Dr. Stephen Birch has practiced acupuncture since graduating in 1982. He has studied intensively with senior Japanese acupuncturists including Yoshio Manaka, MD and the leaders of the Toyohari association. He has a Ph.D. from the Center for Complementary Health Studies at Exeter University concentrating on the methods for researching acupuncture efficacy. He is a founding member of the Society for Acupuncture Research. Dr. Birch was a participant in both the landmark U.S. F.D.A. review and approval of acupuncture and the U.S. N.I.H. Consensus Development Conference on acupuncture. He currently practices in Holland and teaches world-wide.

Stephen is the author or co-author of the following books described at this site:

Japanese Acupuncture a Clinical Guide

Chasing the Dragon’s Tail

Five Elements and Ten Stems

Extraordinary Vessels

Hara Diagnosis: Reflections on the Sea

Stephen has contributed the following articles to the references section:

The problems of acupoint contraindications in pregnancy

A Review and Analysis of Placebo Treatments, Placebo Effects, and Placebo Controls in Trials of Medical Procedures When sham Is Not Inert

Reflections on the German Acupuncture Studies