Acupuncture, ancient Chinese medical technique for relieving pain, curing disease, and improving general health. It was devised before 2500 BCE in China and by the late 20th century was used in many other areas of the world. Acupuncture consists of the insertion of one or several small metal needles into the skin and underlying tissues at precise points on the body. 

Acupuncture grew out of ancient Chinese Philosophy's dualistic cosmic theory of the Yin and the Yang. The Yin, the female principle, is passive and dark and is represented by the earth; the Yang, the male principle, is active and light and is represented by the heavens. The forces of Yin and Yang act in the human body as they do throughout the natural universe as a whole. Disease or physical disharmony is caused by an imbalance or undue preponderance of these two forces in the body, and the goal of Chinese medicine is to bring the Yin and the Yang back into balance with each other, thus restoring the person to health.