Achievements:
I completed one treatment for a patient with hip flexor pain and pain/tightness of the IT band (outer side of thigh). He told me before we started that his previous acupuncturist needled aggressively, loosening the muscles within minutes. I accepted the easy challenge, but just to make sure his first treatment with me was a satisfactory one, I offered electrical stimulation applied to the needles. He accepted, and I admit I enjoy hooking and stringing people up. The battery pack can have 2 or 4 wires attached. Once each clip on the end of a wire is hooked to a needle, it's kind of fun to find a way to drape the wires over the patient's body, to prevent any downward pull on the needles. And then the game: "Let's see how high I can dial this up." Ha ha, seriously - I ask the patient to tell me when they feel a light tapping on the needles. And then if they want to go a little higher, I oblige. Anyway, another fun treatment, and he left feeling much better.
Disappointments:
I have another stop-smoking patient who is running into the same problem as many others. They love their habit too much to change it. I believe many smokers who seek acupuncture know they really should stop, and are ready to take action. But even though they are concerned about their health, they love their routine. He instantly noticed the cigarettes tasted horrible after beginning treatment. He even noticed that taste as I inserted the needles the second time. And he could go longer without smoking. But he sought out coffee after a while, in HOPES of stimulating his cigarette craving! Clearly not ready for acupuncture. When you don't enjoy smoking, you are ready to start treatments.
Struggles:
It's getting cold out, and between constant hand washing, alcohol wipes, and my circulation, my hands are always cold. I'm very sorry, patients! I hope it benefits those of you afraid of the first needle; I get to numb the spot first, by touching you.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Dying of Stress
One more essay before I return to my list format, if I may.
I attended a seminar this month, where these 2 points made an impact on me:
1. "Cures have been found for most deadly acute diseases. We will die of chronic disease. Stress, diet and toxins are the biggest contributors."
2. "There is a new diagnostic code that can be filed with insurance claims for Occupational Stress."
In Chinese Medicine, the short-hand diagnostic term for stress is Qi Stagnation. The diagnostic terms are labels for a group of symptoms, and Qi Stagnation applies to: rib-pain, chest distention, sighing, moodiness, irritability, a variety of digestive disturbances, and a variety of PMS symptoms. To quote an old teacher of mine, "Qi Stagnation is the physical manifestation of 'not getting what you want'". As you can imagine, everyone now-a-days has Qi Stagnation. When you have some of these symptoms...treat it! When it is chronic, you can imagine how many deadly diseases can result over decades.
Besides treating people with acupuncture and herbs, we make lifestyle recommendations when appropriate to the condition and our scope of practice. We see Qi Stagnation, like any other diagnosis, as treatable, if not curable. The acupuncture and herbs will treat a condition effectively as long as the source does not re-introduce itself, so this is how I like to address the source:
"What is the cause of your stress?" (wait for answer, then...) "And what do you plan to do about it?"
I know most people don't have a plan yet, but I like to encourage the idea of one.
I see too many patients, family, and friends thinking stress is just an accepted aspect of life. Short-term, maybe. But years of hating your job or house or partner, etc. requires action. I also hear that someone knows a change is necessary (for example in relationships), but they don't feel the power to act on it. That is often a symptom of depression, to make matters worse - Low motivation / feelings of hopelessness. Usually decisions are made for us, years after they should be.
(I don't encourage break-ups in the clinic, but I have heard that many complicated health conditions have resolved soon after divorce.)
I can testify to having a whole new "daily mood" thanks to many drastic changes in my own life over the past 2 years. When I hit little bumps in the road still, I treat it before they snowball into a mood disorder. I expect it translates to a healthier phase of life for my insides. I hope that my happiness inspires those around me, and that as we de-stress, we serve as role models to other sufferers.
I attended a seminar this month, where these 2 points made an impact on me:
1. "Cures have been found for most deadly acute diseases. We will die of chronic disease. Stress, diet and toxins are the biggest contributors."
2. "There is a new diagnostic code that can be filed with insurance claims for Occupational Stress."
In Chinese Medicine, the short-hand diagnostic term for stress is Qi Stagnation. The diagnostic terms are labels for a group of symptoms, and Qi Stagnation applies to: rib-pain, chest distention, sighing, moodiness, irritability, a variety of digestive disturbances, and a variety of PMS symptoms. To quote an old teacher of mine, "Qi Stagnation is the physical manifestation of 'not getting what you want'". As you can imagine, everyone now-a-days has Qi Stagnation. When you have some of these symptoms...treat it! When it is chronic, you can imagine how many deadly diseases can result over decades.
Besides treating people with acupuncture and herbs, we make lifestyle recommendations when appropriate to the condition and our scope of practice. We see Qi Stagnation, like any other diagnosis, as treatable, if not curable. The acupuncture and herbs will treat a condition effectively as long as the source does not re-introduce itself, so this is how I like to address the source:
"What is the cause of your stress?" (wait for answer, then...) "And what do you plan to do about it?"
I know most people don't have a plan yet, but I like to encourage the idea of one.
I see too many patients, family, and friends thinking stress is just an accepted aspect of life. Short-term, maybe. But years of hating your job or house or partner, etc. requires action. I also hear that someone knows a change is necessary (for example in relationships), but they don't feel the power to act on it. That is often a symptom of depression, to make matters worse - Low motivation / feelings of hopelessness. Usually decisions are made for us, years after they should be.
(I don't encourage break-ups in the clinic, but I have heard that many complicated health conditions have resolved soon after divorce.)
I can testify to having a whole new "daily mood" thanks to many drastic changes in my own life over the past 2 years. When I hit little bumps in the road still, I treat it before they snowball into a mood disorder. I expect it translates to a healthier phase of life for my insides. I hope that my happiness inspires those around me, and that as we de-stress, we serve as role models to other sufferers.
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