This book review is reprinted with the permission of the National Center for Homeopathy
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Homeopathy for Musculoskeletal Healing
by Asa Hershoff, ND, DC
North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, CA, 1996,
softcover, 314 pages, $20.00
Reviewed by Larry Malerba, DO

I'm always on the lookout for a good solid practical reference that will help me wade through the seemingly infinite amount of homeopathic data that is out there, and Asa Hershoff's new book seems to fit the bill nicely. The first word that comes to mind on perusing this book is "organization." Part of the author's goal as stated on page one is to "attempt to gather and consolidate this wealth of knowledge and practical guidance and to present it in a highly accessible form." It is clear that a tremendous amount of work must have gone into simply arranging the information in this book, let alone gathering the information itself. An obvious "information age" influence is apparent as evidenced by the numerous diagrams, flow charts, and illustrations that have a strong computer graphic feel to them. I love the nifty little graphic representation of each remedy in the materia medica section. This all adds up to a very strong aesthetic influence that is pleasing to the eye and therefore conducive to using this book as a reference.

Unfortunately, very few people understand the true nature of homeopathy, and there is a tendency for newcomers to pick up a first-aid or "therapeutics" book and get an allopathic impression that homeopathy involves giving one remedy for this, another for that, with little sense of its power to treat the totality of the person. Hershoff addresses this dilemma in the first 70 pages with what may be the most concise, yet thorough and clear, explanation of homeopathic principles and practice that I've ever read. The entire gamut of topics including vital force, law of similars, pharmacy, symptoms and case taking, acute vs. chronic prescribing, health, disease, cure, etc, are covered with great precision and a minimum of excess verbiage.

In addition, this information is presented in a modernized, "scientific," information-age type of terminology that will definitely pique the interest of those so inclined. For example, on page 17 Hershoff states: "Homeopathy excels at the level of pattern, software, or information technology - the level of biological intelligence. Though we can change the patterns of our behavior, lifestyle, or eating habits on a gross level, homeopathy can change the deepest patterns of biochemical, physiological, and even cellular function. Homeopathy frees the system from fixed, rigid patterns of function that hamper our deepest healing resources and capacities." And on page 29: "Old injuries, toxic drugs, emotional trauma, past illness; all these can leave an energetic pattern or imprint that exists indefinitely, and continues to erode the health and well-being of a person. Since these imprints or patterns exist on an energetic or information level, homeopathy is the ultimate tool for neutralizing them." This is great stuff, and the perfect book to give to your scientifically skeptical friends and colleagues, because it speaks in their language but does not compromise on principles.

The "meat" of the book is about the homeopathic treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions and is broken up into three main sections. The "Condition Charts" section is an extremely well-organized sequence of therapeutic differentials relating to specific diagnoses such as trauma, sciatica, arthritis, and fibromyalgia, and also relating to conditions involving different parts of the musculoskeletal system such as cervical spine, thoracic spine, hip joint, knee, ankle, etc. Each remedy within a differential is clearly cross referenced to the appropriate place in the "Materia Medica" section that follows. This section consists of a materia medica of the musculoskeletal symptoms and indications of 61 different remedies. Keynotes, modalities, and psychological aspects of some remedies are also included. This may serve as a valuable study guide to the musculoskeletal aspects of both polychrests and smaller remedies such as Actea spicata, Formica rufa, Gnaphalium, Kalmia, Lachnantes, and Stellaria media. The next section entitled the "Therapeutic Guide" is a mini-repertory covering the various body parts and their associated conditions, and the following Appendix contains a nice little section on remedy relationships.

As I feel obligated to critique some aspect of this book, I would point out that since potency selection is already one of the more controversial aspects of homeopathy, Dr. Hershoff's recommendations as to specific potencies to be used for various remedies and conditions may potentially cause some confusion to the newcomer, and may add fuel to the fire of the more experienced who like to debate these issues.

North Atlantic Books has published another gem and Dr. Hershoff deserves much credit for the labor and love he must have put into this book. It is an excellent book to introduce homeopathy to orthopedic doctors, osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, massage therapists, and body workers of all types. The explanation of principles and practice is good reading for both the novice and the experienced, and the therapeutics and materia medica sections serve as an excellent reference and study guide for all homeopaths. Two thumbs up!

HOMEOPATHY TODAY / MAY 1997