Introduction

    Percorso

    Starting a new chapter in professional life is always an exciting and challenging experience. This was certainly the case when I embarked on my recent adventure as a training acupuncturist at the Associazione Scuola Mediterranea di Agopuntura (ASMA) in Catania. Sharing the knowledge accumulated over years of acupuncture study and clinical practice is an incredible opportunity, but also a great responsibility.

    My passion for acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) started years ago during my medical studies and was strengthened during my specialization in Anesthesiology and Pain Therapy. After an exciting training journey at AMAB (Associazione Medici Agopuntori Bolognesi), I had the extraordinary opportunity to open and manage a clinic specialized in chronic pain treatment with acupuncture within the SODc of Palliative Care and Pain Therapy in Careggi (Florence). Additionally, today I continue to treat many patients in my clinic.

    My Journey and Professional Collaborations

    Working in the integrated pain therapy clinic allowed me to see firsthand the effectiveness of acupuncture in improving patients’ quality of life. Every day I am amazed by acupuncture’s ability to relieve pain and promote well-being. This not only confirmed my faith in TCM but also motivated me to continue exploring and learning.

    Collaborating with colleagues in the Integrated Medicine Unit (M.I.) of the same institution was equally formative. We used acupuncture to support cancer patients, providing them with valuable support during conventional therapies (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormonal therapies). Teamwork with these dedicated professionals taught me a lot and made me appreciate the value of complementary medicine even more. It's incredible to see how TCM’s holistic approach can make a difference.

    The Importance of Continuous Learning

    Every day I learn something new from my patients. Traditional Chinese medicine has taught me to see them as unique individuals, each with their own history and specific needs. The extraordinary results of acupuncture never cease to amaze me and fuel my passion for this discipline.

    Sharing Knowledge: A Telegram Channel for Colleagues and Enthusiasts

    Percorso

    I firmly believe that professional growth comes through sharing and confronting colleagues. For this reason, I created a Telegram channel dedicated to discussing and deepening acupuncture and TCM. This space is designed to exchange opinions, resolve doubts, and offer mutual suggestions. We can learn together by discussing interesting clinical cases, comparing diagnoses and treatments, and enriching ourselves with each other’s experiences.

    Join us and contribute to this wonderful project: @agopunturaemtcitalia

    Books that Enriched My Path

    During my journey, there have been some texts that have accompanied and supported me in daily practice. These books have helped me improve my practice and find the best therapies for my patients. I highly recommend them as they have been and continue to be essential tools in my professional journey. I cannot do more than suggest them to anyone approaching acupuncture, those who want to deepen their knowledge, or those looking to expand their library:

    • The Foundations of Chinese Medicine by Giovanni Maciocia
      This book is the bible of TCM. Maciocia manages to explain complex concepts clearly and in detail, making it an indispensable text for anyone who wants to deepen their knowledge of TCM.
      Buy it on Amazon.it
    • The Clinical Practice of Chinese Medicine by Giovanni Maciocia
      Another masterpiece by Maciocia, this book offers a comprehensive overview of the clinical syndromes treatable with TCM. It is rich in clinical cases and practical examples, which help understand how to apply theory to practice.
      Buy it on Amazon.it
    • The Channels of Acupuncture by Giovanni Maciocia
      This text is essential to understand the meridians and acupuncture points. Maciocia precisely describes the paths of the channels and their functions, making this book a must-have reference.
      Buy it on Amazon.it
    • A Manual of Acupuncture by Peter Deadman
      A practical and detailed manual that covers all aspects of acupuncture. The descriptions of points and insertion techniques are particularly useful for clinicians.
      Buy it on Amazon.it
    • Atlas of Acupuncture by Hoepli
      A visually appealing atlas that offers a clear representation of acupuncture points. It is a useful tool to visualize and memorize points during clinical practice.
      Buy it on Amazon.it
    • Foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine
      This book provides a solid theoretical foundation on TCM. It is particularly useful for beginners who want to understand the fundamental principles of this ancient discipline.
      Buy it on Amazon.it

    Useful Tools in Daily Clinical Practice

    Besides texts, there are some tools I find extremely useful in my daily practice:

    • Electroacupuncture Machine
      This machine applies electrical impulses to acupuncture points, increasing the treatment efficacy. It is particularly useful for treating chronic pain and some musculoskeletal and neuropathic conditions.
      Buy it on Amazon.it
    • Mineral Heating Lamp
      This lamp emits heat and infrared radiation that penetrates deeply into tissues, improving blood circulation and relieving pain. It is ideal for treatments requiring the warming of acupuncture points and can be used as an alternative to moxibustion, particularly useful in modern practices where the use of moxa is not allowed.
      Buy it on Amazon.it

    Conclusion

    I share these resources with the hope that they can be useful to you as they have been for me. Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine have profoundly enriched my professional and personal life.

    Continuing to learn and share is what motivates me the most.

    For more information or to share your experiences, do not hesitate to contact me! We are all here to learn and grow together.

    Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links. Thank you for your support! With your help, we can grow the initiatives I carry on and continue to spread the knowledge of acupuncture and TCM.