Holding the Tiger's Tail

Although several books illustrate the art of diagnosis, few have concentrated on the arts of point selection and needling technique. Skya Gardner-Abbate's book fill these gaps admirably. Her teaching and clinical experience breathe from every page and bring the book to life. Her teaching experience has obviously given her an insight into the needs and questions of acupuncture students, which the book answers in a clear and lively manner. As well, her clinical experience solidly illustrates and underpins the theories expounded.

Part I
General Treatment Approaches
Chapter 1
The Relationship Between the Methods of Diagnosis and Therapeutic
Effectiveness
Case 1
Pulses at the adaptive level
Chapter 2
Thoughts on Needling
Chapter 3
The Stages of Needling
Chapter 4
What is a Point?
Chapter 5
The Point Classification System
Case 2
Numbness treated through jing (well) points
Chapter 6
Luo Points
Special Vessels of Communication Between Channels
Case 3
Luo points in excess conditions
Chapter 7
The Rules of Point Selection and General Treatment Strategies
Case 4
The use of distal points for knee pain
The Treatment of Headaches with Unusual Clinically Effective Points, Local and Distal Points
Case 5
Food poisoning headache treated with a combination of a local and distal points
Chapter 8
Six Division Treatments
Case 6
Six Divisions: an energetic, philosophical model for pain and blockage
Chapter 9
Eight Needle Technique
Case 7
Eight Needle Technique for back pain and overall tonification
Chapter 10
Ten Needle Technique
Case 8
The application of Ten Needle Technique in the treatment of emotions
Chapter 11
The Eight Curious Vessels in Oriental Medicine
General Functions
Applications of the Eight Curious Vessels, Jing Treatments
Chapter 12
The Clinical Significance of the Confluent Points
Application in Gynecology
Case 9
The treatment of menopause with the Eight Curious Vessels
Chapter 13
A Synopsis of Bloodletting Techniques
General Principles
The Treatment of Blood Stasis with Bleeding Techniques
Case 10
Blood stasis patterns in the occipital region
Common Uses of the Plum Blossom Needle
Case 12
The application of the Plum Blossom needle in the treatment of hair loss
Gwa Sha: Scrapping Evil Wetness
Chapter 14
Pericardium 6 (Neiguan)
Gate to Internal Well-being

Part II
The Treatment of Disease with Specific Protocols
Chapter 15
The Treatment of Periodontal Gum Disease
A Protocol for Prevention, Maintenance, and Reversal within the Paradigm of Classical Chinese Medicine
Cases 13-16
Periodontal Gum Disease
Chapter 16
The Etiology and Treatment of Cellulite According to Chinese Medicine
More Than Skin Deep
Chapter 17
Facial Rejuvenescence
Chapter 18
Menopause
Mid-life Myth or Mirror of the Essential Substances?
Chapter 19
Epilogue
The Heart of the Acupuncturist, the Heart of the Healer, the Heart of the Being
Appendix
Translations of the Point Names
202 - 215