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

First a disclaimer: I've been a student of Tom's for over 10 years, both as martial artist and a practitioner of Chinese medicine. (In fact, I became an acupuncturist partly as a result of having had my martial arts injuries sucessfully treated with Chinese medicine.) So, I am most definitely a biassed reviewer! I'll focus on a small portion of the book, one which is of primary interest to martial artists: the use of herbal training formulas (Die Da formulas) to heal and prevent injuries: A Tooth From the Tiger's Mouth includes in-depth discussion of the following external formulas: A basic Die Da Jiu (trauma liniment) for acute injuries A formula for Tendon Lotion for chronic injuries bothered by damp and cold U-I Oil - a patent remedy Chinese Massage Oil - a patent remedy Black Ghost Oil - a patent remedy San Huang San - a herbal poultice for acute injuries Sinew-Bone Poultice - a herbal poultice for healing middle or late stage injuries Wu Yang Pain Relieving Plaster - a patent remedy Yunnan Paiyao Plaster - a patent remedy 701 Plaster - a patent remedy Hua Tuo Anticontusion Rheumatism Plaster - a patent remedy Gou Pi Plaster - a patent remedy Tendon Relaxing Soak - an herbal soak Warming Soak - an herbal soak The following internal formulas are also discussed in detail: Trauma pills - an herbal pill made with ground herbs and honey Resinall K - a patent remedy made from an alchohol extract; similar to Qi Li San Rib Fracture Formula Bone Knitting Formula Tonic formulas such as Ge Jie Da Bu Wan, etc. Individual herbs for healing sinew and bone injuries Nutritional and dietary supplements Certainly there are many Die Da formulas available and several excellent books about Die Da formulae are available to the martial artist. However, Tom's book excells insofar as he provides very concise and accurate information about WHY and WHEN to use different Die Da formulas (based on Chinese medicine theory). Having taken many of Tom's "Kung Fu Traumatology" courses over the past ten years, I can definitively state that A Tooth From the Tiger's Mouth provides the very best, fundamental, and practical information available to the athlete and martial artist about treating sports and martial arts injuries with Chinese medicine. I remember hearing Tom talk about these formulas for the first time, making or buying them, and then trying them out on myself or on friends and training partners as we got injured during our training. The bottom line is - they work. However, Tom's book is much more than a discussion of Die Da formulas. There are detailed chapters that describe the principles of Chinese sports medicine, injury prevention with respect to excercise, diet and health preservation, the various therapies of Chinese sports medicine, (including the management of cuts and lacerations, cupping and bleeding, acupressure, massage, and moxibustion), and the treatment of common sports injuries (over 30 are described). Moreover, the book is well-written, logical, and easy to follow. This is a gem of a book and would be welcome addition to any martial artist's book shelf. The fact that all of the therapies described in the book can be sucessfully applied to the treatment of sports-related injuries, makes it that more especially valuable.

This was recommended to me by a friend of the family who is an acupuncturist. She knew that I was considering entering the field and outright demanded I buy this book ASAP. The book speaks to me in particular because of the author puts chinese medicine in the context of his experiences as a martial arts instructor/practitioner. I consider myself a martial arts nerd and this really spoke to me and really gave me some interesting ideas of how to deal with wounds sustained while training. The content is presented simply, which is great because I am not a practicing acupuncturist. However, even though the book comes off directed at the layman, my acupuncturist friend who recommended the book considers it one of her favorites. I also appreciated how the book helps explain differences between eastern/western ideas of medicine and doesn't do so in a condescending manner. The book is more than just acupuncture, it also includes dietary advice, mobility exercises, strength exercises and has a fair bit of history on the subject of traditional chinese medicine. Exercises and acupuncture points in the book are aided by simple, but effective, illustrations. Would recommend this to anybody who is a martial artist and definitely would recommend it to anybody who wants to learn something about chinese medicine.

There is a vast amount of information in this book. I bought this book because I have a knee injury from over 40 years ago. Although taiji has been able to stablize the knee somewhat due to fixing some posture issues, my knee continues to bother me. I saw the "tendon lotion" herbal recipe as well as the "trauma liniment" and thought it would be an interesting experiment on myself. When I tried to order the recipes from the referenced herbal companies, I found out I needed to be a "licenced practitioner" to order the herbs! Fortunately through a friend, I contacted a TCM practitioner who would order the recipes for me. He knew of Tom Bisio by reputation, I've been using tendon lotion the last 6 weeks. I still feel the storm fronts when they approach, but at a much lower level of pain (more of an annoyance now). I would like to eventually be able to take long brisk walks with my wife without pain. I hope to update this review next spring and report on my progress.

This book discusses injury management and rehabilitation in direct simple language. It's content is profound and yet is without artifice. Simply put, it is practical, easy to access, and serves not only the needs of martial artists, but other athletes as well. It's the kind of book I always wanted to see offered, but never was able to find. Anyone interested in managing injuries (including their own)should read this book! Addendum: Since my original review, I have been in practice in acupuncture and Chinese medicine for two years, and this book has not lost one bit of its value. For example, I have used the rib fracture formula on several patients who came back to me raving about how much better they felt. This book has useful and easy to follow instruction. Don't miss it!

"A Tooth from the Tiger's Mouth" is not only a suprisingly complete book concerning the treatment of athletic injuries, it is also extremely accessable to professional or layman alike. Author Tom Bisio comes to his knowledge not just through hard work and training, but via real life experience as a martial arts competitor and teacher. Bisio breaks down treatment into its essential, practical components which allows for coaches, instructors and competitors to actually use the information that he has to share in real time. He explains in depth why the early, proper treatment of injuries can save an athlete or martial artist from a lifetime of pain and struggle. And he does it in a no-nonsense, practical way that removes the cloak of mystery from Chinese medicine and reveals it as the practical, age-old science that it truly is. A great, in depth book that anyone who has even a remote chance of being injured should have readily at hand.

I bought this book since I wanted something to guide me in treating my own sports injuries. I did not know how informative it really is considering its low price. Since trying several of the remedies on myself, I have also treated friends' injuries as well. It is a true treasure of information on Chinese medicine that everyone should know, or at least have access to in this day and age. I have had much better success with these remedies and prevention methods than with typical "Western" treatments such as "R.I.C.E". Of course I will always rely on X-Rays and other Western diagnostic methods, but I find this book to be a great way to blend the benefits of both Western and Eastern medicine.

First of all, I find this book to be excellent in terms of clarity, understanding of injuries and how they heal, and the degree to which it is so simple that you can "do it yourself". However, there arises one major issue. For example, I went to make one of the liniment lotions, and looked through all of his online resources posted. None of them had some of the herbs that were needed. Next, he mentions the "Nine herbs that heal broken bones" on Page 62-63. Tell me if you'd feel OK purchasing some of these, and whether or not you actually COULD even purchase these: #7 - Tiger bone. He does give a warning that tigers are almost extinct, and instead says you should use cat or dog bone. (No, not my poor little chihuahua!). #6: Land tortoise shell. Honestly? #8 Wingless cockroach. Well, I can find that one easily, just stop my feet around and I'll have a whole buncha those! I think he could have just as easily excluded some of those rare, unethical, hard-to-find components, and I would have been a little less turned off. But, like I said, I consider the book to be a treasure for those athletes or martial artists. In my opinion, it would be smarter to use his guidelines (e.g. on how to make a liniment), and then use herbs that actually grow in your bioregion. Overall, definitely a great book, but be wary of some parts where Chinese folk medicine creeps in. Mr. Bisio has done a great job of working in a simple way of understanding human anatomy and physiology, coupled with an understanding of how the body heals optimally.

If you are new to herb use and are looking for information about Chinese herbs for Western martial artists, this is the book you're looking for. The book has much more than herb advice, but the descriptions of various formulas and how to use them are alone worth the cover price. Many Chinese herb books either require knowledge of Chinese medicine or call for herbs almost impossible to get in a Western context. Bisio's book offers concrete advice about specific preparations available in the West and specific uses for those preparations. I've used its advice a couple times with very happy results. Susan Lynn Peterson author of Western Herbs for Martial Artists and Contact Athletes

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I was told about this book and showed some parts. Then i immediately bought it too. Very interesting views Mr Bisio offers in his book. I am a Physiotherapist and i really like his way to treat injuries, build core strength... The understanding of anatomy and the exercises are phenomenal. It is not the usual casual way but the best way. good job keep on doing like that !

It's a good reading, full of useful knowledge. I'm haven't tested most of it, but based on my previous knowledge of massage, traditional chinese medicine and fitotherapy all that I'm reading in this book makes sense. The reader would find useful to have some previous training in chinese medicine and arts, but most of the tips here can be used to some effectiveness by almost anybody.

Parfait, tel que voulu

Love this book, if you like chinese medicine is a must have