BIOMEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT: AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH

Foreword

...In teaching acupuncture to medical professionals in China and around the world for many years, I frequently observe that they are excited about learning acupuncture and are amazed at its therapeutic results. However, they soon feel overwhelmed by the prospect of studying the clinical procedure with its complicated meridian-acupoint system and mysterious manual techniques rooted in Taoist philosophy.

The authors of this book have developed a unique treatment protocol, the Integrative Neuromuscular Acupoint System (INMAS). This system is a result of the biomedicalization of traditional acupuncture but it also succeeds in maintaining the essence of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Biomedical terminology and concepts are used to interpret the basic mechanisms and clinical procedures of acupuncture. The most essential spirit (Shen) of Oriental medicine, which emphasizes “whole-person therapy,” and “promoting health while treating the disease” is carefully preserved.

I recommend INMAS as an effective protocol for treating neuromuscular pain. It is applicable not only in pain management but also in treating Zang-fu-related diseases and promoting general health.

Being a fourth generation practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with 40 years of clinical experience, as well as a Master of Qigong and director of the TCM Research Institute, where my duties include teaching Chinese medicine to medical professionals world-wide, I deeply believe that this book, Biomedical Acupuncture for Pain Management, an Integrative Approach, is a milestone on the road towards integrating acupuncture into mainstream medicine and that it will open the door of acupuncture therapy to Western healthcare professionals.

Shanghai , China , March 10, 2004

Song Zhen-zhi, OMD, Ph.D.

• Executive Secretary of the Chinese Acupuncture Research Association
• Committee member of the World TCM Organization
• Director of the Kangfu Research Institute of TCM
• Faculty Member of the Doctorate Program of the Beijing International Health Institute
• Laureate of “The 100 Best TCM Doctors in China”