Concise Book of Acu-Points

"This book is a very well presented resource. The layout is very pleasant on the eye, enabling one to access information with ease. Extensive use of colour coding for easy referencing, and the vibrant illustrations give this book an edge in its aesthetic appeal compared to similar books on the subject.

What I particularly like about this book is the unusually broad range of practical information it offers. For example, when describing a commonly used point such as Spleen-6, it gives not only the usual location, but alternative locations, as the location of points can vary slightly in different people. It then indicates when the point is likely to be more sensitive; which in this example, is particularly during the premenstrual phase. Such additional information like: `Strong stimulation can bring on menstruation early, particularly in Spleen deficient patients' is a very useful thing to be reminded of, especially if one is a student learning about the subtle effects of acu-points.

Describing the best treatment positions to place the patient in is another example of useful information. However, what is especially useful is its description of the different techniques that can be used to activate the points. Most books on acu-points describe how to use needles. Quite a lot include the use of moxibustion, whilst a few include cupping. There are also a few books around that are aimed at those practicing acupressure, but they tend to be much less comprehensive or detailed, and rarely inform how to actually stimulate the points. This book, however, gives detailed information on the application of needles, manual techniques and shiatsu, moxibustion, cupping, magnets, and guasha. One might expect such a comprehensive approach to be at the expense of detail regarding needling, actions and indications or point location; but no! If anything, this book is one of the most detailed I have encountered. In fact the anatomical detail is unrivalled; as is the detail on various cautions to be observed.

Other useful little extras are: 1) shaded areas around each point that indicates the boundary within which pressure upon the point will be most effective, and where needling can still be somewhat effective. 2) Coloured summary boxes for each point that provide a quick reference facility.

The illustrations are obviously very professional examples of drawings produced and refined in photoshop. For this type of book, such drawings are ideal because they give a slight 3-D effect and optimize clarity. For my taste, actual photographs are not so good because extraneous detail (body hair, moles and all!) detract from the detail that needs to be conveyed. Flat drawings on the other hand, can lack realism. So, I believe the pics in this book are just right! (Sorry, I sound like Goldilocks!).

Lastly, let us not overlook the introductory chapters. They contain bags of information that is clearly written and well laid out, making the contents interesting and pleasurable to read through. Once again, colourful drawings and charts successfully help to bring it alive.

A Practical Guide to Acu-points is a lovely thing to hold. It is the right size to be both transportable and solidly present on your shelf. If you have lots of money, buy this and all the leading books on the subject. If you have to choose one book, get this one.
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~ Written on 2008-09-16

"Mr Jarmey has balanced the needs of producing something of academic worth,his authorship is detailed and clinical without being unecessarily fussy over arcane or historical information and the like. There is a simplicity in the way the book unfolds, it is uncluttered, suggesting real clarity of purpose. It sticks to what is applicable and does so to a very high standard.

The books presentation is outstandingly useful and the contents never less than of great practical value.

Given the excessive costs that are normally attached to this type of book, this guide really is a bargain.

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~ Written on 2008-07-24

"There are some excellent books on Acupuncture point location and function available however no Acupuncturist or Shiatsu practitioner should be without this book. It is a fantastic contribution to the profession and it is destined to be a classic.
Aesthetically, this is a beautiful book, each Channel section is colour coded according to the 5-Elements allowing for quick and easy location of the relevant section and the illustrations are particularly outstanding. The illustrations are similar to those in the author's anatomy books and clearly show the point location in relation to the underlying structures. Each point is not only shown as a dot, which is the usual format within such books, but quite uniquely by an additional broader area (marked with grey shading) that shows the area where the point can be activated by pressure.

The book consists of 354 pages of text and full colour illustrations covering all the Meridian points and the common Extraordinary points. There is a large amount of information about the most commonly used points, or one could say the more important points.

A Practical Guide to Acupoints unlike most other point books, which seem aimed more at acupuncturists, not only gives advice about needle technique but also describes how to apply manual techniques and Shiatsu to each major point. This alone will be so useful for Shiatsu practitioners and particularly students, and for other bodywork therapists who use the points in their treatments.

As an Acupuncturist and Shiatsu practitioner I would thoroughly recommend this book to Shiatsu practitioners and teachers, Acupuncturists, Kinesiologists, Physiotherapists and anyone interested in acupoint location.

Reviewed by Andrew Parfitt MBAcC. MRSS(T)"
~ Written on 2008-07-24

"This is one of the best books about acupoints that I have ever come across, and a must for all students and experienced practitioners in the fields of acupuncture, acupressure, shiatsu, Tuina etc. It is well laid out, very informative, and contains clear, detailed illustrations of each point.

The illustrations are excellent, as are the precise anatomical descriptions of each point location. The points are noted by Chinese name, English name and international nomenclature, which will be recognisable to all those working within the framework of Chinese medicine or other oriental therapies. Equally helpful is the information on what the best treatment positions are, as well as guidance on needling, manual techniques, and moxibustion etc.

Each point is considered in relation to its actions and indications, as well as the main area and functions it covers.

`A Practical Guide to Acu-points' is precisely that. A fully illustrated and comprehensive reference guide to acupoints, and an invaluable reference source for all those involved in using acupoints and meridians as part of their therapy.
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~ Written on 2008-07-16

"A Practical Guide to Acupoints
By Chris Jarmey & Ilaira Bouratinos

Anyone involved in studying, using or teaching anything concerning acu-points should have this book. It is particularly clear and easy to reference, with aesthetically beautiful illustrations throughout. In fact the book is a piece of art in its own right, which is arguably unimportant, as it is the information that counts. However, as it has the most comprehensive information on points that I have come across, its attractiveness as an item is just an added bonus.

I must confess that I usually skim through the introductory sections of such books, but I immediately found myself engrossed in the lucid three pages on `How to Use This Book'. The next four pages concern `Needling Considerations', which is so clear and colourful that I found myself going through that word for word; which as a practicing acupuncturist, is something I would normally take for granted and therefore skip over. The other introductory chapters cover, manual technique considerations, moxibustion, cupping and deqi, followed by a comprehensive classification of points and their principles of application, concluding with excellent drawings to clarify Cun measurements, and useful information on general cautions and contraindications.

The main body of the book deals with acu-points on the twelve primary channels plus those on the Ren Mai, Du Mai and Extra Points. There are many books around that do that, but this book has an edge insofar as it gives a greater amount of useful practical information about what to do with any given acu-point. Most of the other such books are aimed squarely at the acupuncture practitioner's need to know where and how to needle and moxa each point. This book does all of that to at least the level of any other text I have read, but goes further by mentioning stimulation sensation, relevant manual techniques such as shiatsu, magnets, cupping, and even guasha (scraping) where relevant. Furthermore, the illustrations for each point not only highlight the location of the point for the purpose of needling it, but include an extended area of shading which denotes the area that acupressure can influence that point. Note also that in both the text and the illustrations, anatomical detail is far superior to that so far published.

Even though this book is packed with useable information, it manages to fit itself into around 350 friendly pages. It keeps itself concise by not going into detailed academic commentaries on the point functions. If you want more of that, I would steer you towards the excellent Manual of Acupuncture, by Deadman, Al-Khafaji & Baker. If you get that book and this book, you will have the subject very well covered.

Finally, out of the three most graphic and user friendly comprehensive books on this subject (A Manual of Acupuncture, The Seirin Pictorial Atlas of Acupuncture, and A Practical Guide to Acu-points), this book is arguably the most useful, yet sells at one-third of the price!

Reviewed by George Dellar MBRCP Lic. Ac. MRSS(T) DS

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~ Written on 2008-07-10