Customer Reviews

The Acupuncture Handbook of Sports Injuries & Pain

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4 star:		(2)
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I am finding this book serves its nitch very well -- addressing the 25 most common sports injuries. There are obviously missing topics - particularly those related to trauma which can be more random in location than acute or chronic overuse. However, this one is going to be a major resource for me. Now it is likely consulted ahead of others I've currently been using.

I found the sections on hamstring/posterior thigh pain, plantar fascitis, frozen shoulder, and carpal tunnel syndrome to be very well done. Each was helpful and pretty representative of the how these disorders were consistently covered for the following subtopics.

1. DIAGNOSIS AND ASSESSMENT (often 1-2 pages of core information along with noting when a problem is serious enough to need orthopedic referral). These are written in a conversational manner. Along with critical facts, they also give a nice glimpse of the author's humanness in the face of problems and responses with which clients may present.

2. SUMMARY OF THE INJURY -- summarizes what one may see clinically, typical patient compliants, key discriminations from related injuries, and summary of typical medical/physical therapy approaches.

3. TREATMENT TECHIQUES - including estimate of how many treatments and how long might be predicted. This section is very logically ordered into 4 steps which are:
.. a. Initial treatments: Tendino-muscular, contralateral, ipsilateral or opposite extremity points, empirical points (which may be extra meridian points, Dr. Tung's or other similar ideas if known),
.. b. Merdian and Microsystems: including the shu-stream points, important points of the meridians represented in the injury, He-Sea/Hui-Influential points and extraordinary meridian points if relevant. Microsystem coverage usually includes potentially useful auriculotherapy points. Sometimes wrist-ankle or other systems are also added.
.. c. Points to treat associated inernal organ imbalances if relevant for Qi, Blood and Zang-fu.
.. d. Suitable local and adjacent points most relevant to the site of injury. These can be particularly useful for focusing tendino-muscular or meridian treatments.

4. COMPLIMENTARY PROCEDURES. Finally a listing of possible supplementary procedures such as temperature manipulation, linaments, heel lifts, self-massage, splints, etc.

A good amount of detail is given regarding depth of needling, moxa applications, relevant trigger and motor points (along with the reference information in Travell and Simons). Unfortunately some of these references are to websites that may have unknown durability. There are selected muscle/bone drawings for each injury which include the essential anatomy and points -- well drawn and focused.

For future editions I would like to see this handbook incorporate the points as they relate to relevant nerve conduction pathways (such as in Dr. Joseph Wong's Neuroanatomical Acupuncture), as this is a more comprehensively structured and consistently ordered handbook than those in which I've previously seen the neuroanatomical information.

While I also like Sports Acupuncture The Meridian Test and Its Applications -- unless one makes sports injuries the focus of their practice, Reaves book seems more immediately accessible and implementable on a busy day.

I highly recommend this book for the treatment of pain & sports injuries. I've been in practice since 2007 and mostly see patients with pain and muscle dysfunction. I use orthopedic and balance method style acupuncture and was very pleased with Dr. Reaves book in that it organizes treatment protocols in four steps taking into consideration the tendo-muscular channels, mirroring, channel theory as well as local orthopedic needling. Dr. Reaves's Four Steps approach to treatment is not a rigid system but merely a guide. As a practitioner one could use the Four Steps in a progressive manner applying the first steps to acute pain and the last steps for chronic pain. In the introduction, Dr. Reaves explains how and when to use what steps. If you are not getting the results you want with the treatment of pain this is a must have book! The Acupuncture Handbook of Sports Injuries & Pain provides clear, concise and time tested clinical results in an easy to use guide for any practitioner of Chinese medicine.

This spiral-bound book is a useful addition to my acupuncture library. It provides practical treatment plans for common injuries that can be utilized right off the page. Nice blend of Eastern & Western thought processes. Gets right down to business and is well-organized. My only critique: I would like to see more injuries covered; the list is far from complete. Needs a Volume II.

Having read an exerpt from the the Acupuncture handbook in a printed article i was most impressed with the description of the various injuries ,ie the assessment and diagnosis, and the clear treatment protocols from a western and oriental perspective . This is a good balanced book on this subject and i have reviewed quite a number of others. This is a pick of the bunch . What i like about this book apart from being spiral bound and easy to read is the clarity of the text . It is obvious that the author has had considerable experience in the subject matter and is interested in delivering good outcomes from both good western medicine and TCM as mentioned. The author is not ego driven just trying to impress the reader with his vast TCM knowledge by offering complicated TCM treatment protocols but instead, is offering sound, proven,and personal experience treatment protocols. The Author is honest in his opinions on treating certain conditions and states where the strength and weakness of the protocol in treating the condition. I would advise those doing acupressure to purchase this book as well as the information/treatments can be customised by the acupressure therapist even tho it is written for acupuncturists in mind .
I am very happy with the purchase of this book
Peter Farnsworth -Remedial massage Therapist -Adelaide - Australia

Whether you are a seasoned acupuncturist or a student, this book is a must have. Don't be fooled by the title "Sports Injuries & Pain". While it is an excellent resource for Sports injury - this is an invaluable practitioner tool for ANY patient who needs treatment for injury, pain, and musculoskeletal dysfunction. This book is well written, illustrated and organized in a manner for easy access to treatment principles. No need to scan through pages and pages of text to find what you need. As a TCM student I use it in the clinic consistently because the layout of the book gives me what I need quickly and precisely. I agree with the others who have commented; with all of Dr. Reaves knowledge and experience we will look forward to more!

This book is organized very well. Each section can be accessed quickly in the clinic and as a student I have found that it is hard to find many references to acupuncture and sports injuries. The only downside would be that I want more!! It would be nice to have a herb section for performance enhancement and pain management. Hopefully the author will come out with a second book!