|
RECOMMENDED READING
[Back to Acupuncture]
A Practical Guide to Vibrational Medicine – Richard Gerber
A practical, succinct description of tomorrow's medicine.
At the dawn of the twenty-first century, the old paradigms underlying the sciences are beginning to fall apart. This is nowhere so clearly seen as in medicine and in the physical sciences. Physicists seeming to be less resistant to innovation than physicians, quantum theory has effectively replaced the mechanistic theories of Newton and even the relativistic teachings of Einstein as orthodoxy.
Vibrational healing now occupies a space in relation to conventional biomedicine precisely analogous to that held by what was called the 'New Physics' in the 1940's and 50's.
Dr. Gerber informs us that vibrational medicine philosophically rests on the recognition that the human being is more than a physical body, but also incorporates a "body" of life energy, a "body" of sensitivity and feelings, and a spiritual essence or Self. Vibrational modalities interact with these subtle bodies of the human being, evoking specific qualities in response. We can say that they work in a similar way to inspirational music or art, which carry meaning through the vehicle of sound or light, while the modalities of vibrational medicine work through the medium of the patterns of energy that suffuse, enfold and interpenetrate our physical selves.
Modern physics has known for decades that matter and consciousness are intertwined so finely as to seem to present the two as but aspects of a single phenomenon. Medical science nonetheless continues to utilize a nineteenth century model of the human being as a mechanism, but another machine―in a world of machines. Given present trends, we can reasonably expect that in the coming century medical science will develop ways of assessing the impact of consciousness on health, and we will learn more about ourselves and the ways in which vibrational healing modalities work.
Live in the Balance – Linda Prout
For over three thousand years practitioners of Chinese medicine have known that food is health-giving. Now path-breaking nutritionist Linda Prout synthesizes the basic principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with the science of western nutrition. With a clear focus to help readers achieve balance, Prout introduces the concept of balance and describes the signs and symptoms of various patterns of imbalance from a TCM perspective. She provides simple self-assessments readers can use to determine their own tendencies toward imbalance, and recommends foods, cooking methods, and lifestyle changes to balance each pattern. Fats, proteins, carbohydrates and sugars are each discussed from a western nutrition and eastern perspective, with beneficial and potentially unhealthful choices given for each body pattern.
From Publishers Weekly
Prout, a nutritionist at the Claremont Resort and Spa in Berkeley, Ca., believes that people could lose weight and improve their general health by modifying their Western diet to include the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM is based on the principles of balance (yin-yang) and Qi, which the Chinese believe is our vital life force. Key to the success of TCM, she explains, is understanding one's "pattern of imbalance" (e.g., "dry," "damp," "warm," "cool") and personalizing one's diet to maintain healthy equilibrium or "strong spleen Qi." Nevertheless, Prout acknowledges that "it is likely that you will have combinations of more than one pattern," and even if a person is balanced, he or she can experience periods of imbalance (e.g., PMS, insomnia, depression, bloating). Though her explanations are sensible and she offers considerable anecdotal evidence, readers not well-versed in Eastern thought may be overwhelmed by the inordinate details of TCM (e.g., the five elementsAwood, fire, metal, water and earthAof nutrition, climate, food colors, etc.) and how to use them. To ease confusion, Prout recommends the best foods for particular patterns of imbalance and offers considerable anecdotal evidence. Unfortunately, impatient readers who are used to opening a typical Western diet book that spells out exact menus for every meal every day may dismiss Prout's recommendations. (Jan.)
Nourishing Destiny: The Inner Tradition of Chinese Medicine – Lonny S. Jarrett
There are other books out there, but few that have an easy to read format for both students and patients. This is a must read for anyone who desires to learn and understand Five Element Chinese Acupuncture. Lonny is great to hear in lecture but much better in his writing style.
Lonny Jarrett is one of the few authors who provides a complete analysis of the five elements that can be applied to everyday practice. I found as I read his book, which I did several times, various patients came to mind. Patients also related to the descriptions of the five elements as it affected their lives. The approach provided me with the extra information I needed to better treat an energy imbalance, rather than symptoms alone. The way Lonny combines the things we learn, the way we interpret the world, and the make up we bring to it, was practical and applicable. He seems to be more from the Worsley school with its emphasis on the psychological rather than the cosmological school. If more books like Lonny's come to print, I believe Western Chinese Medicine will really have come of age.
The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine – Ted J. Kaptchuk
One of the best and most accurate introduction to standard Chinese medicine on the market. There's a reason it's been in print since 1982. It was one of my favorite study guides when I was in school and today it is one of my favorite book to recommend to my patients.
The first few chapters are very explicit for those unfamiliar with the Chinese way of thought. It explains the differences between western and eastern scientific understanding without necessarily saying one is better than the other. I use some of his statements in my lectures to western medical students and doctors.
Completely and thoroughly revised, The Web That Has No Weaver is the classic, comprehensive guide on the theory and practice of Chinese medicine. This accessible and invaluable resource has earned its place as the foremost authority in the synthesizing of Western and Eastern healing practices.
Book Info
Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Classic, comprehensive guide to the theory and practice of Chinese medicine. Including reviews of scientific developments in the study of acupuncture and herbal medicine and a discussion of the possible adverse effects of these therapies. Previous edition: c1982. Softcover.
The Foundations of Chinese Medicine – Giovanni Maciocia
A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists. (Second Edition)
This successful Chinese medicine textbook covers the theory of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, and discusses in detail the use of acupuncture points and the principles of treatment. The material is based on rigorous reference to ancient and modern Chinese texts, and explains the application of theory in a Western practice context. The new edition features new and updated material, including discussion of 50 additional acupuncture points and more patterns. A redesigned layout complements the accessible writing style and makes the material even easier to follow. Plus, an accompanying CD-ROM contains over 750 self-testing questions in a variety of formats.
|
