CHARLES BOURNE

TRADITIONAL ACUPUNCTURE     

Brook Green Clinic
11 Barb Mews
Hammersmith
London W6 7PA
07964 394 994


Books

The Web that has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk - First published in 1983 and still THE introductory book to Chinese Medicine. It's thorough, possibly a little too so (the section on pulses is detailed enough to be used as a text for acupuncture students), but if you want a solid introduction to the theory and practice of acupuncture I'd look no further.

Acupuncture for Body, Mind and Spirit by Peter Mole - A lighter read than the above book (just 166 pages) but still enough information to give you a good understanding of the basic theory of Chinese Medicine and what to expect in a treatment. Peter Mole was my clinical supervisor during my training and his guidance and advice have greatly shaped the way I practice.

Healing your Emotions: Discover your element type and change your life by Angela and John Hicks - this is a good book if you're interested in the 5 Element style of acupuncture and want to find out more about your constitutional type. It contains plenty of practical advice and exercises for working with your emotions so if you're into that kind of thing this is the book for you. Both the authors are trained in NLP (neuro-linguistic programming).

Recipes for Self-Healing by Daverick Leggett - I think this is one of the best self-help books out there and I find myself repeatedly returning to it for practical lifestyle advice to give my patients. As well as lots of good recipes (generally Western rather than Chinese) and specific foods for different kinds of disharmony, it also contains some very clear explanations of Chinese Medical principles and how we can apply them to ourselves in order to stay healthy.


Shops

Bushwacker Wholefoods 132 King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 0QU, tel. 020 8748 2061 - this independent healthfood shop has been around forever (since 1982 anyway) and stocks a good variety of organic produce as well as nutritional supplements and herbal remedies. It's the best shop for this kind of thing in the area.

The Nutri Centre - One of the most well-regarded of online shops supplying nutritional supplements and herbal remedies. They also have 2 stores in London (one near Harley Street in central London and the other in Kensington) and a good range of books on complementary medicine.


Websites

British Acupuncture Council - Contains practical information about having acupuncture treatment and also frequently updated news pieces and research articles.

College of Integrated Chinese Medicine - The college where I did my acupuncture and tuina training. The website contains some helpful information on the style of treatment which I practice.


DVD's

Pilates for Life by Darcy Bussell - a good pilates workout for improving core strength and flexibility.