Product Description

This successful Chinese medicine textbook covers the theory of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, and discusses in detail the use of acupuncture points and the principles of treatment. The material is based on rigorous reference to ancient and modern Chinese texts, and explains the application of theory in a Western practice context. The new edition features new and updated material, including discussion of 50 additional acupuncture points and more patterns. A redesigned layout complements the accessible writing style and makes the material even easier to follow. Plus, an accompanying CD-ROM contains over 750 self-testing questions in a variety of formats.

• The actions and functions of acupuncture points are thoroughly discussed, both from the classics and from the author's own experience.
  
• English style and terminology makes material easy to follow.
  
• Comprehensive text contains everything students need for a complete introduction to the theory of acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
  
• Theory is combined with an in-depth acupuncture section.
  
• Concepts are clearly explained, including those that are complex and obscure material.
  
• Logical, sequential organization builds from basic theoretical concepts, through functions of individual organs, to disease categories, and the appropriate use of points.
  
• Authored by Giovanni Maciocia, one of the Western world's leading authorities on Chinese medicine.

• New larger, two-color format and reader-friendly design emphasize essential facts and make it easier to navigate the text.
  
• More photos added to a color-plate section provide valuable supplemental information for diagnosis.
  
• Enlarged illustrations in the acupuncture sections clearly show point numbers and names.
  
• Additional illustrations, tables and diagrams make the information easier for students to learn and memorize.
  
• The size of Chinese characters has been increased so they are legible and easier to interpret.
  
• Chapter opening summaries and summaries of key points at the end of each chapter point out must-know information.
  
• Icons to make it easier to locate desired sections of information.
  
• 50 more acupuncture points are covered in this edition, reflecting the broad scope of current practice.
  
• More patterns are included, and combined patterns have been added to the individual pattern chapters.
  
• More information is provided on pathological processes, relative weighting of symptoms, and identification of patterns.
  
• More cases studies and case histories apply theory to diagnosis and treatment, bringing theory to life in a realistic context.
  
• Pinyin equivalents are included in the main text to make it immediately evident which original term is being translated.
  
• An accompanying CD-ROM provides self-testing questions and answers to help students check their understanding of material.
  
• The glossary has been expanded to include more terms and their origins from translation.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29220 in Books
• Published on: 2005-07-13
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 1236 pages

Review
'This version remedies some of the shortcomings of the first edition and is now as near a complete exposition of Chinese medicine theory as could be presented in a single text. It is unlikely to be supplanted for years to come, if ever, and with Giovanni's similarly seminal textbooks on clinical practice, diagnostics, gynaecology and obstetrics and tongue diagnosis, forms the bedrock for all practitioners of Chinese medicine in the West.'

Peter Deadman

"The text is beautifully presented in two colours. A large number of clear illustrations and text boxes highlight the important points and aid readability. Learning outcomes are summarised at the end of each chapter. This is a well designed and easy to read textbook, which sources mainly from the classic Chinese medicine texts, including both ancient literature and modern books. It benefits from the author's rich experience in clinical practice in the West and his training in China. An in-depth understanding of the principles and theories of TCM enables the author to explain this complicated ancient healing system in a way that is understandable to Western students.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in studying TCM systematically, particulary those intending to develop a career in acupuncture." R Guo, Exeter, UK

About the Author
Giovanni Maciocia, CAc (Nanjing), Acupuncturist and Medical Herbalist, UK; Visiting Professor of the Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People's Republic of China

Customer Reviews

The secret to using the Index
The index of this book is inaccurate, starting at page 417 or some point in that previous section. From page 417 to the end of the book the actual page numbers are four less than the ones listed in the index. For example, if you look at the index listing "Transporting (Shu) Points 787-802", the section on Shu points is actually 783-798. Before page 417, the page numbers are accurate.

So if you look something up in the index and it doesn't seem to be on the indicated page, don't despair. Flip two pages back and you'll probably find it.

For basic concepts on TCM, this book is easy to understand
Highly recommended by some of my professors, I eventually purchased the book and am very happy I did. There are other books in the market explaining basic TCM concepts including diagnosis and meridians / points, but this one seems to do it just that one last bit more clearly - perhaps the fact that it's written by an English speaker is the reason why!

It's heavy to carry around and some of the terminology is different from what the Chinese Unis teach, but it's definitelly worth having in your library if you are studying TCM.

Beware
If you intend to use this text as a reference, beware that the index is 90% incorrect and that although the text is beautiful, it is laid out in a very confusing manner. For instance, the summary box for Lung dryness, instead of being situated in the Lung Dryness section, is laid out under the text for Invasion of Lungs by Wind-Cold. This is the case throughout the book.