5200-year-old acupuncture in central Europe?
Dorfer, L.; Moser, M.; Spindler, K.; Bahr, F.; Egarter-Vigl, E.; Dohr, G.
Science 282(5387): 242-243
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-8075 PMID: 9841386 Document Number: 492582
A letter suggests that examination of 15 well-preserved tattoo groups on the back and legs of the Tyrolean Iceman raises the possibility that the practice of therapeutically intended acupuncture originated long before the medical tradition of ancient China and that its geographical origins were Eurasian rather than East Asian. Computer tomography revealed that the iceman was inflicted with arthrosis of the lumbar spine. Acupuncture points used for treatment of this illness coincide with tattoos discovered along the urinary bladder channel.