Ren 1

Achievements:
I have treated my new "stop smoking" patient 3 times now. After the first 2, she said she had cut back from a pack a night, to 5 cigarettes. She is amazed at how much her sinuses have cleared (surprise!) and how blissed out the treatments make her feel.

Disappointments:
It didn't occur to me that one of my regular patient's headaches were caused by dairy. She reported a huge improvement since eliminating dairy from her diet. As long as she figured it out and she's better, I'm happy. You learn something every day.

Struggles:
You can't believe how much composure you have to summon up, and quickly, when you realize you have to use the point called Ren 1 on a stranger for the first time. It is a point on the perineum effective for several urinary and sexual symptoms, but often we can select other points instead. This time I couldn't, so talked with the patient about it, and received permission to use the point. Then I just clenched my jaw, calmly put on my latex gloves, and worked on reassuring my patient that it wouldn't hurt. That's the hard part. I know needling the point won't hurt.
I know the patient is going to be nervous with the delicate situation. I know I feel enough awkwardness for both of us, for putting us in this position. But I have to exude confidence, peace, wisdom, and perhaps a little humor to get the patient through that one second quickly, so they can leave behind all the: "OH MY GOD, oh my god, oh my god...are you done yet?"

I believe I pulled it off! (Including all the psychological steadiness.) The symptoms are improving, and the patient is joking about it.

Misc:
My eyes were opened to a use of an herbal formula I have never prescribed. There is one for "damp-heat in the lower extremities", but I wasn't sure if I'd ever see a patient that needed it. Then I realized this summer: when I drink alcohol, my feet get so hot and swollen, I can't sleep at night! And: alcohol is the most damp-hot substance we consume! (Damp-heat= Chinese medical terminology for disorders presenting with swelling, redness, and heat sensations.)

Now I take this formula when I drink alcohol, and BAM!..feet symptoms are gone!