Offering a systematic comparative approach to Western and Eastern medicine, this unique textbook enables students and practitioners of Chinese medicine to develop a core understanding of conventional medical language and treatments. Acupuncture practitioners increasingly find themselves working alongside Western healthcare professionals. Now in its second edition, this book is a guide to conventional medical diagnoses, symptoms and treatments, and using examples drawn from the author's experience and knowledge of TCM it encourages reflection on how these diagnoses may be interpreted from a more holistic medical perspective. It includes introductory sections on physiology, pathology and pharmacology, chapters devoted to the physiological systems of the body and the conventional approach to the treatment of diseases that can affect them, and information on dealing with patients in practice. Accompanying online material, including self-testing questions and answers and checklists for revision, is available for those wishing to use the text for systematic study.

If you are starting a practice for the first time or your existing practice needs a kick-start, this is the book/CD Rom package you need. It covers everything you need to know about the business of practicing acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Used by over 25 schools as a required text, the companion CD Rom alone is worth the price. * advice and stories from real practitioners all over the U.S. and Canada * scores of pages of downloadable forms, letters, work sheets, and templates on the CD Rom so you don't have to invent them yourself * a well-organized, easy-to-read, compact and humor-filled writing style * condensed "points to ponder" at the end of each chapter * hundreds or resources, websites, and tips to make your professional life easy * Many effective marketing ideas * New chapter on buying and selling a practice

Finally, a short and easy-to-follow book that gives practitioners of acupuncture and Chinese medicine all the information they need to notice, understand, and refer their patients correctly when facing potentially dangerous signs and symptoms. * Introductory material gives you an outline of how to actually do a correct patient referral and how to follow up for your own and your patient's medical and legal protection. * In just 220 pages Dr. Anzaldua presents all the most common red flag signs and symptoms that we may see in an acupuncture clinic. He also tells us what level of referral may be necessary for each red flag case. * Every red flag has a real life case study, helping readers to understand the process of identifying red flag cases and making correct referrals. * The easy-to-follow design and thorough index lets you find what you are looking for quickly. * Questions at the end of every chapter allow students and life-long learners to review what you have learned as you go. This book belongs on every practitioner's shelf . . . it could save somebody's life!

This title weaves together historical perspectives, ancient wisdom, and modern medicine to provide a holistic, effective, and rewarding way to understand and apply acupuncture in clinical practice

'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

"This is an essential study guide for the State Board and national exams. Covers theory, diagnosis, syndromes, differentiation, point selection ans point location, pathways, treatment protocols, formulas, basic herb information and a range of western information" -- provided by publisher.

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.