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Books > Medicine > Complementary medicine > Traditional medicine & remedies
In this selection of core texts, Richard Bertschinger presents a
commentary and translation of the key writings for students and
practitioners of Chinese medicine in the 21st century from the
ancient, definitive set of books on Chinese medicine, the Huangdi
Neijing or 'the Yellow Emperor's Medical Classic'. Bertschinger
selects the key sections of the long and often impenetrable Huangdi
Neijing that are vital for students and practitioners to know and
understand for practice today, and provides an accessible view of
these fundamental writings which remain central to all traditional
approaches to medicine in China. Taking eminent Ming doctor and
scholar Li Zhongzi's selection of texts as a basis, he also
includes a number of additional texts from the Huangdi Neijing on
topics such as the spirit in treatment, a resonance with nature,
the art of needling, and the Five Elemental body and personality
types, thus ensuring the relevance of this core set of information
for students and practitioners of acupuncture and traditional
Chinese medicine today.
Drawing on ancient Chinese knowledge and tradition, this book
teaches practitioners of acupuncture how to develop their internal
energy and sensitivity to energy in order to improve their
practice. Understanding and working with energy flow is essential
to becoming a good acupuncturist and regular qigong practice helps
the acupuncturist to direct energy flow within the patient more
accurately and effectively. This book presents a complete training
regime for Western acupuncturists and features qigong exercises
dating back centuries. With images from the original manuscripts
and the Chinese text alongside an English translation and
commentary, Western readers are introduced to unique exercises and
internal cultivation texts in a truly authentic way. This book
provides essential internal training for acupuncture practitioners
and students and will be of interest to a wide array of martial
arts and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.
What does it mean to 'be' an acupuncturist? How does a highly
experienced acupuncturist view her practice, her patients, and the
world in general? Based on her widely-read blog about the wholeness
of life as a Five Element practitioner, Nora Franglen's breadth of
interest shows how the curiosity and life experiences of the
individual lie at the heart of what makes a true acupuncturist,
over and beyond the necessary knowledge and expertise in the
technicalities of practice. From her penchant for coffee shops to
reflections on challenges she has experienced in the clinic, Nora
illustrates how the Five Elements influence, illuminate and,
ultimately, enrich all aspects of her life, and vice versa. With
reflections gathered from over several years of posting linked by
Nora's commentary, this diary is truly enlightening reading for
anyone interested in the inner workings of a practitioner at one
with her craft.
Mawangdui Daoyin Shu presents a series of qigong forms based on
those shown on the famous silk paintings excavated from the
Mawangdui tombs of Changsha, Hunan Province. Discovered in the
1970s alongside a wealth of classical texts, they are among the
oldest and best preserved silk works in China, and provide a
fascinating insight into the early history of qigong. Dating from
the Han Dynasty, these easy-to-learn movements work with the flow
of vital energy through the meridians and encourage connection
between the external movements of the body and the internal
activity of the mind. Through rising and squatting, extending and
withdrawing the limbs, bending and stretching, the movements help
maintain health and cultivate the spirit. The book provides
step-by-step, fully-illustrated instruction on the Mawangdui Daoyin
Shu, and includes a brief account of the origins of the movements,
with additional learning tips for each movement, and information
about the health benefits. Additional downloadable content features
a video demonstrating the form and additional information on its
history and origins, and provides options for verbal instructions
to lead the practitioner through the exercises, or music to
accompany them. This accessible and beautiful form will be of
interest to experienced practitioners and beginners alike, and
especially to those interested in the authentic connection with
forms practised in ancient China.
The first text on bloodletting therapy for Western practitioners of
Chinese medicine, this authoritative text explores the theory and
function of bloodletting, and provides detailed instruction on its
clinical use. Bloodletting therapy, which works to remove internal
and external disruptions to the system through the withdrawal of
small quantities of blood, has numerous benefits, especially
concerning the treatment of complex or chronic disease. Yet the
technique is often met with alarm in the West and side-lined in
favour of less controversial treatments such as fine-needle
acupuncture, and moxibustion. This book provides a concise overview
of its theory, historical and contemporary relevance, and clinical
guidance. With detailed reference to the classic texts, the author
clarifies the fundamental Chinese medical theory related to blood
and the network vessels, and provides an in-depth discussion of the
benefits of and practice guidelines for bloodletting. The book
includes a chapter on the classical acupuncture techniques of Tung
Ching Chang whose work is attracting increasing attention in the
West. Through the exploration of classic texts and contemporary
standards, the book provides everything needed to gain a
comprehensive understanding of the technique and to encourage its
use as a viable treatment option in the West. It will be an
invaluable addition to the resources available for acupuncturists,
as well as students and practitioners of Chinese medicine more
generally, including those interested in all Chinese approaches to
health.
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