Ask the Acupuncturist

Question: Is there a book I can read to learn more about acupuncture?

Answer: Yes, there is! Ted Kaptchuk, one of America's first western acupuncturists and herbalists, wrote a book for both acupuncturists and the lay person called "The Web That Has No Weaver." Beautifully written, it has been touted as a book that "demystifies" Chinese medicine, helping the reader understand the fundamentals of acupuncture and Chinese herbs. It explains the language of Chinese medicine--yin and yang, qi and other terms; it discusses the meridians, the pulses and also details how a practitioner arrives at a Chinese medical diagnosis and chooses points, all in language that a patient, not just a practitioner, can understand. We recommend it to patients who are interested in learning more about Chinese medicine in general, but also to learn more about their own health, because it provides a new and holistic way to look at their bodies. Throughout the book we are reminded that as humans we reflect nature and the world around us; a fact that Chinese medicine has relied on for centuries to restore health and balance in the body. And we think this book captures that message perfectly.