Teaching myself: Guidance requested

[thiaguerd]

Hi all. I'm looking into a number of metaphysical healing arts with acupuncture being on that list. The ideal would be to go to a school, but that probably won't be an option for me, so....

Two points I would like some advice on:

1) I want to order some do-it-yourself books from Amazon and would like your recommendations for someone starting out. For the record, I am interested in both the 1-2-3 books that get you going fairly quick with some basic tried and tested treatments, as well as the more in depth manuals that mimic what I would learn in the school's textbooks.

I have seen that there are some books which are around $150. Right now, I can't afford it. If you recommend those, I will get them later, but in the mean time, if you could recommend some good books that are perhaps priced less than $100.

I at least want to get off the ground quick with some basic treatments and I'll work up from there.

2) I've been to a few online supply stores and they say that they will only sell to professionals or students, and that it is the law. Well, I also see that some of these stores don't really 'check up on you'; that you're on your honor when you fill out the forms.

This seems kind of strange that needles sales would be restricted when I can go to Walmart and buy tons of poisonous OTC medication and a pair of scissors with which I can stab myself at my leisure. Anyway, without getting yourself into any trouble, what can you tell me about this 'restriction'? Can I order as a self taught student without running into any trouble?

3) Oh, and another question: Do you have some basic recommendations for 'newbie needles' . And perhaps some stores that you prefer? If I order some books from Amazon, it is possible that they won't really recommend any particular needles, and I see that there are a zillion to choose from, both in brand, type, size and materials.

I know I may be asking for a lot here, but I'm at least just looking for a 101 book and some 'easy needles' to get started with my self education.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Magic Man]

HI Milkydoo,

With all due respect, I would not go down the "teach-myself acupuncture" route. Too many things can go wrong if you put a needle in the wrong place or in the wrong way.
Acupressure is much more within the realm of self-teaching. At least you have no chances of puncturing a lung or damaging a nerve.


Artemis

 

[Mother Hubbard]

Puncturing a lung? Hmm, I was always under the impression that these needles were only inserted just a teeny bit............oh wait.....heh, I think I understand.........you mean in case I accidentally pound one into my chest! heh. Ok, well, I understand your reluctance to recommend that someone teach themself, but there is risk in everything and I do plan to study it very seriously.

I would like to go to school, and it _may_ be an option for me, but I doubt it.

I know that professionals are always reluctant to give a newbie recommendations on a crash course, and if there really is no such thing as a crash course, that's fine. I'm willing to study the art from A to Z on my own and learn it the proper way.

 

[Cortnie]

I'm not an acupuncturist myself, but a potential client, and I'm a littleworried at the idea that someone could practice having taught themselves from books alone. I don't believe an insurance company would cover you; so that if you do damage someone's nerve, there would be no redress: have you thought aboout this angle?

If you feel this is a career path for you, then I would advise you to meet the challenge . Find the best school available and make the necessary sacrifices to go there, complete the course, get the certificate with honours and be safe to practice and help people get better. You'll be a great acupuncturist.

Perhaps if you tell which area you live in, people would suggest some alternatives for you. Many school do offer part-time courses, which might be more suitable for you.

Wishing you well,


Sharon

 

[Emee~23]

Hi Milkydoo,

Step one is anatomy! That can be learned in books.
Theory of Trdaitional Chinese Medicine can also be learned from books, to some extend. Tongue and pulse diagnosis may be more difficult just from a book, because you need to "understand" what you feel.
A book I really like for TCM is: "The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists" by Giovanni Maciocia. Publisher: Churchill Livingstone
ISBN: 0443039801
I also like: "Manual of Acupuncture" by Peter Deadman. Publisher: Journal of Chinese Medicine. ISBN: 0951054678

Prices may be a bit over the $100 mark you quoted, but you might be able to find them second hand online (www.amazon.com is a good starting place).

Artemis

 

[Crurbatteft]

This is a little worrying. I admire and encourage your enthusiasm, but self-teaching acupuncture is dangerous - I'd have thought if you make mistakes, the intensity of the treatment (due to needles being used, rather than the finger tips) will make the situation worse, dramatically affecting the flow of chi. What would you do if you permanently damage a person, for instance damaging their liver, especially when they sue you?

I suspect the reason you can't buy needles easily is to prevent someone simply buying a set and pretending to be a therapist without even bothering with any form of study.

Good luck.

 

[Warren Contreras]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I should have been a little more clear about my objectives. For the foreseeable future, I would only be treating myself. Why spend big bucks at the clinic on a regular basis when I could study and treat myself?

I have no interest in plowing through a '101' book and then hitting the streets with my needle kit, hunting for fresh victims.... Once I have studied many books and have practiced a great deal on myself, then I might consider giving very basic assistance to close friends or family, but I would always make sure not to get in over my head, and that is a long ways off.

Plus, if I teach myself now, I'll have a great head start on school if I ever get to it.

Oh, I should also add that, I am not really a people person at all. I would never be able to work in a clinical environment where you essentially have to treat anyone who walks in the door. If I get licensed some day, I would only be able to do selective housecall treatments, perhaps via word of mouth or something.

Regarding the book suggestions, I will check those out, but I forgot to mention that I am interested in 5 Element as well. Looking at Amazon, it seems the 5 Element selection is skimpy compared to TCM. If anyone has any 5E book suggestions as well, I'd appreciate it.

 

[Ashley F]

There's no way you can learn traditional acupuncture DIY!

There are so many pitfalls - with feedback being the main one:
Anatomy can be learnt from books, but will you know for sure that you have identified things properly?
You could possibly learn point location from a book such as "A Manual of Acupuncture" by Deadman et al, but how will you know you are locating the point accurately if there is no-one to guide you? An acupoint is about 1mm in diameter. Anatomy is only a guide to finding points.
Anatomy and point location are useless without being able to diagnose! Even a very basic book such as "The Foundations of Chinese Medicine" are almost impenetrable by a lay-person. And again, the book cannot give you guidance on whether you are understanding properly or getting it right!
Pulse diagnosis cannot be learnt from books! You must have feedback on this from a variety of teachers. It will take 2 - 3 years to be able to do this with instruction. I can't imagine how you could do it without guidance even if you give yourself 20 years to learn!
Needle technique must be learnt with guidance from an experienced practitioner. Again, another 2 years or so of training.

Training to become an acupuncturist takes around 3 years full time. Trying to do it yourself must take forever! How will you know you have reached any kind of level of competence? How will you know you are making accurate diagnoses?
Would you attempt to become a medical doctor just by reading books? A surgeon?

Without a professional acknowledged training, you won't have a qualification or insurance. You will be genuinely misinforming potential patients about your abilities no matter how well intentioned you are.
There is no quick route to becoming an acupuncturist. There just aren't the necessary textbooks available as it is largely an oral tradition.

As you can probably tell, I find it quite distressing that this is something you are considering. Health professionals have a duty of care to their patients. Please, if you are interested in the subject, buy and read the books, but for interest only. Save up and do a professional training if you actually want to practice.

Acupuncture is a truly rewarding profession. I hope you can find a way to go about it in a responsible and competent way. A sound training is a life-changing experience, and one I feel honoured to have found. It is also entirely necessary to becoming an acupuncturist!

Best wishes
Aragorn

 

[Victoria U]

My post crossed with yours. Sorry.
Treating oneself is almost impossible! It is exceptionally hard to be objective about a diagnosis of oneself, and harder still to needle acupoints that are inaccesible to ourselves.

There are very few textbooks on 5 elements because it is an oral tradition. Unlike TCM which involves a certain amount of theory, 5E is almost entirely taught through clinical experience.

A

 

[my44444]

A good basic book on 5 elements:
Traditional Acupuncture: The Law of the Five Elements
by Dianne M. ConnellyPublisher: Traditional Acupuncture Institute, Incorporat; 2nd edition (October 1, 1994)
ISBN: 0912381035

Artemis

 

[Modestic]

Hi Milky!

As you say that you require this for self treatment, have you looked at EFT? It is based on the same energy meridians as acupuncture but is far simpler and intended for self-administration. It’s also dead inexpensive with the initial manual download for free!

Gary Craig is the chap that invented it and he is very easy to read and understand.

Cheers

John.

 

[rabidrabitt]

Hi folks. Middle aged site newbie here ( yea...scary ain't it ). Full time writer who, for family reasons, needs to learn acupuncture to help with nearest and dearest's full time back problem ( full time and life long, I should add ). Problem is...I can't stop working ( tsk...these bills! ) and so need a training option that allows me to a) stay in Stockport....b) ideally train in the evenings or weekends in the Stockport or Manchester area....c) preferably train one on one with tutor. Needless to say said tutor needn't be either Chinese or old or wise-looking ( although come to think of it....). So.....the question is....am I asking the impossible, or is there hope for me? PS: I should add that I am not easily deterred and am generally very determined ( especially where health and quality of life of said nearest and dearest is concerned.)
Opinions welcome...

 

[Heather !]

MilkyDoo,
you have no idea of the damage you could do to yourself trying to treat yourself with self-taught acupuncture. For one thing it is easy to administer bruises if your point location is off and puncturing lungs is very easy from certain points if your direction is incorrect. You can of course do all the damage you like to yourself with anything you want to buy that is your choice but to work on other people you must be trained, Acupuncture is going to be regulated soon by the goverment, the British Acupuncture Council have been working on it for the last few years, what you are proposing will very soon be illegal.

The points and their combinations are very carefully put together - you could easily give yourself depression by using the wrong points, i have seen this affect in people treated by Medical Acupuncture which is a very superficial training done by some doctors.

What you think we do at college for three years?, i would have trained myself too if i could have (and saved the £16k!), it is not possible, you will hurt yourself and others. I would second the advice you had to follow up the acupressure, EFT or any other training. I would ask you why you want to learn these things if you don't especially like people? If you don't want a busy practice a shorter training would get you practicing and gaining confidence much faster and be cheaper in the long run. Being a practitioner is a lovely job when you can help people and you need training not just information to get there. Good luck.

 

[Whancysoync]

alhtough myself is not an acupuncture practiconer i am training ina range ofdifferent therapies, reading your post i find itvery careless. I admire that although you are willing to put alot of hardwork into your research, there are many other fields that you would have to consider likea general knowlegde of A+P and working with needles there are several leglisations that would need to be read. there is also a factor that every book is contradictory andalthough thismethod to learn to get a head start for whengoing to school i strongly would discourageDIY what if you seriously hurt a loved-one? as the body is all connectedanddamaging one part of the body has a kncok on effect on the rest of the body.
I wish you the best of luck in your decision
Nimmie_star

 

[Patrick]

While I'm all for increasing knowledge, EFT is the way to go if you desire to treat yourself. Acupuncture is a 4-year degree in a very subtle and complex art, with much of the training requiring a clinical setting. I've been to acupuncturists with just a fellowship (200 hours) and the difference in effectiveness of treatment (and how painful or not it is) just has no comparison to what a board-certified, fully educated and licensed doctor of acupuncture is capable of. It's the difference between slapping on a band-aid and neurosurgery.

But I don't think learning all you can about a subject that interests you is ever a bad thing--I enjoy learing as much as possible about TCM because it enhances the acupressure and meridian work I do and increases my awe and appreciation for the years of training and acquired skill of my excellent acupuncturist. Trying to practice without proper formaltraining, even on yourself...now that's downright scary. Sticking needles here and there seems like and easy enough thing, but done incorrectlyWILL harm your health. But you'll understand that quickly enough the more you learn about it--and why it costs what it does.