Acupuncture Books

The Omega-3 Connection: The Groundbreaking Antidepression Diet and Brain Program A must-read for anyone dealing with depression, The Omega-3 Connection by Andrew L. Stoll, M.D., strikes yet another blow against the standard American diet. We already know that years of noshing on highly processed foods have saddled us with sky-high rates of heart disease, obesity, and related conditions. But, as we're starting to understand now, our eating habits may also be subtly altering our brain chemistry, leaving us vulnerable to anxiety disorders and depression. Only in this case, it's not just what we're eating--it's what we're not eating: foods containing omega-3 essential fatty acids--the "good fats" that help maintain optimal brain function.

In his book, Stoll, the director of the psychopharmacology research lab at Boston's McLean Hospital and assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, suggests that restoring our body's natural balance of omega-3s may help alleviate (and prevent) many types of depression--even for those who don't respond to traditional antidepressants. Omega-3s may also prove helpful with other problems, such as the inability to handle stress, memory loss, and cognitive decline. The book contains a "renewal plan" designed to help readers put Stoll's concepts into practice, recipes for omega-3-rich dishes, advice for choosing supplements, and dosages for therapeutic use.

Although Stoll is quick with the caveat that much of the research on omega-3s and brain function is still evolving, he makes a compelling case for using these fats to regulate depression and other cognitive disorders. Along with major epidemiological evidence that shows lower rates of depression in those cultures that consume a great deal of omega-3s, Stoll's own studies indicate that boosting their intake can reduce depression symptoms. And Stoll cites stacks of additional studies suggesting that omega-3s can also help with major depression, schizophrenia, and postpartum depression. Going even further, Stoll makes a strong argument that omega-3 deficiency could be contributing to rising rates of teen violence and attention deficit disorders.

Of course, depression should never be treated without physician supervision. But in laying the groundwork for the omega-3s to emerge as the next big thing in natural depression therapy, Stoll certainly gives us food for thought. --Norine Dworkin

For years scientists have searched for a treatment to relieve the pain of depression and other mood disorders -- one that's safe enough for nursing mothers, children, and the elderly -- without the side effects associated with medicines like Prozac, Zoloft, and lithium. Thanks to Dr. Andrew Stoll's groundbreaking research, that search may well be over.

Stoll found that omega-3 fatty acids, already known for their importance in preventing heart disease, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer, also play a crucial role in mental health. They regulate and enhance mood, sharpen memory, and even aid concentration and learning. Though these remarkable substances are abundant in common fish oils and other foods, the average Western diet includes far too few of the most common sources. Fortunately, our deficient diets and attendant depression can be reversed. The Omega-3 Connection provides readers with all the information they need to restore their natural balance of omega-3 fatty acids, including

Ground-breaking research provides an exciting new approach to treating the most common mental problem in America -- depression. For years, scientists have searched for a "magic bullet" to relieve the pain and trauma of mood disorders -- one safe enough for nursing mothers, children with ADD, and the elderly, and one uncomplicated by the toxicity and invasive side effects associated with mood regulators like Prozac, Zoloft, and lithium. Thanks to Harvard's Andrew Stoll, the search may finally be over. Stoll found that Omega-3 acids, already known for their importance in preventing heart disease and cancer, play a crucial role in mental health -- regulating and enhancing mood, sharpening memory, and even aiding concentration and learning. This substance, so essential to our health, is found abundantly in fish and flax oils and occurs naturally in humans, but is often depleted by our Western diet and lifestyle. In his revolutionary program, Stoll presents readers with all the tools for restoring their natural balance of Omega-3 -- including the foods to eat and how to choose the most effective over-the-counter supplements. Featuring information on how to integrate flaxseed and fish oil into diet and medication plans, simple recipes, supplement doses and sources, The Omega-3 Connection offers an entirely new, practical method for improving mental health.

The Acupressure Atlas A fully illustrated and comprehensive reference guide to acupressure

• Provides acupressure treatments tailored for a wide variety of health disorders, including back pain, heart and circulatory problems, and even the common cold

• Contains step-by-step instructions illustrated in full color for self-treatment or treatment of a partner

• A simultaneous hardcover and paperback release

Trouble sleeping, sensitive stomach, headaches, joint problems, allergies: Sensory ailments such as these have been steadily increasing in Western countries for decades. Acupressure--massage along the body’s meridians in accordance with traditional Chinese medicine--can effectively prevent and treat all of these disorders, and more. The Acupressure Atlas is a fully illustrated and comprehensive reference guide that demonstrates how acupressure techniques activate and accelerate the body’s self-healing powers to alleviate many health problems, including even the common cold.

Acupressure confers a holistic health benefit that prevents disorder from arising by harmonizing and balancing the body’s energies. It is particularly suited to self-treatment, the treatment of a partner, and especially the treatment of children. Along with an introduction to the origins and principles of traditional Chinese medicine, The Acupressure Atlas provides the most important basic techniques as well as step-by-step instructions, illustrated in full color, of the practical and specific information needed to put the healing techniques of acupressure at your fingertips.

The first edition of this authoritative book quickly became the single source for accurate and unbiased information on complementary and alternative medicine approaches for the management of MS symptoms. The second edition, completely updated throughout, reflects advances in the field since the book’s initial publication in 2001. Therapies are organized alphabetically so that readers can easily pinpoint a specific treatment and learn about its origins, merits, and possible uses in MS. In-depth discussions cover Naltrexone, acupuncture, biofeedback, chiropractic medicine, cooling therapy, yoga, diets, the use of supplements, herbs, vitamins, and minerals, and many other topics. This invaluable guide alerts MS patients and their families to new options for relief when conventional therapies are limited; directs them to therapies that are effective, low-risk, and inexpensive; and helps them recognize those that are ineffective, dangerous, and costly.

Ayurveda and Marma Therapy: Energy Points in Yogic Healing This is the first book on marma therapy published in the West. It clearly describes the 107 main marma points in location, properties and usage. It explains in detail how to treat them with many methods including massage, aromas, herbs and yoga practices. Ayurveda and Marma Therapy is an essential reference guide for all students of Yoga, Ayurveda, massage or natural healing.

A guide to the treatment of pain from common sports injuries and other physical activities

• Contains at-home techniques to promote healing and self-awareness of the body’s musculature

• Explains how to relieve pain using manual massage in conjunction with small physio balls

• Includes an illustrated treatment reference section organized by region of the body

The vast majority of physical injuries incurred by active people begin with muscular injuries that are not addressed by the conventional medical approach to orthopedic care. Injuries of this type are generally too minor to warrant splinting, casting, or medication and often do not prevent participation in physical activities. They do, however, produce noticeable discomfort and, over time, frequently lead to more severe injuries.

In Trigger Point Self-Care Manual Donna Finando presents methods for the healing and prevention of musculature injuries. She identifies the causes of and remedies for areas of muscular tightness and restriction and details many self-care techniques, including precise self-massage, stretching, and the use of wet heat and/or ice. In the fully illustrated reference section, organized by body part, she identifies the pain associated with trigger points in each muscle of the body and provides instructions for palpating, treating, and stretching the muscle in order to release it.

Snake Oil Science: The Truth about Complementary and Alternative Medicine Millions of people worldwide swear by such therapies as acupuncture, herbal cures, and homeopathic remedies. Indeed, complementary and alternative medicine is embraced by a broad spectrum of society, from ordinary people, to scientists and physicians, to celebrities such as Prince Charles and
Oprah Winfrey.
In the tradition of Michael Shermers Why People Believe Weird Things and Robert Parks's Voodoo Science, Barker Bausell provides an engaging look at the scientific evidence for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and at the logical, psychological, and physiological pitfalls that lead
otherwise intelligent people--including researchers, physicians, and therapists--to endorse these cures. The books ultimate goal is to reveal not whether these therapies work--as Bausell explains, most do work, although weakly and temporarily--but whether they work for the reasons their proponents
believe. Indeed, as Bausell reveals, it is the placebo effect that accounts for most of the positive results. He explores this remarkable phenomenon--the biological and chemical evidence for the placebo effect, how it works in the body, and why research on any therapy that does not factor in the
placebo effect will inevitably produce false results. By contrast, as Bausell shows in an impressive survey of research from high-quality scientific journals and systematic reviews, studies employing credible placebo controls do not indicate positive effects for CAM therapies over and above those
attributable to random chance.
Here is not only an entertaining critique of the strangely zealous world of CAM belief and practice, but it also a first-rate introduction to how to correctly interpret scientific research of any sort. Readers will come away with a solid understanding of good vs. bad research practice and a
healthy skepticism of claims about the latest miracle cure, be it St. John's Wort for depression or acupuncture for chronic pain.

Thorough preparation for the National Certification Exam for Massage Therapy and Bodywork is now at your fingertips. Inside this new edition you will find detailed information on all the key concepts and principles covered on the exam, all in an easy-to-read format. Numerous review questions cover all the main areas of study, including human anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology; clinical pathology; massage therapy and bodywork; and professional standards, ethics, and business practices.

A Manual of Acupuncture (2nd Edition) Once in a great while an extraordinary book is published that sets an entirely new standard in its field. A Manual of Acupuncture, published by Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications, is just such a book. Painstakingly researched over many years by Peter Deadman, editor-in-chief of The Journal of Chinese Medicine, and colleagues Mazin Al-Khafaji and Kevin Baker, this book has become the primary reference in the West for the study of acupuncture points and channels. With the subtle use of color to illustrate the acupuncture points and anatomical features, the new second edition of A Manual of Acupuncture is even more attractive and user-friendly than the first. Introductory chapters describe and illustrate the channels and collaterals, the various categories of points, and methods of selection, location, and needling. Ensuing chapters present each of the points of the 14 channels as well as the extra (miscellaneous) points, identified by their English and pinyin names, and Chinese characters. Each point is located in accordance with the most exacting anatomical standards to be found in any Western textbook. For each point there is a dedicated drawing, followed by regional body drawings. The quality of the 500 drawings is far superior to those in any other TCM text. There are also practical pointers for finding and needling the points, and cautionary information about what to avoid. In addition to point indexes by their English and pinyin names, there is an index identifying every part of the body reached by each of the channels, and separate indexes of point indications listed according to both TCM and biomedical symptoms.

It's that simple. Meridian Therapy is a self-healing system that can be learned in minutes and can relieve a lifetime of emotional pain. A cutting-edge technique based on the ancient art of acupressure, it involves stimulating the energy meridians in the body by tapping on specific energy points and awakening their healing power.

In Five Simple Steps to Emotional Healing, noted therapist Gloria Arenson explains the scientific basis of Meridian Therapy and teaches readers the five easy-to-follow steps that will allow them to break free from stress and negative emotions. Meridian Therapy can be practiced any time, anywhere, in order to

Tap Your Troubles Away It's that simple. Meridian Therapy is a self-healing system that can be learned in minutes and can relieve a lifetime of emotional pain. A cutting-edge technique based on the ancient art of acupressure, it involves stimulating the energy meridians in the body by tapping on specific energy points and awakening their healing power. In Five Simple Steps to Emotional Healing, noted therapist Gloria Arenson explains the scientific basis of Meridian Therapy and teaches readers the five easy-to-follow steps that will allow them to break free from stress and negative emotions. Meridian Therapy can be practiced any time, anywhere, in order to Improve performance in sports, work, and the bedroom Stop the fears that limit activities and ruin relationships Eliminate the urge to procrastinate Conquer cravings and compulsions Heal emotional scars and painful memories Improve self-esteem Dissolve panic attacks before they start

Recommended Books on Acupuncture