Volume 4, Number 1 | Spring 2009

Book Review“Sports Acupuncture” The Meridian Test and its Applications
written by Yoshio Mukaino, M.D. and translated byStephen Brown, L.Ac.

movement to see if the pain has decreased. By

Reviewed by Atsuki Maeda
L.Ac., M.T.O.M.

the body movements before the actual needling“Sports Acupuncture” The Meridian Test andits Applications is the first book of Meridian Testfinding the most effective points and apply
either/or needling and moxibustion. This method
does not use the local points; therefore you can testwith light finger pressure to distal points andconfirm its effectiveness, then treat. You usually
see instant relief of symptoms.

(M-Test) translated in English language. This isthe book acupuncturists who are in sports fieldmust have and recommended to all who treat
muscle-skeletal injuries and symptoms. Step-bystep, easy assessment method, points selection,and treatment protocols are well explained, very
simple to understand, and can be used fromtomorrow’s practice.
Dr. Yoshio Mukaino of Fukuoka University
School of Medicine has found the method toquickly and easily determine the area of the bodythat needs to be treated based on each individual
difference by observing and combining themeridian distribution and body movement.
In regular acupuncture treatment, affected
meridians, at most cases the injured ones are
considered as target of treatment. For example, if
patient suffers with low back pain that isaggravated by extension of lumber, Foot Tai Yang
Urinary Bladder Meridian is mainly focused.
Local points such as UB-23, UB-24, UB-25, UB-52,
and some distal points such as UB-40 and UB-60
are commonly used. In Meridian Test and its
treatment, it is considered that stretching ofmeridians on the anterior aspect of the trunk is
the cause of pain. This is the uniqueness of theMeridian Test and often treatment does notinclude stimulating injured local area. That is why
it is so effective and gentle to the patient. Series ofacupuncture points (example: ST-36, ST-41, SP-5,and SP-2) are set to test with very light touchingpressure
22andask

patienttorepeatsame

The beauty of this method is that it isincorporated with traditional theories of Oriental
medicine such as Five Elements and Yin & Yang
relationship. Each elements and Yin & Yangcontrol and restrict each other to create perfectharmony such as “health” in our body. Wheneverthisultimatebalanceisdestroyed,pain,discomfort, and functional disorders occur. Onceagain, there is a patient with low back pain. FootTai Yang Urinary Bladder Meridian is affected.
Urinary Bladder belongs to the element of “Water”
which is restricted (controlled) by the “Earth”
where Stomach and Spleen belong. Meridians ofThe Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)Volume 4, Number 1 | Spring 2009

Stomach and Spleen run on the anterior side of theThe forth section, “Case Studies” introduces

body and when extension of the Thoracic/Lumber

various cases of clinical Meridian Test where youis performed, these two meridians are both

can peek hints of how it is used in actual clinicalstretched simultaneously. If pain occurs with thisscenes. Also explains the various sports and its

movement, it is considered as the “Earth”

relationship with the Meridian Test.

overacting on the “Water” and symptoms appears
in the theory of the Meridian Test.
There are four sections in this book and the firstsection talks about “Theoretical Background ofSports Acupuncture” and explains about analysisof physical movement, meridian and its category& distribution, relationship between human
movements and meridians, acupuncture points &their characters, and five elements (phases)
theory.
The second section explains The Meridian Test:
Analysis of Movement by Meridians by how toincorporate meridian distribution and body’s
mechanism of movement. It also covers andexplains about muscles that are included in theMeridian Test.

In each sections, there are insert called “CoffeeBreak” where interesting stories and cases ofacupuncture treatment including Meridian Test
can be found. If you read them very carefully, youwill find lots of hints and clues on how to apply
this Meridian Test to your practice. It is like atreasure box and very fun to read.
In the Appendix “Points Frequently Used inSports Acupuncture”, 60 most frequently used
points in Meridian Test are given in the chart bysection of body and the picture inserts show locationof points. It also has a Meridian Test testing chart
for you to use for the assessment of your patients.
As a conclusion, this book is one of the mostuseful and easy to understand textbook of
acupuncture treatment theory and protocol andcan be used by newly licensed to the expert with

The third section, “ The Practice of Sports

over 20 years of clinical experience. This book only

Acupuncture” talks about actual assessment andcovers very basic material and its application of

protocol of the Meridian Test where step-by-stepthe Meridian Test but there are more continuous

sequences of testing movements to the patient aretheories and protocols as using “Yin & Yang

explained in detail. Graphic inserts can be copied

Crossover method” and to be waited for the second

and use over again for each assessment of patient.

series of the Meridian Test published soon. I

This section leads you to how to apply set group of

personally appreciate Dr. Mukaino for theacupuncture points for treatment. In the actual

invention of this method and would encouragetreatment, Empi-Shin (Press Tack Needle) is

every acupuncturist to attend his seminars

commonly used. They are very thin and small

whenever and wherever available in your area

needles and patient barely feels. It is also veryand study further more for the benefit of youreffective and safe to use for children.

patients and success of treatment.

The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

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