Basics of Acupuncture

by Gabriel Stux

Overview

In 1987, our first book Acupuncture: Textbook and Atlas received rave reviews (e. g., in New England Journal of Medicine). This prompted us to write this smaller affordable version in order to reach a wider audience. The smaller format has been so successful that we are now into our third revised edition. This has given us the opportunity to update and improve the book. For example, nu­ merous new references to scientific advances have been added. Also the section on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was ad­ ded because it gives a more complete picture of the current prac­ tice of acupuncture. Acupuncture has come a long way since our first book in 1987. There has been a surge of interest in treating drug addictions by ear acupuncture in 450 centers world wide. The treatment of nau­ sea and vomiting has been so well tested (scientifically) that the FDA (USA) is considering making this the major indication for acupuncture in America. Research into its efficacy for neurologi­ cal and pulmonary diseases is also gaining credibility. No longer is chronic pain the only scientifically acceptable use for acupuncture (based on the endorphin mechanism).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783642491139
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	05/05/2012
Edition description:	1995
Pages:	314
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.99(h) x 0.03(d)

About the Author

Dr. Gabriel Stux, MD
Acupuncture since 1977 in China, Sri Lanka, India
Founder and Chairman of the German Acupuncture Society, Düsseldorf, 1978,
Lectures on Acupuncture all over the world for more than 20 years
Introduction of a new energy medicine, called Chakren Acupuncture in 1988

Dr. Brian Berman, MD, Professor
Founder and Director of the University of Maryland Complementary Medicine Program (CMP), 1991
Professor of Familiy Medicine, trained in acupuncture, homeopathiy and other CAM-approaches
Principal Investigator of a NIH center grant for compementary medicine research
International Seirin award for his contributions to the scientific understanding of acupuncture
Chair of the steering committee of the Consortium of Academical Medical Centers whose mission is to promote integrative medicine
Co-Chair of the editorial board of the report to the NIH: Alternative Medicine: Expanding Medical Horizons
Coordinator of the Complementary Medicine Field of the international Cochrane Collaboration

Dr. Bruce Pomeranz, MD, PhD
MD and CM at McGill University 1961, PhD at Harvard 1967
University of Toronto, Professor of Zoology and Physiology
Assistant Professor at M.I.T 1966-1968

Table of Contents

1 Introduction.- Growth of Clinical Acupuncture in the West.- 2 Scientific Basis of Acupuncture.- 2.1 Acupuncture Analgesia (Basic Research).- 2.2 Acupuncture Analgesia for Chronic Pain.- 2.3 Drug Addiction.- 2.4 Nerve Regeneration, Cardiovascular, Antiemetic.- and Urogenital Effects of Acupuncture.- 2.5 Acupuncture Points (Do They Really Exist?).- 3 Background and Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine.- 3.1 Tao, Yin, and Yang.- 3.2 The Vital Energy, Life Force: Qi.- 3.3 Pathogenesis of Chinese Medicine.- 3.4 The System of Five Phases.- 3.5 Diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine.- 4 Channels, Organs, and Points.- 4.1 System of Channels and Organs.- 4.2 Point Categories.- 4.3 Methods of Point Location.- 4.4 Description of Channels and Points.- 5 Technique of Acupuncture.- 5.1 Acupuncture Needles.- 5.2 De Qi Sensation.- 5.3 Tonifying and Sedating Methods of Stimulation.- 5.4 Sterilization of the Needles.- 5.5 Complications of Acupuncture Treatment.- 5.6 Moxibustion.- 5.7 Acupressure.- 5.8 Laser Acupuncture.- 6 Acupuncture Treatment.- 6.1 Principles of Acupuncture and Rules of Point Selection.- 6.2 Locomotor Disorders.- 6.3 Respiratory Disorders.- 6.4 Cardiovascular Disorders.- 6.5 Gastroenterological Disorders.- 6.6 Mental Disturbances and Illnesses.- 6.7 Neurological Disorders.- 6.8 Gynecological Disorders.- 6.9 Urological Disorders.- 6.10 Skin Disorders.- 6.11 Disorders of the Sense Organs.- 6.12 Acute Disorders and Emergencies.- 7 Electroacupuncture and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation.- 7.1 Electroacupuncture.- 7.2 Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, TENS.- 7.3 Acupuncture-like TENS Differs from Conventional TENS.- 7.4 Habituation to Monotonous Stimuli.- 8 Traditional Chinese Syndromes: The Diagnosis of Chinese Medicine.- 8.1 Major Patterns ofDisturbances.- 8.2 Syndromes of the Five Zang Organs.- 8.3 The Most Frequent Syndromes.- 9 Additional Methods of Treatment (G. Stux).- 9.1 Chakra Acupuncture.- 9.2 Awareness Release Technique.- Appendixes A-D.- A. World Health Organization.- List of Indications for Acupuncture.- B. Nomenclature and Abbreviations for Channels and Points.- C. Glossary of Chinese Terms.- D. Alphabetic List of Chinese Point Names.

Editorial Reviews

2 Stars from Doody

New edition of a professional-level introduction to the ancient therapy. Covers diagnosis, channels, functional organs and treatment. The 225 citations include Western and Chinese publications. No index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Reviewer: Robert E Burke, MSN, MPS, BSN (Pace University)
Description: This book provides healthcare professionals with a broad overview of acupuncture from a Western and traditional Chinese medical perspective. A review of the scientific bases of acupuncture and related research is provided along with a review of Chinese medicine theory, channels, points and treatment of disease.
Purpose: The author states this book was written as a smaller and more affordable version of Acupuncture: Textbook and Atlas, 6th edition (Springer-Verlag, 2003). This 5th edition provides up-to-date scientific evidence on the physiologic basis of acupuncture as well as relevant research for a variety of conditions. The section on traditional Chinese medicine theory was also expanded to give a more complete picture of the current practice of acupuncture. The objectives are realistic and provide a comprehensive review of acupuncture from both Eastern and Western perspectives.
Audience: The book is written for practitioners who have an interest in gaining insight into the scientific and traditional theories of acupuncture. This is a useful introduction to acupuncture for students and practitioners in the allied health professions with an interest in acupuncture. All three authors are credible authorities in the field of acupuncture. Dr. Gabriel Stux was the founder and chairman of the German Acupuncture Society and has lectured on acupuncture all over the world for more than 25 years. Dr. Brian Berman was the founder and director of the University of Maryland Complementary Medicine Program and is coordinator of the Complementary Medicine Field of the international Cochrane Collaboration. Dr. Bruce Pomeranz is an eminent neurophysiologist and has greatly contributed to the understanding of the scientific basis of acupuncture.
Features: The book reviews the scientific basis of acupuncture and integrates up-to-date research for acupuncture analgesia, drug addiction, antiemetic effects and a variety of neurological, cardiovascular, urogenital, pulmonary and gastric conditions. It provides a basic overview of traditional Chinese medicine theory and treatment of illness. Channels and selected acupuncture points are reviewed along with an overview of moxibustion, laser acupuncture, TENS and needling techniques. The review of the scientific evidence of acupuncture is well researched and represented in the book. It provides readers with an understanding of the current research and provides them with ideas for further study in the field. The sections on traditional Chinese medicine theory and treatment of illness are well described and provide a good foundation for understanding this perspective. The greatest shortcoming of the book is the chapter on channels, organs, and points. Channel descriptions are inadequate and diagrams are not representative of corresponding anatomy. There are also several errors on the use and needling method of some points.
Assessment: This book does a good job of providing a basic understanding of the scientific and traditional Chinese medical perspectives of acupuncture; however, its shortcomings prevent it from being an excellent resource. It is a useful introduction for practitioners and students in the allied health professions. Compared to its previous edition, there are few changes in the sections relating to Chinese medicine theory, channels, points, and treatment of disease, but the scientific basis of acupuncture is updated well. This section is similar to the author's contribution in the book Clinical Acupuncture: Scientific Basis (Springer-Verlag, 2001), minus a few omissions. The latter provides an in-depth review on the topic and provides contributions from many experts in the field of acupuncture research.

Doody's Review Service