The Art of Acupuncture Techniques

Rating:
Summary: A Student's Perspective: The Art of Acupuncture Techniques
Review: I first read this book the summer before I started acupuncture school. I found it to be both well written and comprehensive. After my first year of learning Basic Theory and Point Location, I read the book a second time and found that it really complemented my textbooks and taught me the finer points (no pun intended) of needling technique.

It describes, in great detail, the classical needling techniques, various ways of inserting and withdrawing needles, and ways to develop treatment prescriptions. It does it in a way that is not cookbook in style but strongly based on ancient theory.

This book would be a good introduction for the patient who desires to know, in more detail, what to expect when receiving treatment. It is invaluable to the student of acupuncture with the knowledge it imparts on classical needling techniques. Finally, it would be an enlightening read for the more seasoned practitioner because of the applied Chinese theory which has been presented in such a pleasing format.

Rating:
Summary: A Student's Perspective: The Art of Acupuncture Techniques
Review: I first read this book the summer before I started acupuncture school. I found it to be both well written and comprehensive. After my first year of learning Basic Theory and Point Location, I read the book a second time and found that it really complemented my textbooks and taught me the finer points (no pun intended) of needling technique.

It describes, in great detail, the classical needling techniques, various ways of inserting and withdrawing needles, and ways to develop treatment prescriptions. It does it in a way that is not cookbook in style but strongly based on ancient theory.

This book would be a good introduction for the patient who desires to know, in more detail, what to expect when receiving treatment. It is invaluable to the student of acupuncture with the knowledge it imparts on classical needling techniques. Finally, it would be an enlightening read for the more seasoned practitioner because of the applied Chinese theory which has been presented in such a pleasing format.

Rating:
Summary: A subtle account of Chinese acupuncture.
Review: n this sparkling account of classical Chinese acupuncture, Robert Johns restores subtleties not taught in China since the Cultural Revolution. The text underscores the disease complex, complementariness of treatment, and safety precautions related to point selection, needling technique and mexibustion - creating a welcome set of guidelines for practicioners, students, and patients wanting to understand their own treatment.

"In this overview of acupuncture te hniques, Dr. Johns shows the application of Chinese medical theory to some of his own difficult cases, providing fascinating reading. Thi si s a major contribution to the literature of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine." -Lixin Huang, President, American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine

"Not since Ted Kaptchuk's magnificent The web that has no weaver have we had as readabvle and clear a book about acupuncture. This is a growing, evolving Asian medicine that is both infinitely simple and complex." -David Molony, Executive Director, American Association of Oriental Medicine

Dr. John's apprenticeship with a master practitioner shines through in his reverence for the artistry of diagnosis and treatment. A welcome reference text for all acupuncturists." - Nigel Dawes, Academic Dean, The New Center, Syosset, New York

"Robert Johns deaws from the knowledge of master acupuncurist Dr. Andrew Tseng, the classics of Chinese medical literature, and his own empirical knowledge to show how theory combines with medical practice." - Patricia Kennan, Visiting Faculty, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China

Rating:
Summary: Johns's deep understanding of medicine comes through pages
Review: Robert Johns has a knack for being able to boil complex concepts down into simple, understandable language without missing any pertitent information. This text is easy to follow and contains important information. All the information in this book comes from his own clinical practice, so it's only here because the perscriptions actually work for him today, not becasue he read it in some ancient text.
Robert Johns's deep understanding of chinese medicine comes through as you read the pages of his book.
And, if you're a student of acupuncture and will be taking the state board exam in california, note that this book is on the recommmended reading list.

Rating:
Summary: Into the heart of classical acupuncture practice
Review: This book is compelling. Halfway through the first chapter, I started taking notes and underlining it. There is a lot of useful, ready-to-use information in this book, and it is true that a good portion of it is not found elsewhere.

This book addresses an issue that, at some point or another, pops up in the mind of all modern western students of acupuncture: what was left out during the standardization of TCM in China? Robert Johns, a practitioner who undertook a long apprenticeship with an older TCM doctor from China, highlights the importance of the subtler aspects of acupuncture practice for treatment success, and points the way for practitioners and students who want to experiment on their own with these aspects.

"Acupuncture.... is a nonlinear process influenced by all mutually existing factors", says Johns in his Preface. "Seeing Chinese Medicine in this way, as a medical art, helps the reader gain a sense of its multidimensionality.... A practitioner... has a number of choices...[to] meet the patient's specific therapeutic needs." This book brings such aspects as obtaining qi and needle manipulation to the fore, giving clear explanations of their meaning and importance. The book also explains succinctly the uses and applications of different methods of point selection and classical needling techinques, including such obscure methods as Flame Needle and Through and through puncturing. The only thing that's missing is Ziwuliuzhu and Lingguibafa, but even these are mentioned and briefly explained.

Two other things make this book special. The first one is an in-depth analysis of a single acupuncture point: Pericardium 6 Neiguan. This section describes many uses for this point, an analysis of the theoretical basis for its widespread application, and a large sampling of prescriptions which include this point. The second one is the introduction of an ancient needle manipulation techinque, Dao Qi. This was the first thing from this book I experimented with, and the results are amazing.

The whole book is clear, informative, and very insightful. It provides an integrative, wholistic approach to acupuncture for practitioners, and its writing style is so good, there is something here for everyone (students and laypersons). It is a book to be lived with, rather than just read. For people with a background in acupuncture, it requires an open mind and a desire to learn (then again, acupuncture in general requires this). In all, a great book that can really be used both as an introduction to this subject for prospective students and laypersons and a reference for practitioners looking to broaden the scope of their practice. It recalls a more "Chinese" way of thinking and approaching acupuncture, one which recognizes that chinese medicine is as much an art as a science. Highly Recommended!!!

Rating:
Summary: Johns's deep understanding of medicine comes through pages
Review: This is a great book, but contains lots of point functions and empirical indications found nowhere else. You could get stumped if you don't know them. Lots of needle technique... I'm glad this one is on the list, because it means eventually we may be able to get rid of "Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion"!

I have to throw in a comment from one of my teachers... Robert Johns calls P6 (Neiguan) the 'wildcard' and says that it can be added to any treatment for increased effectiveness. My teacher, Robert Chu, laughed at that and said, "Wildcard... that means you don't really understand what it does!"

Rating:
Summary: For those taking the CA state board...
Review: This is a great book, but contains lots of point functions and empirical indications found nowhere else. You could get stumped if you don't know them. Lots of needle technique... I'm glad this one is on the list, because it means eventually we may be able to get rid of "Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion"!

I have to throw in a comment from one of my teachers... Robert Johns calls P6 (Neiguan) the 'wildcard' and says that it can be added to any treatment for increased effectiveness. My teacher, Robert Chu, laughed at that and said, "Wildcard... that means you don't really understand what it does!"