到隋唐時期，針灸學發展成為專門學科，針灸著作倍增，針灸被正式列入國家的醫學教育課程。雖然在很多外國人看來，在身上扎針是可怕的事情，但如果在做針灸時，能夠做到全身心的放松，并且找一個好的針灸醫生來扎針，就基本上不會被疼痛困擾。

Over time, acupuncture evolved. By the Sui and Tang dynasties, it had become a specialized discipline with a growing number of written works and was formally included in national medical education. Although many foreigners may find the idea of being needled intimidating, if one can fully relax and find a skilled acupuncturist, the experience is generally painless.

責編：李一珊