More than one kind of acupuncture.
Merely by accident I came across two acupuncture books this week. One is the revised and expanded second edition of Medical Acupuncture written by Jacqueline Filshie & Adrian White with co-author Mike Cummings. Medical acupuncture is the branche in acupuncture that takes distance from the traditional theories and seek explanations from within western medical perspectives. It is promised to be a science-based compendium that 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.
The other book that caught my eye was intuitive acupuncture by John Hamwee. Herein the role of intuition is identified in acupuncture training as one of the keys to effective practice. John Hamwee explores its paramount importance in diagnosis and treatment, showing how development of the intuitive sense, and its appropriate use in the treatment room, is vital to building the most effective individual practice.
The search for the appropriate adjective or what is the true acupuncture?
These are just a grip out of the many adjectives acupuncture might have. Every acupuncturist will have his or her preference and arguments for the chosen approach or might even combine several in practice. Is one more ‘true’ than the other. And can science give us the answer in this issue? Or is it a matter of taste and are both valid.? In other words: what is the right adjective when it comes to acupuncture. During The Journey of the Needle we will explore several variables and zoom in on these aspects.