Acupuncture As Revolution

In November 1970, an amalgam of radical activists took over a section of the notorious Lincoln Hospital in the South Bronx of New York. From that action an innovative drug detoxification program evolved. Public health historians have documented the role played by the Young Lords and Black Panthers in direct-action healthcare reform, while in acupuncture circles Dr. Michael Smith is famed for developing a technique for drug detox. Hidden behind these better-known narratives is the history of a movement, led by African American and Latinx activists, that sought to employ acupuncture to transform the heroin addiction ravaging their communities and the capitalism, colonialism, and "e;chemical warfare"e; it saw as causative factors. Acupuncture as Revolution traces the history of revolutionary acupuncture in the United States, from its origins in the radicalism of the 1960s to its modern manifestation in the community acupuncture movement. The book compels the reader to look beyond popular conceptions of Western acupuncture while connecting the history of traditional Chinese medicine to a lineage of racial and health justice.ReviewsIn America, prior to the 1970s, East Asian medicine and acupuncture were essentially unknown outside of Asian communities. The history and acceptance of this remarkable ancient medicine into mainstream USA is certainly worthy of scholarly research. With her thoughtful, well-researched and beautifully written book, Rachel Pagones has provided a compelling history of the role acupuncture played in the long and continuing struggle for health and racial justice in America.-Richard Gold, co-founder of Pacific College of Health and ScienceAcupuncture as Revolution is a timely publication. After the murder of George Floyd, the profession of licensed acupuncturists and the broader integrative health movement are engaging efforts to heal entrenched diversity and equity challenges... Pagones guides readers into a time and story 50 years ago that adds to the scholarly literature correcting the dominant white rendition of the missions of the Black Panthers and the Young Lords. She shows how, to serve the health of communities broken by racism and intentional neglect, these organizations and their allies in the South Bronx reached outside of accepted practices to fold acupuncture into a remarkable model of community engagement. Acupuncture as Revolution provides both acupuncturists and the integrative health movement an origin story that is a remarkable counter to the white privilege with which each is often associated. -John Weeks, author of the Integrator Blog and former editor-in-chief of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary MedicineA captivating study of how radical activists, armed with an antidote to heroine withdrawal, battled with elite policymakers over inequities in health and medicine... provides insight into the history of the current American opioid epidemic and how acupuncture disrupted the plan. It's a fascinating read for acupuncturists, activists, and readers who enjoy learning about events that impact national public health. - Jennifer A. M. Stone, senior editor, Medical AcupunctureAcupuncture as Revolution offers a trenchant social history of acupuncture, traditional Chinese Medicine, and their intersections with racial inequality, health disparities, and medical justice in the United States. - James Doucet-Battle, author of Sweetness in the Blood: Race, Risk, and Type 2 DiabetesAn engaging and timely contribution that sheds new light on acupuncture's radical lineage and its contemporary descendants. In this eye-opening and highly readable history, Pagones restores to their proper place key actors and and traditions, from China's barefoot doctors to the Bronx's Young Lords. This book should be read by everyone who cares about acupuncture and alternative movements to promote health.- Andrew Zitcer, author of Practicing Cooperation: Mutual Aid beyond Capitalism

Experience the transformative power of acupuncture with "The Acupuncture Revolution: Transforming Modern Medicine." This comprehensive guide explores the history and philosophy of acupuncture, from its ancient roots to its modern-day applications in healthcare. Learn about the concept of Qi and the meridian system in Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as the different acupuncture techniques and tools used in treatments. Discover the wide-ranging benefits of acupuncture, including pain relief, emotional and mental health, digestive issues, respiratory health, women's and men's health, sleep and insomnia, immune system support, weight management, skin health, addiction and recovery, sports performance, aging and longevity, and much more. Personal stories from acupuncture patients illustrate the transformative power of acupuncture treatment. Choose the right acupuncturist, prepare for your first appointment, and develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your individual health needs. The book also covers topics such as the future of acupuncture and integrative medicine, the benefits of combining acupuncture with Western medicine, and sustainable practices in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Written by experienced practitioners, "The Acupuncture Revolution" is a groundbreaking book that explores how acupuncture is transforming modern medicine. Whether you're new to acupuncture or a seasoned practitioner, this book is a valuable resource for expanding your knowledge and exploring new treatments. Join the acupuncture revolution and take charge of your health today! Table of Contents: The History and Philosophy of Acupuncture Ancient roots and cultural significance The development of acupuncture over time Understanding Qi and Meridians The concept of Qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) The meridian system and its role in acupuncture Acupuncture Techniques and Tools Different types of acupuncture needles Moxibustion, cupping, and other complementary techniques The Science Behind Acupuncture Current research and understanding of acupuncture's effectiveness Debunking common acupuncture myths Acupuncture for Pain Relief Treating headaches and migraines Managing chronic pain conditions Acupuncture for Emotional and Mental Health Reducing stress and anxiety Treating depression and mood disorders Acupuncture for Digestive Issues Addressing gastrointestinal disorders Promoting healthy digestion Acupuncture for Respiratory Health Treating asthma and allergies Supporting lung health Acupuncture for Women's Health Addressing fertility and menstrual issues Easing menopause symptoms Acupuncture for Men's Health Supporting prostate health Enhancing sexual health and performance Acupuncture for Sleep and Insomnia Understanding the connection between sleep and TCM Techniques for improving sleep quality Acupuncture for Immune System Support Strengthening immunity and overall wellness Managing autoimmune conditions Acupuncture for Weight Management Understanding the role of TCM in weight control Techniques for promoting healthy weight loss Acupuncture for Skin Health Treating common skin issues Promoting healthy, radiant skin Acupuncture for Addiction and Recovery Supporting detoxification and withdrawal Addressing cravings and relapse prevention Acupuncture for Athletes and Sports Performance Enhancing athletic performance Accelerating injury recovery Acupuncture for Aging and Longevity Promoting healthy aging Addressing age-related health concerns Choosing the Right Acupuncturist What to look for in an acupuncture practitioner Tips for finding the right fit Preparing for Your Acupuncture Session What to expect during your first appointment Tips for maximizing treatment benefits The Future of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine The growing role of acupuncture in healthcare The future of research and innovation in the field Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture Common misconceptions and concerns Answers from experienced practitioners Personal Stories: Acupuncture Success Stories Real-life experiences of acupuncture patients The transformative power of acupuncture treatment The Transformative Power of Acupuncture Treatment Acupuncture for Children and Adolescents Adapting acupuncture treatments for younger patients Addressing common childhood health issues Acupuncture for Pregnancy and Postpartum Care Supporting a healthy pregnancy Easing postpartum recovery Acupuncture for Chronic Fatigue and Energy Boost Understanding the TCM perspective on energy and fatigue Techniques for revitalizing energy levels Acupuncture for Eye Health Addressing common eye conditions Supporting vision and overall eye health Acupuncture for Dental and Oral Health Treating TMJ, tooth pain, and other oral health issues Promoting overall dental well-being Acupuncture for Animal Health Understanding veterinary acupuncture The benefits of acupuncture for pets Acupuncture and Cancer Care Supporting patients through cancer treatment Addressing side effects and improving quality of life Acupuncture for Stroke Rehabilitation Enhancing recovery from stroke and brain injuries Supporting long-term neurological health Acupuncture for Hormonal Balance Understanding the TCM perspective on hormonal health Techniques for restoring hormonal balance Combining Acupuncture with Western Medicine The benefits of an integrative approach to healthcare Collaborating with other healthcare providers Acupuncture and the Environment The ecological impact of acupuncture practices Sustainable practices in TCM Acupressure and Self-Care Techniques Understanding the principles of acupressure Simple self-care techniques to complement acupuncture treatments Acupuncture Safety and Potential Side Effects Recognizing and minimizing risks What to do if you experience side effects Building a Personalized Acupuncture Treatment Plan Assessing your individual health needs Developing a customized treatment strategy Continuing Your Acupuncture Journey Maintaining long-term health benefits Expanding your knowledge and exploring new treatments

- Does acupuncture work, and if so, how? - Is there scientific research to validate acupuncture's effects? - What are its benefits? - Can children be treated with acupuncture? - Does it replace or complement conventional Western medicine? - Does acupuncture really help with fertility? - What does acupuncture treat and how can you use it for your health? Acupuncture, highlighted for its ability to relieve pain, remains a mystery to most of us in the West. Originating in ancient China over two-thousand years ago, it's in need of a contemporary explanation for today's patients. How can placing small needles in different parts of the body lead to healing? Many common ailments are the result of long-standing imbalances: pain, fatigue, chronic sinus congestion, allergies, infertility, diabetes, high blood pressure, and digestive problems. Learn how acupuncture effectively treats the source of these symptoms, helping your body heal itself. Acupuncture Revolution provides the bridge between the ancient practice of acupuncture and modern medicine, and shows you how to use it-along with other forms of treatment-for your health. Holistic health care is not the rejection of conventional Western medicine; it is learning to use multiple approaches, each in the right way and at the right time, to support your health and wellness. The unique ability of acupuncture to restore balance and promote self-healing makes it an ideal complement to Western medicine. Learn where acupuncture comes from, how it views illness, what we know about it scientifically, what conditions it treats, how it heals and how to use it together with conventional medicine.

Many in the global West have heard something about acupuncture as a treatment for pain relief; they may even have learned of its use in treating opioid addiction. But few know that, in the early 1970s, acupuncture was employed as a means of social and political revolution by Black, Latinx, and radical left-wing activists, inspired by the barefoot doctors of Mao Zedong's Communist revolution. Led by Mutulu Shakur, a charismatic member of the Republic of New Afrika, these young and idealistic people learned to apply acupuncture in the gritty confines of Lincoln Hospital, in the South Bronx of New York. The derelict public hospital, long known as "the Butcher Shop," became an unlikely source of energy and hope as the activists successfully helped people from the community recover from heroin addiction. The acupuncturists - some of them recovering from heroin addiction themselves - employed a combination of needling points in the ear with counseling and "political education"; for instance, taking clients to witness the trials of political prisoners (people imprisoned for their political beliefs or activities). By the late 1970s, the activists' radical approach led to their forced removal from Lincoln. But Shakur and others formed the Black Acupuncture Advisory Association of North America (BAAANA) and founded a college to train a new generation of acupuncturists in the fine art of traditional Chinese medicine. The fundamental principal was healthcare as a human right. The goal was liberation of people oppressed by racism. The college had a short life; it was closed after an FBI raid in connection with the lethal armed robbery of a Brink's truck. Yet over three decades, the spirit of revolutionary acupuncture did not die, and neither did the issues that forced its rise, including drug addiction, racism, and social and health care inequities. Inspired by the radical acupuncturists of the 1970s, another group - the People's Organization of Community Acupuncture - founded the community acupuncture movement and took up the mantle of revolution. They, too, proclaim health care as a human right for people marginalized by society - and seek to give back that right through the art of inserting fine needles. Acupuncture as Revolution highlights a little-known intersection of acupuncture, leftist movements of the 1970s, and the global influence on healthcare of Mao's Communist revolution - and shows how the legacy of that explosive meeting lives on today.

Kim Taylor looks at the transformation of Chinese medicine from a marginal, sidelined medical practice of the early 20th century, to an essential and high profile part of the national health-care system under the Chinese Communist Party.

Neoclassical Acupuncture takes us on a thrilling odyssey into China's ancient past to examine one of the greatest enigmas of classical Oriental medicine. At the heart of the journey lies that most perplexing of organs - the Pericardium. It is in the murky underground darkness of a minor noble's tomb that the mystery of the Pericardium begins. A mystery which would cause a prominent 18th century scholar to query 'Over the past three thousand years this has never been settled finally...Why should misunderstandings and a deception of mankind be created just for' the Pericardium and its partner the Triple Warmer? In following this lonely organ from its obscure origins we discover the astonishing answer, while being privy to an exciting gaze across the ancient landscapes from which a highly effective but long lost method of acupuncture once arose. Here for the first time a revolutionary version of that forgotten system is expounded upon in detail.

Soulie de Morant's masterpiece is the most detailed study of acupuncture available in a Western language. It was nominated for a Nobel prize and provided the foundation for French acupuncture. This text is divided into 5 parts: the energetics of acupuncture, the application of the energetics, physiology, meridians and points, and treatment. This book is a unique historical document, but more than this, it is the most practical of texts and has already served a generation of clinicians well.