Positive Health Online

The Concise book of acupoints (Acupuncture points) relates to the teaching of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the use of the main acupuncture points, in an illustrated practical hand book. Key points of the book are the explanation of the meridians. The sections are colour-coded for each meridian; the star system grades the acupoints according to the versatility and it provides detailed instructions on how to perform the most used acupuncture points. The names are given in Chinese but then also in Western terminology. It tells you where you would place the needle and gives suggestions about different needles sizes for each location, if you should use Magnets, Moxa or and how much, indications and sometimes special properties of the point, if applicable.

The author is John R Cross FCSP DrAc MRSH, well-known educator and popular lecturer in the field, who has been in practice for over a number of years, a very experienced practitioner of Alternative medicine since 1970 and highly respected in the world of physiotherapy and physical therapy. John is the author of five other books in the healing arts of complementary medicine and is still passionate about his work by giving lectures and workshops worldwide in mainstream manual therapy.

The layout of the book is well sectioned, covering 16 chapters. The colour coded chapters include the fourteen surface and deep meridians, giving an excellent and informative introduction to acupoints and explains the traditional and modern concepts, when and where it was first used. It then goes on to describe what it is now used for and how. It tells us what we can use acupoints for, the traditional relationships including the explanation of the Five Transporting Points, the Cun measurements and the principles of point selection. Uniquely added to this book, you will also find teachings from Ayurvedic therapy. It contains a brief description of the Marma points, reflexology and the seven major chakras. The short paragraphs and colour full diagrams clearly describe their interrelationship with trigger points and acupoints, relating to the spinal segments.

The book is aimed at acupuncture students and novice practitioners, as well as physical therapists and general body work therapists who want to utilize the use of these points within their own practices of Reflexology, Shiatsu, Tui Na, Acupressure and many other bodywork therapies. This extensively illustrated book is particularly useful showing, a picture or diagram on nearly every page. The pictures are large, colourful and simple with only as much detail as required, which doesn't over-complicate the matter. In most acupuncture books point location, needle use and moxa treatments for main points are generally spread throughout the book in different chapters.

The best thing about this book is the way the needle location, moxa treatment and use of point are simply put together in one paragraph; thus should make any revision simplified. Throughout the book there is advice and warnings to ensure safety and a positive outcome. The star system grades the acupoints according to the versatility. On the other hand, some contraindications which I consider to the utmost important, such as the use of certain points in pregnancy are not highlighted well within the texts. I would have liked this to appear on the top of the page next to the name of the point. The large dots to indicate point location on some of the extremities, especially the nail acupoints are not very accurate. It would have been better to use smaller dots or arrows pointing to the acupoints to match the brief description of the point location.

Overall this book is clear and relatively simple, well laid-out and easy to understand. This book will make an excellent study aid for any acupuncture student and early practitioner in Acupuncture or Acupressure, one they would treasure and annotate with their notes over the years. I would also recommend this book to any practitioner in the field on Alternative medicine. An experienced acupuncture professional might like it as an aide memoir.