Ling Shu Acupuncture
	Preface
	The hope of Acupuncture is in Ling Shu We have been teaching and practicing acupuncture over twenty years, including eight years in Mainland China. We never really understood acupuncture until we studied 《Ling Shu》. We liked our work. But year after year, deep in our heart, we felt more frustration than enjoyment. We have treated tens of thousands of patients over the years, using many different acupuncture methods such as head acupuncture; ear acupuncture; laser acupuncture; electric acupuncture, etc. We have tried many so-called effective points or magic points from well-known acupuncturists of ancient and present; yet we questioned whether our practice of acupuncture was improving. In fact, we were not sure which methods or points would be successful with our patient each time we gave a treatment. We did not have any principles that could guide us in selecting points and acupuncture techniques. We also felt lost, whether the patient reported good results, or reported no change. We never had a consistent method to evaluate our treatment. It seemed that our whole practice relied on whatever the patients said they felt. More years of practice did not build up more confidence or experience. As an acupuncture teacher, we often face questions from students such as, “Do we use the theory of Yin/Yang balance in acupuncture practice? Do we use the theory of Meridians in diagnosis and differentiation? How can we remember all the indications of acupuncture points? Do we use all these points in the clinic? Do we apply the reinforcing and reducing technique in treatment? Do we apply different techniques in different kinds of diseases? All in all, how much of the theory of TCM really applies in acupuncture practice? In reality, though we teach numerous TCM courses in school, only a fraction of which is taught is used in the clinical setting. Obviously, there is a big gap between what is taught and what is practiced. If acupuncture is real medicine like other medical therapies, all of the above stated questions or problems do not make sense. Something must be wrong. Five years ago, motivated by these questions, we started our own research. Instead of learning new acupuncture techniques or special points like before, we studied all the classical acupuncture books written in different generations, one-by-one in reverse chronological order, trying to discover the real practice of acupuncture of ancient time. We walked into a massive and messy history of acupuncture spread over a span of two thousand years. Struggling with disappointment and exhaustion, we had a very difficult time doing our research. When we opened the earliest classic book of acupuncture, 《Ling Shu》 or 《Miraculous Pivot》, it attracted us immediately. Even though there were difficulties in understanding the classic language and the discrepancies between different editions, still the questions in our practice and teaching started to be answered. We couldn’t stop reading it over and over. Eventually the answers to our questions in our practice and teaching became so clear and simple. We couldn’t believe it at first, it shocked us. Is it possible that we have mistaken almost every step in acupuncture practice? A way of practice and teaching that has been conducted for hundreds of years? We were deeply bothered by these questions. But we did not stop there. We believed that if the theory from 《Ling Shu》 was correct, it could be proven clinically. So we started to treat patients by applying the theory of 《Ling Shu》 in clinic, case by case. The clinic results were not only consistently positive but also beyond belief. Almost every case became a surprise to us, and every case confirmed to us the correctness of the theory. Each practice brings us closer to the highest level of acupuncture as was stated in 《Ling Shu》. Our doubt is gone. Our hearts are filled with joy and excitement. Now we can say that acupuncture is one of the best medical therapies if you really understand 《Ling Shu》. This book 《Ling Shu Acupuncture》 is the quintessence of our study and research of 《Ling Shu》 from past years. Either you are an acupuncturist or a student, 《Ling Shu Acupuncture 》will not only help you re-understand acupuncture, but also help you get into the practice of 《Ling Shu》.
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