Essential pocket reference for teh student of acupuncture, 17 Dec 2004
This is a superb book for those who are studying acupuncture. It is especially useful in the inclusion of trigger points as well. My copy is falling to bits -it has benn used do much - as now resides on a shelve in my office for ready reference.

Essential pocket reference for teh student of acupuncture, 17 Dec 2004
This is a superb book for those who are studying acupuncture. It is especially useful in the inclusion of trigger points as well. My copy is falling to bits -it has benn used do much - as now resides on a shelve in my office for ready reference.

very interesting read, 01 Apr 2006
i read this book while i was studying equine shiatsu (we also covered human shiatsu) so, as this book is based on human acupuncture it wasnt all totally relevant, but i still found it an excellent book with regards to comprehending the five elements. it is a very easy book to read and i would recommend it to anyone studying acupuncture/acupressure/shiatsu,those struggling to get to grips with five element theory, or those who just have an interest in oriental medicine. the sort of book you could read several times over, and good to keep as a reference.

A wonderful introduction to the Spirit of 5 Element Acupunct, 16 Mar 2000
I really enjoyed this book. It captured a different view medicine and acupuncture, taking it from the purely physical treatment of symptoms, to a truly holistic picture of humans as an integral part of nature. The way the book is layed out makes it ideal for both students or patients of this form of acupuncture. Starting from what is seen in nature, it relates all aspects of the organs and the meridians to the way we think, the way we feel and our deepest yearnings. A great book!

Essential pocket reference for teh student of acupuncture, 17 Dec 2004
This is a superb book for those who are studying acupuncture. It is especially useful in the inclusion of trigger points as well. My copy is falling to bits -it has benn used do much - as now resides on a shelve in my office for ready reference.

very interesting read, 01 Apr 2006
i read this book while i was studying equine shiatsu (we also covered human shiatsu) so, as this book is based on human acupuncture it wasnt all totally relevant, but i still found it an excellent book with regards to comprehending the five elements. it is a very easy book to read and i would recommend it to anyone studying acupuncture/acupressure/shiatsu,those struggling to get to grips with five element theory, or those who just have an interest in oriental medicine. the sort of book you could read several times over, and good to keep as a reference.

A wonderful introduction to the Spirit of 5 Element Acupunct, 16 Mar 2000
I really enjoyed this book. It captured a different view medicine and acupuncture, taking it from the purely physical treatment of symptoms, to a truly holistic picture of humans as an integral part of nature. The way the book is layed out makes it ideal for both students or patients of this form of acupuncture. Starting from what is seen in nature, it relates all aspects of the organs and the meridians to the way we think, the way we feel and our deepest yearnings. A great book!

very well presented resource, 16 Sep 2008
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.


A Practical Guide to Acu-points, 24 Jul 2008
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.



A Practical Guide to Acupoints, 24 Jul 2008
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)

A Practical Guide to Acupoints, 16 Jul 2008
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.


A Practical Guide to Acupoints, 10 Jul 2008
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

Essential pocket reference for teh student of acupuncture, 17 Dec 2004
This is a superb book for those who are studying acupuncture. It is especially useful in the inclusion of trigger points as well. My copy is falling to bits -it has benn used do much - as now resides on a shelve in my office for ready reference.

very interesting read, 01 Apr 2006
i read this book while i was studying equine shiatsu (we also covered human shiatsu) so, as this book is based on human acupuncture it wasnt all totally relevant, but i still found it an excellent book with regards to comprehending the five elements. it is a very easy book to read and i would recommend it to anyone studying acupuncture/acupressure/shiatsu,those struggling to get to grips with five element theory, or those who just have an interest in oriental medicine. the sort of book you could read several times over, and good to keep as a reference.

A wonderful introduction to the Spirit of 5 Element Acupunct, 16 Mar 2000
I really enjoyed this book. It captured a different view medicine and acupuncture, taking it from the purely physical treatment of symptoms, to a truly holistic picture of humans as an integral part of nature. The way the book is layed out makes it ideal for both students or patients of this form of acupuncture. Starting from what is seen in nature, it relates all aspects of the organs and the meridians to the way we think, the way we feel and our deepest yearnings. A great book!

very well presented resource, 16 Sep 2008
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.


A Practical Guide to Acu-points, 24 Jul 2008
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.



A Practical Guide to Acupoints, 24 Jul 2008
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)

A Practical Guide to Acupoints, 16 Jul 2008
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.


A Practical Guide to Acupoints, 10 Jul 2008
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



Lovely book but who is it for?, 23 Nov 2007
This is a lovely book. Beautiful illustrations and lovely layout. The information in it is good but I'm not sure that it matches it's title.

Far too much on the Meridian system and far too little on Modern Western Medicine.

I'd like to have seen a much expanded analysis of what the effects of techniques are - what are we doing when we hit someone, put them into a joint lock, knock them unconscious, etc, etc...

The healing section was in my opinion very superficial and way too biased from an Eastern viewpoint, I think that if it had been balanced by some simple first aid information (Recovery position, how to immobilise a broken or dislocated joint, what to do for bruising, etc.) it would have been a MUCH better book.

Overall, Happy to have this book in my library, but it would not be in my top five Anatomy and Physiology books.


Better for students of acupuncture than martial artists, 20 Jun 2007
143 pages in total, 8 pages on martial applications, 10 pages on healing applications, 12 pages on Western views of body systems,4 pages of introduction on eastern concepts of the body, about 80 pages on meridians on meridian points. Theses 80 pages are very detailed. I found the presentation too detailed and lacking much referral back to healing or martial applications. Without this context I found the detail overwhelming. The anatomical references for the various points (and there are 820 of them if you count both sides of the body) requires considerable anatomical knowledge which is not presented in the book. Eg. "medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve, ulnar nerve, ulnar artery, tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle". I think the title is misleading because the bulk of the text is concerned with detailed (as opposed to essential) traditional chinese medical anatomy. Great for students of acupuncture but a waste of money for me.

Superb source of reference, 16 Feb 2005
This is a paperback, quite glossy, 143 pages. and sets out to cover the elements of anatomy that we need in MA and also healing (shiatsu, accupressure, accuncture, etc.).

After a broad introduction, the first main section of the book covers the basic body model in each of the Western and Eastern medical theories - it's clearly all fairly basic, but a reasonable overview, with some very clear diagrams. Unsurprisingly, although the western medical descriptions aren't all that brief, the eastern section is much thicker, covering all of the meridians (both the main and extraordinary - although surprisingly it treats Conception and Governor as extraordinary, adding in a further six to those). It also has a thorough listing of the main extra points. Very usefully, against the description to each point, it shows the location, names in English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese, as well as the Meridian and number - there is also a clear description in terms of Western medicine.

For example, St9, I now know, is also called Ren Ying, Man's prognosis, In Yong (K), Jin Gei (J), and is simultanously the cutaneous cervical nerve, cervical branch of the facial nerve, a branch of the hypoglossal and vagus nerves, a point where the carotid artery branches, the thyroid artery, and the anterior jugular vein (phew, no wonder it's a good KO point!). It also describes and shows where it is.

That, unsurprisingly is the main bulk of the book, but there are two further main sections. The first, "healing applications", describes the main healing methods used with meridian theory - including a very thorough and clear collection of standard treatments (headache release, neck release, etc.) and a couple of pages on recovery techniques - five different techniques are covered, all clearly valid (and three of them new to me).

Then finally (apart from the index) is a section on martial arts applications. This covers the main principles of PP use in fighting (individual point attacks, multiple grouped points, bilateral, points along a meridian, related meridians, flow timing, destructive cycle - called "conquest cycle" in this book) and also shows diagrams of the main martial arts points.

Throughout the theory is reasonably basic but clear, with pretty much all of the basic principles of meridian therapy and fighting included.

Overall, I think that it was a very worthwhile expenditure of a tenner, the author (who claims a 5th dan in Hapkido according to the back cover) knows his stuff, explains it well, and did some superb drawings to go with it. I can see my using this a lot both as a teaching aid, and a regular source of learning and personal reference

Very clear, highly organised, a labour of love and wisdom, 12 Feb 2005
I am a new acupuncture student and practising therapist (reflexology, massage, reiki) who is very glad indeed to have found this supremely useful book. I am not a martial artist and want to let others know that I believe this book is genuinely as useful to healers as martial artists. Those studying level 3 holistic therapies who want to understand energy systems in greater depth should buy this book (it won't break the bank).

The author is clearly a genuinely knowledgeable man and also understands what students need. The book appears to be a distillation of an immense amount of accumulated information and experience and I have a great feeling of gratitude in finding it.

Thank you very much for this most useful book at an extremely reasonable price.

Required reading for any martial artist., 18 Apr 2002
Covering the subject matter in a clear and detailed manner, this book, while not being the first of it's kind is definately among the best.

The Illustrations are extremely good, and unlike many others is not an 'A to Z', rather an ordanance survey of the Human anatomy.

If you are serious about your study, this is as it's title suggests truly essential reading.

Essential pocket reference for teh student of acupuncture, 17 Dec 2004
This is a superb book for those who are studying acupuncture. It is especially useful in the inclusion of trigger points as well. My copy is falling to bits -it has benn used do much - as now resides on a shelve in my office for ready reference.

very interesting read, 01 Apr 2006
i read this book while i was studying equine shiatsu (we also covered human shiatsu) so, as this book is based on human acupuncture it wasnt all totally relevant, but i still found it an excellent book with regards to comprehending the five elements. it is a very easy book to read and i would recommend it to anyone studying acupuncture/acupressure/shiatsu,those struggling to get to grips with five element theory, or those who just have an interest in oriental medicine. the sort of book you could read several times over, and good to keep as a reference.

A wonderful introduction to the Spirit of 5 Element Acupunct, 16 Mar 2000
I really enjoyed this book. It captured a different view medicine and acupuncture, taking it from the purely physical treatment of symptoms, to a truly holistic picture of humans as an integral part of nature. The way the book is layed out makes it ideal for both students or patients of this form of acupuncture. Starting from what is seen in nature, it relates all aspects of the organs and the meridians to the way we think, the way we feel and our deepest yearnings. A great book!

very well presented resource, 16 Sep 2008
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.


A Practical Guide to Acu-points, 24 Jul 2008
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.



A Practical Guide to Acupoints, 24 Jul 2008
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)

A Practical Guide to Acupoints, 16 Jul 2008
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.


A Practical Guide to Acupoints, 10 Jul 2008
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



Lovely book but who is it for?, 23 Nov 2007
This is a lovely book. Beautiful illustrations and lovely layout. The information in it is good but I'm not sure that it matches it's title.

Far too much on the Meridian system and far too little on Modern Western Medicine.

I'd like to have seen a much expanded analysis of what the effects of techniques are - what are we doing when we hit someone, put them into a joint lock, knock them unconscious, etc, etc...

The healing section was in my opinion very superficial and way too biased from an Eastern viewpoint, I think that if it had been balanced by some simple first aid information (Recovery position, how to immobilise a broken or dislocated joint, what to do for bruising, etc.) it would have been a MUCH better book.

Overall, Happy to have this book in my library, but it would not be in my top five Anatomy and Physiology books.


Better for students of acupuncture than martial artists, 20 Jun 2007
143 pages in total, 8 pages on martial applications, 10 pages on healing applications, 12 pages on Western views of body systems,4 pages of introduction on eastern concepts of the body, about 80 pages on meridians on meridian points. Theses 80 pages are very detailed. I found the presentation too detailed and lacking much referral back to healing or martial applications. Without this context I found the detail overwhelming. The anatomical references for the various points (and there are 820 of them if you count both sides of the body) requires considerable anatomical knowledge which is not presented in the book. Eg. "medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve, ulnar nerve, ulnar artery, tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle". I think the title is misleading because the bulk of the text is concerned with detailed (as opposed to essential) traditional chinese medical anatomy. Great for students of acupuncture but a waste of money for me.

Superb source of reference, 16 Feb 2005
This is a paperback, quite glossy, 143 pages. and sets out to cover the elements of anatomy that we need in MA and also healing (shiatsu, accupressure, accuncture, etc.).

After a broad introduction, the first main section of the book covers the basic body model in each of the Western and Eastern medical theories - it's clearly all fairly basic, but a reasonable overview, with some very clear diagrams. Unsurprisingly, although the western medical descriptions aren't all that brief, the eastern section is much thicker, covering all of the meridians (both the main and extraordinary - although surprisingly it treats Conception and Governor as extraordinary, adding in a further six to those). It also has a thorough listing of the main extra points. Very usefully, against the description to each point, it shows the location, names in English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese, as well as the Meridian and number - there is also a clear description in terms of Western medicine.

For example, St9, I now know, is also called Ren Ying, Man's prognosis, In Yong (K), Jin Gei (J), and is simultanously the cutaneous cervical nerve, cervical branch of the facial nerve, a branch of the hypoglossal and vagus nerves, a point where the carotid artery branches, the thyroid artery, and the anterior jugular vein (phew, no wonder it's a good KO point!). It also describes and shows where it is.

That, unsurprisingly is the main bulk of the book, but there are two further main sections. The first, "healing applications", describes the main healing methods used with meridian theory - including a very thorough and clear collection of standard treatments (headache release, neck release, etc.) and a couple of pages on recovery techniques - five different techniques are covered, all clearly valid (and three of them new to me).

Then finally (apart from the index) is a section on martial arts applications. This covers the main principles of PP use in fighting (individual point attacks, multiple grouped points, bilateral, points along a meridian, related meridians, flow timing, destructive cycle - called "conquest cycle" in this book) and also shows diagrams of the main martial arts points.

Throughout the theory is reasonably basic but clear, with pretty much all of the basic principles of meridian therapy and fighting included.

Overall, I think that it was a very worthwhile expenditure of a tenner, the author (who claims a 5th dan in Hapkido according to the back cover) knows his stuff, explains it well, and did some superb drawings to go with it. I can see my using this a lot both as a teaching aid, and a regular source of learning and personal reference

Very clear, highly organised, a labour of love and wisdom, 12 Feb 2005
I am a new acupuncture student and practising therapist (reflexology, massage, reiki) who is very glad indeed to have found this supremely useful book. I am not a martial artist and want to let others know that I believe this book is genuinely as useful to healers as martial artists. Those studying level 3 holistic therapies who want to understand energy systems in greater depth should buy this book (it won't break the bank).

The author is clearly a genuinely knowledgeable man and also understands what students need. The book appears to be a distillation of an immense amount of accumulated information and experience and I have a great feeling of gratitude in finding it.

Thank you very much for this most useful book at an extremely reasonable price.

Required reading for any martial artist., 18 Apr 2002
Covering the subject matter in a clear and detailed manner, this book, while not being the first of it's kind is definately among the best.

The Illustrations are extremely good, and unlike many others is not an 'A to Z', rather an ordanance survey of the Human anatomy.

If you are serious about your study, this is as it's title suggests truly essential reading.

Great Comprehensive Read on the Subject of Ayurveda, 23 Aug 2007
After researching and getting into Ayurveda recently I wanted something a bit more in depth and suitable for my personal needs. This is perfect, everything I expected and more. A truely comprehensive read. Short of going to a practitioner or going to classes I can't see how you could better this book.

an exhaustive and in depth presentation of ayurveda, 07 Nov 2000
it is the most comprehensive, clear and user-friendly resource book on ayurveda. The depth and mass of information avalaible will teach you something new on this ancient healing system.

Essential pocket reference for teh student of acupuncture, 17 Dec 2004
This is a superb book for those who are studying acupuncture. It is especially useful in the inclusion of trigger points as well. My copy is falling to bits -it has benn used do much - as now resides on a shelve in my office for ready reference.

very interesting read, 01 Apr 2006
i read this book while i was studying equine shiatsu (we also covered human shiatsu) so, as this book is based on human acupuncture it wasnt all totally relevant, but i still found it an excellent book with regards to comprehending the five elements. it is a very easy book to read and i would recommend it to anyone studying acupuncture/acupressure/shiatsu,those struggling to get to grips with five element theory, or those who just have an interest in oriental medicine. the sort of book you could read several times over, and good to keep as a reference.

A wonderful introduction to the Spirit of 5 Element Acupunct, 16 Mar 2000
I really enjoyed this book. It captured a different view medicine and acupuncture, taking it from the purely physical treatment of symptoms, to a truly holistic picture of humans as an integral part of nature. The way the book is layed out makes it ideal for both students or patients of this form of acupuncture. Starting from what is seen in nature, it relates all aspects of the organs and the meridians to the way we think, the way we feel and our deepest yearnings. A great book!

very well presented resource, 16 Sep 2008
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.


A Practical Guide to Acu-points, 24 Jul 2008
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.



A Practical Guide to Acupoints, 24 Jul 2008
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)

A Practical Guide to Acupoints, 16 Jul 2008
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.


A Practical Guide to Acupoints, 10 Jul 2008
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



Lovely book but who is it for?, 23 Nov 2007
This is a lovely book. Beautiful illustrations and lovely layout. The information in it is good but I'm not sure that it matches it's title.

Far too much on the Meridian system and far too little on Modern Western Medicine.

I'd like to have seen a much expanded analysis of what the effects of techniques are - what are we doing when we hit someone, put them into a joint lock, knock them unconscious, etc, etc...

The healing section was in my opinion very superficial and way too biased from an Eastern viewpoint, I think that if it had been balanced by some simple first aid information (Recovery position, how to immobilise a broken or dislocated joint, what to do for bruising, etc.) it would have been a MUCH better book.

Overall, Happy to have this book in my library, but it would not be in my top five Anatomy and Physiology books.


Better for students of acupuncture than martial artists, 20 Jun 2007
143 pages in total, 8 pages on martial applications, 10 pages on healing applications, 12 pages on Western views of body systems,4 pages of introduction on eastern concepts of the body, about 80 pages on meridians on meridian points. Theses 80 pages are very detailed. I found the presentation too detailed and lacking much referral back to healing or martial applications. Without this context I found the detail overwhelming. The anatomical references for the various points (and there are 820 of them if you count both sides of the body) requires considerable anatomical knowledge which is not presented in the book. Eg. "medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve, ulnar nerve, ulnar artery, tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle". I think the title is misleading because the bulk of the text is concerned with detailed (as opposed to essential) traditional chinese medical anatomy. Great for students of acupuncture but a waste of money for me.

Superb source of reference, 16 Feb 2005
This is a paperback, quite glossy, 143 pages. and sets out to cover the elements of anatomy that we need in MA and also healing (shiatsu, accupressure, accuncture, etc.).

After a broad introduction, the first main section of the book covers the basic body model in each of the Western and Eastern medical theories - it's clearly all fairly basic, but a reasonable overview, with some very clear diagrams. Unsurprisingly, although the western medical descriptions aren't all that brief, the eastern section is much thicker, covering all of the meridians (both the main and extraordinary - although surprisingly it treats Conception and Governor as extraordinary, adding in a further six to those). It also has a thorough listing of the main extra points. Very usefully, against the description to each point, it shows the location, names in English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese, as well as the Meridian and number - there is also a clear description in terms of Western medicine.

For example, St9, I now know, is also called Ren Ying, Man's prognosis, In Yong (K), Jin Gei (J), and is simultanously the cutaneous cervical nerve, cervical branch of the facial nerve, a branch of the hypoglossal and vagus nerves, a point where the carotid artery branches, the thyroid artery, and the anterior jugular vein (phew, no wonder it's a good KO point!). It also describes and shows where it is.

That, unsurprisingly is the main bulk of the book, but there are two further main sections. The first, "healing applications", describes the main healing methods used with meridian theory - including a very thorough and clear collection of standard treatments (headache release, neck release, etc.) and a couple of pages on recovery techniques - five different techniques are covered, all clearly valid (and three of them new to me).

Then finally (apart from the index) is a section on martial arts applications. This covers the main principles of PP use in fighting (individual point attacks, multiple grouped points, bilateral, points along a meridian, related meridians, flow timing, destructive cycle - called "conquest cycle" in this book) and also shows diagrams of the main martial arts points.

Throughout the theory is reasonably basic but clear, with pretty much all of the basic principles of meridian therapy and fighting included.

Overall, I think that it was a very worthwhile expenditure of a tenner, the author (who claims a 5th dan in Hapkido according to the back cover) knows his stuff, explains it well, and did some superb drawings to go with it. I can see my using this a lot both as a teaching aid, and a regular source of learning and personal reference

Very clear, highly organised, a labour of love and wisdom, 12 Feb 2005
I am a new acupuncture student and practising therapist (reflexology, massage, reiki) who is very glad indeed to have found this supremely useful book. I am not a martial artist and want to let others know that I believe this book is genuinely as useful to healers as martial artists. Those studying level 3 holistic therapies who want to understand energy systems in greater depth should buy this book (it won't break the bank).

The author is clearly a genuinely knowledgeable man and also understands what students need. The book appears to be a distillation of an immense amount of accumulated information and experience and I have a great feeling of gratitude in finding it.

Thank you very much for this most useful book at an extremely reasonable price.

Required reading for any martial artist., 18 Apr 2002
Covering the subject matter in a clear and detailed manner, this book, while not being the first of it's kind is definately among the best.

The Illustrations are extremely good, and unlike many others is not an 'A to Z', rather an ordanance survey of the Human anatomy.

If you are serious about your study, this is as it's title suggests truly essential reading.

Great Comprehensive Read on the Subject of Ayurveda, 23 Aug 2007
After researching and getting into Ayurveda recently I wanted something a bit more in depth and suitable for my personal needs. This is perfect, everything I expected and more. A truely comprehensive read. Short of going to a practitioner or going to classes I can't see how you could better this book.

an exhaustive and in depth presentation of ayurveda, 07 Nov 2000
it is the most comprehensive, clear and user-friendly resource book on ayurveda. The depth and mass of information avalaible will teach you something new on this ancient healing system.

Acupuncture for beginners and energy workers, 06 Feb 2007
Summary; informative, clearly set out, excellent self help diagnosis techniques, inspires me to want more.
I found this book more than helpful as a beginner's guide to acupuncture; Ms Hicks explains the principles of Chinese Traditional Medicine, the Five
Elements Theory and the principles of meridians and acupuncture clearly, in simple but non-patronising language.
The self help quizzes to work out one's (possible/probable) imbalances and diagnosis(es) are simple to use and understand too. Very helpful.
The intermittent mentions of Chinese doctors are very interesting and shows that Angela Hicks knows her stuff at a core level.
I would have liked pictures of the meridians with acupuncture points, but I guess you can't have everything, or Ms Hicks would be out of a job!!
A very good read for anyone interested in acupuncture or any kind of energy work..

Essential pocket reference for teh student of acupuncture, 17 Dec 2004
This is a superb book for those who are studying acupuncture. It is especially useful in the inclusion of trigger points as well. My copy is falling to bits -it has benn used do much - as now resides on a shelve in my office for ready reference.

very interesting read, 01 Apr 2006
i read this book while i was studying equine shiatsu (we also covered human shiatsu) so, as this book is based on human acupuncture it wasnt all totally relevant, but i still found it an excellent book with regards to comprehending the five elements. it is a very easy book to read and i would recommend it to anyone studying acupuncture/acupressure/shiatsu,those struggling to get to grips with five element theory, or those who just have an interest in oriental medicine. the sort of book you could read several times over, and good to keep as a reference.

A wonderful introduction to the Spirit of 5 Element Acupunct, 16 Mar 2000
I really enjoyed this book. It captured a different view medicine and acupuncture, taking it from the purely physical treatment of symptoms, to a truly holistic picture of humans as an integral part of nature. The way the book is layed out makes it ideal for both students or patients of this form of acupuncture. Starting from what is seen in nature, it relates all aspects of the organs and the meridians to the way we think, the way we feel and our deepest yearnings. A great book!

very well presented resource, 16 Sep 2008
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.


A Practical Guide to Acu-points, 24 Jul 2008
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.



A Practical Guide to Acupoints, 24 Jul 2008
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)

A Practical Guide to Acupoints, 16 Jul 2008
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.


A Practical Guide to Acupoints, 10 Jul 2008
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



Lovely book but who is it for?, 23 Nov 2007
This is a lovely book. Beautiful illustrations and lovely layout. The information in it is good but I'm not sure that it matches it's title.

Far too much on the Meridian system and far too little on Modern Western Medicine.

I'd like to have seen a much expanded analysis of what the effects of techniques are - what are we doing when we hit someone, put them into a joint lock, knock them unconscious, etc, etc...

The healing section was in my opinion very superficial and way too biased from an Eastern viewpoint, I think that if it had been balanced by some simple first aid information (Recovery position, how to immobilise a broken or dislocated joint, what to do for bruising, etc.) it would have been a MUCH better book.

Overall, Happy to have this book in my library, but it would not be in my top five Anatomy and Physiology books.


Better for students of acupuncture than martial artists, 20 Jun 2007
143 pages in total, 8 pages on martial applications, 10 pages on healing applications, 12 pages on Western views of body systems,4 pages of introduction on eastern concepts of the body, about 80 pages on meridians on meridian points. Theses 80 pages are very detailed. I found the presentation too detailed and lacking much referral back to healing or martial applications. Without this context I found the detail overwhelming. The anatomical references for the various points (and there are 820 of them if you count both sides of the body) requires considerable anatomical knowledge which is not presented in the book. Eg. "medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve, ulnar nerve, ulnar artery, tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle". I think the title is misleading because the bulk of the text is concerned with detailed (as opposed to essential) traditional chinese medical anatomy. Great for students of acupuncture but a waste of money for me.

Superb source of reference, 16 Feb 2005
This is a paperback, quite glossy, 143 pages. and sets out to cover the elements of anatomy that we need in MA and also healing (shiatsu, accupressure, accuncture, etc.).

After a broad introduction, the first main section of the book covers the basic body model in each of the Western and Eastern medical theories - it's clearly all fairly basic, but a reasonable overview, with some very clear diagrams. Unsurprisingly, although the western medical descriptions aren't all that brief, the eastern section is much thicker, covering all of the meridians (both the main and extraordinary - although surprisingly it treats Conception and Governor as extraordinary, adding in a further six to those). It also has a thorough listing of the main extra points. Very usefully, against the description to each point, it shows the location, names in English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese, as well as the Meridian and number - there is also a clear description in terms of Western medicine.

For example, St9, I now know, is also called Ren Ying, Man's prognosis, In Yong (K), Jin Gei (J), and is simultanously the cutaneous cervical nerve, cervical branch of the facial nerve, a branch of the hypoglossal and vagus nerves, a point where the carotid artery branches, the thyroid artery, and the anterior jugular vein (phew, no wonder it's a good KO point!). It also describes and shows where it is.

That, unsurprisingly is the main bulk of the book, but there are two further main sections. The first, "healing applications", describes the main healing methods used with meridian theory - including a very thorough and clear collection of standard treatments (headache release, neck release, etc.) and a couple of pages on recovery techniques - five different techniques are covered, all clearly valid (and three of them new to me).

Then finally (apart from the index) is a section on martial arts applications. This covers the main principles of PP use in fighting (individual point attacks, multiple grouped points, bilateral, points along a meridian, related meridians, flow timing, destructive cycle - called "conquest cycle" in this book) and also shows diagrams of the main martial arts points.

Throughout the theory is reasonably basic but clear, with pretty much all of the basic principles of meridian therapy and fighting included.

Overall, I think that it was a very worthwhile expenditure of a tenner, the author (who claims a 5th dan in Hapkido according to the back cover) knows his stuff, explains it well, and did some superb drawings to go with it. I can see my using this a lot both as a teaching aid, and a regular source of learning and personal reference

Very clear, highly organised, a labour of love and wisdom, 12 Feb 2005
I am a new acupuncture student and practising therapist (reflexology, massage, reiki) who is very glad indeed to have found this supremely useful book. I am not a martial artist and want to let others know that I believe this book is genuinely as useful to healers as martial artists. Those studying level 3 holistic therapies who want to understand energy systems in greater depth should buy this book (it won't break the bank).

The author is clearly a genuinely knowledgeable man and also understands what students need. The book appears to be a distillation of an immense amount of accumulated information and experience and I have a great feeling of gratitude in finding it.

Thank you very much for this most useful book at an extremely reasonable price.

Required reading for any martial artist., 18 Apr 2002
Covering the subject matter in a clear and detailed manner, this book, while not being the first of it's kind is definately among the best.

The Illustrations are extremely good, and unlike many others is not an 'A to Z', rather an ordanance survey of the Human anatomy.

If you are serious about your study, this is as it's title suggests truly essential reading.

Great Comprehensive Read on the Subject of Ayurveda, 23 Aug 2007
After researching and getting into Ayurveda recently I wanted something a bit more in depth and suitable for my personal needs. This is perfect, everything I expected and more. A truely comprehensive read. Short of going to a practitioner or going to classes I can't see how you could better this book.

an exhaustive and in depth presentation of ayurveda, 07 Nov 2000
it is the most comprehensive, clear and user-friendly resource book on ayurveda. The depth and mass of information avalaible will teach you something new on this ancient healing system.

Acupuncture for beginners and energy workers, 06 Feb 2007
Summary; informative, clearly set out, excellent self help diagnosis techniques, inspires me to want more.
I found this book more than helpful as a beginner's guide to acupuncture; Ms Hicks explains the principles of Chinese Traditional Medicine, the Five
Elements Theory and the principles of meridians and acupuncture clearly, in simple but non-patronising language.
The self help quizzes to work out one's (possible/probable) imbalances and diagnosis(es) are simple to use and understand too. Very helpful.
The intermittent mentions of Chinese doctors are very interesting and shows that Angela Hicks knows her stuff at a core level.
I would have liked pictures of the meridians with acupuncture points, but I guess you can't have everything, or Ms Hicks would be out of a job!!
A very good read for anyone interested in acupuncture or any kind of energy work..

Good basic guide, 06 Nov 2008
A good introduction for those new to acupuncture, gives most of main points together with suggested 'recipes' for certain pathologies and an insight into TCM. Could have done with some nice colour pictures, but you can't have everything in a book this size - get Seirin for that!

A good basic book, 15 Dec 1999
I am a fairly new medical acupuncturist with no background in traditional chinese medicine. I would recommend this book as a good starting point for others in a similar situation.