The Compleat Acupuncturist
On sale
21st January 2014
Price: £35
In this highly original and authoritative book, Peter Eckman takes pulse diagnosis as a common thread that links and integrates the various disciplines of Oriental medicine, and shows that they are in fact related by a common origin several thousand years ago. The text describes the clinical details used in a variety of acupuncture styles, synthesizing them into a coherent whole, and illustrating the usefulness of this model with an extensive presentation of case histories. A fundamental premise of the book is that treatment should be based not only on the current condition of the patient, but even more importantly on their inherent constitution. The description of constitutional pulse diagnosis therefore forms Part 1 of the text, the description of conditional pulse diagnosis forms Part 2 and Part 3 provides more than 30 case histories with pulse analysis, diagnosis and treatment (with outcomes), so that the book will be of utmost practical benefit.
Much of the book consists of new theoretical schemata to organize traditional Oriental medical concepts into a coherent whole – groundbreaking work that will provide fresh insights and deeper understanding to all practitioners of Chinese medicine, especially acupuncturists. It presents a wealth of material that is not commonly available in Indian (Ayurveda), Korean or Chinese medicine, as well as other traditions of Oriental medicine, including the only thorough presentation of Korean Constitutional Acupuncture in English, based on the author’s personal study under its originator.
Much of the book consists of new theoretical schemata to organize traditional Oriental medical concepts into a coherent whole – groundbreaking work that will provide fresh insights and deeper understanding to all practitioners of Chinese medicine, especially acupuncturists. It presents a wealth of material that is not commonly available in Indian (Ayurveda), Korean or Chinese medicine, as well as other traditions of Oriental medicine, including the only thorough presentation of Korean Constitutional Acupuncture in English, based on the author’s personal study under its originator.
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Reviews
Peter Eckman's accomplishment in The Compleat Acupuncturist is truly remarkable. It is a grand synthesis that certainly ranks as one of the most significant texts on pulse diagnosis in the history of the medicine. Beyond the wealth of technical information or theory communicated there is the inspiration that, if we apply ourselves diligently as Peter has, that we too may awaken to the heart of the medicine and an inspiring synthesis of our own. Peter's text reaffirms my conviction that Chinese medicine, having become a world medicine, is flourishing.
I'm truly amazed at [Peter Eckman's] scholarship - and at [his] ability to draw so many threads together. I also think it is extraordinarily well-written, and very easy to read, even though the subject matter is far from easy.
Reaching a new height of inquiry into the problem of constitutional diagnosis, Peter Eckman has resolved a problem in the practice of pulse-diagnosis, one that has plagued acupuncture since its devolution in the 1950s. [...]This is a brilliant and original contribution to the practice of pulse diagnosis. I look forward to using it in my practice.
I am most grateful when scholars dare to take on interdisciplinary topics, as Peter Eckman has done with this project. I predict that this type of synthesis and integration will be one of the main features of the 21st century, and Peter is truly ahead of the game with this project!
Peter Eckman's book on pulse diagnosis will become an instant classic as there has certainly never been anything like it before. His intellectual rigour, combined with his vast clinical experience, has enabled him to integrate several different styles of pulse diagnosis into a coherent whole. All practitioners who place a high value on pulse diagnosis should read this book.