A well-known acupuncturist specializing in external diseases from Tangshan, Hebei, wrote this clinical manual with Western practitioners in mind. It covers the treatment of traumatic injuries, muscle/joint problems, dermatological conditions, and postoperative complaints. Practitioners will find this book a useful addition to their library, allowing them to treat an even wider variety of diseases.

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

Using modern knowledge to shed light on ancient techniques, this text examines two of the earliest therapeutic techniques of Chinese medicine: acupuncture and moxibustion. Acupuncture is the implantation of very thin needles into subcutaneous connective tissue and muscle at a great number of different points on the body's surface; moxibustion is the burning of Artemisia tinder (moxa) either directly on the skin or just above it. For 2500 years the Chinese have used both techniques to relieve pain and to heal a wide variety of illnesses and malfunctions. Providing a full historical account of acupuncture and moxibustion in the theoretical structure of Chinese medicine, Doctors Lu and Needham combine it with a rationale of the two techniques in the light of modern scientific knowledge.

In China, moxibustion—the practice of burning Chinese mugwort leaves over a patient's acupoints—is a natural therapy that has been handed down from generation to generation for several thousands of years. This volume details everything readers need to know to get started enjoying the benefits of moxibustion for both health and beauty. Useful as either a handbook for quick reference or as a guide to in-depth study, The Illustrated Moxibustion Therapy covers: The basic theory of moxibustion Essential materials, tools, and methods Operative skills and important points The ten major health-care acupoints of traditional Chinese medicine and their respective moxibustion methods The moxibustion therapies of nearly 100 common diseases, demonstrated by real people and described with illustrated texts Daily maintenance suggestions and auxiliary therapies The therapeutic burning of moxa sticks or moxa fibers made of Chinese mugwort soothes and dredges the meridians, improves the circulation of vital energy and blood, and regulates the function of internal organs, thus aiding in the treatment of specific diseases and maintaining general health. Characterized by organic materials, simple techniques, and soothing feelings, moxibustion is a practice whose popularity in the west is growing by leaps and bounds.

Acupuncture is rapidly moving out of the arena of "alternative" medicine, in large part because it is grounded more firmly than other alternative treatments in research. This book provides readers with the up-to-date information on the clinical bases of acupuncture.

This book is a practical guide to tools, skills, and techniques common to all acupunture practice with emphasis on those that are uniquely or creatively Japanese. It is clear, direct, and completely illustrated with high-resolution close-up photography. The instructions are simple and concise so that they may be easily applied to the practice of any acupuncture tradition. Features: * Covers traditional needle techniques - filifom needling, supplementation and drainage, and needle with moxa, all with several approaches * Moxibustion is covered in detail, as are instruments, intradermal needles, press tack needles and spheres * Describes in detail highly specialised Japanese techniques such as shonishinpo (treatment techniques for children), Hiratazone therapy and Manaka wooden hammer and needle, as well as techniques such as cupping which are used throughout Asia * Introduction covers modern Japanese training and practice, including a highly useful guide to root treatment * Includes suggested treatment protocols for clinical application