Contemporary Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture [Paperback]

Claire M. Cassidy PhD Dipl AC Lac (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0443065896 | ISBN-13: 978-0443065897 | Publication Date: December 15, 2001 | Edition: 1

CONTEMPORARY PRACTICE OF ACUPUNCTURE AND ORIENTAL MEDICINE explores the theory and practice of oriental medicine, explaining what oriental medicine is and how it works. It discusses the effectiveness of oriental medicine in treating a number of common disorders, including pain control, substance abuse, asthma, digestive disorders, women's reproductive health, HIV, depression, CNS malfunctions, and more. This text gives the reader an introduction to the ancient theoretical foundations of Chinese medicine, along with glimpses into what a day in the life of a modern practitioner is actually like. Part of the Medical Guides to Complementary and Alternative Medicine series, this book was written with the traditional health care provider in mind.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Claire Cassidy, PhD, President, Paradigms, Found Consulting, Bethesda, MD

Product Details

• Paperback: 434 pages
• Publisher: Churchill Livingstone; 1 edition (December 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0443065896
• ISBN-13: 978-0443065897
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,321,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Most Helpful Guide, December 31, 2002

By 

Tom Webb (Providence, RI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Contemporary Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (Paperback)

What a relief to find an authoritative book that describes the practice of Chinese medicine in English-speaking countries and also describes the theory and terminology that underlie its practice. Claire Cassidy, the editor and a contributor, has done a first-rate job in preparing this book for medical practitioners and others who seek understanding. It is part of a series of Medical Guides to Complementary and Alternative Methods edited by Marc Micozzi, MD, who works with an impressive editorial board of physicians.
Chinese medicine is an immense topic whose long history has resulted in multiple theories and multiple terminologies. With its model for health and the body's functioning based on energy or Qi (Chi), Chinese medicine can seem confusing and even mystical to those of us schooled in the west. What a delight to find a highly readable and also scholarly guide to its theory and practice. How helpful also to see how acupuncture fits within the general paradigm for Chinese medicine and to be able to gain some understanding of this paradigm. Chinese approaches to health, with their focus on the person and not just a disease, stand in contrast to the increasing specialization in western medical practice. I liked learning about acupuncture in a context of related practices in Chinese medicine like herbal remedies, diet, body work, and Qi gong.
As a scientist who majored in biology, I remember my confusion when my wife came back from an acupuncture session talking about meridians and energy balancing. Here she was feeling well treated and much helped with her headaches, and yet I had no idea about what had gone on or why. I also was fascinated that an effective means of healing could be based on such a different view of our bodies and how they work. I felt the challenge of having to re-imagine the body and how it heals, but I did not know where to go for helpful descriptions and explanations. Now I find that I have an excellent solution with Claire Cassidy's edited volume on Contemporary Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture.
I also serve as a board member of a cancer support center in Rhode Island and know how helpful those living with cancer can find complementary methods when dealing with discomfort and exhaustion from either the disease or chemotherapy and radiation treatments. I know also of the skepticism that some doctors and nurses can have about these complementary methods. So I am glad for such an authoritative book that will help them gain understanding and be able to make referrals. The book contains much information based on practice, and it describes research into the effectiveness of Chinese medical procedures. It is well organized and carefully edited to provide broad coverage and clear descriptions. With expanding availability of trained professionals in Chinese medicine, Cassidy's well-edited book provides a timely guide to what that they have to offer.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Precious and Useful Jewel, May 10, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Contemporary Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (Paperback)

Dr. Claire Cassidy's new book is a true jewel. It is a rich collection of writings on specific topics by some of the most distinguished practitioners, researchers, and authors in the field, including Peter Eckman, Richard Hammerschlag, Jane Grissmer, Stephen Birch, and Lonny Jarrett.

I enjoyed every moment of reading the book. Though it is written with the practitioner of Western medicine in mind, as an acupuncturist I found it to contain a wealth of interesting and useful information. It has become one of my principal reference sources when I prepare presentations on acupuncture for technical and non-technical audiences alike. I highly recommend this book.