The pulse weekend approaches! And some of you out there are probably itching for something to do right now to improve your pulse skills! There are two things that spring to mind as things that you can do on your own to really improve your pulse-taking ability – either in preparation for the class weekend, or just because there’s nothing on TV and you need a new hobby.
The first thing is to keep a pulse journal for a set amount of time. A month is great, but even two weeks will do very nicely as well. In order to journal pulses in a useful fashion, the key is to be regular and thorough. If you are seeing clients, do this independently of your clinical work. When you are working you have other things on your mind besides pure appreciation of the pulse. I recommend that you actually use a physical journal which is earmarked for this purpose only as well, so you will have all your pulse logs in one place.
You should aim to take at least 3 pulses a day, each with the sole purpose of recording everything you can feel going on in the pulse vessel. Note who's pulse you are feeling, the date, the time, the location, what is going on around you, what the person ate or did recently, any emotions that are up for the person at the time, as well as any other environmental factors that seem relevant. Then feel the pulse as fully as you can, and make note of everything you find. If you have trained in different systems of pulse diagnosis, indulge each of them separately and chart the whole of what you find.
If possible, try to regularly chart the pulse of one or more person repeatedly - every day or often over the time span. Taking your own pulse is a valid and excellent choice for one of the 3+ people. You will be able to watch how changes in daily life affect you or the other person over time. This honest assessment of how mood, travel, life rhythms, food, etc. affects a person will be of great value to you in helping you recognize pulses in the your clinical work.
Also if possible, ask someone who you respect or who is a teacher for you to take a look at your pulse journal after you have filled it out a bit. What you are ideally looking for as feedback is habits or trends that the other person sees in how you are taking the pulse, and whether the person sees any bias in your work that appears unbalanced to him or her. Examples of such bias might be noticing that you find a pulse to be slippery and wiry in almost every case, or that your 6-positional diagnosis comes up liver 90% of the time. While such things are possible, they are unlikely. Another set of eyes can help you see areas where you might be misreading the pulse. Likely causes for misreading the pulse are imprecise use of pulse definitions (in which case you can review those used in whatever pulse system you have studies) or uneven tension in the fingers (in which case, you can be more mindful of this in the future).
Even if you do this exercise on your own, you will find it of great benefit, as it will help you clarify exactly what you look for in the pulse. If you know what information you are getting from the pulse on a daily basis in your work, you can think about how completely this information fills your diagnostic needs, and whether you might want to search for something else in the pulse vessel to make your choice of treatment strategy easier.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Pulse and Herbal Diagnosis
I remember when I was just starting out in my studies of acupuncture, I visited an herbal pharmacy in Boston's Chinatown. In the back, an older gentleman sat at a card table and took pulses. He spoke no English, and just took my pulse for a few minutes. Then he jotted down an herbal pharmacy in Chinese characters and handed it to me. I took the paper over to the several people who were busily measuring out raw herbs and handed it over the counter to them. They quickly made me up an herbal remedy, handed it over to me, I paid them, and I left. And the herbs worked quite well for me!
At the time, this seemed like magic. How on EARTH could someone just take a pulse, and from that alone come up with an herbal formula - without asking any questions?!? Now, many years later, I understand how such a thing is possible. It requires only 3 things, and the most elusive of them for many practitioners is a reliable system of pulse diagnosis that expands with the needs you place on it so that you can get as much or as little information as you NEED for clients presenting with patterns of greater or lesser complexity. The system presented in Simplifying the Pulse will do just that, and can be used equally well with herbal diagnosis as with acupuncture diagnosis.
By request, I will be covering the basics of how to use the pulse this way during the upcoming class. The principles discussed can be applied to different styles of practice so that you may set up a patent, powder, or raw herb formulary to complement the work you are already doing, with the pulse being the central diagnostic method. One common difficulty faced by practitioners who are trained in both TCM and meridian-therapy styles is how to easily use herbs in their meridian-therapy style practices without having to shift mental gears and do a full TCM-style intake. I will discuss ways to overcome this problem and how meridian therapists can set up a pharmacy to complement the patterns they see and treat in their practice. However you think about your acupuncture work, you will learn how to feel the qualities in the pulse that will allow you bring herbal medicine, dietary supplements, and food prescriptions seamlessly into your existing practice.
For meridian therapists who have special interest in this facet of pulse diagnosis, I suggest picking up a copy of the book The Practice of Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion, by Ikeda Masakazu, as recommended reading before the coming weekend. While I do not find everything in this book applicable to my own practice or suitable for my clients, it is one of the best sources for expanding what is usually taught as meridian therpay in this country and understanding how to translate between traditional acupuncture meridian patterns and more modern herbal categories of treatment.
At the time, this seemed like magic. How on EARTH could someone just take a pulse, and from that alone come up with an herbal formula - without asking any questions?!? Now, many years later, I understand how such a thing is possible. It requires only 3 things, and the most elusive of them for many practitioners is a reliable system of pulse diagnosis that expands with the needs you place on it so that you can get as much or as little information as you NEED for clients presenting with patterns of greater or lesser complexity. The system presented in Simplifying the Pulse will do just that, and can be used equally well with herbal diagnosis as with acupuncture diagnosis.
By request, I will be covering the basics of how to use the pulse this way during the upcoming class. The principles discussed can be applied to different styles of practice so that you may set up a patent, powder, or raw herb formulary to complement the work you are already doing, with the pulse being the central diagnostic method. One common difficulty faced by practitioners who are trained in both TCM and meridian-therapy styles is how to easily use herbs in their meridian-therapy style practices without having to shift mental gears and do a full TCM-style intake. I will discuss ways to overcome this problem and how meridian therapists can set up a pharmacy to complement the patterns they see and treat in their practice. However you think about your acupuncture work, you will learn how to feel the qualities in the pulse that will allow you bring herbal medicine, dietary supplements, and food prescriptions seamlessly into your existing practice.
For meridian therapists who have special interest in this facet of pulse diagnosis, I suggest picking up a copy of the book The Practice of Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion, by Ikeda Masakazu, as recommended reading before the coming weekend. While I do not find everything in this book applicable to my own practice or suitable for my clients, it is one of the best sources for expanding what is usually taught as meridian therpay in this country and understanding how to translate between traditional acupuncture meridian patterns and more modern herbal categories of treatment.
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Evolving Art of Acupuncture
This groundbreaking system will guide you through a progression of deepening connections to the energy physiology of the body and help you uncover YOUR unique gifts as a healer!
Join us as we take an entirely new and nuanced look at the acupuncture system of medicine. First, we’ll break down the pulse to make diagnosis effortless with our clear, comprehensible system. We will explore the topography of the body and elucidate proven methods to find the best points for optimal treatment. We’ll discuss the angles called vectors at each acupuncture point, and how harnessing their intrinsic potential can multiply the efficacy of treatment. And we will enter a world of needle techniques that will enhance your practice way beyond just “tapping” insertion to an elegantly simple, gloriously effective skill. Upon completion, you will appreciate Qi not just academically, but through your direct connection and embodied experience.
With plenty of opportunities for Q & A, as well as considerable practice time, you will be amazed at how easy it is to integrate this material into any style of acupuncture you use.
“A system that we can use right now in our practice…simple and very user-friendly! I highly recommend taking a class with Zach. He is extremely knowledgeable and presents the information in clear, precise, and fun ways. Thanks Zach!”
-Adrienne Martin, Lic. Ac.
Click links below for class descriptions:
Simplifying Pulse Diagnosis: Saturday, 5/14 & Sunday, 5/15
Understanding Points and Vectors: Saturday, 6/11 & Sunday, 6/12
Point Release and Appropriate Insertion: Saturday, 7/30 & Sunday, 7/31
Energy Signature and Vibration Technique: NEW DATE: Saturday, 9/24 & Sunday, 9/25
Non-Inserted Needle Techniques: Saturday, 10/22 & Sunday, 10/23
Your tax-deductible investment: $295 practitioners/$250 students
+ 12 CEU/PDA points for each weekend
** Attend four classes and get the fifth one FREE!! You save $295 and learn a whole lotta good stuff in a joyful, supportive atmosphere **
All classes will be held from 9:00 - 4:30 at 62 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA
To register, email: thesilverneedle@gmail.com, or phone: 781-860-8808
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Formatting Difficulties
Sorry, folks. I am having some formatting difficulties with the blog tonight. I hope to have it fixed by tomorrow.
Simplifying Pulse Diagnosis
May 14-15, 2011
Join us this weekend to boost your pulse taking skills and remove the guesswork from your diagnosis. The material in this class will enhance your ability to diagnose with the pulse, and bring you greater ease in recognizing individual pulse qualities and combinations of multiple qualities.
A clear and well-defined system will be presented, allowing you to break down any pulse in the clinic to find as much or as little information as you need to treat your client. You will learn how to think about the pulse in determining a treatment strategy, suitable stances for best results, and correct hand pressure skills. We will talk about how to deconstruct the 27 classical pulses so that you may more easily learn to apply them in your work, and will also discuss the basics of how to use herbs in your practice with the pulse as your primary diagnostic tool. You will leave feeling confident that you can recognize any pattern in the pulse.
This class is an opportunity for students and practitioners to integrate all the pulse teachings they have had in the past, and make sense of any inconsistencies or difficulties they encounter taking the pulse in their clinical practice.
From beginning students to experienced practitioners, all are welcome.
Join us this weekend to boost your pulse taking skills and remove the guesswork from your diagnosis. The material in this class will enhance your ability to diagnose with the pulse, and bring you greater ease in recognizing individual pulse qualities and combinations of multiple qualities.
A clear and well-defined system will be presented, allowing you to break down any pulse in the clinic to find as much or as little information as you need to treat your client. You will learn how to think about the pulse in determining a treatment strategy, suitable stances for best results, and correct hand pressure skills. We will talk about how to deconstruct the 27 classical pulses so that you may more easily learn to apply them in your work, and will also discuss the basics of how to use herbs in your practice with the pulse as your primary diagnostic tool. You will leave feeling confident that you can recognize any pattern in the pulse.
This class is an opportunity for students and practitioners to integrate all the pulse teachings they have had in the past, and make sense of any inconsistencies or difficulties they encounter taking the pulse in their clinical practice.
From beginning students to experienced practitioners, all are welcome.
2011 Class Schedule
The class schdule for 2011 is ready, and will be posted as soon as I have time to put in the hyperlinks to class descriptions. Look for it by tomorrow (Monday)!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Learning the One-Handed Needle Turn?
To those of you who have come here looking for the video tutorial on the One-Handed Needle Turn, welcome! The links to the two videos can be found on the right side of the page, if you scroll down a little. I have been told that the links are sometimes working and sometimes not, so if you are having trouble loading the video here, just copy and paste the following address into your web browser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1ix-C1HJKk
There are two videos uploaded about turning the needle: the Parallel Variation and the Side Variation. If you are learning this technique for the first time, I recommend you start with the Parallel Variation. The link above will take you to that video. When you get that down, your acupuncture skill will benefit greatly from taking the time to learn the Side Variation as well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH3xMKKoKgY
HOW will you benefit? The One-Handed Needle Turn is one of the single most beneficial foundation skills you can practice to improve overall needle technique and the ability to feel and manipulate Qi with your hands. Look over these past posts for nine things you can expect from just practicing this one movement:
http://thesilverneedle.blogspot.com/search/label/One%20Handed%20Needle%20Turn
The key word with the One-Handed Needle Turn is “practice.” The Turn is a foundational skill, and as such, you can think about it like scales if you play the piano. Even concert pianists do scales every day, and you will see the best results if you practice your Turn every day. When I started learning the Turn I practiced with each hand whenever I had a break in my schedule. I also got into the habit of doing this technique before inserting every needle during an actual treatment. I have performed a One-Handed Needle Turn with virtually every needle I have used in the past 10+ years. It has helped me learn a great deal about where I hold tension in my body, how Qi flows through my hands, the ability of different needles to conduct Qi to and from the point, and changes that occur at acupuncture points in different clients. It is, truly, a marvelous technique.
I hope that you will enjoy using the One-Handed Turn in your own work as much as I do. Please read the past posts, watch the videos, and practice, practice, and practice. If you have any specific questions, please comment below! I would love to hear from you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1ix-C1HJKk
There are two videos uploaded about turning the needle: the Parallel Variation and the Side Variation. If you are learning this technique for the first time, I recommend you start with the Parallel Variation. The link above will take you to that video. When you get that down, your acupuncture skill will benefit greatly from taking the time to learn the Side Variation as well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH3xMKKoKgY
HOW will you benefit? The One-Handed Needle Turn is one of the single most beneficial foundation skills you can practice to improve overall needle technique and the ability to feel and manipulate Qi with your hands. Look over these past posts for nine things you can expect from just practicing this one movement:
http://thesilverneedle.blogspot.com/search/label/One%20Handed%20Needle%20Turn
The key word with the One-Handed Needle Turn is “practice.” The Turn is a foundational skill, and as such, you can think about it like scales if you play the piano. Even concert pianists do scales every day, and you will see the best results if you practice your Turn every day. When I started learning the Turn I practiced with each hand whenever I had a break in my schedule. I also got into the habit of doing this technique before inserting every needle during an actual treatment. I have performed a One-Handed Needle Turn with virtually every needle I have used in the past 10+ years. It has helped me learn a great deal about where I hold tension in my body, how Qi flows through my hands, the ability of different needles to conduct Qi to and from the point, and changes that occur at acupuncture points in different clients. It is, truly, a marvelous technique.
I hope that you will enjoy using the One-Handed Turn in your own work as much as I do. Please read the past posts, watch the videos, and practice, practice, and practice. If you have any specific questions, please comment below! I would love to hear from you.
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