We have a policy at our office. If you have a question about something, it’s likely someone else probably does too. During our weekly meetings we share our question and the answer we received with everyone else—so the entire group can benefit.
Recently, I received an email from an AcuGraph user who had a question about energy stability.
Question:
How does AcuGraph calculate energy stability?
I thought you might enjoy hearing the answer too!
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Answer:
AcuGraph measures electrical skin resistance at acupuncture points. To better help you understand how energy stability is assessed, let me explain the measurement process.
We measure all 12 channels on both sides of the body, for a total of 24 measurements. The average of the 24 measurements is then used to assess which channels are excess or deficient. If a measurement is too far above the average, it means there is excess in the channel. Similarly, if a measurement is too far below the average, it means there is deficiency in the channel.
Stability is then decided from there. If most channels are within the normal range, the energy stability average is higher (within the green zone). The energy stability percentage goes down when there are a lot of HIGHS and LOWS in a graph.
Analogy:
Think of the ocean or a lake. On a calm beautiful day, the water has high stability. It’s crystal clear and smooth. When the weather is bad the water becomes “choppy” and uncertain with a lot of ups and downs.
If the graph is mostly green (crystal clear and smooth like the water on a beautiful day) the energy stability score will go up.
If the graph has a lot of HIGHS and LOWS (“choppy” and unstable like the water on a stormy day) the energy stability score will go down. The higher the “highs” and lower the “lows,” the lower the stability score will report.
Example: High Stability Score
This graph looks pretty good. There are only a couple of imbalances. For the most part, everything looks calm and smooth. This example showed stability at 94%.
Example: LOW Stability Score
Notice how this graph has a lot of HIGHS and LOWS? The channels look “choppy” here. This example showed stability at 56%.
When things are “choppy” in their graph, I just say:
“It’s a good thing you are here. My job is to help create balance in the channels.
Everything will be nice and smooth when you leave here today!”
I hope this helps you in your graph analysis skills! Patients really relate to the smooth water analogy.
I’ve got something else I think will really help your practice – it’s my way of thanking YOU for your support and encouragement over the years. I haven’t come up with a catchy title for it yet…but basically, it gives you 2 Actions that will Drive Patients to Your Door.
I know it will help you because…
- If we could sit and chat over lunch, this is what I would share with you.
- It helped me increase my income by more than $25K in one year.
- Implementing these principles will give you the same results.
Enjoy and have a great week.
~Kimberly
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Kimberly Thompson, L.Ac.
Acupuncture Research Analyst
Miridia Technology
@acukimberly
The biggest issue is the electrical resistance measured at the points.
If you have just wet your cotton tip the resistance decreases and if you let it dry out, then resistance increases as you proceed, giving you choppy waters. Somehow we need a more accurate way to take these measurements to get meaningful treatment analysis, what is the answer, orI am missing it with my technique? Mark Shebuski, MD
Hello Dr. Mark,
I do not find problems with measuring the points. I wet the cotton tip at the beginning of the exam, and occasionally wet
Thank you
Hi Dr. Shebuski,
We’ve actually tested the moisture vs. resistance relationship and found there is a wide range of moisture levels at which the resistance is unaffected. In other words, the probe moisture level, as long as it’s not at one extreme or the other, is not the primary factor in determining skin resistance. You can moisten the probe and perform all 12 hand measurements, then moisten again and perform all 12 foot measurements.
–Dr. Adrian Larsen
How occasionally would you recommend and after wetting do dab off any excess? Thanks
I generally wet the probe, measure the hands, then wet again and measure the feet. When I wet the probe, I hold it in the water for 2-3 seconds, then tap on an absorbent cloth 2-3 times to remove excess. The probe should leave a moist dot on the skin, but water should not run along the skin.
I would like to share a useful way I’ve found to explain the Energy Stability score to patients. I’ve found empirically that the energy stability score directly correlates with how well a person can handle stress in real time. So, I tell patients that a high stability score shows that they have excellent coping skills…and that really does bear out in their lives!
Hi Kimberly
If there is a Qi-stagnation, how does the Acugraph show it?
Hello Janeth,
That is a GREAT question. With five years of analyzing graphs and trying to differentiate TCM patterns within the graph, I would most definitely say that qi stagnation shows up as an EXCESS in the channel.
I teach about TCM pattern differentiation in relation to AcuGraph analysis in my Expert Graph Analysis course if you are interested. https://www.miridiatech.com/shop/en/training-seminars/online-seminar-ryodoraku-acupuncture-module-2.html
Let me know if you have any more questions.
~Kimberly
Thank you so much for your answer! I first thought the purple/split channels were stagnation… Acugraph is a wonderful and powerful tool and I will check out your course for more valuable information. -Janeth