Reddit mentions: The best acupuncture & acupressure books

I'm gonna sound like a broken record here, but a lot of these problems can be fixed by taking much longer with the preliminaries. You sound like you're like me and a lot of women. You take a while to get warmed up. And he wants to jump in with oral or PIV before you're even halfway warmed up and ready for it. And then PIV is an express train and once it starts it feels like it's out of your control.

[Note: being wet doesn't necessarily mean you're ready! See: The Mystery of Arousal and Vaginal Wetness.)

This doesn't work for everyone, but it really helps a lot of couples in similar situations:

Get a good folding massage table, some coconut oil, and some nice big soft towels.

Get a good book on sensual or erotic massage.

Start learning and practicing on each other. It feels wonderful and it's a huge education for both of you about your partner's body and how to give them maximum pleasure and how to guide them on giving you what you need.

In particular, it will take the pressure off of him and let him learn how to understand your timing and needs and how to satisfy your body without the distraction of dealing with his own arousal and orgasm. It will give you both the intimacy and the feeling of loving and being loved that you need, without getting frustrated or impatient because the other person's needs don't synchronize with your own.

Plus, the orgasms are amazing and you can have as many as you want! And regular sex gets better as a result, because you're more relaxed and you both understand each other's bodies so much better.

For example, he will discover how long it takes before you're ready for oral, and several good ways to get you there, and because he discovered it for himself, while he was in control and focused entirely on you, it will really stick this time. Once it's a habit, and he's learned your "tells," he can use that during regular sex without even having to think about it.

One final link, a plug for Shakti's tantra website: Extraordinary Passion -- The Art and Science of Modern Tantric Sex. Once you get everything back on track, you're going to be halfway to doing tantric sex anyway, and you're probably going to want to see how much more there is to do. That's the place to go when you're ready.

Good luck! I hope you guys get everything sorted out!

I have a Bachelors in Chinese Medicine (mostly acupuncture), and a degree in Arts (Chinese Language and Religion), but looking at doing a PhD in the future in Chinese Philosophy and Medicine.

I'm not big on Wu Xing theory, and I'm not sure how much of it is classically derived, if that matters to you. For me, I treat what I see and feel. I try and palpate the patient a lot, particularly acupuncture channels. I really suggest this book http://www.amazon.com/Applied-Channel-Medicine-Lectures-Therapeutics/dp/0939616629 It's an amazing read, and I hope it will reinvigorate your passion for Chinese Medicine.

I work with another acupuncturist who has a masters in herbs and was in Western Medicine for 21 years, she has an insane amount of knowledge both in Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, and I feel like a first year student in comparison to her. She really is amazing and seems to just know how to help patients, she has an amazingly high success rate, and is a source of constant inspiration - she does both acupuncture and herbs. Perhaps finding a mentor to work with who has practiced for a long period of time would help.

I do feel there are a lack of good teachers, and I keep trying to read books to improve my learning. The classics can be very boring too depending on the teachers, I had a teacher with a wealth of knowledge, but I kept falling asleep in his classes because he taught them so boringly.

Where did you study, America? I am from Australia and perhaps it is different, but we have quite a big emphasis on the 8 Diagnostics and Organ pathology, though when I treat I tend to feel for tender acu-points after I have a decent idea of the channels involved after interviewing and needle those. These ideas came from the above mentioned book.

Would be happy chat about anything Chinese Medicine or Daoism related anytime. You obviously have a good scientific mind, maybe you should try to find a way to integrate that into Chinese Medicine more whether doing research or clinical trials.

Based on this and the things you've said in response to other comments, I'm getting a better feel for your wife's situation, and I don't think this is necessarily a true loss of libido situation.

FWIW, my own hunch is that most true cases of libido loss that don't have other medical causes are really cases of low-level chronic depression, or what the shrinks call "dysthemia," which comes with a general loss of the ability to feel pleasure from much of anything.

I went through this and I felt dead, no pleasure at all from things that normally felt good. When someone is in that kind of trap, the dysthemia needs to be treated before there's any hope of getting back to the point where sex is enjoyable. In fact, I think that's why CBT works so well as a treatment for low libido – it's very effective at treating mild depression without hitting people with meds that further reduce libido.

But the picture you have drawn is very different. Your wife is high cuddle, she's orgasmic, and after a good session in bed she's surprising herself by how much she has enjoyed it. She's not numb at all, she just has the brakes on almost all of the time and has a hard time shutting them off.

My read from this is that your wife's libido issue is mainly "just" baby stress and lack of time. It hits women with responsive desire especially hard because they have to shift gears and get aroused from a cold start, and there's usually not enough time without distractions.

If I'm right, then you mainly need to fix your circumstances. And that starts with coping with stress. One of the best ways is to learn to meditate and actually DO it for at least 10 minutes every day. Also do whatever you have to do so both of you get more sleep, more exercise, and more time in green spaces.

But the other essential piece of the puzzle is making time for yourselves without the kids in the house, preferably at least once a week. Sign up for a "Parents Night Out" evening daycare program, or the Saturday morning or afternoon version of the same thing. Google it. Many YMCAs, churches, temples, and synagogues do this one night or day a week, and it can cost as little as $20-30 in some areas. Or find a single mom or another couple with kids the same ages as yours and propose a swap: maybe they take your kids one evening or you take theirs the next morning, or vice versa.

Then when you do get the kids out of the house, pamper her or get her to pamper herself. Make it a mini-spa at the start, with a glass of wine and a long bubble bath, or whatever helps her relax and forget about the stress she's carrying. (Maybe she can get a head start on this while you drop off the kids.) But take it from another LL/RD: it's a LOT easier to get in the mood for sex if you've had an interval to relax first and you're already mellowed out!

> just having these conversations, particularly if they're framed as "why don't you want sex anymore?" is a form of pressuring her to have sex

Yup. It's so easy for it to come across as "You're broken and I'm trying to fix you so I'll get better sex." And I don't think more talk is what you need. I think instead of discussions you need to focus on actions that will actually change your circumstances.

Here's one simple option to think about in addition to the things I already mentioned (paraphrasing something a friend wrote yesterday):

• Get a good, inexpensive folding massage table, some coconut oil, and at least two nice big soft towels (if you don't already have some).
  
  
• Get a good book on sensual or erotic massage.
  
  
• Start practicing on each other. It feels wonderful and it can be a huge education about your partner's body and how to give her maximum pleasure.
  
  If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't discuss any of this with her until the table arrives. Make it something you did on impulse because you wanted to give her a treat, and then offer to give her a massage. Do NOT tie it to any kind of sex afterward! That will come eventually if you get her feeling more relaxed and open to sensual pleasure. Just make it a standing offer of free massages with no strings attached whenever she wants one.
  
  Have fun!
  
  
  
  
  

I am a beginner as well, but I will share the books I'm working my way through. They are not necessarily all beginner books as they range from general overviews to very thorough reference manuals. I hope you find something on the list that helps.

Most have Kindle samples you can download if you use Amazon.



Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F8FA6ZG/


The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XAZ625E/


The New Chinese Medicine Handbook https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0179ZS8R0/


The Spark in the Machine: How the Science of Acupuncture Explains the Mysteries of Western Medicine
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ICS8MIE/


The Healer Within: Using Traditional Chinese Techniques To Release Your Body's Own Medicine Movement Massage Meditation Breathing https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D184QVW/


Optimal Healing: A Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine https://www.amazon.com/dp/0979948495/





Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition (3rd Edition) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1556434308/


Recipes for Self Healing https://www.amazon.com/dp/0952464020/


The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs https://www.amazon.com/dp/0446675067/


The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing https://www.amazon.com/dp/0345421094/


Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine: Zhong Yi Xue Ji Chu (Paradigm title) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0912111445/


Secrets of Self-Healing: Harness Nature's Power to Heal Common Ailments, Boost Your Vitality,and Achieve Optimum Wellness https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ZJY5X4/


The Acupuncture Handbook: How Acupuncture Works and How it Can Help You https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GW4MG3W/


The Chinese Way to Healing: Many Paths to Wholeness https://www.amazon.com/dp/0595399509/


Acupuncture Points Handbook: A Patient's Guide to the Locations and Functions of over 400 Acupuncture Points https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D35N6SJ/


The Root of Chinese Qigong: Secrets of Health, Longevity, & Enlightenment https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FIICLXC/


Chinese Medical Herbology & Pharmacology https://www.amazon.com/dp/0974063509/


Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/0939616424/





Finally, here's a few books by Mantak Chia that are profound, enlightening, vulgar, dangerous, or just aweful, depending on who you ask. I haven't read any of them but they made my list for some reason just to check out. I have a feeling he's an author people very much either like or dislike:

Chi Self-Massage: The Taoist Way of Rejuvenation https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594771103/


Awaken Healing Through the Tao: The Taoist Secret of Circulating Internal Power https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NGTUSV4/


Awaken Healing Light of the Tao https://www.amazon.com/dp/0935621466/


Healing Light of the Tao: Foundational Practices to Awaken Chi Energy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004J4WM6S/

I don't have a particularly detailed answer to your question except from some of my inferences reading about Tibetan knowledge - especially the 17th Century which is my primary interest.

(1) The concept of a "paramedic" is probably incredibly foreign in the Himalayas or on the Plateau. Consider that there was no such thing as a standing army (maybe in Songtsen Gampo's time, but certainly no such thing by the time of the Dalai Lamas and the formation of Bhutan) and no sort of specialization of warriors (ex. light cavalry, heavy infantry, etc.) so there would be no "paramedics" either. What medicinal knowledge is on the battlefield is probably homegrown recipes that the men carried from their villages or nomadic routes where it would be transplanted to a battlefield situation. We're talking mostly herbal medicines and it's probably reasonable to consider that more than a few would leave home with some medicines (some effective, and some not) that were reported to heal or make them stronger.

(2) Any more advanced medical knowledge - any advanced knowledge in general - was held by the literate monastic class. Monks (and occasionally nuns) held all of the knowledge in the Himalayas primarily because it was monks who knew how to read. Until the 20th Century, literacy wasn't really thought of as an endeavor that went beyond religion. The word for Tibetan script even means "Dharma sign" (chökey). A quick Amazon search of "Tibetan medicine" reveals a lot of hits, though I can't verify their authenticity since I know very little about medicine, Tibetan or otherwise.

It's reasonable to consider the presence of monks on a battlefield both before (giving blessings of protection) and after (giving both religious blessings and practical skills to help battlefield injuries).

This doesn't fully answer your question, of course, but you might want to start your search with Soundings in Tibetan Medicine. It's apparently more anthropological than historical, but my ex-gf was pretty high on its wealth of information. I regret not looking more into it, though admittedly Tibetan medicine is a bit outside my general line of work, in retrospect it probably could have helped me in the long run. I'll have to take a look at it when I'm at an English library.

Anyway, just looking at the list of "Tibetan medicine" books on Amazon, the rest of the list doesn't look quite as academic, but I'm drawn to this in particular because it seems to have a lot of original documents. The rest of the search page is interesting (many of the books have Tibetan teachers with Westerners to interpret their "technical" training into English prose) but of course it would be hard to verify much of their information. Perhaps cross pollinating might give you a good idea of what was going on. It's reasonable to assume (as it's often claimed) that Tibetan medicine is a fusion of Indian Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It's reasonable because Tibetan Buddhism is mostly derived from late Indian Vajrayana teachings, but there is significant Chinese influence in Tibet, beginning with Songtsen Gampo's marriage with Princess Wencheng and up to the Present Day (see the 1950 invasion).

(3) Ladakhi Medicine is (AFAIK) different from Tibetan, but related. It may be worth inspecting if you're interested, especially in this time period. From what I remember from Helena Norberg-Hodge's experience in her admittedly not-quite-academic book Ancient Futures Ladakhi doctors are referred to as "amchis" and have developed a special type of medicine all based around the concept of avoiding surgery. Apparently a Ladakhi king lost a wife under the knife and forbid surgery in his grief. Since Ladakhi doctors are forbidden from cutting open the body, they assess a patient's health by taking a series of pulses around the body. I don't know how extensive this practice is across the Himalayas, but it's worth a peek, especially since Ladakh developed interestingly in the 17th Century (along with Bhutan).

(4) There was a significant Mongol presence on the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas in the 17th Century. The complex politics of Tibetan power dynamics was largely based around a series of Mongol tribes - the Oirat, the Qoshot, and the Dzungar to name the most prominent - and their various patronizations of this Lama and that King led to their employment as forces to destroy Bhutan (and I'm guessing Ladakh also). So while Tibetans were certainly on the battlefield, it's probably worth considering what the Mongols knew medicinally (since the concept of a "paramedic" was probably also foreign to the Mongols) since there would be a lot of cross-over when fighting with, against, and intermarrying with Tibetans. My preliminary Amazon search for "Mongol medicine" reveals a lot of stuff focused on Chinese medicine: Medieval Chinese Medicine, and A Soup for the Qan seem promising in this respect.

Hope that helps!

I would recommend against getting a "sexy massage" book if you're not having sex. I find it more fun to just learn what works and why, and add the sexy myself.

I also recommend against exoticizing books just about eastern massage unless they're for people who actually want to practice it (As opposed to people who just like Asia. You're not doing this just because you like Asian things). There really is no secret - all the schools have something to contribute.

Swedish massage is the style I prefer - it's closest of the schools I've encountered to what people in the States expect from a massage (i.e. starting from the classic back and shoulder rub), and there are techniques for people who like it harder or softer, for all over the body, etc. Best of all, it's systematic, so you can learn principles and then experiment with them - and even if you do it poorly, it's still good. Whereas if you do Shiatzu poorly, it's ridiculous.

But books that teach you those basics and systematic ways of approaching it, but also include Eastern techniques, are especially awesome.

There's a book I really like called The Healing Art of Massage that I can't find on Amazon (which I got when I was in high school for a very similar purpose; I'd find the author, but I'm not by my bookshelf), but in its absense, I'd recommend, just from looking at the listings, The World's Best Massage Techniques by Victoria Stone, or The Book Of Massage: The Complete Step-by-step Guide To Eastern And Western Technique, which has a bunch of authors, including Lucinda Lidell.

It seems like you really need to focus in on the details of what, exactly, is triggering you when leading up to and engaging in sex.

Now, with full fledged sexual abuse along with the other unwanted behavior you describe, this might be best done with a professional, but in any case you sound like you at least have a bead on a couple of things that could be the cause.

> he doesn't really have sensuality down

> I finally have enough self esteem to think I deserve some other kind of sexuality

I think those are excellent starting points. Your BF's approach has probably evolved to a degree around what you are starting to find less desirable...rough stuff. If he wasn't adept at sensuality in the first place, that combination might have hemmed him in to some degree, in what he's come to know generally works well. That is now changing for you and either he hasn't kept up/paid attention, or you're keeping it and your reactions close to the vest. Either way, it seems like this is a communication thing, and as long as he's sensitive and willing to learn and adjust to your changing needs, this has the potential to be a whole new life for you both in terms of sexuality.


Whatever you do, keep him in the loop. I say this all the time to LLs of both genders posting in here. You care. That's a lot more than can be said for most of the LLs described in here. Make sure he knows that you know there is a problem, know it's important, and are taking tangible steps to make it better.

"And in honor of that and the new direction you need the sexual intimacy to take....here's a copy of The Art of Sensual Massage.

You want to become good at giving massages? Give many and ask feedback every time, and not just at the end, every few moves: pressure, general feeling, are you cold, is it too rough(more oil!)... without being too annoying of course. The amount of pressure depend on the goal of the massage: light strokes for general relaxation, deep strokes to relax tight and stressed muscles. It's generally advised to start with light pressure before going deep.


You want to be GREAT at massages? Learn your musculoskeletal anatomy, and learn it well! If you know which muscles are where, and what they're used for, learning how to fix them is easy. And then learn about trigger points. This book is where I started and it's a very good introduction to both subject. This one is a more advanced version for Swedish massage. And finally, take a class: Swedish massage is you "generic" table massage, and Shiatsu is a Japanese version practiced on a floor mat. It will give you some first hand experience(pun intended) and massage is the type of thing that is often best taught by a teacher.

Stretching isn't actually quite the right thing to deal with a muscle already knotted up to the point it's causing a headache. Those are caused by trigger points, or "knots", and stretching doesn't get rid of them, but intense, focused massage does. Check this out - The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook - the book is based on a brilliant medical tome written by the doctors who discovered trigger points (one of whom was JFK's personal physician) interpreted for laymen and written from the perspective of how to do the trigger point therapy on yourself and it's absolutely fantastic. I can completely fix (actually fix, not mask) most of my friends' tension headaches in under two minutes now, and I literally buy cases of the above book to give away to people. Read the Amazon reviews and give it a shot; you'll thank yourself almost immediately.

I-ching is only like the classical physics. While my Chinese colleague told me that there's another theory called "heavenly stems and earthly branches".

"heavenly stems and earthly branches" is usually used together with I-ching. And "heavenly stems and earthly branches" can be even more complicated and more powerful than I-ching. If I-ching can be compared to classical physics then "heavenly stems and earthly branches" can be compared to quantum physics.

There're some books about it.
https://www.amazon.com/Heavenly-Stems-Earthly-Branches-TianGan/dp/1848191502

GSE can condense several skills into one button, but you're still going to be mashing that one button to do anything, and it's a dumb macro - you can only tell it to randomly cast things, cast things in a certain order, or cast certain skills more in a random order (as far as I can recall, I haven't used it in a while). It won't be as good as having everything keybinded and properly doing your rotation, but it can do the job for easier content.

If your fingers are hurting after a keyboard smashing session, then chances are it's not your fingers, but the forearm muscles on the other end that control the tendons that control your fingers. I think you'll find that your forearm extensor (pull fingers up) and flexor (pull fingers down) muscles (typically the "digitorum" muscles) are quite overworked and need some therapy to keep them happy. The cheapest therapy is a ball against a wall, along with some stretching and ideally strengthening exercises. I found the Trigger Point Therapy Workbook to be an excellent guide on how to eliminate this discomfort, but it can also be a good idea to get a medical opinion before going it alone to rule out anything more serious.

Hi!

I used to get massages by a PT as well, and the type of massage that worked best for my pain was a deep tissue trigger point massage, which I believe is similar to the massage you've said is effective for you. As you mentioned, that easily becomes expensive, but my neurologist turned me on to a much cheaper solution. I do home massage therapy on myself using a Theracane and workbook and get the same benefits I was getting from having the massage done to me by a PT. I'm posting this from mobile so pls message me if links don't work. This way I can also get exactly the relief I want where I want it and most importantly when I want it.

That's a really good point! I have both, but I'm not 100% clear on the difference either, to be honest (I should probably ask for clarification next time...). However, OP, you should definitely ask the doctor you like about myofascial pain syndrome. Also, take a look at the Trigger Point Workbook (Davies and Davies). It's totally harmless and may provide you with a lot of relief. It's been great for my enormous, rock-hard knots, and I was even able to help my husband with his neck pain.

http://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment/dp/1608824942

That really sucks man. It's so easy to overdo some things so easily. Currently I'm battling my own shoulder tendonosis, fairly effectively.. lately I've gone the shotgun approach of throwing a bunch of treatments at it and whichever one works, great. The current regimen is...


-Adding Glucosamine/Chrondroitin/MSM (1500mg of GlucChron, 1500mg MSM....) to my daily men's vitamin

-Doubling up my fishoil intake

-Prescribed Prednisolone ( 84mg for the total "pack".. started out at 24mg/day, 20mg, 16mg, 12mg, 8mg, 4mg... currently on the second to last day)

-Previously prescribed meloxicam 15mg daily (arthritis antiinflammatory... wasn't prescribed with my prednisolone though, shoulda asked the doc about this. I take it before workouts. I'll text my dr. friend and ask her later about doubling up on this and prednisolone)

-penetrex - an anti inflammatory cream... i hadn't heard about traumeel, and though i steer clear of homeopathic medicines... the reviews on amazon are pretty outstanding... i'll look into that

-trigger point therapy... while i've concentrated a lot on the shoulder complex, yours is a little different. my bible is the Trigger Point Therapy Workbook.... it's awesome and I'd suggest everyone buy a copy. I went and copied (likely) the relevant pages for you.. Starting with the tricep section, which also referenced other muscles to check for trigger points, and branching out from there. It's a bit more targeted of an approach than plain SMR and may zero you in on some problem areas.


Tricep page 1
http://i.imgur.com/efZViA1.jpg

Tricep page 2
http://i.imgur.com/dHXwHzD.jpg

Teres Major / Latissimus Dorsi
http://i.imgur.com/de93PsR.jpg

Serratus Anterior page 1
http://i.imgur.com/XB6BBLD.jpg

Serratus Anterior page 2
http://i.imgur.com/NHFgJo0.jpg


If it helps you, strongly consider buying it. It's a fantastic resource. And it's like $14 with Prime shipping. http://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment/dp/1608824942/


-Lastly... and most importantly, rest. I've pulled back on a ton of shoulder training and stress to give myself some time to heal. It's been hard, but my shoulder last night has felt stronger than it has in over a month. Hopefully I don't get overly eager and get it aggravated before it's ready for a full workload.

Good luck man, injuries suck.

edit : sorry for the formatting guys.

Yeah, that fits.

From reading and personal experience, I think a lot of people who are in 'mild panic mode' a lot of the time and can't concentrate find they have high breathing, are stuck in their heads, have tense necks - - - but don't notice it, because you only realise after you've 'opened out' that you were narrowly focused. They are "ungrounded".

Probably any exercise can help with that a bit. But something where you are consciously directed to shift your attention - like Qi Gong - can really expand your little world and loosen you off?

There's a great book called The Psychology of the Body, which is for massage therapists, but it went through different body tension patterns and their attentional focus, and it was very interesting how postural habits and character traits coincided. The massage therapy was therefore about leading the client's attention into their full body, more than just 'releasing muscle tension'. (I've never actually had the experience of that, but it sounded interesting.)

Thanks for taking the time for a detailed reply!!!

My concern with the Kinesis also lies in that I'd need one of the office, one for home, etc.

One is already plenty expensive, but I might have to at least try, if nothing else is working.

I appreciate the OSHA suggestion. I've tried to follow their guidelines, but the ones for monitor positioning, idk...

Like they almost seem like they were written for guidelines for using a 15" CRT, rather than a wide 22" LCD. I can never get comfortable for long following those guidelines.

They say Comfortable viewing angle is 15 to 20 degrees which ends at about the center of the screen, so, what about the rest of the screen if I'm processing a report or coding? Should I always be centering my work on the monitor? /rant

I've been working for Orthopedists for years. It's usually posture, PT, etc. It never is a long term solution, that works for very long.

I figured, I might as well try to get the keyboard situation sorted...

Anyway, so sorry for your difficulties!!!

You might want to check out this book, I've found it useful for understanding some of the persistent muscle pain, I've had for years.

Problem is, work is constantly keeping me in a cycle of re-injury, until I can get this sorted out.

Thanks again :)

I understand constant headache and migraines for weeks. When you say nothing else works do you mean concerning medicine only? You said they are tension related and trust me, yoga is amazing for reducing pain. There are so many great yoga teachers on youtube just waiting to teach you how to reduce stress and pain. Yoga with Adriene is a great place to start if you don't have experience or need a bit of a refresher.

Obviously as many massages as possible will help and here's a little something that has changed my life: neck block
This can be used in myriad ways to reduce stress in neck, upper back and face. It's tempting to go cheap and just get the small part that sits atop the black stand but you will not gain the relief you need that way. It's worth the investment if you invest your time. Another miracle tool is the Body back Buddy find the right size for you and I promise you will never want to put the thing down. You can work on knots anywhere in your body that cause tension without a massage therapist's limited time.
Learn about Myofascial massage techniques, The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook is a God send. It even says right on the cover, the first type of main you can helps reduce yourself by learning these techniques is fibromyalgia. Chronic Myofascial Pain causes great pain in the face and head and this book teaches you how to fix this yourself. Help yourself and get these things if you can.
Another thing, when was your last eye exam? When I finally got glasses my migraines went from 5-8 times a month to 1-2 every couple of months. Didn't even realize I actually needed glasses.

Hopefully these things help! Having dealt with regular headaches and migraines since the age of six, these are really the only things that have changed me.

Yes. Watch from 1 hour and 17 min in:

r/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhtU5ei6YaM&t=247s

In terms of learning to work with energy the number one most important thing IMO is to learn to really ground/root your energy. That can be done very deeply through standing meditation postures from qigong (called Zhan Zhuang). You can also directly learn to sink your energy.

A few good books for learning to do standing meditation and to ground

https://www.amazon.com/Way-Energy-Mastering-Internal-Strength/dp/0671736450/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536310978&sr=8-1&keywords=way+of+energy

https://www.amazon.com/Opening-Energy-Gates-Your-Body/dp/1583941460/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536311094&sr=1-1&keywords=opening+the+energy+gates+of+your+body

And for working with energy in general:

https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Promise-Qi-Creating-Extraordinary/dp/0809295288/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0809295288&pd_rd_r=f2a13599-b27c-11e8-ad5d-f9d1f1abea37&pd_rd_w=jSsme&pd_rd_wg=PHn62&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=6725dbd6-9917-451d-beba-16af7874e407&pf_rd_r=4E6D4PWEM54GBZ9TJKQP&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=4E6D4PWEM54GBZ9TJKQP&dpID=51wRmSyNaFL&preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=detail

https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Light-Tao-Foundational-Practices-ebook/dp/B004J4WM6S/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536311129&sr=1-1&keywords=healing+light+of+the+tao

https://www.amazon.com/Way-Qigong-Science-Chinese-Healing/dp/0345421094/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536311155&sr=1-1&keywords=way+of+qigong

> I've been told by EVERYONE that building a strong back helps but have found that to not be true.

I would concur. IMHO, people who don't suffer from scoliosis just repeat what is in the literature. Obviously, there is a back imbalance, but what kind? I've been told by a medical doctor that swimming would help, but why? 'Because it is "good" for the back.'

In terms of exercises, I've found !transverse rotation! to be the key, and unfortunately, it's hard to replicate that movement with bodyweight training. It's probably the biggest gap in bodyweight after lack of leg development.

No comment about 'wall angels,' I never did them.

Foam rolling & triggerpoint release - it might be that your foam roller is too soft, or you don't know where the hot spots are (I'm hazarding a guess). Now, I'm not a medical doctor, but you'd do yourself a favour by getting [Clair Davies' book] (https://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment-ebook/dp/B00ECLGALG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494967995&sr=8-1&keywords=clair+davies+trigger+point+therapy+workbook) and getting suitable tools. I have several, but I've found the jackknobber and the [Massage Block Twinblock Pro] (https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Headache-Performance-Myofascial-Recovery/dp/B00W4LZZK8/ref=sr_1_cc_1_a_it?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1494968059&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=massage%2Bblock&th=1) to be my go-to tools. [This chart] (http://www.proudback.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/trigger-points.jpg) might also help.

S-curve - So I've seen your vid 3 times, and I can't see your S-curve, especially because you don't face your back directly to the camera. It is likely not as pronounced as you think (if image was an issue).

What strikes me though is how stiff your thoracic spine is. It is kyphotic even when you are hanging from the bar (I had a 'permanently' kyphotic T-spine too). I'd do research on how to mobilise it, because it is evolved to be mobile, whereas yours seems to be a solid block.

> how my spine effects my ability to progress

I've not found my scoliosis to hinder my calisthenics training. The major concern is can you make it worse by training? And I believe you can. That's why I use foam rolling / triggerpoint release to keep it at bay, though /u/xBrodysseus has experienced improvement because of training.

>I don't understand the mechanics at work.

The mechanics of the front lever are the same whether you have scoliosis or not. Maximum effort retraction and maximum RoM depression of the scapulae, and then pushing the handle down to your hips.

>Making it impossible to get my back truly straight (It also makes form checks pretty frustrating)

As far as I can tell, your T-spine is not mobile in the sagittal plane. This is a kyphosis issue, not a scoliosis one.

Front Lever - Regarding form-checks, was this your last set? If I may be frank, the L-sit pullups were not clean, you were struggling with the front pull to tucked front lever, and your jack-knife front lever did not have any scapular retraction.

If this is your regular strength level, you need to regress to horizontal rows and work those moves with maximum scapular retraction. This would be my advice to you whether or not you have scoliosis.

Front lever is certainly (easily) within your build, but you are likely not strong enough to be practicing front lever holds (insufficient scapular retraction).

https://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Acupuncture-Paradigm-George-Soulie/dp/0912111313

The second book on your list was a great read.

I'd also recommend the the book 'the spark in the machine'

As for nei jing translations, unschuld has the best one. It's expensive though. But no worries, a quick google search just showed me you can download an entire PDF of the 1500+ pg book for free here. Enjoy.

http://www.biblio.nhat-nam.ru/Huang_Di_Nei_Jing_Su_Wen-Unschuld-Tessenow-1-2.pdf

So it is possible that carpal tunnel isn't really what you have. Doctors are notoriously bad at differentiating between true Carpal Tunnel syndrome and trigger points that create the same pain patterns. If stretching actually helps, then it is probably trigger points, as there's not really any way for stretching to reduce the amount of pressure on the tendons that go through the actual carpal tunnel (which is the claimed source of the problem with normally diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome).


The difference, is you can treat the trigger points yourself.

It is the best $15 I've ever spent in my life. https://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment/dp/1608824942

It covers the entire body from head to toe, jaw to anus. And it has a special section on CTS. I've bought a few of them for friends and family. I was an (undersized) NCAA Division 1 athlete, and I lifted 9 times a week to try to get up to where I could be competitive. After I quit, It took my body 5 years to forgive me. This book was a big part of why I finally got better.

This may sound crazy, but a small orbital buffer like this one works great: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O9G4FZC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here's an article to prove I'm not alone in my crazy love for these things for massage and recovery:http://www.allthingsgym.com/car-polisher-next-level-self-myofascial-release/

EDIT: On rereading I see you're asking about actual techniques for self-massage. For that, I don't know of a better book than The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook

I was fortunate, while in school, to come across this text (https://www.amazon.com/Tongue-Lingual-Coatings-Chinese-Medicine/dp/B0000EH2KR/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1541863665&sr=8-15&keywords=tongue+diagnosis+in+chinese+medicine) with about 275 tongue images.

​

And really as far as 'in practice' is concerned you need to look at a lot of tongues. When I was first learning, with everyone I met, it was, "Hi, how are you, may I see your tongue and feel your pulse?" I mean for years. Not just healthy people, see if you can go to retirement homes, homeless shelters, other places where people, alas, won't be in the best health. Talk to your teachers/ mentors, etc. If you are on this path, you will need the help of others to learn how to help others. A quick google search found several good articles:

https://www.sacredlotus.com/go/diagnosis-chinese-medicine/get/tongue-diagnosis-chinese-medicine

​

http://www.giovanni-maciocia.com/tonguegallery/ - Maciocia's book is considered good, but has few pictures

​

This one (https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Tongue-Diagnostics-Chinese-Medicine/dp/1717777058/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1541863665&sr=8-13&keywords=tongue+diagnosis+in+chinese+medicine) looks interesting, but it's only 121 pages at $124. Which doesn't seem right.

​

http://www.acupunctureandherbalmedicine.com/the-four-examinations-part-2-tongue-diagnosis-in-chinese-medicine/

​

http://www.acupunctureandherbalmedicine.com/the-four-examinations-part-2-tongue-diagnosis-in-chinese-medicine/

Thanks for the fascia tip. It's a new territory for me.

I wanted to leave these suggestions from my read list. Can't say much, haven't read them yet. But they might be of interest to you.

Good luck on your goal !

https://www.amazon.com/Attachment-Based-Yoga-Meditation-Trauma-Recovery/dp/0393709906


https://www.amazon.com/EMDR-Universal-Healing-Tao-Psychology/dp/1620555514

https://www.amazon.com/Tao-Trauma-Practitioners-Integrating-Treatment/dp/1623172225

I totally agree on the Theracane. The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook along with the theracane can save a lot of money and reduce recovery time.

I used it along with corrective exercises to fix my rotator cuff. Every athlete should have both especially if they're just starting a strength training program. Even if you've read Starting Strength and watched the videos, you're probably going to fuck up your form at some point and put unnecessary stress on a muscle. The trigger point work book will help you identify the affected muscles and treat them. A lot cheaper than seeing a massage therapist.

Doctors don't specialize or receive much education on muscle disorders, don't be surprised if he's not familiar with the disorder or the modern treatment protocol.

If you do have MPD: it is good news, it is treatable, sometimes partially and sometimes completely.

https://www.painscience.com/tutorials/trigger-points.php

Here's an intro, this site is great, the guy does good science. I haven't bought this ebook yet though.

https://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment/dp/1608824942

here's the book that will help you recover.

Invest 20.00 US in this book.

It is about 30 pages of background information and reading and the rest are charts. I used to not be able to sit for long periods of time because of my right hamstring tightening up to the point of agonizing pain. After a bit of research I learned about trigger points so I ordered this book and worked a few of the points the book calls out in one of the diagrams. After a week: no more pain.

Root cause: it was referred pain from a trigger point in a muscle group I didn't even know about. Check out the book. It is the first place I go when I tweak my back or my neck hurts or whatever. It isn't a substitution for a qualified medical professional but it is an excellent place to start and has been crucial to my well being.

I recommend it to all my friends and family. Be well!

I started by reading the Bubishi, a classical text about White Crane Kung-fu and is considered the origin of many Karate styles. It has some helpful charts, but most of the meridian names are in Chinese (as any legitimate book will be). The book that helped me the most when I started learning was Essential Anatomy for Healing and Martial Arts, by Marc Tedeschi. Awesome resource for reference, as it has charts by both individual meridians and the entire body. It is really overwhelming when you start trying to learn the meridians, but just start one at a time and you'll get it!

Here's a link to the book: http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Anatomy-Healing-Martial-Arts/dp/0834804433/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382547186&sr=8-1&keywords=essential+anatomy+for+healing+and+martial+arts

This is the newest edition of the text I used in school. It was very clearly written and great for a solid, basic knowledge of massage, anatomy, and physiology.

Ask your PT to check to see if you have tender trigger points in your back.

I was having some serious back issues after lots of climbing on the bicycle, and it's pretty much gone with trigger point massage. A good PT can help you.

https://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment/dp/1608824942/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473741302&sr=8-1&keywords=trigger+point+workbook+3rd+edition

Remember that it takes 4 to 6 weeks to feel the improvements of a workout. I'd recommend getting this book. I have it and I have been able to diagnose every injury-to-be that I've had with it.
Also, if you're worried about taking time off, I'd recommend this video, to reassure yourself.

There is another possible cause that you may want to consider: trigger points (tight knots) in your forearm muscles (extensors and flexors of your fingers and palm).

Try massaging your forearms and see if any muscle hurts when you massage it. If yes, you have found some trigger points.

The best resource to learn self-treatment for trigger points is still Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Clair Davies

Alternatively, find a physiotherapist who knows how to treat trigger points.

I don't really know, sorry. This book sounds like it would meet your needs - http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Clinical-Massage-Therapy-Integrating/dp/0781756774.

Here is the lww.com link, (http://www.lww.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Basic-Clinical-Massage-Therapy_11851_-1_9012054_Prod-9780781756778_50011771). You can use that link and apply the discount I've posted on /r/medicine to get 20% off + free shipping.

I don't have a ton of product knowledge for massage, I just know a few books that are appropriate to practitioners. I'll ask people who work in that area and get back to you if they give me any insightful feedback.

The book you posted is from the 70s and is 192 pages while the book I posted is from 2006 and is 443 pages. Both sound like they are an appropriate fit but I would think the LWW book would have more detail. Check out the product reviews, i'd base your purchase off of those.

And some good books to start with:

https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Promise-Qi-Creating-Extraordinary/dp/0809295288

https://www.amazon.com/Way-Qigong-Science-Chinese-Healing/dp/0345421094/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1525452385&sr=1-1&keywords=ken+cohen

https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Light-Tao-Foundational-Practices-ebook/dp/B004J4WM6S/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1525452407&sr=1-6&keywords=mantak+chia

http://antranik.org/lacrosse-ball/

Also this book is amazing.

You might want to try trigger point self massage:

https://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment/dp/1608824942/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

It isn't complete magic cure but it did help me a lot..

Hey- weren't you on Fitocracy?

Wanted to mention- this book has been very enlightening.

Hold your belt with your injured arm. When my shoulder is messed, I just train one handed (if it's not bad enough to require not training).

Also, look into trigger point work. I have found this book to be quite good. Also, weight lifting, you'll want as much strength as possible to support the injured shoulder.

Here’s a pathology book that may be useful.

I recommend getting a lacrosse ball since they are quite cheap and versatile: https://www.amazon.com/Kieba-Massage-Lacrosse-Myofascial-Therapy/dp/B017V7UKW2/ref=sr_1_2?s=team-sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1486000450&sr=1-2

In addition, read up on trigger points and how to massage them. I suggest reading https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ECLGALG/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

sure! I found out how to do it in this. I had a hard time trying to find an online tutorial but this is the closest one I found. I recommend that book whole heartedly. It's helped me a lot with pain and mobility coupled with other things like becoming a supple leopard and such.

You aren't doing anything wrong I think, you just have trigger points that are cutting off circulation. I suggest yoga and/or trigger point self-massge
to get the kinks out of your hip muscles.

https://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment/dp/1608824942

Try the TMJ treatments in this book.

I used it for my carpal tunnel/TOS worked wonders

Also you can search “jaw-neck sequence” by kit Laughlin on YouTube

Let me know how it goes

I thought it said "Massage book recommendations for the key", so here's my pick: https://www.amazon.com/Book-Massage-Step---Step-Technique/dp/0743203909/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&keywords=books+on+massage&qid=1418702915&sr=8-1

A lacrosse ball and this book is what you really need.

One more thing: trigger points in your jaw muscles could be causing a lot of your pain and imbalances. Here's another book recommendation for you:

http://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment/dp/1608824942/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1418355596&sr=8-2&keywords=trigger+point+therapy

Study both of the books I've recommended and be diligent in applying the principles you learn, and I promise you that you'll see improvements in the pain you're experiencing.

Try The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook, it's worked wonders for me on chronic back + shoulder pain from an old motorcycle accident. Used to go to physical therapy every few months but after picking up that book I haven't been for years.

Check out this book. I had SI joint dysfunction for ~14 years and knee problems for ~10. Been doing foam rolling and trigger point release stuff for a few weeks and they are both drastically reduced.

Are your hip flexors tight? I used to get really bad recurring lower back pain on one side too, especially after doing any sort of overhead pressing. Then I read this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment/dp/1608824942/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

Which told me my hip flexors were the problem. I started foam rolling them aggressively and I got better. It was like magic.

I don't have much experience seeking help from professionals except for getting completely useless PT after knee surgery, but there are so many rave reviews for ART practitioners changing peoples lives, why not try a different therapist if your current one isn't helping?

This. Your muscles in your hands and wrist are smaller and will get overworked much quicker, use the big muscles in your arm and shoulder if possible.

I had RSI pretty bad about 10 years ago, I ignored it at first thinking it would go away and then had to take 6 months off to recover. I found a few good books, but this book, coupled with stretches helped me more than multiple physiotherapists and specialist visits. Maybe it will work for you: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1608824942/

From what I remember, it's todo with finding where nerves are trapped in muscles due to constant overuse and inflammation, thus causing refered pain, then massaging those areas. It took several months before I noticed results, but I've been completely symptom free for years, after being told I would have to manage the pain for the rest of my life...

(Decent sleep and cold ice packs were also helpful, braces did not do anything for me.)

Sounds like a overuse injury, but the source of the problem might not be in the same spot where you feel pain. Because of how nerves run to your limbs issues with your back or shoulder can cause pain in your arms. Or it could be something in your forearm muscles.

You'll have to do a little learning about it on your own but I'd recommend using trigger point self-massage. Basically you find these little knots in key points in your muscles, and by loosening them up they can relieve pain and other symptoms.

This site isn't really well-written but it has some good info:
http://www.triggerpoints.net/
http://www.triggerpoints.net/forearm-and-hand.htm

If you get serious about treating it yourself I'd highly recommend this book. It's my go-to for any kind of pain:
http://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment-ebook/dp/B00ECLGALG/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1396739344&sr=8-6&keywords=trigger+point

Let me know how this goes for you.