http://www.getreading.co.uk/story.asp?intid=10433

STANDARD WORK: to be distributed throughout the world

THREE experts in Chinese medicine have published a book which is
likely to become the standard text on acupuncture.

Angela and John Hicks, principals of the College of Integrated
Chinese Medicine in Castle Street, Reading, and the college dean
Peter Mole have written Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture.

It is the first comprehensive textbook to describe how the ancient
techniques are used to diagnose and treat patients. The book is the
culmination of their experience gained through treating with
acupuncture for many years.

It will become an important textbook for students at the college and
is expected to be used by other organisations throughout the world.
Publisher Churchill Livingstone will distribute the book to the
United States, Australia and European countries as well as the UK.

Mrs Hicks, 52, said: "Acupuncture is a 2,000-year-old system of
medicine that originated in China.
"The aim of the treatment is to disperse blockages and balance a
patient's energy or qi (pronounced chee) by inserting a few fine
needles into points on the body.

"These points are located and join together channels or meridian
along which qi flows.
"The more balance is achieved and maintained, the healthier a person
becomes."

The technique is used to tackle both acute and chronic conditions
including muscular, skeletal, gynaecological, digestive and
breathing problems
as well as depression, anxiety and
acute infections.

The Reading college is one of the largest in the country to teach
acupuncture. It was founded in 1993 and has two intakes of students
each year in November and April.

The book's authors have all written other works on Chinese medicine.
Angela and John Hicks are married and live in Caversham. Mrs Hicks
has been practising acupuncture since qualifying in 1976 and has
carried out clinical practice in China.
She also works as a herbalist.

Her husband John, 68, started practising acupuncture in 1975 and is
also a herbalist. He has visited China for clinical experience and
been teaching and supervising clinical treatment for more than 25
years.

Mr Mole, 54, who lives in Oxford, is particularly interested in
using acupuncture to treat psychological symptoms.