Extraordinary Vessels

This text makes available the information a student or practitioner needs to add important and powerful treatments to their repertoire. The authors have assembled theoretical explanations and treatment systems based on the use of the eight extraordinary vessels. The information comes from highly successful Oriental scholars and practitioners. The reasoning and research from which these treatment systems are derived is detailed, beginning with the classical descriptions of these vessels as the oceans of qi and blood. 
Descriptions of the eight trajectories include starting points, pathways, variant pathways, and branches. Eleven full-page body charts illuminate the text and more than 50 tables summarize the trajectories, the meeting points, and the areas of diagnostic correspondence. Classical extra meridian treatments are set out, with treatment styles that are detailed in step-by-step presentations. Fascinating systems that have been only partially or superficially reported in the West are fully explained. These systems include plus-minus needling, the Chinese system of body zones, the use of bipolar metals, magnets, and electrically pulsed magnets. Sample treatments, illustrations of correspondence and reflex areas, treatment tables, and diagrams provide practical support. There is a major treatment list for the eight master-coupled points, with thousands of indications for the points from Japanese, Chinese, English, and German texts. Organized by body area or specific condition, this reference permits the practitioner to see how the various indications relate to one another and form groups. A final section describes the authors' experience in combining extraordinary vessel and magnetic treatments with element/stem diagnosis, scar treatment, and zone therapy.

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Matsumoto, Kiiko

Birch, Stephen

Alternative Medicine

Paradigm Pubns

This text is a practical guide to the tools, skills, and techniques common to all acupuncture practice with an emphasis on those that are uniquely or creatively Japanese. It is clear, direct, and completely illustrated with high resolution close-up photography. The instructions are simple and concise so they may be easily applied to the practice of any acupuncture tradition. 
Beginning with traditional needling techniques, the text covers filiform needling, supplementation and drainage, needle with moxa-all with several approaches. Moxibustion is covered to an equally great extent and detail, as are instruments, intradermal needles, press tack needles and spheres. In addition to highly specialized Japanese techniques such as shonishinpo (treatment techniques for children), Hirata-zone therapy and Manaka wooden hammer and needle, techniques like cupping that are used throughout Asia are described in full detail. This book is more than just a fine collection of practical instruction. The introduction provides context through a brief but very accessible tour of modern Japanese training and practice that includes a highly useful guide to root treatment. Each of the techniques is also made more valuable by the description of treatment protocols with proven histories of successful clinical application.

Japanese Acupuncture: A Clinical Guide

Ida, Junko

Chasing the Dragon's Tail: The Theory and Practice of Acupuncture in the Work of Yoshio Manaka

At the culmination of their professional careers, great Oriental physicians often write books setting forth the mature versions of their clinical vision, their creations and accomplishments. Chasing the Dragon's Tail is a book in this tradition, but one that also charts a course for future explorations. Thus, while it details Dr. Manaka's clinical system in its fullest and most effective form, it is also an invitation to further investigation by one of the most inventive Oriental practitioners of the preceding generation. 
The text introduces Dr. Manaka's major clinical and theoretical accomplishments by describing how the "X-signal system'' is the foundation of human topology, function, and response. In essence, the X-signal system defines qi, yin-yang, and the five phases as clinical events, just as traditional Oriental thinkers recognized these ideas through right-brain pattern recognition. While Dr. Manaka references some of the most advanced scientific thinking of our era-information theory, holographic models and new paradigms-his explanations are full of practical tests which readers can use to confirm his ideas for themselves. The core of the text is a complete description of Dr. Manaka's treatment system. This is of great importance, not only because Dr. Manaka was recognized in both Japan and China as one of the foremost practitioners of his generation, but also because the system has already proven itself adaptable to many others. It is thus a clinical manual of unique value because it describes Dr. Manaka's most important techniques: ion pumping and other root treatments, as well as his distinctive use of fire needles, channel stimulation techniques, sotai, moxibustion, and other modern Chinese and Japanese clinical developments. Beginning with a step-by-step template for formulating and confirming a diagnosis, Dr. Manaka provides the instructions necessary to apply these techniques quickly and with confidence. The text concludes with case histories and appendices that provide supporting technical details.

Manaka, Yoshio

Itaya, Kazuko

Exercise & Fitness

Shonishin: Japanese Pediatric Acupuncture addresses the emerging interest in safe, specialized, non-insertion acupuncture treatment options for infants and children. The only English language book available on the topic, it focuses on the most important feature in the treatment of children: patient-comfort. The author gives hands-on advice that can be easily integrated into clinical practice. 
 The text begins with an overview of the underlying principles of Shonishin and the special tools and needles used to gently press, tap, scratch, rub, and stroke the child’s skin without penetrating it. The expert author then outlines root and symptomatic approaches and techniques, followed by detailed information on how to manage a wide range of specific problems and diseases. Shonishin is an excellent treatment option for common respiratory and digestive ailments. 
 Features 
 <ul>
<li>In form of a practical workshop, the accompanying DVD (150 minutes) demonstrates how to do Shonishin 
</li>
<li>More than 40 cases from around the world cover which tools and methods work best for different patients, showing a range of treatment ideas, methods, and results available with the techniques described in the book 
</li>
<li>More than 100 illustrations, photos, and diagrams complement the text throughout 
</li>
<li>Numerous tips on how to pacify scared children and aggravated parents</li>
</ul>
 This unique, user-friendly guide is a must-have for all acupuncturists, students and teachers of acupuncture as well as pediatricians who also use acupuncture -- regardless of style of practice. The basic treatment has the added advantage of being easily taught to parents so that they can use it regularly at home, thus increasing frequency of treatment and allowing parents to participate actively in the treatment of their children.
 System Requirements for the DVD:Language: English; region code: 0; picture format: 4:3 NTSC; duration: 150 minutes (approximately); disk format: DVD-5
 This book is an indispensible tool and strongly recommended for the practitioner who wishes to take on these challenging patients.-- The American Acupuncturist

Shonishin: Japanese Pediatric Acupuncture

The premier guide to Shonishin — Japanese Pediatric Acupuncture — now in a new edition
Now in an expanded new edition, this user-friendly manual remains the foremost instructional reference for the application of Shonishin, or Japanese pediatric acupuncture. The book addresses the unique and often changing circumstances involved in the treatment of infants and children. It focuses on the crucial factors of patient comfort and dosage regulation throughout treatment by gently and painlessly pressing, tapping, scratching, rubbing, and stroking the skin without penetrating it. Stephen Birch, the world's leading authority in Japanese acupuncture and Shonishin, provides valuable clinical guidance and hands-on advice that can be easily integrated into everyday practice.
The book begins by presenting the underlying principles and treatment tools used in Shonishin, and then goes on to cover root and symptomatic approaches and techniques, followed by details on how to manage a wide range of specific problems and diseases. More than 75 case histories from around the world present various treatment ideas, methods, and results for the featured condition.
Highlights:
<ul>
<li>More than 25 new clinical cases (over 75 cases total) offer useful insights and suggestions for daily practice</li>
<li>New information on using Shonishin to treat headaches and emotional problems; combining Shonishin with other treatments, such as Bach flowers and Chinese herbal medicine; and using the techniques of Shonishin and the Meridian Therapy root treatment</li>
<li>Coverage of Shonishin for the management of a broad spectrum of illnesses and diseases, including respiratory and digestive ailments, ear infections, allergies, sleep problems, and many more</li>
<li>Exercises throughout the book help readers improve their skill and check their technique</li>
<li>More than 150 precise illustrations complement and further clarify the text</li>
<li>Video footage of a workshop where the author demonstrates how to do Shonishin and shows real treatments bring concepts to life (accessed through Thieme's Media Center)</li>
</ul>
With Shonishin: Japanese Pediatric Acupuncture, Second Edition, professionals and students in acupuncture, and pediatricians and physical therapists who use acupuncture, will learn from the master the art of non-inserted needling to treat children. This volume contains all of the information that practitioners need to understand Shonishin as a treatment option and refine their technique, and to instruct parents on how to regularly use Shonishin at home, thereby increasing the frequency of treatment.

Shonishin: Japanese Pediatric Acupuncture: A Text and Video Guide

Thieme