Customer Reviews

Acupuncture & Moxibustion Formulas & Treatments (Great Masters Series)

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This is a great book for those looking to understand diseases and their treatments from the classical viewpoint of acupuncture as may be found in such books as zhen jiu jia yi jing, ling shu and zhen jiu da cheng. You won't find the herbalised acupuncture version here(i.e zang fu diagnosis and throw in all the needles at once and hope for the best).

This book reflects the clarity of Cheng Dan-An and his family lineage of acupuncturists. It represents a type of acupuncture that is as rare as hens teeth in todays time. One that accurately perceives the pulse as it is at that point in time and that aims to fluctuate that pulse back to a position of homeostasis. Although the book doesn't relay this important step, the preceeding understanding of the possible aetiology and proceeding application is given with clarity and simplicity. Brilliant.

Great references to the classics are presented to explain the various view points of pathogenesis and treatment for each category which are grouped according to classical categories (e.g diarrhea and dysentery, diseases of the hands and feet etc) and not the western disease names as is the case in recent times.

Acupuncture is classically a pulse based art, reading energy directly as it is NOW, and not as it was yesterday or has been as may be the case with symptoms. Reading the points prescribed by Cheng Dan-An with this in mind and with the practitioners understanding of how different points (by themselves, not in combination) alter the physiology and response in the pulse makes this book a rare diamond. Most acupuncture books are static preformulated responses to agreed upon pathologic conditions in formularised approach.

With the knowledge of the aforementioned pulse reading ability, and with the help of Cheng Dan-An, we may arrive at a powerful platform for the full utilization of acupuncture as powerful medical practice. One where the current state of energy wax and wane is perceived directly through palpation of the pulses and the correct treatment prescribed according to that pulse AND as it fluctuates throughout the treatment.

That said, it would be very helpful to have someone whom can transmit to you some clarity with regards to pulse diagnosis. Easier said than done. If a teacher cannot be found i suggest reading up on the works of George Sulie De Morant in his book Chinese Acupuncture. A phenomenal work by a man who totally immersed himself into the task of learning and translating voluminous material on the methods of the pulse based art of acupuncture. This achieved, much confusion can be dispelled on how to proceed with regards to treatment.

Regarding comparison to pattern based formula acupuncture using simultaneous use of many points (TCM) as compared to pulse based treatment using as few as one needle at a time (preferred and utilised effectively by Cheng Dan-An) , Confucius put it aptly when he said "There is as much error in seeing what is, as in seeing what there is not".

Buy the book.

It's a shame this book is going out of print. Though it lacks a full discussion of the complete reasoning behind each specific point, it discusses etiology and mechanics of disease processes and offers effective treatment plans for the patterns presented. I have used several formulas from this work, and they were very effective. The point prescriptions are somewhat different from many TCM textbook protocols, but the effectiveness of some of what I've tried already, along with the interesting way the treatments are described in terms of point order and stimulation time are unique to this book and similar only to Tin Yau So's book. (Tin Yau So studied with a student of Cheng Dan An) All acupuncturists should check it out!