The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine

As someone who has been curious about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for many years, and having benefited from treatments with acupuncture and herbs, I found this book extremely helpful in understanding the philosophy and approach of TCM. Kaptchuk gently takes the reader through the history and evolution of Chinese Medicine, and provides metaphors to help the Western reader comprehend this unique approach to holistic health and healing.As a clinical dietitian with a Master's Degree in Nutritional Sciences and a western training apporach to medical therapies, I found many new insights into the connections between illness and health; and the connectedness of mental, spiritual, and physical health. While TCM medicine may seem archaic, or a type of folk medicine, the reality is TCM is thousands of years old and quite sophisticated. Kaptchuk provides references to much of the research, both in China and the west, regarding the efficacy of Chinese Medicine. The book is packed with references.Whether you are a casual reader simply interested in the basic concepts of Chinese Medicine, or you are a beggining student of TCM, this book is a great resource.This book has provided new insights on my own health issues as well those of my clients. I highly recommend it.

I've been receiving acupuncture treatment at the local Oregon Chinese School of Medicine (OCOM), and this was recommended by my practitioner. We both agreed that it has the essential information, and makes for a good read; yet, there are times that it appeared a bit too verbose when providing the historical background of Chinese medicine (it went beyond the 'sweet spot'). Then again, there was section that were a bit too technical (I'm just a 'lay person'). Overall, I would still recommend it as an essential read should a lay person warrant the need for 'more', to explain what Chinese medicine is, with the caveat of the aforementioned.

Well I'm not quite finished, but close. This book is highly unlikely to fall from my rating upon completion. The author is very thorough in describing the limits of the American language system to find suitable translations from Chinese to English as he tries to give exceptional depth and breadth to the vast differences between TCM-Traidtional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine. (Don't skip reading the endnotes at the close of each Chapter: Wow! Really deep research!)I am blessed to be taking several, various TCM treatments from a Chinese-Educated doctor who also teaches Acupuncture in the Houston area. One of his students who recently graduated and successfully passed his "Boards" recommended this book to me. It has been a challenging book to read. (I am well educated in Western Philosophies including Aristotelian, & Objectivist principles so the influence of these prior philosophical trainings put biases and undue influences upon the reading experience.) TCM is not simply miles apart from Western medicine, it's continents apart - no pun intended.This book has explained...no, it has almost codified for my understanding why after 2.5+ years of failed western-styled medical treatments (drugs, test, and stronger drugs and more tests, etc.) which not only were failing to address the actual problems, but why those 'western' treatments had also damaged my kidneys and liver. This book addresses also 'why' TCM is doing what real medicine (as a practice) is supposed to do - why I'm getting real healing, and real results.The Asian medical systems care about the patient, in total, and not as some disorganized group of distinct problems [to be doped up, or shot up], and that every patient is truly different requiring specific attention beyond some numbered medical file. When my doctor says something to me in [TCM] terms he is accustomed to, I now understand and can communicate better back to him, facilitating his efforts and my accelerated healing. (People with chronic pain, and even what we westerners think of as normal ailments ailments need to revisit our/their decisions (& biases) against TCM, read this book and explore the possibility that TCM which dates back over 3,000 years just might be on to something!) This book will answer hundreds and hundreds of questions.

This is an excellent intro to Traditional Chinese Medicine. The writing is engaging and it's well organized.

By now, you must have read some of the reviews and seen the overall satisfaction with this book. Want to know about the theory and practical use of disorders from the traditional Chinese point of view? This is a good book to begin with.Explains the nature of yin and yang, wind and cold and heat, the nature of Qi and blood.Easy to understand and appreciate the thousands of years of history behind the healing power of TCM.Strongly recommend this book to anyone interested, particularly to acupuncture students.

I gifted this book to a friend and they absolutely loved it. Interesting from start to finish according to my friend.

Good

There is a reason why this book is a classic. It provides a concise layout of the different topics of TCM. This book is a good place to start. There are times when it gets slightly heady but still worth the read.

This book is well written, fairly easy to follow and manages to present Chinese medicine theory in a way that hasn't Westernised it, but is still very accessible for Westerners. So, as far as I'm concerned, if you're interested in any of the East Asian healing practices then this is a very good book to help you really understand the basic theories behind it all.

Good book to understand in laymen's terms about acupuncture. Recommended by the acupuncturist I have just been too have treatment with

This book is a must have for anyone interested in Chinese Medicine. Beautifully written and easy to read. Great that it is available as ebook as I now have it with me wherever I go

One of the best books on TCM.

I have only started it but I can tell it is going to be a real delight! A no-nonsense presentation of Chinese and Taoist principles and very handy comparisons between CTM and Western medicine for those who need it.