An invaluable guide for anyone beginning a career in acupuncture, this book offers a unique and supportive insight into the challenges and the pitfalls that the novice acupuncturist is likely to encounter, and provides encouragement and down-to-earth ideas for tackling them. Written in an easy-to-read conversational style with useful case studies throughout, this book will help newly-qualified acupuncturists to reflect on what kind of practitioner they want to be. It addresses styles of working, common mistakes, confidence with patients, becoming a better practitioner, and how to think about success and failure in the treatment room. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the practitioner ends the day refreshed and enlivened by the work and has confidence in the treatments given.
Written by THE leading lights in the field of integrating acupuncture into a Western medical system, this book bridges the gap between the theoretical foundations of acupuncture and its application in a modern Western clinical context. Each case history focuses on the complexities and dilemmas of treatment that are tackled, providing valuable insights by experienced practitioners into the management of a course of acupuncture treatment.
Although acupuncture is currently experiencing a great increase in acceptance and growth, many acupuncturists are failing to earn a living. Recent statistics suggest that nearly 9 out of 10 acupuncturists end-up in private practice but most of those are struggling to earn solid incomes. This book offers candid and comprehensive advice about what it really takes to manage a successful acupuncture practice in the West today. Readers will learn the unique combination of skills needed to make acupuncture services effective and affordable while still allowing practitioners to earn a comfortable living. Distilled from 25 years of full-time private practice this is real-world advice offered by one of the acupuncture profession's most experienced practitioners and authors. "Not strictly a clinical guide, or a business book, or a political treatise, but rather an original fusion of the most important aspects of all three, Making Acupuncture Pay should be required reading for every student of acupuncture, for any acupuncturist who's struggling to make a practice work, and well, for any acupuncturist...PERIOD " -Brent Ottley, L.Ac. "This book should be required reading before one enrolls in acupuncture school, as each chapter addresses the fundamental concepts and realistic prospects of the graduate earning a living as an acupuncturist." -Pamela Howard, acupuncture student Matthew Bauer began his practice in 1986 immediately after obtaining his State acupuncture license and as the sole source of support for his family of four. Learning how to manage his practice by trial and error, Matthew currently sees between 75-100 patients a week. In addition to his busy practice, Matthew also became involved with acupuncture organizations and as a consultant for the insurance industry helping to pioneer acupuncture HMO plans. He is the author of The Healing Power of Acupressure and Acupuncture, which explores the Taoist roots of Chinese medicine as a means of educating the public about acupuncture's benefits. With Making Acupuncture Pay, Matthew begins his efforts to help fellow acupuncturists achieve the level of practice success he has been blessed to enjoy.
This book is meant as a textbook for students and practitioners to use as a reference to guide them in the safe and effective use of electroacupuncture. It includes the following: • How acupuncture and electroacupuncture works scientifically. • Effective means to treat inflammation anywhere in the body. And when to use each. • How to stop a degenerative process. • How to repair partially torn tendons, ligaments, etc. without surgery. • How to speed up healing of broken bones. • What various frequencies do and when to use them. • New needling techniques and additional lines for scalp acupuncture. • My theory for why we have microsystems. • My theory on why magnets work. • New uses/functions for existing points. • New points that are useful clinically. • What acupuncture points are and how best to use them. • Proof the meridians are a secondary system for the circulation of extracellular fluid and what that means for treatments. New treatment based on that fact to treat lymphedema. • How to treat a number of disorders with electroacupuncture. • How and when to use a point locater. • A new method to diagnose organ problems before Western tests. • Ryodoraku acupuncture, a Japanese form of electrodiagnosis and treatment. • I also cover Light therapy, Light and sound therapy, Hemisync, and a short course in Therapeutic touch. • Other tips from a practitioner with over 30 years’ experience.
This book offers pragmatic and clinically useful information for physicians seeking to integrate acupuncture into their medical practices. Beginning with the history and science of acupuncture. It is a guide through anatomy, physiology, pathology, examination and diagnosis, point location, and basic and advanced treatments. It includes proven techniques for treating musculoskeletal pain, migraines, gastrointestinal conditions, and substance abuse. The text also contains high quality photographs and illustrations for clear localization of channels and points. It is an ideal learning tool for practitioners looking to expand their practice or find a more versatile acupuncture approach.
This is the first book to set out a full range of research strategies for evaluating the clinical practice of acupuncture. Leading acupuncturists and researchers with international reputations share their expertise. They illustrate their descriptions with practical examples of what has worked and what has not. It outlines many of the key challenges in the field. These challenges relate to the nature of acupuncture and the gap between current research evidence and the actual experiences of acupuncturists in the field. By focusing the chapters on key research questions, rather than methods, the book has a user-friendly feel. Each chapter is easily accessible with brief explanations of research designs as well as vignettes of relevant past research. The book is based on a deep understanding of acupuncture, with its inherent complexity in practice, whether based on traditional principles or more modern concepts. By incorporating a more sophisticated understanding of the field, this book details a range of strategies aiming to develop the evidence base with the utmost rigour. It is the first book on acupuncture research to take this unique view, integrating the very best of evidence-based medicine with a genuine sensitivity to the discipline of acupuncture, from its traditional and holistic roots to its more modern interpretations.
"This beautifuly designed two color book is filled with over 100 detailed illustrations to help the reader better understand the materials being presented. Red flag cases are included and clearly explained to help the practitioner decide when an immediate referral is necessary. This book covers many Western diseases you will encounter and is clearly written for practitioners of Chinese medicine. With this textbook you will learn the clinical presentation and treatment of the major diseases seen in Western medical practice today, and how to confidently interact with Western medical practitioners."--Publisher
Comprehensively revised and expanded with vital new content, the second edition of Medical Acupuncture continues to explore the realistic integration of acupuncture into conventional medicine. Advocating the Western medical acupuncture approach (WMA), this science-based compendium provides the trained practitioner with all the latest research on the effectiveness of WMA and its associated mechanisms, techniques, clinical practice and evidence. Medical Acupuncture demonstrates a variety of needling techniques and clinical applications within the context of WMA and its evolution from traditional Chinese acupuncture using current knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology alongside the principles of evidence-based medicine. Split into seven sections the book begins by establishing the roots of WMA in the Introduction and then progresses on to describe the mechanisms of action in Section 2, including peripheral components of stimulation and evidence from neuroimaging. Sections 3 and 4 cover clinical approaches (eg, superficial needling, electroacupuncture, safety of acupuncture) and techniques related to acupuncture (TENS, laser therapy). Section 5 takes a closer look at the difficulties faced by trials and reviews while Section 6 goes on to showcase 21 clinical uses of WMA, ranging from chronic pain, mental health, obstetrics and primary care to sports medicine, respiratory conditions and neurology. The final reference section contains dermatome/myotome maps, meridian/channel charts and standard international nomenclature. - Comprehensive coverage of the scientific evidence and clinical application of acupuncture in medicine - Balances the genuine benefits of acupuncture against unfounded claims - Presents a wide range of treatable conditions from psychiatry and palliative care through to the pain clinic and veterinary medicine - Clinical points boxes highlight key knowledge and learning - Illustrated with over 130 drawings and photographs - Content restructure and overhaul with contributions from over 40 world leading experts - Individual chapters on the use of acupuncture for a wide range of medical conditions including gynaecology and infertility, cancer and palliative care, drug dependence, obesity, sports medicine, dentistry and veterinary practice - Updated with the latest scientific evidence - Expanded information on neuroanatomical and neurophysiological considerations in relation to the mechanisms of acupuncture
Combining the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with Western medical acupuncture, this eagerly awaited book and CD-ROM brings the entire field of acupuncture to a new professional standard. The authors, leading experts from diverse disciplines, systematically guide you though the channels, point locations and trigger points in the body, from head to toe. Each acupuncture point is shown in vivo and then explained in detail, using illustrations that show its exact anatomical location and characteristics. In addition, you will benefit from state-of-the-art information never published before, including: a universal point localization system based on anatomic principles; a comprehensive discussion of potential contraindications and side effects of acupuncture; and a focus on outcome-based models and scientific studies throughout. Ideal for those who practice Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as anyone studying for certification, this book covers all acupuncture point locations, as well as the fundamental concepts and methods of this ancient art. It is indispensable for practitioners who need the most complete, scientifically based, and reliable information available anywhere.
An introduction to the theory and practice of acupuncture This introductory text presents a systematized and in-depth clinical approach to medical acupuncture. Covering basic concepts in anatomy, physiology, and pathology, Clinical Introduction to Medical Acupuncture will give practitioners the confidence to apply acupuncture and ancillary techniques, such as needling, moxibustion, cupping and electroacupunture, to treat a wide range of acute and chronic diseases and conditions. Features: Succinct descriptions of theory and points Tips on using anatomical landmarks to ensure precise point localization Clinical pearls on how to apply techniques for common conditions Clear illustrations and comprehensive tables that synthesize key information on indications, acupuncture points, and treatment plans, ideal for quick review and reference Short self-study quizzes for each topic and a comprehensive final exam that help the practitioner identify areas requiring additional study Discussion of the importance of self-care and cultivation, Qi Gong, and other techniques to enhance healing This book will benefit not only acupuncturists and complementary medicine practitioners, but also Western medical practitioners in family medicine, physical and rehabilitation medicine, pain medicine, neurology, oncology, rheumatology, gynecology, dentistry and other specialties. Practitioners studying for certification and licensing exams in medical acupuncture will also find this book an indispensable tool.