Art of Palpatory Diagnosis in Oriental Medicine

Description

By Skya Gardner-Abbate
Hardcover book
ISBN 9780443070587
364 pages, 7.50 x 9.50″

Palpation is the heart of Japanese acupuncture diagnosis and treatment. This book provides a step-by-step introduction and practical guide to palpation as a method of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment within the context of Oriental medicine, particularly the practice of Japanese acupuncture. Leading the reader through the “how” and “what” of touching/palpating the abdomen (or hara) and other key areas of the body, the author also explores key acupuncture points for clearing these areas, as well as Japanese needle techniques. The aim of the book is for the reader to more vividly and sensitively feel what lies below acupuncture meridians and points, and to be able to assess and successfully treat a wide variety of clinical conditions with an understanding of the individual patient.

The many line drawings and photographs give the reader a vivid and accurate sense of what is being seen and felt. The author’s emphasis on the integration of Chinese and Japanese medical thought helps the reader to see them as interrelated, classically based systems. Additionally, the text follows a “building blocks” approach whereby concepts and new terms are gradually introduced, explored, and reviewed with questions that summarize each chapter. Cases from the author’s 15 years of clinical experience are integrated to elaborate upon the concepts covered, which helps readers study patient progress and grasp how to apply the material. Forms outlining procedures, diagnoses, and possible treatment strategies supplement the theoretical material in each chapter so that the practitioner is assisted in organizing and performing palpation examinations.