"Qi arrival is essential to achieving an effect during needling. This effect is powerful, like wind dispersing the clouds to turn the sky from cloudy to clear. These are the principles of healing." – Spiritual Pivot (Ling Shu)
The majority of patients visiting acupuncture clinics are seeking solutions to clear pain from their lives.
As a certified health coach and behavior change specialist, as well as an acupuncturist / herbalist, I see a wide array of patients. A fundamental principle that underlies almost every experience is that patients desire hope. TCM clinicians are not expected to be miracle workers, but we can provide clarity and hope to patients suffering from the clouds of pain and disease.
With that being said, let's discuss the concept of intention and the importance of intentional clarity when choosing not only acupuncture points, but also the words we use to communicate in the clinical encounter.
The Power of Clinical Clarity
Practitioners should bring clear intent behind every needle and every word. Words and needles carry power, and practitioners should always be aware of this. We could refer to this as clinical clarity: each point chosen for a specific purpose; each engagement of communication viewed as an opportunity for the creation of a healing and supportive environment.
Although this may sound overwhelming and daunting to some, the execution of this type of intentional clarity is quite simple. Let's examine some ways we can bring this clarity into the choice of needles and words.
Selecting Acupoints
Bringing intentional clarity to the selection of acupoints in the clinical setting is fundamentally based on a thorough knowledge of the actions / indications of acupuncture points coupled with knowledge of meridian theory. These topics deserve deep discussion, but in this short column, let's cover some key ideas you can easily put into practice.
Pick a Point: One simple method to begin is to pick one acupuncture point per week to memorize and contemplate daily. You can work through an entire meridian systematically with this method or pick various points from different meridians for more variety in learning.
What makes each point unique? What makes each point on the same meridian differ from other neighboring points? Deeply contemplate the actions, location and indications of the respective acupuncture, eventually bringing many new acupuncture points into your clinical repertoire.
For example, what makes Heart 5 different from Heart 7? Stomach 42 different from Stomach 44? What does the name of the acupuncture point reveal about the nature and character of the point? What is the relationship of the respective acupuncture point and the seasons? These are just a few examples of the types of contemplative questions you will find valuable.
You can keep a journal of these acupuncture point meditations and over time, be able to "embody the points." I often use this phrase to mean that practitioners will be able to truly understand the unique nature of each acupuncture point and why certain points would or could be chosen clinically to help clear away the clouds of pain and disease.
Selecting the Right Words
Just as each acupuncture point has a unique indication and action, each word we choose in the clinical encounter has its own unique energetics. We could simplify this concept and say the overall intent and tone of our clinical dialogue with the patient has an effect on the resolution of the patient's pattern of disharmony.
In my opinion, words carry as much, if not more, power than needles or herbal medicine to re-establish a state of health and harmony in a suffering patient. As a practitioner, you must always see each clinical encounter as an opportunity to create an environment conducive to shifting the patient's journey to health back on track.
How we greet patients matters. How we say goodbye to patients matters. How we explain the use of acupuncture needles to patients matters. As much as possible, you should provide patients with inspiration and hope. This alone is often what is needed to stimulate the healing process within the body.
I often encourage practitioners to consider the overall "conversational tone" of the clinical encounter. Is the ambiance of the communication positive, hopeful and inspirational? Just as acupuncture points and herbal medicines are chosen for specific actions and indications, we can choose certain communication styles to inspire patients to have hope and self-efficacy.
The voice and tone of communication must be oriented in such as manner as to strive to create linguistic prescriptions for health. I encourage practitioners to study motivational interviewing just as much as acupuncture point combinations; to cultivate listening skills just as much as herbal formula knowledge. These types of skills are important additions to your clinic toolbox. Just as the study of diagnostics and herbal medicine demands slow and consistent study, so do these important communication skills.
You Can Change Their Sky
Both words and needles can help turn the sky of a patient's mind from cloudy to clear. Always consider this in every patient encounter, whether virtual or in-person, and particularly during these challenging times. Our patients need us now more than ever. Whether it is a point, an herb or a verbal suggestion, always take the time to contemplate and formulate the best possible prescription for each individual patient. Remember the words of William Osler: "Listen to your patient. He or She is telling you the diagnosis."
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