Keep in mind that everything you do professionally reflects on you and your practice. This includes the way you deal with difficult clients. Someone once advised me, “If your clients have a great experience, they will tell one or two other people. If they have a terrible experience, they will tell ten.” Sometimes things don’t work out in the clinic. Perhaps you find your client personally hard to work with and you cannot find a way to improve your relationship. Perhaps your client has had an upsetting emotional release or reacted badly to a misunderstanding around something you said. Or perhaps the acupuncture simply does not work as quickly as your client would like, and he decides to stop treatment. Whatever the case may be, when things do not work out, you still have to be professional and deal with your client openly and with compassion.
I recently heard a story of a teacher who told his class that when he didn’t like a client, he needled her badly, so she would go away and not come back. Now, I heard about this third-hand, so I am going to give the teacher the benefit of the doubt and assume that this was meant as a joke. It was not, unfortunately, heard in that way by his student, who thought this was a valid option in the clinic. I am going to… suggest… that intentionally causing pain to a client is not only a horrible and immoral idea, but that it is also a terrible business practice. This one is for all you out there for whom “horrible and immoral” is not enough to deter you from thinking that this intentional-bad-needle thing is a good idea: If a client were actually treated in that way, you would not just lose one client. That client would revile you, by name, every time acupuncture came up in conversation.
Imagine a group of people talking at a party somewhere. One person mentions that he is considering trying acupuncture for the first time. Standing nearby is a former client of yours who, for whatever reason, was not helped by your treatment. One of two things happens next. In the case where you intentionally caused her pain in order to get rid of her, she chimes in that she tried acupuncture and saw YOU (she will remember your name) and that you were terrible and it was the most painful thing ever. Hmm... In the case where you held a compassionate space for your client, dealt openly with her and perhaps referred her to the homeopath down the street, she chimes in that she tried acupuncture, it didn’t work out, but that her practitioner (she might not remember your name) tried very had and ended up referring her to her awesome homeopath who did such wonderful things for her.
Everything you do professionally reflects back on your practice and your name. So treat every client how you would want to be treated if you were in their shoes.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Keeping an Open Heart
It is inevitable in building our practices that we will see clients who are belligerent, unpleasant, and just “push all our buttons.” The most important thing to ask yourself in such a situation is whether you can have love for this person. In order to do your best treatment, you need to feel a love-your-fellow-human love for each of your clients. This love helps you to see the best in people. When you see the best in your clients, you will be looking for possibilities for growth and healing, and your treatments will always be successful. Regardless of whether symptoms go away, you will be moving your clients towards a better state of health in their lives, and doing your job correctly.
Without love, you can get bogged down in your work by things your clients may do or say that upset you or make you feel diminished in your authority and validity as a practitioner. You do not have to like everything your clients say and do. What you have to do is be as grounded as you can in the face of whatever comes, and address things that have become difficult. A strain on the relationship between you and your client that is not addressed will grow over time. It will be like the proverbial elephant in the room for you, and will create a distance between you and your client. At that point, you will no longer see the best in them, you will miss opportunities for helping them get to their best health in life, and you will end up allowing your own greatness as a practitioner to be diminished.
The other day, on my way to work, I was stopped at a traffic light near some road construction that narrowed the space for cars to get through. As the light was about to change so I could go, a lady surged forward and stopped suddenly to spectacularly block the grid, forcing everyone to wait until we could squeak around her. For three blocks, I was pissed off. After that, I was able to breathe and think about the look on that woman’s face. She wasn’t trying to inconvenience anyone. She just made a mistake. And she was clearly embarrassed and off-center as she sat in the middle of the intersection. This is what I mean by love. When I was angry, all I saw was the bad in her. When I was able to open my heart, I had compassion for the fact that she was probably a good person who was just having a bad day.
Your clients will have bad days. Heck, they could be in the middle of a bad month or year when they come to see you. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Hold a space of love for them. Try to see the best that they could be, and do the best you can to help them. And if all else fails, do the right thing and give them a good referral to another practitioner you respect and who you genuinely think could help them.
Without love, you can get bogged down in your work by things your clients may do or say that upset you or make you feel diminished in your authority and validity as a practitioner. You do not have to like everything your clients say and do. What you have to do is be as grounded as you can in the face of whatever comes, and address things that have become difficult. A strain on the relationship between you and your client that is not addressed will grow over time. It will be like the proverbial elephant in the room for you, and will create a distance between you and your client. At that point, you will no longer see the best in them, you will miss opportunities for helping them get to their best health in life, and you will end up allowing your own greatness as a practitioner to be diminished.
The other day, on my way to work, I was stopped at a traffic light near some road construction that narrowed the space for cars to get through. As the light was about to change so I could go, a lady surged forward and stopped suddenly to spectacularly block the grid, forcing everyone to wait until we could squeak around her. For three blocks, I was pissed off. After that, I was able to breathe and think about the look on that woman’s face. She wasn’t trying to inconvenience anyone. She just made a mistake. And she was clearly embarrassed and off-center as she sat in the middle of the intersection. This is what I mean by love. When I was angry, all I saw was the bad in her. When I was able to open my heart, I had compassion for the fact that she was probably a good person who was just having a bad day.
Your clients will have bad days. Heck, they could be in the middle of a bad month or year when they come to see you. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Hold a space of love for them. Try to see the best that they could be, and do the best you can to help them. And if all else fails, do the right thing and give them a good referral to another practitioner you respect and who you genuinely think could help them.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Point Geometry and Dynamic Insertion
Coming in 2010
This class delves deeply into the subtle characteristics of acupuncture points. The geometric rhythmic movements of points will be presented, along with the ways in which changes in the point affects the direction and formation of vectors and the core needs of the point in order to more fully release it with a needle.
The role of Wei Qi on the point will be shown, along with a detailed examination of different client presentations that alter the ways in which you as the practitioner can access acupuncture points for treatment.
This class in for students and practitioners of any style who wish to have a more profound appreciation of the nature of acupuncture points and how they relate to each other and the meridian system as a whole.
Prior attendance of at least two other Art of Acupuncture classes is required. Participants of any style of practice are welcome. All materials for this class will be provided.
This class delves deeply into the subtle characteristics of acupuncture points. The geometric rhythmic movements of points will be presented, along with the ways in which changes in the point affects the direction and formation of vectors and the core needs of the point in order to more fully release it with a needle.
The role of Wei Qi on the point will be shown, along with a detailed examination of different client presentations that alter the ways in which you as the practitioner can access acupuncture points for treatment.
This class in for students and practitioners of any style who wish to have a more profound appreciation of the nature of acupuncture points and how they relate to each other and the meridian system as a whole.
Prior attendance of at least two other Art of Acupuncture classes is required. Participants of any style of practice are welcome. All materials for this class will be provided.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Understanding Points and Vectors
There is a wonderful feeling when you are in an airplane on your way home. The plane comes out of the clouds, and you look down out of the window and see your home city far below you. The buildings look like tiny little dots at first. Then, as you descend, they get bigger and bigger, until you can see the streets and the cars, and finally the sidewalks. There is also an altered sense of perception that occurs, so that the cars and people look larger-than-life when you get down near the ground level.
This is a lot like what goes on when learning how to palpate an acupuncture point well. In the beginning, the point is just a vague depression in the skin, and this is like seeing the city from high up in the air. As you develop your palpation skills, the geography of the point expands in your senses. Like coming down in the airplane, you begin to notice the streets, and then the cars, the sidewalks, and everything else. An acupuncture point is a small world underneath your fingers. Within each point there are several different spots that can be treated effectively with different techniques for different reasons.
This is the focus of the first part of the class. You will learn the physical and mental tools that will enable you to take your palpation skill to the next level and notice more about the points you treat. We will discuss what different palpatory findings mean, and when a point is appropriate for needling or when moxa treatment is better.
The second part of the class is on vectors. A vector is the angle of opening into an acupuncture point. Most points have multiple vectors present and connecting to different levels of depth in the meridian system. You will learn several methods for palpating vectors, and how to choose between multiple angles of treatment.
By the end of this class, you will have an appreciation of the different levels of palpation at your disposal, and the skills to choose between them for the best results in your clinic. You will also be able to find the exact treatment point for your treatment goals and for your client’s overall presentation. Like all the classes in The Art of Acupuncture, this material is not limited to any style of treatment. However you work in your clinic, you will find that the techniques taught here will improve your treatment efficacy, and increase your understanding and enjoyment of acupuncture.
This is a lot like what goes on when learning how to palpate an acupuncture point well. In the beginning, the point is just a vague depression in the skin, and this is like seeing the city from high up in the air. As you develop your palpation skills, the geography of the point expands in your senses. Like coming down in the airplane, you begin to notice the streets, and then the cars, the sidewalks, and everything else. An acupuncture point is a small world underneath your fingers. Within each point there are several different spots that can be treated effectively with different techniques for different reasons.
This is the focus of the first part of the class. You will learn the physical and mental tools that will enable you to take your palpation skill to the next level and notice more about the points you treat. We will discuss what different palpatory findings mean, and when a point is appropriate for needling or when moxa treatment is better.
The second part of the class is on vectors. A vector is the angle of opening into an acupuncture point. Most points have multiple vectors present and connecting to different levels of depth in the meridian system. You will learn several methods for palpating vectors, and how to choose between multiple angles of treatment.
By the end of this class, you will have an appreciation of the different levels of palpation at your disposal, and the skills to choose between them for the best results in your clinic. You will also be able to find the exact treatment point for your treatment goals and for your client’s overall presentation. Like all the classes in The Art of Acupuncture, this material is not limited to any style of treatment. However you work in your clinic, you will find that the techniques taught here will improve your treatment efficacy, and increase your understanding and enjoyment of acupuncture.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
A Very Special Set of Continuing Education Classes
The Art of Acupuncture
With Zachary Parsons, Lic.Ac.
Level I:
April 24-25, 2010 - Simplifying Pulse Diagnosis
May 15-16, 2010 - Understanding Points and Vectors
June 19-20, 2010 - Point Release and Appropriate Insertion
July 17-18, 2010 - Energy Signature and Vibration Techniques
Level II:
*TBA - Point Geometry and Dynamic Insertion
*TBA - Non-Inserted Needle Techniques
*Require completion of 2 or more Level I offerings
This ground-breaking material will teach you to identify and communicate directly with the Qi of the acupuncture points.
Improve your ability to respond to any clinical situation quickly and correctly through the use of immediate and verifiable feedback from your clients’ bodies. Easily evaluate your treatment and prognosis using information found by your hands and at the tip of the needle.
Participants: We welcome practitioners and students of all styles of acupuncture!
Your tax-deductable investment: $295 per weekend ($250 students)
Register for the entire series and receive one weekend completely free of charge:
Six weekend classes for the low cost of $1475
($1250 students)
12 PDA’s per weekend. Complete all 6 classes to receive certification in The Art of Acupuncture
Classes run from 9:00-4:30pm at Sage Acupuncture,
62 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA
Class size is limited to 15 to ensure individual attention and plenty of Q &A,
so don’t delay, register today!
To register, send an email: thesilverneedle@gmail.com, or phone: 781-860-8808
With Zachary Parsons, Lic.Ac.
Level I:
April 24-25, 2010 - Simplifying Pulse Diagnosis
May 15-16, 2010 - Understanding Points and Vectors
June 19-20, 2010 - Point Release and Appropriate Insertion
July 17-18, 2010 - Energy Signature and Vibration Techniques
Level II:
*TBA - Point Geometry and Dynamic Insertion
*TBA - Non-Inserted Needle Techniques
*Require completion of 2 or more Level I offerings
This ground-breaking material will teach you to identify and communicate directly with the Qi of the acupuncture points.
Improve your ability to respond to any clinical situation quickly and correctly through the use of immediate and verifiable feedback from your clients’ bodies. Easily evaluate your treatment and prognosis using information found by your hands and at the tip of the needle.
Participants: We welcome practitioners and students of all styles of acupuncture!
Your tax-deductable investment: $295 per weekend ($250 students)
Register for the entire series and receive one weekend completely free of charge:
Six weekend classes for the low cost of $1475
($1250 students)
12 PDA’s per weekend. Complete all 6 classes to receive certification in The Art of Acupuncture
Classes run from 9:00-4:30pm at Sage Acupuncture,
62 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA
Class size is limited to 15 to ensure individual attention and plenty of Q &A,
so don’t delay, register today!
To register, send an email: thesilverneedle@gmail.com, or phone: 781-860-8808
Friday, September 25, 2009
Balancing Act
So where have I been for the last two weeks? I have been working in the clinic, I have been under a deadline for getting my classes for 2009-2010 finished with the NCCAOM, I have been getting things in place for my upcoming wedding in December, I have been cleaning house for a big yard sale next month, I have been putting together the flyer for the upcoming class series that is starting at the end of October… and I have been apple picking.
Acupuncture is only a part of what we do and who we are. “Balance!” is the cry from Traditional East Asian Medicine practitioners to our clients. And yet it is so tricky for many of us to practice what we preach. When I started out, I was working the better part of seven days a week. It was an unbalanced time for me, and I do not think, in retrospect, that my schedule helped me do the best job I could for my clients, either.
A balanced life brings joy into living, and helps us appreciate what health is really all about, and why we want to be healthy. With this understanding, we can see more clearly what is healthy in our clients, instead of just what is unhealthy. Having the skill to see when disease and disharmony are present or absent makes one a good clinician. Having the skill to see when health and joy are present or absent makes one a good healer.
And what is the difference between the two? A good clinician sees what has to be done in order to get a client out of a state of suffering. A good healer sees what has to be done to allow a client to live a more joyous and healthy life.
Acupuncture is only a part of what we do and who we are. “Balance!” is the cry from Traditional East Asian Medicine practitioners to our clients. And yet it is so tricky for many of us to practice what we preach. When I started out, I was working the better part of seven days a week. It was an unbalanced time for me, and I do not think, in retrospect, that my schedule helped me do the best job I could for my clients, either.
A balanced life brings joy into living, and helps us appreciate what health is really all about, and why we want to be healthy. With this understanding, we can see more clearly what is healthy in our clients, instead of just what is unhealthy. Having the skill to see when disease and disharmony are present or absent makes one a good clinician. Having the skill to see when health and joy are present or absent makes one a good healer.
And what is the difference between the two? A good clinician sees what has to be done in order to get a client out of a state of suffering. A good healer sees what has to be done to allow a client to live a more joyous and healthy life.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
New Class Schedule is Up!
The schedule for classes from October 2009 to January 2010 is now up. You will find them listed on the left side of the blog page. More detailed descriptions will follow very soon.
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