Acupuncture Books

Both my systolic and dystolic blood pressure levels decreased by 20 points each after reading 40 pages of this book. I can't remember the last time it's been this low. Let's see if this continues.

I really enjoyed this book. Clearly written, with the right mix of experience and theory. Author isn't out to create a complex system where people have to study a system for years, so lots of practical tips. Some thoughtful ideas on energy in objects.

Too much space and time spent on self indulgent praise. Not enough information on the art or the science. Very little imparting of the knowledge of the art or craft.

I'm sorry to say I can not recommend the book. I know about the subject of energy and I know several who work with energy including two friends that are Reiki Masters and practicioners. This book is more of an autobiography than a teaching book. You can find better information in books from Barbara Ann Brennan and many other authors.

This book was one of my required text during Massage school. I found it to be a very hard read. Too much fluff & not enough stuff. The majority of my fellow classmates felt the same.

I was impressed by the high caliber and daily usefulness of this book. I found the organization by the different levels of the tissues that were being treated innovative and practical. Each section provided lots of hands-on guides with excellent photographs, as well as details of the scientific basis for the technique.

I especially like the tables the authors provide that help me quickly locate information. My colleagues and I find ourselves checking the book when we need quick info on a patient we are treating.

As an instructor of PT Students, this is by far the best overall text for massage and soft-tissue techniques on the market. It uses Guide to PT Practice language and the impairment model. The cases demonstrate decision making, documentation, and suggest the adjunct treatments that would be indicated. This text is clear, concise and clinically relevant in today's practice environment. In addition to basic massage, it also covers trigger points, reflexology, manual lymph drainage, and other techniques, and gives appropriate emphasis to each. An excellent resource for any educational program or PT practice performing massage!

OUTCOME-BASED MASSAGE Carla-Krystin Andrade & Paul Clifford Lippincott William's & Wilkins 2001 373pp £22.50 ISBN 0 7818 1743 4

The American authors of this book provide a very thorough view of a wide range of massage approaches including superficial reflex, superficial fluidd, neuromuscular, connective tissue, passive movement and percussive techniques. The detail on treatment techniques make it more appropriate for the student physiotherapist, but the occupational therapist working in neurology or rehabilitation is likely to find the diagrams and photographs in the text helpful in informing their practice.

As an occupational therapy student, I found the focus on outcome measures and the treatment process helpful in considering my own practice. Looking at the links between impairment and outcome and the approach to goal-setting is of interest.

The chapter on the best posture for the clinician in delivering treatment helped, me not just with this kind of treatment, but also in considering my general physical use of self and my use in manual handling. There is an emphasis on the clinician preparing herself for treatment, an approach which occupational therapists, in the heat of the moment, can sometimes forget.

This is a book which I am unlikely to read cover to cover but which I will dip in to when I want to understand how to deal with physical problems. I think it will help me to interpret a client's dysfunction more effectively than I could otherwise have done. I am not sure that occupational therapists will want to go out and buy it for their course but it would be worth persuading your physiotherapist friends to buy and then borrowing it as required! One word of warning, the book seems to be designed to use as a practical reference manual and is printed on light weight paper, which makes it easy to carry around but not very robust.

This was required for school, but it does have a few handy features. It has a cd that has sample files in it that you can base your files off of, but it was a very basic sort of file. If you are knowledgeable in this are you could probably do better (ie an accountant, or the likes). But for the average acupuncturist, it's a good starting point.

As a student of TCM and someone who is preparing to set up a practice, I feel that the information in this book is indispensable. However, isn't it the starting practictioner, swamped in loans and other scary payments that go along with taking the plunge into starting a practice, who's looking for value above all else. Granted this book is 400 pages. But dozens of other publishers have sold research based books for far less. (The epically acclaimed, 5-star reader reviewed tome "Healing with Whole Foods" is almost 450 gigantic pages and $23!) It's ashame that the only people buying this book are required to by their professors as a part of a tcm degree program (which seems to fall under the category "taking advantage"). My only point of hesitation in giving this book 2 stars is that unfortunately it's the authors who suffer for what is evidently the publisher's pricing decision. But as another reviewer quotes, this is the one and only book of its kind, and until there are others to compete...get it from the library.

From Acupuncture Today, July, 2004, Volume 05, Issue 07

By Gregg St. Clair, LAc

Most of us practicing acupuncture and Oriental medicine are excited about what we do. Helping others, performing acupuncture, using herbs, working with the mind, body and spirit, and giving hope are some of the reasons we get into the profession. Unfortunately, we are not always the greatest bunch when it comes to what goes along with all of these - running a business. In fact, many choose Oriental medicine as a change in careers to get away from the business world. Once we start, we are eager to begin practicing all we've learned, not to waste energy worrying about which font to use for our first ad.

The truth is, no patients in the waiting room means just that - no patients in the treatment room. Promoting ourselves and what we do is an inescapable part of our career. For me, building a practice and uncovering some new opportunity has unexpectedly become almost as exciting as a successful breakthrough with a difficult case. But even with a whole class on practice management and some seminars, I still felt as if I was making it all up as I went along.

The recently published Points for Profit helps remedy that. It is the first book of its kind to create such a complete picture of running a practice. I was lucky enough to study practice management with one of the authors, Marilyn Allen. Many of the ideas in the book were touched on in class. I took notes, there were handouts and I felt ready, but quite honestly, once I got out into practice, it was all rather vague. To see all of these concepts down in writing to use at my leisure over and again made them all very concrete.

Authored by three professionals, Points for Profit gives us a multiangled perspective of how to run a successful business. Honora Lee Wolfe is an experienced acupuncturist, the author of many books, and the co-founder and marketing director of Blue Poppy. Marilyn Allen teaches practice management, is the marketing director of the American Acupuncture Council and editor of Acupuncture Today. Eric Strand has a marketing and management background that he is applying to a growing clinical practice. These three perspectives are blended throughout the book, creating a complete guide useful not only for the beginning practitioner, but the seasoned veteran, as well.

And when I say complete, I mean complete! The book includes practical ideas for all aspects of running a business, from starting up to insurance billing and marketing. Included are detailed analyses and recommendations for business basics, setting goals, different business models, writing a business plan, creating a budget, setting fees, record keeping, dealing with staff, workers' compensation, PI, no-fault, legal advice, working with partners, working in Western medical settings, and specialization, to name a few. And yes, there is even everything you need to know about HIPAA.

One thing I like best about the book is that it is organized so that just scanning through it is informative and inspirational. It is rare that someone would read a book like this straight through from cover to cover, as it is riddled throughout are points to ponder, power points, quotations, bold type, and useful links. At the end of every chapter is a review that summarizes the main concepts. Resources include Web sites for doing taxes, legal guides, finding jobs and marketing, all the way to becoming an entrepreneur. What more could you ask for? It even comes with a CD-ROM with 100 pages of downloadable forms, letters and worksheets.

Points for Profit should be in every practitioner's hands before they graduate school. It sets the standard for professional practice management and will probably become the standard textbook for all such classes. However, I feel the book can benefit any practitioner. The resources, the legal advice and HIPAA are just some reasons, but ideas for different business models, running a clinic, marketing, avoiding burnout and managing a practice ready to burst at the seams makes it invaluable.

I found the book inspirational and I know you will too. It came for me at a time when I was revamping my office procedures and forms, and I became excited about what I thought was going to be a tedious undertaking. The book has everything you need to know about starting a practice or bringing your current practice to another level. Success, however, is about more than making money. Points for Profit sets a standard for success on every level.

Mr. St. Clair's rating: 10 out of 10

The information is a good overview of the business side of things. I haven't looked at the CD yet. However, it really is meant for TCM and not physician acupuncturists trying to integrate acupuncture into their business model. There are some good chapters though on workers compensation. Overall, the info was decent but the text is priced too high. I'd recommend finding a used copy if possible.

A real "where the rubber meets the road" read. For those who want to know more about the complete approach through accupuncture, Peter and Sandra do an excellent job in shedding all the light needed. An A-Z what I would term as a "handbook" on Accupuncture. I wish I had known about this book prior to my first treatment! A must read. L Jackson Olivebridge, NY

Firebrace has written an excellent introduction to acupuncture, especially for those interested in brevity and highly accessible reading. Recommended for those being treated with acupuncture or for those that may be interested in acupuncture treatment, but not in an exhaustive deliberation on Chinese medicine. If you desire a good basic understanding of this health system this book will serve you well. If you require more discussion and detail then start with "The Web That Has No Weaver," and branch out from there.

The text is somewhat dated, but this does not take away from the basics you will acquire from this reading. The case studies are not necessarily outdated in this case, as they are used to illustrate a concept that holds true regardless of historical context.

Again, this book amply serves its purpose as a basic introduction. Take it for what it is and you will not be disappointed.

The book is OK for the layman. However it doesn't really get into how it works and how it cures. The case studies are also very old. However, it is an easy read and great for those who have never heard of Chinese Medicine before.

A better book is
the web that has no weaver &
Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine.

Excellent book for acupuncturists. It lost one star because they use color coding for some of the diagrams and the diagrams are in black and white! Their Atlas has all the diagrams in color and is also a great book.

As a nurse, let alone as a lay person, this book is so technical and full of very poorly unlabled picture diagrams including the fact that all the color coded shaded picture diagrams are printed in black and white, makes it impossible to relate to the reading/studying of this book. Even when used with the Auricular Therapy Reflex Chart it is very difficult to comprehend. I have studied many medical books in my career and this was one of the poorest I have ever dealt with. I was exteremly disappointed in this book and would not recommend it!

I was very unhappy with the last review. As an Acupuncturist with years of training this is THE text for Auricular Therapy. This text is not intended for use by the lay-person. Being a nurse in Western Medicine does NOT qualify one to practice acupuncture. If you are a practitioner or student looking for a great source this is a wonderful text.

If you are seriously interested in finding relief for your chronic constipation DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT. Basically, this is a pamphlet from the late 1800's with the most ridiculous, outdated advice on how to "cure" constipation. I threw this pamphlet away by the end of day two. Why I kept it that long I don't know.

This book does not have any important information and it constantly prompts you to his other one, the Mucusless Healing Diet (which is interesting but somewhat outdated for 21st century standards). Total waste of time and money. His cure of constipation is included in the above mentioned book. I follow a vegan diet and bought it out of curiosity, so I have to say if you are eating like an average American, it is a very radical change. Do not bother.

The method of the Dr. Ehret can help you to regenerate your physical, mental and spriritual body. This book is a classic of the alternative medicine. Read it and change your life.

Although knew much of this, I came up with new ideas that reinforced my knowledge in overcoming constipation. I strongly believe that constipation is one of the major factos of many chronic diseases.So, read this book.

I was glad I did not purchase this book! I would not recommend it as a book that sheds any new light on the "holistic approach" to healing. It was the same old basic information that can be obtained by going to the local library or visiting any web site on line. I would give this book zero stars, but since there is no zero listed to give, I gave it a "1"

Essential informatioin on holistic health. This book explains the mind body spirit connection in a unique way. A self help book that inspires the reader to take an active part in their own health and healing. Healing With Spirit; The Natural Way begins with presenting a new model for the human being as a human energy field. The whole person, including the physical body is explored in detail. It explains the creative ability of human beings, and a whole new way of percieving health and illness emerges. Section two discusses food, water, and all of the other environmental influences of humans and health. Here, Natural Health Philosophy is introduced. The link is clearly shown how the environment affects our health and wellbeing. I particularly enjoy Section 3 which pulls it all together and a 28 day program for healing is presented. The book is informative and inspirational. Great reading!

This book combines a spiritual approach and natural healing methods in a way that makes a lot of sense for people wanting to optimize their health. Section 1 describes us as energy beings with a lot of say in how we experience life, including health and disease. Section 2 gives good information on the things in our environment that impact our health. Section three pulls it all together in a 28-day plan for healing. I think it is great. I highly reccommend it.

this was the very first book on massage i bought for myself, about a year and a half ago when i first expressed more than a passing interest in the subject. i found it very informative,and i guess i learned enough because my boyfriend always loved my massages. they never failed to relax him (enough to go to sleep) even after a very stressful day or night at work and even after a no-holds barred argument! later on i bought massage books with pictures, and i guess that makes them easier to follow. however, i think the line drawings also add to the book's charm. maybe this book would be too amateurish for experienced masseurs, but i definitely recommend it for beginners. in my case it really brought my partner joyful relaxation and whetted my appetite to learn more about massage.

this was the very first book on massage i bought for myself, about a year and a half ago when i first expressed more than a passing interest in the subject. i found it very informative,and i guess i learned enough because my boyfriend always loved my massages. they never failed to relax him (enough to go to sleep) even after a very stressful day or night at work and even after a no-holds barred argument! later on i bought massage books with pictures, and i guess that makes them easier to follow. however, i think the line drawings also add to the book's charm. maybe this book would be too amateurish for experienced masseurs, but i definitely recommend it for beginners. in my case it really brought my partner joyful relaxation and whetted my appetite to learn more about massage.

I saw this book paired with some massage oil on another website, so I thought I could buy the book and do the same to create a romantic gift. This book is far from sensual. It is a basic technique book with little romance involved. This book is good if you want to a basic full body message technique, but the title is misleading. For a more romantic book, look elsewhere!

Handy chart to have on the wall if you already know the points. Just to remind you. Small print and things make it hard to read in detail, especially seeing as there is 14 meridians on the same A3 page.
Not great for the beginner, I would guess.

I am not farmiliar with acupuncture medridians and this is new information for me. I can not comment on the accuracy of this chart as it pertains to acupuncture. I will say that the chart is too small and the lettering used to depict the points are too small. The main purpose of a chart like this is to identify acupuncture points therefore the chart is a second class chart..ok for amateurs.

The concept of this Meridian Chat is very nice. But one can not see the points well. The Chinese meridian chat are always confuse, they do not show the meridians with one collor to each meridian. If you are not familiar with it, you probably wont like it. I hope, in the future, the editor can make it better, using the same concept (one meridian at the time).

This book is short and comprehensible by a 5th grader because it's simple and it works. There's no magic formula or fads. These simple ideas and some discipline transformed my eating habits and my body.

I bought this book because it was on sale, and I figured what the heck.

That was at 240 pounds, 38-40" pants, and probably 30-40% body fat on my 5'11" frame. I felt very unhealthy and sent out a big signal "I don't take care of myself" everywhere I went.

I now wear 30-32" pants and am trim but muscular at 187 lbs and 17% body fat. My cholesterol plummeted and I even ran a 7 mile race just because I could for the first time in my life.

It's not a diet. It helped me develop a completely different set of eating habits, that I enjoy, and gave me a body I love.

It took 6-8 months to lose over 50 pounds, and I'm actually still losing because I just don't have the same fat guy lifestyle I used to. Following the healthy habits in the book 90% of the time also lets me go out for wings and a sundae every week or so and not even worry about it ;-)

Now that I'm down 50 pounds, even if I go on vacation and go wild for a week and put on a pound or two, I go back to my regular lifestyle and it comes right back off. So continually dropping until I level off at the weight I want doesn't seem to be an issue. I love what I eat and the exercise I do, so I don't see the weight coming back.

The book lays out simple principles (e.g. substitute fiber for fat) and briefly discusses how to do it. You don't need a huge number of pages to explain what to do, you just need to do it and you'll be in control of your weight.

Just buying this book won't help, but if you are ready to change how you relate to food, buying this book, following it, and believing in your ability to transform yourself will set you on your way.

Good luck!

The authors have packed a lot of info into this slim book. Their four-part strategy: 1. Lift weights to lose weight; 2. Cut back on the (simple) carbohydrates; 3. Exchange fiber for fat; and 4. Extended fat burning from cardio training. I've read extensively on fitness and diet topics and I couldn't find any bad advice in the book. Just ignore the 40 photos of pumped-up steroid freaks and women with breast implants. If the authors had found some normal models I would have given the book five stars. For the price of (roughly) of two body-building magazines, this book is worth the price.

Don't waste your time on this one. This "book", and that's a stretch, has only 48 pages and 46 of them are dominated by photos of ego-maniac body builders in their most "cut" poses. The text font is large and the word content is small, like trying to stretch a 5 page term paper to 10 pages! Most people will never, ever, EVER come close to looking anything like these photos.

I bought this book because I was interested in books similar to Atkins style, low-carb diet and fitness. This title was "highly recommended" by someone. THIS BOOK IS USELESS! It's non-specific about anything. The two page appendix is the only useful information. The rest could have been written by a fifth-grader.

I wasted my money...you don't have to.
-GL