The Way of the Silver Needle: Scientific Evidence and Future Prospects of Acupuncture

Dr. Xuqiang Wei began his lecture with a compelling question: “Where did we first encounter the idea of ‘acupoints’ and ‘acupuncture’? From the fantastical depictions in martial arts novels, or from the real, tangible experience of our own bodies?” This opening led into a captivating journey, where vivid clinical footage and historical context together unveiled the sweeping landscape of this ancient healing art, shaped over millennia through cultural transmission and scientific evolution.

Tracing the origins of acupuncture from Neolithic bone tools and the famous bronze acupuncture figures to modern literature and practice, Dr. Wei emphasized that the development of acupuncture has never been isolated or stagnant. Instead, it has been continuously shaped by global exchange, modern validation, and interdisciplinary refinement. He underscored that the meridian system should be understood as a functional model, rather than an anatomical one. To truly grasp core concepts in Chinese medicine—such as qi, xue (blood), acupoints,…