If you read just one book about health, let it be Alex Wu’s A User’s Manual for the Human Body: How Traditional Chinese Medicine Helps the Body to Heal Itself. It’s a clear, easy-to-understand introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that can change how you think about your body and encourage a different approach to health. People with chronic conditions will find it especially useful, but anyone interested in health can benefit.
Many years ago the book became an online self-publishing hit in China, and in 2019 it was published in English for the first time.
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How it began
Alex Wu once struggled with several chronic health problems that seriously affected his life. When conventional medicine didn’t help, he turned to Traditional Chinese Medicine and began to recover. He studied TCM for years and worked with different practitioners, keeping a journal of what he learned. That journal became the first draft of his book.
He finished the Chinese version in 2002 without planning to publish it, but he shared copies with friends and family. The book spread online without his knowledge and by the end of 2005 it was one of the most downloaded e-books in China. After publishers reached out, the book was printed in Taiwan and China and proved hugely popular—hardcover sales reached one million copies by the end of 2007. It was later translated into Korean and Japanese, and in 2019 the English edition appeared. More translations are likely to follow.
The basics of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Alex explains TCM’s main ideas very simply. Here are the key points:
– TCM tries to treat the root cause of illness, not just the symptoms. Modern medicine often focuses on symptom relief, while TCM looks for the underlying problem.
– TCM emphasizes the body’s ability to heal itself. The goal is to create the right conditions so the body can recover on its own.
– Body energy is central to TCM. Improving your energy helps your body’s self-healing work better. Simple changes—like getting enough sleep—can boost this energy. Think of organs like computer parts that need a certain power level to work well—when energy drops, repair and fluid flow slow down, and chronic problems can develop. By learning how to raise body energy, you may help treat long-term illnesses.
How TCM sees the body
TCM treats the body as a complete system where all organs are connected—no organ is viewed on its own. Central to TCM is Qi (chi), the life energy you’re born with. Practitioners learn to assess Qi, and there are now devices that claim to measure its changes in real time. Qi moves through pathways called meridians, and blockages in specific meridians often link to problems in certain organs.
There are 12 main meridians: heart, small intestine, liver, gallbladder, spleen, stomach, lungs, large intestine, kidney, bladder, pericardium, and Sanjiao (thoracic cavity). Keeping meridians flowing smoothly—through specific massage techniques and regular practice—can ease many chronic issues.
Simple self-massage
Alex developed easy, safe massage routines anyone can use—no special training required. The book explains these techniques step by step and includes diagrams to help you find the right points. The massages aim to improve digestion, reduce back pain, relax tense muscles, and generally boost energy and resistance to illness. Some of Alex’s massages are also shown in a video.
Practical examples
One of the book’s strengths is how it shows TCM in action. Alex gives detailed examples of treating psoriasis, gout, the common cold, and even obesity using TCM principles. The approach is fascinating and makes sense, especially if conventional medicine hasn’t helped. While TCM doesn’t promise a cure for everyone, it’s an option worth trying when other treatments fall short.
To learn more
This summary only touches the basics. For a fuller understanding, read A User’s Manual for the Human Body. It’s published by Hammersmith Health Books and is available from their website and on Amazon.
About the author
In the 1990s, Alex Wu worked in Shanghai as an investment fund manager for Hong Kong investors. Years of heavy work and stress led to a range of health problems. After meeting a skilled TCM practitioner, he recovered within months. That experience led him to study Chinese medicine and compile what he learned into this book. He now runs a health spa in Taipei, where he practices the massage methods from the book and helps develop related TCM technology.
About the contributor
Petra Nakashian has written about nutrition, natural health, and ingredient research for over 10 years. After losing both parents to cancer at a young age, she became committed to understanding how diet and lifestyle affect long-term health. Petra focuses on evidence-based wellness, drawing from scientific studies and expert sources, and is known for clearly explaining hidden ingredients in everyday foods and drinks so readers can make informed choices.