A Tooth from the Tiger's Mouth: How to Treat Your Injuries with Powerful Healing Secrets of the Great Chinese Warrior (Fireside Books

by Tom Bisio

A renowned expert in Chinese sports medicine and martial arts reveals ancient Eastern secrets for healing common injuries, including sprains, bruises, deep cuts, and much more.

For centuries, Chinese martial arts masters have kept their highly prized remedies as carefully guarded secrets, calling such precious and powerful knowledge “a tooth from the tiger's mouth.” Now, for the first time, these deeply effective methods are revealed to Westerners who want alternative ways to treat the acute and chronic injuries experienced by any active person.

While many books outline the popular teachings of traditional Chinese medicine, only this one offers step-by-step instructions for treating injuries. Expert practitioner and martial artist Tom Bisio explains the complete range of healing strategies and provides a Chinese first-aid kit to help the reader fully recover from every mishap: cuts, sprains, breaks, dislocations, bruises, muscle tears, tendonitis, and much more.

He teaches readers how to:

-Examine and diagnose injuries
-Prepare and apply herbal formulas
-Assemble a portable kit for emergencies
-Fully recuperate with strengthening exercises and healing dietary advice

Comprehensive and easy to follow, with drawings to illustrate both the treatment strategies and the strengthening exercises, this unique guidebook will give readers complete access to the powerful healing secrets of the great Chinese warriors.

Genres: Health, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medicine, Martial Arts, Nonfiction, Taoism, Bodies

384 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 2004

Reviews

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly explained, this is a reference book first and a textbook never. Mostly anecdotal, but undountedly some seriously good information here - as much as some of it is bizarre from a Western perspective, there's no doubt as to the effectiveness. Great read.

[diwili · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait to make some of these remedies, especially the trauma liniment and san huang san. As someone who went to a California herbal and acupuncture school, much of the content in this book is supplementary to my in-school education... meaning we didn't cover what's in this book (namely, topical applications and treatment of acute injuries) with nearly the depth it deserves and is given in this book. What's in this book is very valuable. And doesn't require going to acupuncture school to learn and apply!

[Bruschetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

great explanation of pain. perfect for students of Chinese medicine with some background in the field. i learnt a lot through this book and can't wait to prepare some formulas or apply ideas and see how they work in clinic

[Gordon Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you even curious

Great book on how to heal, repair and remedy many injuries that can happen in martial arts and everyday life

[Timothy Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

An accessible introduction to self-care for martial artists, covering acute care for various training injuries, rehab for chronic problems, and preventative care and wellness practices also. Includes self-massage, acupressure, stretching, qigong and daoyin exercises, as well as an extensive discussion of herbal treatments, both patent medicines and traditional formulas. Many of the formulas would be hard to make for a beginner, but virtually all the common ones are available for purchase from Kamwo in New York (they ship, they have a website, and they're very friendly on the phone as well.) This book has been incredibly useful to me, and at least one non-martial-artist friend of mine has also made extensive use of it.

[Studio Particle]

has recipes for liniments and what not that sound relatively easy to follow. interesting alternatives to iceing swelling and reasons to not ice past the initial few minutes.
i kindof like reading these two books at the same time. different perspectives from different places on medicine to some degree.

[Hsiung · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very well written and easy for the layment to follow. It's really interesting for those who are interested in learning more about preventative medicine in Traditional Chinese Medicine and their perspective on how and why and how to treat our various malaise.

[Foxthyme · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who's into Chinese Medicine and who works on many people with musculoskeletal problems, I found Bisio's book fascinating. He uses many approaches from liniments and poultices, to acupressure and ear auriculotherapy. And all information is decocted down into simple to understand chapters.

[Lester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom was my Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor back in the late 90's, and helped me recover from some very serious health issues. He's an excellent martial artist and TCM practitioner, and this book is fantastic! A must for every martial artist's library!

[KL Dilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really practical straight forward book on body mechanics, both in injury and prevention. I feel grateful when people like Bisio are able to synthesize information into a very clear and tangible manner.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book to anyone pursuing any type of physical activity. From bumps and bruises to strains, sprains, and contusions this book has something to help you heal faster. The qi gong exercises are nice as well.

[Clint · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art of Chinese sports medicine. Not five stars because it is somewhat difficult for a beginner to make use of many of the recipes (the ingredients are foreign), but would be an excellent resource for any martial art school or health practitioner.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative-easy to read-straight forward :)

[Seoan Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must own for any martial artist, or athlete for that matter.

[Joshua]

Pretty neat book—very straightforward.

[Mardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference book!

[Jasan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A resource I always refer to whenever I get hurt, which is often.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This focuses on healing physical injuries (sprains, tendonitis,etc.). It doesn't talk about other aspects of TCM much. The author seems to really know his stuff. On the other hand, I didn't know how to interpret his recommendations. I have tendonitis but I couldn't figure out which of the liniments,etc. to use as I couldn't classify myself as to the nature of my problem.