Japanese Classical Acupuncture: Introduction to Meridian Therapy

This is one of the most helpful acupuncture books I have read in a long time. As others have pointed out, the author is extremely humble, sharing with us the difficulties he had in learning meridian therapy, especially pulse diagnosis, and simplifying the learning process for the reader. It is rare that a book is clear enough to enable a practitioner to implement new techniques without personal instruction. But Shudo Denmei writes as someone who remembers his own struggles in learning these techniques and offers clear instruction and many helpful hints. For example, he takes the procedure for six-position pulse diagnosis and breaks it down into manageable steps to be gradually learned. He encourages confidence in the reader that even incorporating these methods on an incremental basis will still greatly help your patients.I practiced acupuncture for 9 years before making the decision to home school my learning disabled son, allowing my certification to lapse because I was unable to continue seeing patients. Now, 15 years later, I am studying for the exam to have my certification reinstated. In the course of my studies, I have become more and more disenchanted with TCM and drawn to Japanese acupuncture. It has much in common with my background in the Worsley 5-Element tradition, especially in the emphasis on six-position pulse diagnosis and providing a root treatment rather than primarily treating symptoms. My 5-Element training emphasized treating the patient's CF (Causative Factor) to enhance the patient's overall well being in body, mind, and spirit rather than simply attacking symptoms; however, sometimes it seemed too heavily focused on mind and spirit and less on the body. While this is a great strength of the Worsley method (and often lacking in other traditions), I did not always feel sufficiently equipped to address certain physical symptoms or conditions. The author makes the point that, since the Qi that supplies all of our life processes is contained in and travels through the meridians, when we treat the meridians the entire person is affected, from the organs and all parts of the body to the psyche and spirit. My background had emphasized treating the CF using points ON the meridians, but this book has given me a shift in focus to the importance of the meridians themselves.This is so simple and profound, but had become lost to me as I struggled with exam review texts on TCM, with its point formulas and complex patterns which are really more appropriate for herbal medicine. I was shocked to read that, prior to learning Meridian Therapy, Shudo Denmei himself had practiced acupuncture for years without ever taking pulses! Coming from the Worsley tradition, that seemed impossible for me to believe; in 5 Element acupuncture one could hardly plan or carry out a treatment or check progress without careful pulse diagnosis. And yet in my TCM studies, pulse diagnosis focuses mainly on quality and is primarily used to confirm the symptom-based diagnosis, rather than to discern and treat the relative balance of the meridians themselves. In TCM, one could truly get by without ever taking pulses, and therefore completely miss out on an amazing window to the inner state of the patient's entire being. Simply put, this book teaches the reader to balance the meridians which carry our life force, which in turn will affect all aspects of a person's well-being.This book is a treasure and worth more than the dozens of books I must wade through for the exam. It reminds me how beautiful acupuncture can be, and that the simplest treatment carefully chosen based on precise diagnosis is far better than many needles. And of course, there is much more here than pulse diagnosis; abdominal diagnosis, meridian palpation, needling technique, and other techniques are explained and made immediately usable by the reader. Whatever tradition of acupuncture you practice, take the time to read this book. You will feel a sense of peace and fresh inspiration in your vocation as an acupuncturist.

This book is the best of all of the books written already by this great master of "Meridian Therapy", Shudo Denmei. This book is extraordinary and indispensable to all and any acupunturista, be him linked to the acupuncture Chinese, Japanese or western. This book is of great aid not just in the diagnosis, as well as in the treatment of the disturbances of the meridians. And their teachings will be of great aid, as it is it for me, in the diagnosis and treatment of at least 80% of the treatable diseases with the acupuncture. Nobody in healthy conscience can stop reading, to study, to dialogue, to discuss and to share the rich information of the same with other work friends. Certainly, well practiced these techniques of the book, his/her performance as acupunturist will be said: before and after Shudo Denmei!

My interest in oriental medicine is serious and long-standing, although I have not had the chance to study formally at an established school. Ancient texts are seldom available in translation and can be extremely difficult to understand when they are available. Many of the more modern texts are quite dogmatic. Like second-rate cookbooks, they may give varying results for the home cook. Shudo Denmei's book is a wonderful gateway. It gives a very understandable "big picture" view of acupuncture as it developed from its origins to the present time. It gives extremely practical ways for a student to begin both study and early clinical experience. Without translation from theory to actual practice, no such book is worth anything. This book is the most practical I have seen at making this transition to clinical experience possible. So, this is a wonderful place to begin. On the other hand, the author also outlines very clearly at least one respectable path to mastery of the higher complexities of acupuncture practice. The text can, then, guide a person through long stages of improving practice. There are other wonderful books (consider, as an example, Dr. Manaka's book), but I know of no other text that is nearly as helpful or as practical, particularly for a person like me. I have great desire, but I don't catch on easily. Thanks to the author.

This book is very clearly written by a practitioner with lots of experience. He shares his experience at a deep level including areas where he felt he had some troubles while learning this method. I found this very valuable and encouraging. He lists some step by step methods which I've already begun to incorporate into treatments. Anyone looking for an organized method in which you can check for immediate changes after applying your treatments would do well to purchase this book.

This book was good to read, gave clear pictures and was a balanced presentation of Meridan work..

great read

Relevant, pragmatic, an excellent reference for clinical libraries, Introduction to Meridian Therapy is ideal for the beginner and experienced practitioner alike. Well rounded information on meridian therapy that is highly applicable to clinical practice combines with numerous charts and diagrams for easy reference.

I liked this book - especially the hints to learning the pulse diagnosis, and the "embassy" analogy. This is a great intro to Japanese acupuncture. (Not for total beginners in acupuncture)

Tout decrit simplement pour une therapie efficace. A creuser.

Great book.

First the service: Amazon delivered this book really fast! I ordered on Wednesday and it arrives on Friday! Really appreciate it.Second: about the book. The book is clear and concise. It explains in details, with examples, about Meridian therapy, or the Japanese approach to acupuncture. The language is of someone who is serious, committed to transmit their knowledge. It's not a compilation of other books on the topic. It does not intent to brag about the subject. You would feel like the writer were talking to you and he was worrying you don't get his points so he reframe his main points in different way. There aren't many books on the market that have this approach: personal, sincere, straightforward.For beginners, this book may be a tad difficult to read. For experienced acupuncturist who wants to see what others do, this is a treasure.

Très bon livre