The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine

By Ted J. Kaptchuk

A Doody’s Core Title for 2019!

The Web That Has No Weaver is the classic, comprehensive guide to the theory and practice of Chinese alternative medicine. This accessible and invaluable resource has earned its place as the foremost authority in synthesizing Western and Eastern healing practices. This revised edition is the product of years of further reflection on ancient Chinese sources and active involvement in cutting-edge scientific research.

• Language: English
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
• Release date: May 2, 2000
• ISBN: 9780071507400

Reviews for The Web That Has No Weaver

[sashame-485567 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

its a very competent summary introduction with decent coveragebut kaptchuk falls short in terms of his ideological dualism and misunderstanding of chinese intellectual history; taken together these errors border on orientalismnamely he insists on a separation bw religious belief and scientific knowledge, when such a separation has never held in chinese medicine or chinese culture broadlyand he constantly confuses confucian values for broadly/generally chinese values. confucianism has ofc been the hegemonic philosophy in china for 2 millenia, but this does not excuse such an error, especially when non-confucan taoists were instrumental pioneers in developing many of the core theoretical components of chinese medicine

[patl_53 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Kaptchuk writes a fascinating introduction to Chinese medicine. More than just a clinical analysis of acupuncture and herbal treatment, Kaptchuk describes the entirely different, more holistic, worldview of a Chinese physician.

As a patient who has received some relief for chronic migraine through herbal and acupuncture treatment, this book was totally intriguing.

[empress8411 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this for a class on Chinese medicine. It's very good. From someone from NO background in anything like this, it was easy to understand. I enjoyed learning about Chinese medicine, it's history, tools and methods. While I don't know if I believe it all, this book gave me a solid foundation for further exploration in this subject. I would highly recommend to anyone interested in Chinese medicine, either for personal information or use.