JCM Review
For many acupuncture practitioners, bloodletting is one of those lost arts of acupuncture practice - something that was mentioned at college, but little was ever taught about it. Bloodletting promises much in clinical terms, but up until recently has received little attention. There are few texts on the subject and even fewer courses available on how to use bloodletting on patients.
About a year ago I joined Chinese Medicine Bloodletting, a group on Facebook run by Dean Mouscher. From this group I learnt enough that I could start bloodletting my patients and I saw good results. This book is a great example of how new and old technology can be used together, with the book as a clinical guide to have at your desk, and the Facebook group giving access to a community of people who are using bloodletting and who can answer the questions that invariably pop up as you get to grips with something new.
Mouscher's text is a very practical clinical guide, with a minimum of Chinese or Western medical theory (although enough to understand what you are doing and why it works). Henry McCann's book on the subject, Pricking the Vessels provides a more in-depth look at bloodletting according to classical sources but has less practical advice. The goal of this book is to explain how to bloodlet patients safely and effectively, and thereby 'reclaim' bloodletting for modern clinical practice.
It begins by explaining the key concepts, which includes describing the three main areas to bleed, namely the ear apex, the back and the legs. It explains the mechanisms involved, the safety issues, the exact equipment required and step by step instructions on how and when (and when not) to bleed. It also details other issues around bloodletting, such as how to describe it to patients and how to guard against fainting.
The clinical part of the book is broken down into descriptions of the three main areas of the body that can be bled and the conditions that can be treated. Identification of points on the back is based on palpation of specific areas that are considered 'active' when tender, and can then most likely be bled with good results. Bleeding the legs is based on locating and bleeding visible spider veins. There are also plenty of case examples where bloodletting has been used successfully, which reinforces the clinical information in the book.
This book is focused on bloodletting according to the Tung tradition, therefore not all the points are standard primary channel points and the numbering system is different from that familiar to TCM practitioners. However, the book is so practical and clear, with plenty of diagrams indicat-ing the different points and zones to bleed, that even those who are not familiar with this system can apply it to treat their patients with good results. The only downside is the quality of the photographs, although to be fair the author states this was a conscious choice to keep the cost of the book down. Luckily there is an accompanying website which displays all the photos in the book in better resolution. This is important as when bleeding the legs it is one must identify which vessels can and cannot be bled, to which end the book offers plenty of photographs .
Varicose veins, for example, should not be bled. This kind of learning can also be reinforced through accessing the Facebook group. We all know that blood stasis occurs as a result of chronic disease and sometimes needles are just not enough. Bloodletting is a powerful therapy that can shift both acute and chronic prob-lems. I use it every day in clinic and my clinical results have improved a great deal since introduc-ing it. An example of the power of bloodletting is bleeding DT.07, a three-point unit or area lateral to the scapula. If it is tender in patients with knee pain, wet-cupping this area can reduce pain a great deal, often instantly.
This is a simple, practical book, that any practitioner can pick up and begin bloodletting straight away with the right equipment. I highly recommend it.
Jeremy Marshall
