Achievements:
One of my fertility patients had an extra-long menstrual cycle when we met. My treatment goal is to regulate the cycle. Make it as close to 28 days as possible. Reduce the clots. Get her basal body temperature chart to have a nice peak and plunge instead of the flat shape of the previous month. It is our second month of weekly treatments, and her cycle is now 27 days. The clots are smaller and less frequent. Her chart line looks perfect! I'm excited to have a patient that follows the protocol of acupuncture and herbs, and charts her temperature for me. Sometimes it's hard to express how important that is for tracking progress, and that once they do, they will be quickly encouraged by the results.
Disappointments:
Acne is very difficult to treat. There is a whole specialty in herbal medicine for dermatology, which is beyond my knowledge. I don't lead patients to believe I can help with that, unless the acne is a direct result of stress. Then it's easily treatable by treating stress, so I will try. I have discovered that my current patient is not such a case.
Struggles:
I'm fascinated by mood disorders. I study depression and anxiety whenever I can, and I call upon the knowledge I have from my own life to make sense of it all. I have an instinct to sympathize and share when I hear that someone is suffering from these issues. But I also know that professionally, some patients don't need to hear about me. They are trying to seek treatment and think my personal life has no place in their treatment time. I don't exactly know what my patients who let me share think of it. An hour treatment leads to a lot of discussion. I'm passionate about this as my specialty. I hope I am tolerated, if not appreciated, for my interest. My intention is to express how confident I am in the treatments I use.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Detox
Achievements:
I am learning more about the usefulness of the stop-smoking protocol, thanks to my patient who is sticking to the 3x/week schedule. It is just 5 needles in each ear; always the same points for 30+ minutes.
What I already knew was that it reduces cravings and the side-effects of withdrawal. I heard that cigarettes will start to taste bad soon after starting treatment. Some people confirm that, others don't. But most people do say that they forget to smoke, or don't crave the amount of cigarettes they used to, after the third treatment or so. ("I went all day without smoking, and at bedtime, realized I forgot to smoke!") Sadly, we still have to encourage them to take ADVANTAGE of the reduction in cravings, because that patient did get out of bed to smoke one, out of habit.
But back to what I learned: The side effect of quitting which is WEIGHT GAIN is one of those "withdrawal side-effects" that we prevent! My current patient said she hasn't changed her eating habits or gained weight, and of course! She doesn't have the nervous need to keep putting something in her mouth. The jitters/ anxiety issues didn't come up. This is a huge encouraging thing for some people worried about quitting.
Disappointments:
I don't think I've served my patient complaining of MCSD well. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Disorder is a poorly understood phenomenon in the medical world. Patients report allergic-like reactions to certain chemicals they are allergic to. They are more sensitive at safe levels of exposure than others, and they sometimes quit work or socializing to avoid the exposure. It is bizarre, as this is the only disorder in history where the patient can tell you what the cause and symptoms are from the first experience. They are never UNsure what triggered a reaction. -Reaction often meaning palpitations, tremors, digestive turmoil (nervous system reaction). I try to diagnose and treat according to Chinese Theory, but get no results. The patient can't wait to come back though, because the treatments are so relaxing. It's the only peace they get in the day. But they can't afford it, finally.
I looked up the disorder, and learned that most sufferers have a history of anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. I learned that the symptoms of panic attacks are palpitations, tremors, and a fear that they are dying. It's unclear if there is a cause-effect relationship, or if MCSD and panic attacks are both results of something attacking the nervous system. But I learned how I should counsel the next patient with this complaint. (And at least treat the stress)
Struggles:
It is just HARD to be a business owner, sometimes. Saving for taxes... affording all the continuing education classes... hoping you can take a vacation and still pay the bills. Some months are great, and some aren't. So on top of the other expenses, it's nice to have a cushion in case of a slow month. I just remind myself how I'd rather have these struggles than the ones I had in previous "careers".
I am learning more about the usefulness of the stop-smoking protocol, thanks to my patient who is sticking to the 3x/week schedule. It is just 5 needles in each ear; always the same points for 30+ minutes.
What I already knew was that it reduces cravings and the side-effects of withdrawal. I heard that cigarettes will start to taste bad soon after starting treatment. Some people confirm that, others don't. But most people do say that they forget to smoke, or don't crave the amount of cigarettes they used to, after the third treatment or so. ("I went all day without smoking, and at bedtime, realized I forgot to smoke!") Sadly, we still have to encourage them to take ADVANTAGE of the reduction in cravings, because that patient did get out of bed to smoke one, out of habit.
But back to what I learned: The side effect of quitting which is WEIGHT GAIN is one of those "withdrawal side-effects" that we prevent! My current patient said she hasn't changed her eating habits or gained weight, and of course! She doesn't have the nervous need to keep putting something in her mouth. The jitters/ anxiety issues didn't come up. This is a huge encouraging thing for some people worried about quitting.
Disappointments:
I don't think I've served my patient complaining of MCSD well. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Disorder is a poorly understood phenomenon in the medical world. Patients report allergic-like reactions to certain chemicals they are allergic to. They are more sensitive at safe levels of exposure than others, and they sometimes quit work or socializing to avoid the exposure. It is bizarre, as this is the only disorder in history where the patient can tell you what the cause and symptoms are from the first experience. They are never UNsure what triggered a reaction. -Reaction often meaning palpitations, tremors, digestive turmoil (nervous system reaction). I try to diagnose and treat according to Chinese Theory, but get no results. The patient can't wait to come back though, because the treatments are so relaxing. It's the only peace they get in the day. But they can't afford it, finally.
I looked up the disorder, and learned that most sufferers have a history of anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. I learned that the symptoms of panic attacks are palpitations, tremors, and a fear that they are dying. It's unclear if there is a cause-effect relationship, or if MCSD and panic attacks are both results of something attacking the nervous system. But I learned how I should counsel the next patient with this complaint. (And at least treat the stress)
Struggles:
It is just HARD to be a business owner, sometimes. Saving for taxes... affording all the continuing education classes... hoping you can take a vacation and still pay the bills. Some months are great, and some aren't. So on top of the other expenses, it's nice to have a cushion in case of a slow month. I just remind myself how I'd rather have these struggles than the ones I had in previous "careers".
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