Comprehensively revised and expanded with vital new content, the second edition of Medical Acupuncture continues to explore the realistic integration of acupuncture into conventional medicine. Advocating the Western medical acupuncture approach (WMA), this science-based compendium 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.

Split into seven sections the book begins by establishing the roots of WMA in the Introduction and then progresses on to describe the mechanisms of action in Section 2, including peripheral components of stimulation and evidence from neuroimaging. Sections 3 and 4 cover clinical approaches (eg, superficial needling, electroacupuncture, safety of acupuncture) and techniques related to acupuncture (TENS, laser therapy). Section 5 takes a closer look at the difficulties faced by trials and reviews while Section 6 goes on to showcase 21 clinical uses of WMA, ranging from chronic pain, mental health, obstetrics and primary care to sports medicine, respiratory conditions and neurology. The final reference section contains dermatome/myotome maps, meridian/channel charts and standard international nomenclature.

• Comprehensive coverage of the scientific evidence and clinical application of acupuncture in medicine
• Balances the genuine benefits of acupuncture against unfounded claims
• Presents a wide range of treatable conditions from psychiatry and palliative care through to the pain clinic and veterinary medicine
• Clinical points boxes highlight key knowledge and learning
• Illustrated with over 130 drawings and photographs

• Content restructure and overhaul with contributions from over 40 world leading experts
• Individual chapters on the use of acupuncture for a wide range of medical conditions including gynaecology and infertility, cancer and palliative care, drug dependence, obesity, sports medicine, dentistry and veterinary practice
• Updated with the latest scientific evidence
• Expanded information on neuroanatomical and neurophysiological considerations in relation to the mechanisms of acupuncture

Foreword Acknowledgements Contributors Abbreviations
SECTION 1: Introduction
1 Introduction A. White, M. Cummings, J. Filshie
2 The history of medical acupuncture A. Campbell
SECTION 2: Mechanisms of action
3 Peripheral components of acupuncture stimulation - their contribution to the specific clinical effects of acupuncture T. Lundeberg, I. Lund
4 Neuroimaging: a window into human brain mechanisms supporting acupuncture effects V. Napadow, N. Kettner, R.E. Harris
5 Neurophysiology of chronic pain R. Gupta, P. Farquhar-Smith
6 Acupuncture and the autonomic nervous system E. Stener-Victorin
SECTION 3: Clinical approaches
7 Western medical acupuncture - the approach to treatment M. Cummings
8 Acupuncture without points A. Campbell
9 Superficial acupuncture A. Macdonald
10 Auricular acupuncture T. Usichenko, E. Anders
11 Electroacupuncture D. Mayor
12 Self-acupuncture M. Forrester
13 Integration of acupuncture in the health service S. Hayhoe, A. White and Contributors
14 Safety of acupuncture A. White, M. Cummings
SECTION 4: Related techniques
15 Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) M.I. Johnson, J.W. Thompson
16 Laser acupuncture G.D. Baxter, S.M. McDonough
SECTION 5: Research
17 A critical approach to randomised controlled trials of acupuncture M. Cummings, A. White
18 A critical approach to systematic reviews of acupuncture A. White
SECTION 6: Clinical use
19 Acupuncture for chronic pain S. Hayhoe
20 Acupuncture analgesia for interventions K. Streitberger, T. Usichenko
21 Acupuncture for gastrointestinal conditions S. Joos
22 Acupuncture for nausea and vomiting K. Streitberger
23 Acupuncture in cardiovascular medicine J. Longhurst
24 Acupuncture for neurological conditions D.J. Grant
25 Acupuncture in mental health P. Ronan, H. Rampes
26 Acupuncture for drug dependence and obesity A. White
27 Acupuncture for urogenital conditions M. Pullman
28 Acupuncture for respiratory conditions A. White
29 Acupuncture for ear, nose and throat conditions A. White
30 Acupuncture for eye conditions E. Rom
31 Acupuncture for skin conditions F. Pfab
32 Acupuncture in gynaecology and infertility E. Stener-Victorin
33 Acupuncture in obstetrics C.A. Smith
34 Acupuncture in cancer and palliative care C. Rubens, J. Filshie
35 Acupuncture in rheumatology L. Williamson
36 Acupuncture in sports medicine K.V. Trinh, S.J. Scott, E. Ho, L. Field
37 Acupuncture in primary care J. Foell
38 Acupuncture in dentistry T. Thayer
39 Acupuncture in veterinary medicine S. Lindley
SECTION 7: Appendix
Appendix 1 Dermatome/myotome maps Appendix 2 Meridian/channel charts Appendix 3 Standard international nomenclature for the 14 meridians