This title combines conventional treatment options with time tested alternative treatment options for skin disorders. By integrating the best of Western and Eastern medicine, it aims to broaden the armamentarium of clinicians treating skin diseases.

The authors look at TCM treatments for a wide range of common & more difficult problems, such as: eczema; gangrene; depressions; palpitations; & many more. Material is structured in such a way as to be easily accessed in clinical situations

A guide to the diagnosis and treatment of cosmetic and dermatological problems with practical instruction on how to perform treatment techniques. Thambirajah explains the energetic imbalances which cause skin diseases and the problems of early ageing, and describes how they can be treated successfully. Skin problems occur because the Blood, Qi, yin and yang of the body are not in balance and the book discusses how these can be balanced by acupuncture therapy. The therapy for a cosmetic problem has three steps: 1) to balance the body energies that cause the problem, 2) to treat the problem locally, 3) changing the diet and lifestyle of the patients with these problems. Concepts are accompanied with useful illustrations throughout, demonstrating the methods described. This second edition also contains new material on needling and massage techniques. This is a comprehensive and authoritative textbook on the topic for practising acupuncturists and Chinese Medicine practitioners.

'Sometimes called coining, spooning or scraping, Gua sha is defined as instrument-assisted unidirectional press-stroking of a lubricated area of the body surface that intentionally creates 'transitory therapeutic petechiae' representing extravasation of blood in the subcutis.' Gua sha has been used for centuries in Asia, in Asian immigrant communities and by acupuncturists and practitioners of traditional East Asian medicine worldwide. With the expansion of traditional East Asian medicine, Gua sha has been used over broad geographic areas and by millions of people. It is valuable in the treatment of pain and for functional problems with impaired movement, the prevention and treatment of acute infectious illness, upper respiratory and digestive problems, and many acute or chronic disorders. Research has demonstrated Gua sha radically increases surface microperfusion that stimulates immune and anti-inflammatory responses that persist for days after treatment. The second edition expands on the history of Gua sha and similar techniques used in early Western Medicine, detailing traditional theory, purpose and application and illuminated by science that focuses its relevance to modern clinical practice as well as scholarly inquiry. This book brings the technique alive for practitioners, with clear discussion of how to do it – including correct technique, appropriate application, individualization of treatment – and when to use it, with over 50 case examples, and superb color photographs and line drawings that demonstrate the technique. NEW TO THIS EDITION • New chapter on immediate and significant Tongue changes as a direct result of Gua sha • Research and biomechanisms • Literature review from Chinese language as well as English language medical journal database • New case studies • Over 30 color photographs New chapter on immediate and significant Tongue changes as a direct result of Gua sha Research and biomechanisms Literature review from Chinese language as well as English language medical journal database New case studies Fully updated and revised throughout Over 30 colour photographs