Overview
Dr. Yoshio Manaka was an insightful and masterful 20th century Japanese physician and healer whose clinical system, based in five-phase and meridian therapy constructs, finds its fullest expression in this text. This work introduces Dr. Manaka’s major clinical and theoretical accomplishments by describing how what he terms the “X-signal system” is the foundation of human topology, function, and response. In essence, the X-signal system defines qi, yin-yang, and the five phases as clinical events, just as traditional Oriental thinkers recognized these ideas through right-brain pattern recognition. While Dr. Manaka references some of the most advanced scientific thinking of our era — information theory, holographic models and new paradigms — his explanations are full of practical tests which readers can use to confirm his ideas for themselves.
The core of the text is a complete description of Dr. Manaka’s treatment system. This is of great importance, not only because Dr. Manaka was recognized in both Japan and China as one of the foremost practitioners of his generation,but also because the system has already proven itself adaptable to many others. It is thus a clinical manual of unique value because it describes Dr. Manaka’s most important techniques: ion pumping and other root treatments, as well as his distinctive use of fire needles, channel stimulation techniques, sotai, moxibustion, and other modern Chinese and Japanese clinical developments. Beginning with a step-by-step template for formulating and confirming a diagnosis, Dr. Manaka provides the instructions necessary to apply these techniques quickly and with confidence. The text concludes with case histories and appendices that provide supporting technical details.
This definitive text describes Yoshio Manaka’s treatment approach as well as his research in and understanding of acupuncture. One of the most famous Japanese acupuncturists of this century, his insights and accomplishments clearly define his as an important historical figure in the field. Typical of the Japanese tradition of clinical investigation of historical ideas, the first half of this densely packed book describes a variety of methods that he used to investigate basic theories of acupuncture: channel pathways, directions of flow and yin-yang subsets, basic yin-yang theory and five phase theory, properties of special points such as the five phase points, meeting points, etc. The findings of these clinical investigations provide the basis of Manaka’s rich and diverse clinical practice, and the basic theory he used to guide both diagnosis and treatment. Key among the theories is his use of the octahedral model to understand the extraordinary vessels, channels and yin yang theory. His general model of the x-signal system provides a very useful bridge to a modern understanding of traditional ideas and methods. His overview of the theoretical basis of acupuncture is very rich and insightful.
The clinical diagnosis features palpation, especially of the abdominal region. The treatment methods are described in a systematic four step approach with typical, alternate and a variety of back up treatment methods and strategies for each step. Uses of the ion pumping cords are described in great detail, as are a variety of other methods, such as open points, needling, moxa, intradermal needles, light, sound etc. The methods covered in this book describe an extremely flexible and adaptable treatment approach that extends treatment to a wider variety of patients than are usually helped by standard acupuncture approaches. Manaka had a considerable clinical experience accumulated over 45 years of practice. His methods and cases provide a rare insight into how a senior clinician handles such a busy practice. The detail he provides is rarely matched in other books on acupuncture.
In addition there are a number of fascinating appendices exploring a wide range of research topics and other ideas. This book is a must for anyone wishing to open their perspectives as they attempt to deepen their understanding of acupuncture. It is also packed with very useful clinical and technical details.
Author Information
Yoshio Manaka, MD
Author: Chasing the Dragon’s Tail
Born in 1911 in Odawara Japan, Yoshio Manaka graduated from the Kyoto Imperial University Medical School in 1935. Between 1935 and 1937 when he received his Ph.D. in phisiology he was a surgeon at Tokyo Imperial University. From 1939 to 1945 he was an army surgeon. After the war, while a prisioner in the U.S. camp, he developed the notion of ion-pumping, and the cords for its clinical application in response to the number of burned patients under his care. He since served as the leader of many Japanese medical and acupuncture societies, the author of many important papers and books in several western languages. In Japan, Dr. Manaka earned the title of “Dai Sensei,” or great teacher.
Stephen Birch
Author: Chasing the Dragons’s Tail, Extraordinary Vessels, Five Elements and Ten Stems, Hara Diagnosis, Japanese Acupuncture a Clinical Guide.
Stephen Birch received his BA from the University of Hull and his PhD, Exeter University. Dr. Birch is a graduate of the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA). He undertook private study in Japan with Yoshio Manaka and with Kodo Fukushima. After teaching at NESA for many years, he moved with his family to Amsterdam, where he currently resides and maintains his clinical practice. He lectures and teaches worldwide, and is extensively published in the field of acupuncture.
Contents
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Dr. Manaka’s clinical success was recognized world-wide. His work has the special character of offering objective tests and confirmations for the diagnosis of complex and difficult cases.