Customer Reviews

Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Please note that Professor JR Worsley was indeed exposed to many teachers in the 1950's. He chose to follow his two teachers who eventually became his masters. They taught only ancient classical five-element acupuncture. He did not embellish or change terms taught to him. His Masters bestowed upon him the title "Master", which carries the honoring duty to teach and present this ancient system to the world.
My concern with the Hicks Mole book, which is very well organized and the product of much hard and admirable work, is that it is likely to confuse anyone who is not familiar with this tradition that JR's masters entrusted him to teach.
JR taught exactly what his teachers taught him: That diagnosis of "Causative Factor" ("CF") elaborates a very precise process of achieving a conscious state. Choosing to do what it takes to work in this state of being means one can be an instrument of nature. Nature and not humans heal.
The confusion that is likely to arise with the Hicks'/Mole new definition of "CF" is that those not around during the time that the Hick's and Mole trained, early in their careers, would not have witnessed that what Hicks and Mole learned from JR was that "CF" means Causative Factor (according to the lineage definition) and never the term or concept "constitutional factor" - coined much later by the Hicks's and Mole.
Many years later, soon after JR died and after many years out of contact with JR, the Hicks Mole book presents the term "CF" with their new definition. For anyone not trained and familiar with the history it would be easy, if not inevitable, that the reader would confuse this new Hicks Mole definition for "CF" as what JR taught and it is not. Without prejudicing or critiquing the Hicks Mole new definition the problem is that it confuses. The process involved in working with their term constitutional factor significantly contradicts the process that JR was taught and passed to us.
A modern reading of the word 'cause' may lead one not familiar with the ancient definition as taught by JR to construe a modern and western definition of 'cause'. The word 'cause' as used in this ancient medicine precisely and elegantly focuses on the place in the intricate balance that a person's whole destiny - to be whole, perfect, at one and at peace within - has become out of balance. Once that happens the whole web of relationships imbalances and "dis-ease" arises. To diagnose the source (cause) of the imbalance one's physical, mental and spiritual presence leads one to detect the cause. Spirit does not categorize.
Without condemning analysis of "pattern"' of anything it is merely my wish to clarify that this approach is not what JR was taught by his masters, trusted to teach to his students and apprentices nor what he practiced.
Another concern is that the Foreward and Introduction to the Hicks Mole book presents "opinions" that JR would have them speak for him. JR did not authorize them to speak for him.
JR pledged, as do I as the inheritor of the title "Master", to do whatever we can to present this teaching as we received it. Again - without prejudice - a modern new definition may or may not be an improvement. We leave that to each individual to decide for his/herself.
My duty and love for this beautiful system of healing compels me to write and state what I promised JR I would do: to speak what I was taught. I trust the decades of experience I had witnessing JR time and again practicing this awesome and ancient system of medicine.
I say what JR would say if he were alive to speak. He explicitly asked me and entrusted me to speak for him and so I do with his authority.
Thank you for reading this review. It is my hope that it helps to put into perspective and clarify a possibly confusing presentation. If the reader wishes to have further information about JR's teachings please do visit the Worsley Institute web site:
www.worsleyinstitute.org
With best wishes to one and all,
JB Worsley

I think "arguments" occur because people think one way is "right" or "pure." Most 5e practitioners I have experience with and who studied with JR Worsley or Judy Worsley do not feel their style is superior to others. In fact, JR and Judy both have said that their style isn't superior, but different, and they wanted to keep what they learned taught in its original form since its the style they know best and the style that they practice. I have taken some 5e classes myself from Worsely-based schools and found that the approach is not critical of TCM or other styles, but rather they acknowledge the benefits all different styles of acupuncture may have. Of course they are partial to the type they learned and practiced the most and saw succeses with! And 5e does work well! The schools I've studies at also acknowledge its limitations.

The folks who critique Hicks' book for deviating from Worsley's style are being in my opinion, well, anal. The authors do acknowledge that they deviate from Worsley's teachings and explain most of the areas in which they do and why. I believe they also give due respect to Worsely as an influential teacher and promoter of 5e style, and in no way try to say that everything in the book is what he (Worsley) taught.

Anyway, the whole argument against blending styles is silly since Worsely himself studied with so many teachers and took away what was most beneficial. There is no PURE teaching. Everything changes and grows with time and place, and anyone who denies this is in for extinction. Most 5e or Worsely practitioners do not hold this absolute purist attitude, even if they choose to practice "pure" CF-EA themselves. I feel CF-EA practitioners are poorly represented by the vocal loyalists who can't go with the flow...like the Dao recommends. I just don't see anything in life that doesn't change or adapt...that survives. I think wanting to keep JRs teachings pure is great, but others should be allowed to use them and integrate them in a way that works for THEM, as this is how all medicine has evolved. People have always studied under many different teachers (Worsley included), and practice what they have seen works.

Good medicine stands the tests of time.

I do think the book should have mentioned Worsley's books as well (Vol. I-III) as they are great reference books, and have been around a long time. I see this book as a place to get information about a different kind of 5e practice, and I don't think the authors try in any way to mislead readers into thinking its pure Worsley CF-EA style.

The in-depth scholarship of this book, in which the authors describe Five-Element Acupuncture and authenticate its roots with quotes from the Classics, makes for an informative and interesting read. While the authors were introduced to Five Element Acupuncture by Professor J.R. Worsley, by their own admission in their introduction, this book is a compilation of various influences. Unfortunately, the authors make no distinction between what Professor Worsley taught and the work they have developed since they studied with him over twenty years ago. For this reason, the book will mislead the student or practitioner interested in learning about Classical Five-Element Acupuncture.

The introduction of the word Constitutional, followed by references to "Constitutional Types," directly contradicts the teachings of Professor Worsley who was adamant that every human being is an unique individual, impossible to box, label, categorize or type. Furthermore, he cautioned that one must never identify the patient with his or her Causative Factor, which is a tool useful only to a practitioner trained to implement it in treatment. The temptation to simplify diagnostic methods by relying on patterns is understandable given the lifelong dedication required for developing and honing the sensory skills necessary for accurate classical diagnosis. The authors testify to this but then proceed to categorize patients by patterns of behavior and with photographs. Professor Worsley did use photographs of faces in his teaching, but he used them to show how unique and different people with the same Causative Factor are, not how they can be identified by facial expressions.

Having studied with the authors, I respect their dedication and have found their theories to be thought provoking at times. What is remarkable, however, is that they make no mention either of Professor Worsley's books, or of his personally designated successor Dr. Judy Becker Worsley, D.Ac., J.D., while dedicating their book to him. There can be no substitution for those desiring to learn the brilliant ancient medicine taught by him than to seek out his work and the schools authorized by those entrusted by him to carry on his legacy.
Mary Ellen Klee, C.A., M.Ac.(UK), Dipl.Ac.
Trustee, Worsley Institute of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture

This is a beautiful and interesting book with deep insight into aspects of acupuncture practice and the human condition.

I find it important to point out that Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture is the work of the authors rather than the teaching of J.R. Worsley as suggested in the introduction.

The teaching of J.R. Worsley is clearly laid out in three books:

Classical Five-Element Acupuncture Vol. I: Meridians and Points, J.R. and J.B. Worsley pub. Worsley Inc. (4th ed 2004)
Traditional Acupuncture Vol. II: Traditional Diagnosis, J.R.Worsley 1990 pub: The College of Traditional Acupuncture , U.K.
Classical Five-Element Acupuncture Vol. III: The Five Elements and the Officials pub: J.R. and J.B. Worsley 1998

Therefore I must query the following statements in the introduction: "The practice of Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture in the form described in this book is of relatively recent origin. It was developed some time in the late 1960s and 1970s by J.R. Worsley (1923-2003), an Englishman." p. IX

"This is the first comprehensive textbook that explains the concepts of Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture and how to use it in diagnosis and treatment." p. XII

"J.R. Worsley did not coin the phrase Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture which we use in this book. He used the term Five Element Acupuncture." p. XI

It is therefore misleading to suggest that Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture is the teaching of J.R. Worsley.

The following statement makes clear the intention of the book: "This book is different from other books written about this style of acupuncture. The emphasis is on enabling the practitioner to recognise how people reveal their constitutional imbalance. It also concentrates on clinical practice" p. XII

In contrast to the patterns of behaviour of each constitutional factor described in chapters 10 - 22 J.R.'s words on diagnosis of the causative factor of disease (Classical Five Element Acupuncture Vol. III) are as follows: "Volume II of this series dealt with Traditional Diagnosis and focused on the development of our senses for mainly diagnostic purposes. Only when we have begun to regain those faculties can we begin to diagnose disease and diagnose it accurately. Then we can see the signs of an imbalance in someone's energy appear clearly in a colour on the face, a sound in the voice, an odour from the body, and an inappropriate emotion which becomes predominant in someone's character and behaviour. These signs point to the Causative Factor." Vol. III Foreword: The Spirit of Nature (p. i)

J.R. Worsley then goes on to warn against possible misunderstanding in diagnosis of the Causative Factor in Classical Five Element Acupuncture:"The danger, of course, is that looking at the separate parts of the unity of elements and officials will encourage people to use the framework as an analytical tool. Many students of Classical Acupuncture would be only too happy if such a book existed - a kind of reference book in which we could take a problem in a physical faculty, or moral capability, or spiritual identity, then look at an index and identify which element or official was in distress. Diagnosis would become a great deal easier - as would be the understanding of people at large and of life itself." (p.ii)

"It is because of this ignorance that I hope this book may encourage people to look with their physical eye, their mind's eye and their spirit eye at the world around them, and to use all their senses to gain a deeper understanding of the Elements within us and around us. This will then take them to the spirit of nature as it manifests everywhere....... The blueprint for this lies in nature, not in a book." (p. iv)

Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture is an excellent textbook for those who wish to practice according to the teaching of the authors. It is an inspiring contribution to the understanding of acupuncture resulting from many years of study, practice and teaching. Let it not be confused with the teaching of Professor J.R. Worsley and the lineage of Classical Five Element Acupuncture

Clare Agnew Lic. Ac. MBAcC

This is a thorough and comprehensive reference volume, describing in detail the theory and practice of Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture. This is a style of acupuncture that is taught and practised by the authors at the College of Integrated Medicine, in Reading, Berkshire, UK, which they jointly run. Angela Hicks, John Hicks and Peter Mole were originally trained by Professor J.R. Worsley at the College of Traditional Acupuncture in Leamington Spa, UK, and went on to study Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including Chinese Herbal Medicine, and integrate these two different styles (Five Element and TCM) in their teaching and practice.

This book makes a number of references to the teachings of Professor J.R. Worsley, and states that it was he who first developed Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture. This is quite misleading as it does not make clear that Classical Five-Element Acupuncture, as taught by Professor Worsley, does not include the use of TCM theory or practice, and nor does it focus on the behaviour or character traits of patients as described by the authors of this book. There is a world of difference between the "constitutional imbalance" or "Constitutional Factor" as discussed by Hicks, Hicks and Mole and the Causative Factor of disease as taught by J.R. Worsley, and this ought to have been acknowledged.

Max Alexander LicAc MBAcC

This is a great book for any acupuncturist who wants to gain a deeper understanding of 5-element acupuncture. It is easy to read, clear, and concise. It gives great examples of how to determine what element is showing up in a px. There is a specific section addressing how elements can be mistaken for other elements that I found incredibly helpful for my own practice and I haven't found many other books that make these comparisons so easy to grasp. Definitely not your typical "medical" type textbook.

I have read all the reviews of this book to date and I must say that ,while not perfect, I would love to hear from those critical of this volume to name a book that is as clear and well presented as this one is. Of course it is not perfect and trying to learn any style of acupuncture from a book is only a small part of the process. Most of my learning anyway has come from treating patients.

Excellent book as I'm sure i will enjoy it even more after my 5 element weekend coures with UF Medical College

Excellent book. Very comprehensive text on five element acupuncture. Considering that reader has some background in acupuncture, the text is easy to read. Product arrived in a timely matter. No problems. Thank you.

The Hicks, Hicks and Mole book is nothing but a caricature of the beautiful system of medicine practiced over 50 years by Dr. Worsley. I purchased this book with alot of enthusiasm but was soon disappointed, even horrified by some of what I read. As a practitioner, it offered nothing to increase my knowledge of Classical Five Element Acupuncture, and in fact, would sorely mislead anyone wishing to study and practice this medicine. I would hope that students of acupuncture would go directly to the Master's books for information regarding Classical Five Element Acupuncture: Traditional Acupuncture, Volumes 1 and 2, and Volume 3, The Five Elements and the Officials, by J.R. Worsley. All of his books are available through Amazon, are filled with Dr. Worsley's words and the true spirit of his work, and will enrich your practice and life.

Diane McCormick, M.D.