Once in a great while an extraordinary book is published that sets an entirely new standard in its field. A Manual of Acupuncture is just such a book. Painstakingly researched by Peter Deadman, editor-in-chief of The Journal of Chinese Medicine, and colleagues Mazin Al-Khafaji and Kevin Baker, this book is quickly becoming the primary reference in English for the study of acupuncture points and channels.

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 exceptional, setting this book apart from other point reference books. There are also extensive historical commentaries on the evolution of many of the points, plus practical pointers for finding and needling them, and cautionary information about what to avoid.

All of the points are indexed by their English and pinyin names. There is also an index identifying every part of the body reached by each of the channels, and separate indices of point indications listed according to both TCM and biomedical symptoms.

"The definitive, most authoritative book on points in English: scholarly, complete, and detailed." -Giovanni Maciocia

Physiology & pathology of the channels & collaterals (primary, divergent, extraordinary, connecting, and cutaneous regions) ; Location, actions, indications, precautions & combinations for each of the points ; 500 anatomical drawings of individual & regional point locations ; Historical commentaries on properties & combinations of points ; Special point categories ; Needling methods ; Glossary ; Multiple indexes for points & indications ; General index

Painstakingly researched, written, and illustrated over a period of seven years, this book may well become one of the primary reference sources in the West for the study of acupuncture points and channels. The book contains chapter-length descriptions of the channels and collaterals, point categories and locations, and point selection and needling methods. In addition, it includes illustrations and text descriptions of all primary, extraordinary, divergent, luo- connecting and sinew channels, and individual and regional illustrations of the locations for each of the 14 channel and extra channel points (in English, Chinese and Pinyin). The material for each point includes practical identification of point actions, extensive lists of point indications drawn from classical and modern texts, in-depth commentaries explaining the principal historical and modern applications, and classical prescriptions that demonstrate point combination. There are extensive indexes, including one dedicated to point indications. Finally, students may wish to note that this text required reading for U.S. licensure examinations.