Review: Bringing the body back to health, naturally
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 4, 2013
Michelle O'Shaughnessy brings to our attention - at least to our Western attention - the mysteries and centuries long aspects of Chinese medicine.  She opens her book with a brief but cogent history of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Classical Chinese Medicine, enlightening us that today's TCM is a combination of Western medicine with the treasures of TCM (acupuncture, herbs and dietary recommendations). She then advances to the concept of Qi (a vital energy flow in the universe) that is the foundation of her book about caring for the integument. `If we eat healthy foods that are full of nutrients and drink fluids that are beneficial to our bodies, we are taking in good qi that will keep our bodies functioning at optimal levels. However, if we eat non-nutritious foods and drink a lot of soda or other drinks with empty calories, we are not taking in good qi. In the long run we will feel tired, stressed and worn out. This qi that we acquire throughout our lives that eventually takes over for our heavenly qi is known as acquired qi. This is the qi that is made healthy or unhealthy by the food and drink we take into our bodies.' And she explains how the use of acupuncture and herbs can restore our youthful qi. From there she explains Yin and Yang, the Tongue diagnoses, and the concept of Meridians as a means of diagnosing and approaching the health forms by understanding the flow of the many meridians in the body in one of the most assured and accessible descriptions available to Western readers.She then discusses the significance of the Five Elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) and the knowledge she shares here about the aspects of each as they apply to our body is very easy to understand. A last category to understand is the concepts of the Seasons and this is where she delves into skin conditions in particular. O'Shaughnessy introduces the wide spectrum of Chinese herbs, what they do, how to find them and how to use them. Acupuncture, especially the benefits for healing skin problems (in concert with all of the above mentioned aspects of Chinese medicine) is carefully discussed with ample warnings to search for an acupuncturist who is well trained and qualified.As for the purpose of this book she describes an `acupuncture facelift' in a manner that incorporates all that has come before: `The facial acupuncture treatment is based on principles of traditional Chinese medicine and, as in standard acupuncture, involves the insertion of hair-thin needles into particular areas of the face, ear, neck, hands, trunk and legs. Specific points are chosen to manipulate the movement of energy in the body. Treatment is customized to target the underlying deficiencies of the body that are contributing to aging and acupuncture is used to stimulate blood circulation up to the face. When the needles are inserted into the fine lines of the face, it causes a sort of micro-trauma to the skin causing the skin to produce more protein. This plumps up the skin, reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles.'All of this is but a brief overview of the material in this book (we haven't even discussed the techniques of healing Massage!). Suffice it to say that there is so much information here that applies not only to the skin but also to the general health of the body - a fact that makes Eastern Medicine seem in many ways far superior to basic Western Medicine - that a review cannot do it justice.  There is much to learn here, much to incorporate into your desire for a healthy body and appearance.  And Michelle O'Shaughnessy writes so well that even doubters will find credibility in her thoughts.  Grady Harp, June 13