Book excerpt: Acupuncture can be a very effective way of strengthening the body's resistance to illness, and of eliminating potentially harmful pathogens. This book provides a complete overview of the principles involved in distinguishing between different syndromes of illness in patients, and of selecting and administering appropriate treatments. The book describes the functions of acupuncture within the wider context of traditional Chinese medicine, and explains the principles involved in identifying and treating different illnesses and complaints. A large portion of the book is devoted to describing how to diagnose and treat more than 130 different conditions, including headaches and angina, asthma, depressive disorders, dementia, and acne. This comprehensive textbook, compiled by the prestigious China Beijing International Acupuncture Training Center (CBIATC), under the editorial directorship of leading Chinese practitioners Zhu Bing and Wang Hongcai, is an invaluable reference for the advanced student or practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine.