Book excerpt: This book, an authoritative text on musculoskeletal and physical medicine that integrates Eastern and Western approaches, covers every aspect of musculoskeletal medicine, starting with an in depth introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles as they relate to the subject. Author Alon Marcus surveys the science of pain from both modern biomedical and TCM perspectives, examines the foundations of integrative musculoskeletal medicine, explores biomedical and osteopathic clinical assessment, and outlines treatment options such as acupuncture, blood-letting, and meridian therapy. Other chapters analyze herbal medicine, integrative electrotherapeutics, manual therapy, and much more.