Customer Reviews

The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Students:
Before writing a review I want to say that the Acupuncture Boards require this book as their main diagnostic book, but also; they require, "The Web that Has No Weaver," by Kapchuk and Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustiion (Rev. Ed.)(CAM) by Cheng Xinnong. I would also like to recommend - but not required - Foundations in Chinese Acupuncture (Rev. Ed.) by Ellis, Wiseman and Boss. This book is great for channel theory and has excellent detail throughout.

For Everyone else:
The above also applies to everyone else but mostly to TCM students. In review of Giovanni's book I must say that from a Western Medical science point of view it was easier to understand than "The Web" and I found that it presented the material in a logical systematic fashion with better and more complete explanations. It is better to start with this book, than with some of the others because once you have a good background with this one, you can understand the different wording in the other books (CAM, Web, etc.). Overall written well and highly recommended.

Five Stars!

Maciocia's work has been quite influential in the U.S. despite the fact that some of his information is from the classics, while other parts are his own creation. He does not always differentiate between the two, nor does he always cite his sources.

For example, the idea that the outer back shu points are effective for the treatment of emotions... not from the Classic sources, according to Philippe Sionneau. So where did it come from? Who made it up?

However, we still have to know everything in his books for the CA state board. His zang-fu herbalized-style point functions, 5 phase type, three jiao patterns, etc. are unique to this book.

In its defense, it does have a lot of important basic info, and it's written by a native English speaker... but it's a vastly different look at Chinese Medicine from say The Practical Dictionary of Chinese Medicine by Nigel Wiseman.

Good start for the new student... but neither the last word, nor infallible.

This is a great book to begin with if you are a acupuncture-student. It is easy to understand, it explains WHY certain combinations of points is better than another. It is also very good in explaining the way of thinking in TCM.

Gives an adequate overview of the basic concepts in chinese medicine, but is sorely lacking in many, many others. What it lacks, as does much of the information originating from communist China, are the Taoist roots of the medicine which have a very tangible impact on its practice (especially the psychospiritual elements) - something that is sorely lacking from the modern TCM iteration of Chinese medicine. Its understanding of the production of Qi and Xue is incomplete, which limits its usefulness clinically as well. Much more information from the classics should be included in this text to warrent its name as a 'foundational' text.

Must to have if you like Chinese Medicine or going to a Chinese doctor and you don't understand what he is talking about.

This is truly one of the best texbooks I have every seen that explains acupuncture and chinese medical theory. Very comprehensive and informative. It begins by explaining foundational principles of chinese medical thought such as: yin and yang, the five elements, vital substances, the trasformation of Qi, the function of the different organ systems and patterns, and concludes with very descriptive information on the action and use for most points. This text is used at many acupuncture colleges around the nation. A MUST HAVE for all who have a sincere interest in chinese medicine. Keep an eye open for Giovanni's next work "Diagnosis IN Chinese Medicine".

This is a wonderful book for anyone that takes their studies seriously. It is the text we use as our basis in our school. Save a ton of money buying many books on the subject and just get this one first

This is the main book for diagnostics of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) in the US. All TCM colleges that I know of require this text for all their theory classes. The book is very dense and to the point, and any student of TCM must utilize this text throughout his/her studies...

This book is great, It talks about all the organs/ meridains and the history of Acupuncture, The five elements, generation and control cycle, the Toa, the Associated Elements, shiatsu points, kyo and jitsu, organ associations, and much much more. This was one of the main reading that was assigned to me through all of my shiatsu classes at the Swedish Institue in New York City. I am sure I will refer to this book thoughout my career as a massage therapist. On a scale of one to ten I rate this book A ten! I recommend this book to any massage therapist, If your a massage therapist this book should be on your shelf! [...]

All the basics right here. Wonderful discussion of the basis of acupuncture/traditional chinese medicine. Highly recommended!