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 500 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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33823 in Books
• Published on: 2005-07-13
• Original language: English
• 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

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For the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Students:
Before writing a review I want to say that the Acupuncture Boards require this book as their main diagnostic book, but also; they require, "The Web that Has No Weaver," by Kapchuk and Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustiion (Rev. Ed.)(CAM) by Cheng Xinnong. I would also like to recommend - but not required - Foundations in Chinese Acupuncture (Rev. Ed.) by Ellis, Wiseman and Boss. This book is great for channel theory and has excellent detail throughout.

For Everyone else:
The above also applies to everyone else but mostly to TCM students. In review of Giovanni's book I must say that from a Western Medical science point of view it was easier to understand than "The Web" and I found that it presented the material in a logical systematic fashion with better and more complete explanations. It is better to start with this book, than with some of the others because once you have a good background with this one, you can understand the different wording in the other books (CAM, Web, etc.). Overall written well and highly recommended.

Five Stars!

Dicey CA State Board Book
Maciocia's work has been quite influential in the U.S. despite the fact that some of his information is from the classics, while other parts are his own creation. He does not always differentiate between the two, nor does he always cite his sources.

For example, the idea that the outer back shu points are effective for the treatment of emotions... not from the Classic sources, according to Philippe Sionneau. So where did it come from? Who made it up?

However, we still have to know everything in his books for the CA state board. His zang-fu herbalized-style point functions, 5 phase type, three jiao patterns, etc. are unique to this book.

In its defense, it does have a lot of important basic info, and it's written by a native English speaker... but it's a vastly different look at Chinese Medicine from say The Practical Dictionary of Chinese Medicine by Nigel Wiseman.

Good start for the new student... but neither the last word, nor infallible.

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.