One of the best parts of my job is hearing from happy customers.
From time to time, I get a message that just makes me grin for the rest of the day. A short time ago, I received one of those messages:
In the last 3-4 months, I have done some hundred + AcuGraphs of new patients. People are coming in with everything from depression and anxieties, to menstrual irregularities, to foot pain, to allergies, to digestive conditions, to headaches, to low energy and on and on. Much to mine and their amazement, the graphs for the most part, pretty much reflect either high or low or split values in the meridians that are located over their areas of CC. Coincidence?
I have consciously been treating (sort of like an experiment) only the recommendations from the graphs, and this is no easy task after 20 years of doing TCM analysis and treatment. I have found that other “conditions” got better that I didn’t even know about (patient never initially revealed it) until talking with the patient after a few sessions. I am grudgingly converting my acupuncture mentality to a “non-condition” based one and treating accordingly.
Even so, my TCM training and experience makes it easy to slip back into some of the condition-based treatments, sort of an added bonus for the patient. I haven’t figured out the right times for re-tests, nor come up with a comfortable way to explain worse looking graphs even though there are improvement in symptoms. In addition, as I mentioned in the last email, the “chi” connection is kind of hazy, so I am looking forward to talking with you.
I am watching miracles happen every day.
Thank you for helping me help all these people,
–Dr. Luban
I just love hearing from people like this! Congratulations to Dr. Luban on all his acupuncture success.
By the way, he raised an excellent point. What do you say when the graph looks worse, but the patient feels better? I’ll also add, what do you say if the graph is worse and the patient is NOT improved?
I usually take the following approach. First, I emphasize the importance of following the patient’s progress. “It’s a good thing we checked so we can address this.” Second, I look deeper to understand what may have changed as the patient has received treatment. And finally, I help the patient understand that as their system adapts and changes according to our treatments, there may be ups and downs as they adapt to a new, healthier pattern they may not have experienced in many years.
I’ll here add that its fairly rare that a graph looks worse after treatment, though it does happen. Most often, the graph shows improvement over the course of the treatment plan until maximum improvement is achieved. “Maximum Improvement” is different for every patient. Some will get to the point where everything is green (rare) while others will only show modest improvement in the graph, though their symptoms will improve.
But regardless, the real point here is that by monitoring and adapting, you can always be sure you’re doing all you can to provide the best possible care.
And your patients will be sure as well.
Dr. Adrian Larsen
President,
Miridia Technology Inc.
