The Chinese Way to Healing: Many Paths to Wholeness
by Misha Ruth Cohen |
Reviewed by Doug Eisenstark L.Ac.
From acupuncture needles to Zang-Fu concepts, the book is instructive to the many facets of current American TCM (Tradtitional Chinese Medicine) practice. Although the focus is on TCM, Cohen writes of other modalities including homeopathy and Western Medicine.
Using this book, the practitioner can refer their patients to comprehensive sections on diet, gynocology, western medical integration, self-massage and food diaries. As anyone who has struggled with patient brochures knows, clear answers to questions about acupuncture needling and raw herb preparation are a god-send in saving time in the clinic.
The phrase "Wholeness = Dietary Guidelines + Herbs + Acupuncture + Qi Gong" is used as a guide to the different aspects of patient self-care. The section on Wei and Nei Qi Gong exercises should get your patient started on the right path. Also included is a recognition of the importance of the Qi Gong instructor.
Unlike many others, this is not a "self-help" book. It states clearly that it is to be used with a practitioner not instead of one. Short case studies and testimonials stress the results of working with a professional acupuncturist. Practitioners will appreciate Cohen's continual warnings against using self-medication when using herbs.
Although I have been stressing that this book is for the consumer, I can easily imagine that The Chinese Way to Healing will be extremely helpful for the practitioner in the clinic. Here in one book, is a guide to diet, ear points and reflexology. While reading together with the patient, I can see how I might be reminded of many aspects of treatments I might have otherwise overlooked. The dangerous down-side, of course, is that your patients may become increasingly more assertive and "difficult." Humor aside, The Chinese Way to Healing will be an extremely effective "Workbook" that can be used in conjuction with the practitioner and patient. The writing and level of explanation is sufficiently high to give the patient an excellent education. An enlightened patient means that the practitioner can be more open and will no longer have to “protect” the patient from complex concepts.
Misha Ruth Cohen is an acupuncture "veteran" with a history including Lincoln Hospital, lectures in China, contact with the mysterious "W.B", to her current role in the important work of Quan Yin and Chicken Soup Chinese Medicine Centers in San Francisco. Both her experience and warmth in "patient-based" acupuncture come through strongly in this book.
The Chinese Way to Healing: Many Paths to Wholeness may be the book that acupuncturists will want to stock for sale to their patients. As well, it may be the best book to refer to potential clients, friends and relatives when one is asked that dreaded question, "How does acupuncture work?"
Acupuncture.com |