Self-Healing with Chinese Medicine

Introduction

How to Use This Book

PART 1
WHAT ALLOWS US TO THRIVE?

When the Breath Is Moving

When the Natural Circulation Is Maximized

When the Qualities of Nature Are Balanced

When the Storage Systems Are Balanced
Lung Storage System
Pancreas Storage System
Heart Storage System
Kidney Storage System
Liver Storage System
The Fu Systems

When the River Systems Flow Freely

When the Climates Enhance Your Life

When Emotions Flow Smoothly

When Obstructions Are Minimized

When You Respect Your Digestion

When You Live According to Your Path

PART 2
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF NOT THRIVING?

Physical Characteristics to Look Out For

PART 3
HOW CAN YOU TREAT YOURSELF?

Food Therapy
Foods That Cool Down the Body
Foods That Warm the Body

Manual Therapy
Acupressure
Gua Sha
Use the Microsystems
Exercise Therapy
Lifestyle Therapy

PART 4
HOW DO YOU FIND WHICH AREAS TO TREAT?
Treatment Regions on Your Body
Treat the River System
Treat the Caverns, Roots, Junctions, and
Treat the Areas, Zones, and Regions
Treat the Microsystems

PART 5
WHAT ARE THE MAIN PATTERNS AND HOW DO YOU TREAT THEM?

The Main Pattern Groups
Patterns of Weakness

General Weakness
Yang Weakness
Yin Weakness
Blood Circulation Weakness

Patterns of Overflow
Stagnation
Damp/Phlegm
Heat
Cold

Wind PART 6
HOW DO YOU TREAT COMMON MEDICAL CONDITIONS?

Head, Neck, and Shoulder Area
Headaches
Dizziness
Sleeping Disorders
Anxiety
Depression Facial Pain
Nasal Allergies
Sinus Problems
Eye Disorders
Ear Disorders
Toothache Sore Throat
Neck Pain
Shoulder Pain

Chest Area
Colds and Flu
Cough
Asthma, Breathlessness, and Wheezing
Chest Pain
Palpitations and Irregular Heart Beat

Stomach and Abdominal Area
Nausea
Feeling Bloated
Stomach/Abdominal Pain
Constipation
Diarrhea
Painful Urination

Back Area
Backache
Sciatica/Leg Pain

Upper Limbs
Elbow Pain
Wrist Pain
Pain in Your Hand and Fingers

Lower Limbs
Knee Pain
Ankle Pain
Foot and Toe Pain

Conditions Affecting Men
Prostate Disorders

Conditions Affecting Women
Premenstrual Tension
Menstrual Flow Disorders
Period Pain
Menopausal Disorders

Conditions Affecting the Whole
Blood Pressure Disorders
Painful or Aching Joints
Fatigue
Diabetes
Obesity and Losing Weight

Epilogue

Notes

Index

About the Author

Clive Witham L.Ac., M.Sc., is a licensed acupuncturist and the director of the Komorebi Institute and the Gua sha Center in Spain. For more than a decade, he ran a chronic illness clinic in North Africa. The creator of Ecology in Motion Gua sha, he specializes in Gua sha and promoting the knowledge of ancient Chinese healing as a viable, practical world medicine. The author of several books, including Holographic Gua Sha and Facial Gua Sha, Clive lives in Barcelona, Spain.

“Enlisting nature for a better understanding of our body systems, Clive Witham encourages us to take charge of our body and our health. Self-healing with Chinese Medicine provides us with a host of practical tools, techniques, and suggestions to promote strength and vitality as much as lead us on the path of healing and wholeness.” Philip Carrgomm, psychotherapist, founder of the Institute of Sophrology and Sleep Clinic, and author of Empower Your Life with Sophrology

“Jam-packed with practical insights, Self-Healing with Chinese Medicine provides a clear road map to restoring and maintaining your health and balance. This gem of a book distills beautifully and clearly the fundamentals of Chinese medicine and the world of nature and how we can apply them in our everyday life on our path to self-healing. Full of dietary recommendations, lifestyle advice, and detailed exercises and manual therapy that you can do at home, this will be one of those comprehensive and practical books that you will always refer back to.” Rebecca Bond, L.Ac., MBAcC, classical acupuncturist and member of the British Acupuncture Council

“In this extensive and practical book, Clive Witham shares with us a deep perspective of health and self-healing with the natural world at its core. I recommend it to everyone who wants to live according to nature’s patterns.” Pere Garcia, L.Ac., N.P., naturopath and licensed acupuncturist

“Why do I have this health problem? What can I do myself to contribute to a solution? And what are the things I can do to prevent more problems? If you ask yourself these questions, then Self-Healing with Chinese Medicine is a must-read. It shows how our body and mind are interwoven with the nature that surrounds us and how you can empower yourself by following the eternal and fundamental principles of nature to lead a healthy and balanced life.” Elmar Pestel, M.D., licensed internist and doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, manual therapy, and hypnosystemic therapy

“Clive Witham brings a profound knowledge of Chinese medicine to treating yourself for some of the most common conditions we see in modern-day society. This book contains a good amount of theory followed by lots of practical tips and is the perfect guide to self-help for all those who do not wish to consult the doctor with every minor ailment.” Xavier Fricker, L.Ac., licensed acupuncturist and practitioner of Chinese medicine

“In-depth knowledge beautifully balanced with an engaging writing style, Self-Healing with Chinese Medicine is different from other books about traditional Chinese medicine. Complex ideas are explained in a way that’s easy to grasp, and I feel like reading it from cover to cover and then going back into the chapters to dig in more. Ultimately, this is a book that you’ll return to time and again, rereading and checking things, as you maintain your health.” Anette Selberg, certified phytotherapist and herbal and massage therapist

"A complete manual of instruction that will prove indispensable for professional and aspiring practitioners of Chinese medicine seeking to address common illnesses and self-care treatments ranging from simply colds, to high blood pressure, to menstrual pain, to depression, and so much more. Impressively informative, exceptionally well organized, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in presentation, Self-Healing with Chinese Medicine: A Home Guide to Treating Common Ailments is unreservedly recommended as a core addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library Alternative Medicine and Chinese Medicine collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, professional practitioners, and non-specialist general readers that Self-Healing with Chinese Medicine is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $23.99)." Midwest Book Review

HOLISTIC HEALTH

“Enlisting nature for a better understanding of our body systems, Clive Witham encourages us to take charge of our body and our health. Self-healing with Chinese Medicine provides us with a host of practical tools, techniques, and suggestions to promote strength and vitality as much as lead us on the path of healing and wholeness.”
—PHILIP CARRGOMM, psychotherapist, founder of the Institute of Sophrology and Sleep Clinic, and author of Empower Your Life with Sophrology

THE HUMAN BODY IS A PART OF NATURE and as such is governed by the universal principles of the natural world. When we turn to ancient Chinese medicine, we find a unique ecological approach to understanding how our body functions. Basic concepts like yin and yang, the balance of the elements, flow and blockage, dampness and dryness explain the effects of change on our body systems, thus providing tools for how to keep our body healthy and flourishing.

In this detailed and easy-to-follow guide, licensed acupuncturist and health promoter Clive Witham addresses how and why illness in the body occurs and what we can do to nurse ourselves back to health. With clear illustrations and step-by-step instructions, he shares effective and proven self-care treatments for a number of common health disorders, from colds and high blood pressure to backache, nausea, menstrual pain, and depression.

The simple application of the core principles of Chinese medicine give the backdrop of how you can use food therapy, manual techniques of acupressure and Gua sha, exercise, and lifestyle advice to make the changes you need from within. You can learn to assess your own ailments, understand the main syndromes and illness patterns, and become proactive in lifestyle changes that can alleviate symptoms and support recovery.

Self-Healing with Chinese Medicine allows you to manage your own healing process, delve into a fresh perspective of the natural world to maintain balance and flow in your body system, and build up resilience with simple self-care.

CLIVE WITHAM, L.Ac., M.Sc., is a licensed acupuncturist and the director of the Komorebi Institute and the Gua sha Center in Spain. For more than a decade, he ran a chronic illness clinic in North Africa. The creator of Ecology in Motion Gua sha, he specializes in Gua sha and promoting the knowledge of ancient Chinese healing as a viable, practical world medicine. The author of several books, including Holographic Gua Sha and Facial Gua Sha, Clive lives in Barcelona, Spain.