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Book Reviews
"This book is long overdue for the acupuncture profession and is destined to become
a standard text in acupuncture colleges around the world, especially with the interest
of practitioners in TCM gynaecology."
Heiko Lade, President New Zealand Registrar of Acupuncturists
[ Full Review ]
Full Review
It was a couple of years ago that I received an email from Debra Betts asking me
if I was interested in helping her with proof reading of her forth coming book on
acupuncture and pregnancy. Time restrictions prevented me from helping out at the
time and but now having one of the first printed copies in my hands I bring much
honour in reviewing her book.
In New Zealand and I expect much of the western world, acupuncture has become famous
for treating musculo-skeletal disorders and gynaecology problems.
“Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth” is a book that is long over due for the
acupuncture profession and is destined to become a standard text in acupuncture
colleges around the world especially with the interest of practitioners in TCM gynaecology.
Many acupuncturists in the modern clinic still rely on limited TCM knowledge when
it comes to treating pregnancy such a neiguan for morning sickness and moxa on zhiyin
to turn breech babies. More and more pregnant mothers to be are coming to the clinics
of acupuncturists with a host of problems where acupuncture can provide invaluable
help.
Most practitioners feel confident in treating for example urinary infections or
anxiety when presenting in clinic but often become cautious if the patient is also
pregnant and suffers from these conditions.
This book has 18 chapters devoted solely in the treatment of different disorders
commonly seen with pregnancy including examples such as anaemia and constipation.
Each of these chapters has an introduction covering western medical information
before going into the Chinese medicine viewpoint.
The associated patterns are then differentiated covering the treatment principle
and followed by a discussion of points.
The many years of experience is also exemplified in Debra’s extra notes on patient
advice and case histories. It is the case histories that are discussed that make
this book a gem. Having been a teacher in TCM for a number of years, one of the
criticisms of students is that there are relatively few books discussing real case
histories and plenty of books reiterating the same old TCM theories. Debra Betts
also draws on cases from her students and midwifes which enlighten the reader and
bring practicality to the theory she has written about.
Throughout the book there are coloured boxes in the margins bringing to attention
cautions, special notes and summaries making the book very user friendly so it can
be used as a quick reference text in the clinic.
Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth goes well beyond acupuncture, in particular
there is an extensive chapter on diet and an excellent appendix on antenatal tests.
The whole process of birthing is reviewed and explained from a western and Chinese
medical viewpoint and Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth outlines everything
you need to know from diagnosis to treatment and allows you to familiarize yourself
with all the appropriate western medical terms and knowledge to become a successful
TCM obstetrician.
"Within each chapter the author has integrated Western Medical diagnosis with a
TCM framework, while using succinct, manageable language; something I find lacking
in several other texts on this subject, and something I welcome within our clinical
practice. I welcome texts that provide the clinician with enhancement of patient
care and problem solving skills within an evidence base that is effective, relevant
and pertinent to current health care. This book provides all these qualities and
more."
Jennie Longbottom, Lecturer, Physiotherapy and Acupuncture, Coventry University
Full Review
I felt very privileged when asked to review this long awaited clinical approach
to a subject I have particular interest in. I am far from disappointed in the waiting.
As the title announces, this is an essential clinical guide, crossing professional
disciplines and encompassing clinical answers to the management of the Mother and
the foetus, whether you are a professional acupuncturist, midwife, physiotherapists
or doctor working with acupuncture in the field of gynaecology and obstetrics.
Within the realms of physiotherapy, I would fully recommend this text as essential
reading matter if practitioners are about to embark on further advanced acupuncture
training in Womens’ Health, provided they have a fundamental knowledge of Traditional
Chinese Medical (TCM) philosophy.
The book is divided into a number of conditions, such as nausea and vomiting, musculoskeletal
conditions, insomnia and anxiety, to name a few. These are presented at pre partum,
during labour and post partum, with a chapter dedicated to each. Within each chapter
the author has integrated Western Medical diagnosis with a TCM framework, whilst
using succinct, manageable language; something I find lacking from several other
texts in this subject, and something I welcome within our clinical practice.
This book has an added advantage in that treatment protocols are provided within
each subject matter; the anatomical positions of relevant points are superbly illustrated
by Peter Deadman, Mazin Al-Khafaji and Kevin Baker, whilst providing in- depth clinical
reasoning for their use. The added bonus is encompassed within Chapter 26, citing
the review of current research with clinical application to acupuncture in pregnancy.
Debra Betts has provides clinical experience and knowledge within this subject matter,
which speaks to the reader from each page. I am grateful for this knowledge and
for the ease with which it has been written; for the added opportunity to use this
experience for the dual benefit of my clinical reasoning and for my patients’ recovery.
I welcome texts that provide the clinician with enhancement of patient care, and
problem solving skills within an evidence base that is effective, relevant and pertinent
to current health care. This book provides all these qualities and more.
[ Full Review ]
"Invaluable for those midwives and doctors who are presently studying acupuncture
to enhance their practice, whilst at the same time it is essential reading for any
acupuncturist who works in the field of pregnancy and childbirth or who comes into
contact with childbearing women."
Sharon Yelland, Midwife and Acupuncturist, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth UK
Full Review
As a practicing acupuncturist midwife I value this book greatly. Debra Betts has
condensed all her knowledge of this specialized field to produce a brilliant tool
with which we can enhance our clinical practice.
However The Essential Guide to Acupuncture in Pregnancy & Childbirth is certainly
not just for currently practicing midwife/acupuncturists. It is also invaluable
for those midwives and doctors who are presently studying acupuncture to enhance
their practice, whilst at the same time it is essential reading for any acupuncturist
who works in the field of pregnancy and childbirth or who comes into contact with
childbearing women.
When I began using acupuncture in midwifery 14 years ago, there was a dearth of
up-to-date, practical resources. I, like many others, often had to experiment with
my treatments to discover what was most effective; indeed I am still learning today,
as pregnancy never ceases to offer surprises. We know however, that acupuncture
has been used in China for obstetrics for many hundreds of years, particularly for
delayed or difficult labor. It is from this history that we learn, but it is not
until one has been practicing for several years that clinical confidence ripens.
Even so a fear of ‘getting it wrong’ and causing a problem in a pregnancy may remain.
It is a book like this which helps us enormously to overcome these anxieties that
are to some degree inevitable when we are involved in treating two lives at the
same time.
In The Essential Guide to Acupuncture in Pregnancy & Childbirth, Debra Betts comprehensively
deals with every major area of this subject. It covers most of the conditions commonly
found in pregnancy and childbirth including miscarriage, nausea and vomiting, heartburn,
varicose veins, hypertension, musculoskeletal problems, anemia, insomnia, anxiety
and depression, constipation, itching, oedema, malposition and malpresentation,
induction and difficult delivery. Other chapters cover treatment guidelines in pregnancy,
pre- and post- natal treatment, a review of current research and detailed dietary
advice. Appendices offer well thought out Western and Chinese medicine glossaries
that make the book more useful for both non-medical and medical acupuncturists.
Particularly valuable is the appendix offering clear illustrations and locations
for all the points used in the text.
Each subject is introduced by giving the Western medicine description, explanation
and guide to management, then the traditional Chinese medicine differentiation,
aetiology and treatment. Treatment emphasizes both clinically proven points as well
as points selected according to differentiation of patterns, followed by clear explanations
of the points used and much invaluable discussion from the author’s clinical experience.
Most clinical chapters end with case histories from the author’s own practice as
well as from many of the midwives whom she has trained. Many pages have coloured
inset boxes emphasizing cautions, important features of clinical management, and
key point selections for the disorders discussed.
The reader is helped throughout by the use of clear language, well-drawn diagrams
and clever photographs as well as comforted by the weight of the book and the fine
layout, making its referencing and content easy to use.
There are specific areas in the book that I wish to particularly commend. The chapter
on induction is excellent, with much clinically useful information and patient advice.
This is an area that I get asked to help with more than any other. I also particularly
like the chapter on acupressure during labour and especially the idea of teaching
women’s partners or helpers how to use it, although sadly I think that British maternity
units are not quite so open to integrated therapies as those in New Zealand.
Debra Betts’ sensitivity as a practitioner also shines through and I find it very
much a ‘client-led manual’ which considers all aspects of care. Combined with its
academic knowledge and experience, this book has everything that one needs to know
in one place.
[ Full Review ]
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