Celestial Lancets - A History and Rationale of Acupuncture and Moxa

Using modern knowledge to shed light on ancient techniques, this text examines two of the earliest therapeutic techniques of Chinese medicine: acupuncture and moxibustion. Acupuncture is the implantation of very thin needles into subcutaneous connective tissue and muscle at a great number of different points on the body's surface; moxibustion is the burning of Artemisia tinder (moxa) either directly on the skin or just above it.
For 2500 years the Chinese have used both techniques to relieve pain and to heal a wide variety of illnesses and malfunctions. Providing a full historical account of acupuncture and moxibustion in the theoretical structure of Chinese medicine, Doctors Lu and Needham combine it with a rationale of the two techniques in the light of modern scientific knowledge.

List of contents

List of Illustrations List of Tables List of Abbreviations Authors' Foreword 1. Introduction 2. The ching-lo system and its classical theory 3. Historical growth of the system 4. Moxibustion 5. Therapy and analgesia; physiological interpretations 6. Influences on other cultures 7. The lore of vital spots 8. Conclusions Bibliographies General Index

About the author

Joseph Needham, Gwei-Djen Lu

Summary

This study of two ancient therapeutic techniques of Chinese medicine gives a full account of both methods in the theoretical structure of Chinese medicine, combined with a rationale in the light of modern scientific knowledge.

Product details

• Authors: Gwei-Djen Lu, Joseph Needham, Needham Joseph
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 04.07.2002
• EAN: 9780700714582
• ISBN: 978-0-7007-1458-2
• No. of pages: 480
• Weight: 890 g
• Series: Needham Research Institute Series
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Social sciences (general); Asia, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Regional Studies, MEDICAL / History, Regional Studies, Regional / International studies, Traditional medicine and herbal remedies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Cultural & Ethnic Studies / General