Illuminating the considerations at play in determining courses of treatment in acupuncture, this honest depiction of nine accounts of unique cases shows how changes can happen, how the practitioner makes choices in the moment and why the patient's collaboration and commitment are vital. Hamwee shows how being attentive to all aspects of patients' lives uncovers the conditions for healing, and how it affects the responses of both patients and practitioners in pursuit of health and wellbeing. It does not simply treat acupuncture as concepts and techniques, but rather as a remarkable journey of the body, mind and spirit. An honest depiction of nine accounts of real-life cases such as back pain, chronic fatigue, depression and irritable bowel syndrome, the book describes the experience of acupuncture through the eyes of both practitioners and patients.

In the Chinese medicine tradition, understanding and resonating with the spirit of the organs leads to better diagnosis and more effective, powerful treatment. Behind most symptoms lies a disturbance of spirit, and the more alert a practitioner to the nature of such a disturbance the more effective the treatment is likely to be. John Hamwee explores the spirit of each organ not in analytical, rational, summarising language but through life stories that express the nature and tendencies of the organ at a deep level. Through the stories of 12 people that embody the unique spirit of each organ, he shows the physical, emotional and spiritual nature of each, and their related tendencies and possibilities for improved wellbeing. Written to give Chinese medicine practitioners new ways to reflect on each organ in the most complete way, this book is also a lighthearted yet profound introduction to the heart of the Chinese medical tradition.

The role of intuition is seldom identified in acupuncture training as one of the keys to effective practice. John Hamwee here explores its paramount importance in diagnosis and treatment, showing how development of the intuitive sense, and its appropriate use in the treatment room, is vital to building the most effective individual practice. Through discussion of theory, clinical example, and the experiences of leading acupuncturists, the author shows how intuition, or the grasping of subliminal clues, can be developed, based on the practitioner's growing `storeroom' of clinical experience and why it is so useful for this to become a conscious and rigorously examined process. He discusses the process of testing intuition against objective observation of the patient, and how an intuitive leap can provide a shortcut across an innumerable series of diagnostic steps, and lead to diagnostic and treatment decisions that make complete sense of the observable phenomena. He suggests that learning to trust the intuitive faculty, while still fully interrogating conclusions, is the basis of better patient outcomes and significantly advanced practice. This thoughtful and engaging book will be one that acupuncturists will want to read and reread, and will speak to all therapists, counsellors, and health practitioners.

The definitive guide to Zero Balancing brings this increasingly popular therapy to life. It contains a clear description of the anatomy and physiology of energy which leads on to a compelling explanation of how and why this form of bodywork can have such powerful effects. Throughout, there are illustrations which convey the unique energy of a Zero Balancing session and John Hamwee provides fascinating examples of clients, their experiences and the outcomes of the work.

An invaluable guide for anyone beginning a career in acupuncture, this book offers a unique and supportive insight into the challenges and the pitfalls that the novice acupuncturist is likely to encounter, and provides encouragement and down-to-earth ideas for tackling them. Written in an easy-to-read conversational style with useful case studies throughout, this book will help newly-qualified acupuncturists to reflect on what kind of practitioner they want to be. It addresses styles of working, common mistakes, confidence with patients, becoming a better practitioner, and how to think about success and failure in the treatment room. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the practitioner ends the day refreshed and enlivened by the work and has confidence in the treatments given.