Understanding an Acupuncturist's Timeline for Healing

Lately, I've had some interesting conversations with my patients. The ins and outs of my treatment plan and why things are getting worse or better can be difficult for the patient to grasp. I tend to see that patients get more energy and then just go and do more. This pattern rarely leaves the body enough energy to heal. The patient is interested in feeling better, but with most insurance not covering Acupuncture, the commitment to the process and the trust you feel in your Acupuncturist are key. Communicating clearly about your goals and your financial limitations will help to keep you on track and getting better as well.

Working with an Acupuncturist requires more of you as a patient. How committed are you to resolving the issue on a scale of 1 to 10? A weak resolve may not be enough. Lifestyle recommendations are a big part of how quickly you will see results. Rather than a suppression of symptoms, you are typically working on balancing your system and resolving the root cause of the problem. Even if you grasp this mentally, the effort required to change habits, take herbs, and continue to come in to regular appointments can overwhelm a weak resolve.

Acupuncture requires a greater level of self-awareness. All changes in your symptoms should be reported. Chinese Medicine diagnoses by matching your signs and symptoms with a pattern. Most Western patients have multiple patterns by the time they seek care. Figuring out how to unravel the complications is a process and takes some time. The length of time you have had an issue lengthens the need for care. Another thing that increases the time it takes to make you better is life: stress, changes, illnesses, overdoing it and not making lifestyle changes. Developing self-awareness and becoming empowered to take better care of yourself will help to prevent future problems and fix current problems.

If you find that you need a break in care for any reason, be it financial, emotional, or even that you are just tired of working so hard on your health; you should always feel comfortable to share that with your Acupuncturist and find out what you can do in the interim to keep your progress going. What foods should you eat? What activities are harmful or beneficial to you? Ask questions, understand your care, pay attention to your bodies signals and try to take better care of yourself, and be honest. Come into balance, recognize your Acupuncturist as a tool, and accept full responsibility for the state of health you are currently in.

The bottom line is, if you are really interested in getting well, if you participate, if you communicate, if you develop new skills and awareness, you will get better!!

My Office or Your Doctor's??

If you use my services, you may be confused sometimes about whether you belong at my office or your doctor's. Herbal Medicines are milder and gentler than most pharmaceuticals. Acupuncture moves the body back towards balance. So if something is very serious or if you are not sure how serious it is, then it is best to go see your doctor. However, if something is more moderate and you want to work on fixing the cause, not suppressing the symptoms, then you should see your Acupuncturist. I can take your doctor's test results into account and inform you of treatment options that your doctor may not be aware of. I can also help to clear up any lingering problems after you have seen the doctor.

Example One: Serious chest cold turning into bronchitis.
Probably best not to mess around and to go see your doctor for antibiotics. Then see your Acupuncturist to address the weakness in the Lung energy causing it to turn into something so serious.

Example Two: Serious cough and chest cold where Dr. won't prescribe antibiotics
Probably still best to see your Dr. first. However if they can't give you anything, I have amazing antiviral and antibacterial formulas as well as points specifically for cough and more.

Example Three: Chemotherapy
See both your Dr. for care and your Acupuncturist to support your immune system and treat any side effects to radiation and chemotherapy.

Example Four: Depression where drugs are not effective
See both your Psychiatrist and your Acupuncturist. Often herbal medicine and Acupuncture can help to stabilize and improve results from your anti-depressants.

Example Five: High Blood Pressure and Edema
Anytime someone is on multiple medications, caution must be used on the part of the Acupuncturist and the patient. Increases in side effects and issues around care must be monitored by the Dr., the Acupuncturist and the patient, especially initially.

A special note on fear around drug/herb interactions. Did you know that there are likely to be drug/drug interactions at more than four medications? Dr.'s are comfortable and used to seeing certain side effects and watching the body adjust. Often you are asked to stay on something for a little longer to see if you adjust. The same thing is true of herbs, however, your Dr. is not trained in herbal medicine or able to advise you to how it will impact your drugs. Your Acupuncturist is more able to work out these issues.

I personally am looking for better cooperation and communication between Dr.'s and Acupuncturists to provide people with the best care and healing options possible. I welcome any comments or questions on this issue!!

Wishing you and your loved ones the best of health.