Acupuncture is Like Noodles

by Lisa Rohleder

This is the most important book written about acupuncture and how to do the business of acupuncture that exists to date. It is heartfelt and smart. This book describes how health care should be: honest, straightforward, accessible, affordable, uncomplicated and based on a relationship of mutual trust and respect. And most of all for me, this book gives us an idea of the magnitude of suffering acupuncture can relieve when it's affordable. It should be required reading for first year acupuncture students. -Ann Mongeau, L. Ac., Dipl. OM, RN, MaOM, MaN, FNP

Genres: Traditional Chinese Medicine

137 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Val Finnell, MD, MPH · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite of Rohdeler's books. It is written more for practitioners and describes the philosophy behind community acupuncture. Using oriental noodles as an example, Rohdeler compares community acupuncture to Vietnamese Pho. It's pretty basic, tasty, and people from all walks of life enjoy it. She compares this to the way acupuncture is traditionally practiced (i.e. gourmet noodles). Both are noodles, both good for you, but one you may not be able to afford.

Particularly of interest to practitioners is a list of points used in community acupuncture. Pick this one up.

[Elese · Rating 5 out of 5]

community based acupuncture allows more people to access care because it is lower cost for practitioner and patient

[s_evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a consumer of working-class/community acupuncture,* my acupuncturist recommended I read this book when I started asking questions about how it all works. Most of it is really easy to grasp, both the part about acupuncture but also the part about working class/community acupuncture. There were some parts about specific acupuncture points that I skimmed over since I am not trained, but the book is still well worth it for the lay person as well.

*So working-class/community acupuncture is AWESOME. It allows "normal" folks to receive this excellent medical treatment for so many ailments in a way that is so feminist/socialist/community-minded/working-class respectful it is incredible. Find out more about community acupuncture on the Community Acupuncture Network (CAN's) website, AND also read this book.

Or you can just head in to a nearby community acupuncture clinic and check it out for yourself. But this book's got the backstory/method to the madness/wonderfulness :)

[Jigme Datse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book, the end there were some articles of varying length by other authors than the main author of this book. While there are some parts of the book that are rather technical, which I skipped over, the book as a whole gives a great understanding of the community acupuncture model of treating people.

My main "issue" with the book is that it's very much "anti" the more accepted form of Chinese medicine and acupuncture. I think a more integrated approach which is more "middling" between the $60-180/treatment 1 patient an hour and the $15-30/treatment 5 patients an hour might be needed.

Many people criticize the model of General Practice Physicians, because they "only give 10 minutes per patient". This is a similar approach, and may have the same issues.

[Dawn Cray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a very good explanation of acupuncture using simple analogies. Some people get this weird idea that if *they* can't figure out how something works, it's not valid. I don't need to understand electricity to understand how to operate a light switch. I feel like the same is true acupuncture.

[Rob Blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book single-handedly changed everything I thought about the practice and application of acupuncture. Gave me the confidence to practice, practice and learn on the job without getting hung up on theory.

[Edmund · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit of a slow read at times, but it's a great explanation and manifesto for the community acupuncture movement. It's also ideal for anyone interested in the business of acupuncture.