Mike Cummings – författare

Comprehensively revised and expanded with vital new content, the second edition of Medical Acupuncture continues to explore the realistic integration of acupuncture into conventional medicine. Advocating the Western medical acupuncture approach (WMA), this science-based compendium provides the trained practitioner with all the latest research on the effectiveness of WMA and its associated mechanisms, techniques, clinical practice and evidence.

Medical Acupuncture demonstrates a variety of needling techniques and clinical applications within the context of WMA and its evolution from traditional Chinese acupuncture using current knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology alongside the principles of evidence-based medicine.

Split into seven sections the book begins by establishing the roots of WMA in the Introduction and then progresses on to describe the mechanisms of action in Section 2, including peripheral components of stimulation and evidence from neuroimaging. Sections 3 and 4 cover clinical approaches (eg, superficial needling, electroacupuncture, safety of acupuncture) and techniques related to acupuncture (TENS, laser therapy). Section 5 takes a closer look at the difficulties faced by trials and reviews while Section 6 goes on to showcase 21 clinical uses of WMA, ranging from chronic pain, mental health, obstetrics and primary care to sports medicine, respiratory conditions and neurology. The final reference section contains dermatome/myotome maps, meridian/channel charts and standard international nomenclature.

Now in its 2nd edition, An Introduction to Western Medical Acupuncture provides a broad evidence-based approach to acupuncture when used as part of modern medicine. Illustrated throughout it gives the practitioner an essential guide for deciding where and how to treat conditions with acupuncture, and how to avoid known risks associated with it. Ultimately it provides the practitioner with a tool to develop safe and effective practice. For this edition the text has been revised, updated and extensively re-written. A new chapter brings together the understanding of how pain is recognised by the nervous system, and how acupuncture can influence these pathways. This is followed by six chapters providing detailed explanations of the effects and mechanisms of acupuncture, organised according to three recognised treatment approaches - needling to produce local changes, to generate effects at the level of the spinal segment, and to modify the overall function of the nervous system. ?The chapters on the evidence from research have been also updated.

This book seeks to challenge common misgivings by showing how veterinary acupuncture works (for small and large animals), and why it should be established as an orthodox form of treatment.

Written from a Western approach, rather than a traditional Chinese Medicine approach, it explains the background and history of acupuncture and includes key information on safety aspects, understanding pain and how acupuncture can help, practical aspects such as types of needles and methods of restraint, and related techniques.

Not intended as a techniques manual, this book is a preparatory text for those considering taking an acupuncture course and those wishing to gain a solid understanding of the subject.