An introduction to Western Medical Acupuncture

This book is a clear and practical introductory guide to the practice of medical acupuncture. It describes the Western medical approach to the use of acupuncture as a therapy following orthodox diagnosis. The text covers issues of safety, different approaches to acupuncture, basic point information, clinical issues and the application of acupuncture in clinical conditions, especially in the treatment of pain.

Glossary 1. Introduction Section I Principles 2. An overview of Western medical acupuncture 3. Neurological mechanisms I: local effects 4. Neurological mechanisms II: segmental analgesia 5. Neurological mechanisms III: extrasegmental analgesia 6. Neurological mechanisms IV: central regulatory effects 7. Myofascial trigger points 8. Traditional Chinese acupuncture reinterpreted Section II: The evidence 9. Clinical research into the effectiveness of acupuncture 10. Evidence on the safety of acupuncture Section III: Practical aspects 11. Preparation for treatment 12. Effective needling techniques 13. Safe needling 14. Other acupuncture techniques Section IV: Treatment manual 15. Treatment guidelines 16. Reference charts: points and innervation References Index