GUEST BLOG:

When I came across CAN I got the affordable aspect and the classism aspect but I didnt really get the improved outcomes aspect.

 I can see now (just in this past week) that frequency is really the key.  Me telling a patients I want them to come in 2-3 times a week conveys that I am serious about treating them.  They see that and are willing to come in.  Presto! results.

As I have gotten more serious about this I have also been seeing people that have more serious issues.  I’m not getting worried about this though because I have also stopped thinking about making perfect treatments.

 Simple treatments work better if the patient is coming in often enough.  They can be tweaked a little bit if needed but really what is important is to “knock down the domino”.

Its funny to me that I can use my skills from being a nurse in a busy hospital in a CA setting so much more than I could in a BA setting.  The time management, the clear- to the point- and compassionate way of interacting,  and the ability to take charge.  ie: not leaving a whole lot of choice: “its time to take your medicine” not “when do you feel like taking your medicine”  

The second quote is what I did when I was a new nurse.  I didnt want to be too pushy, wanted to let the patient decide, and I was not sure of myself.  I quickly learned that my patients didnt benefit, I didnt get anything done, and I got frustrated.

 The first is more of a attitude of owning the knowledge and skills that I have.  The reality is that the patient often will do what I tell them if I sound like I know what I am doing and if I think it will really be of service to them.  Then if they don’t follow my advice thats fine too because they DO have a choice.

This really helped me see much more clearly the whole idea that a lot of people are acupuncturists more out of a hobby or because they want to live the  “acu lifestyle” sold by the schools.  AKA acupuncturist centric view point.

If I really want to get serious about treating people and USING ACUPUCNTURE to its full benefits that requires increased frequency of treatment, increasing patients treated and increasing accessibility.   

My experience in school was more of 3 years on becoming a glorified life coach or a psuedo-counsilor  who will put a couple pins in to “anchor” the conversation.  

I have  learned far more about practicing acupuncture  (and will have treated more patients) in my first month as a CA practitioner than I ever did in acu school.

Well there is my rant. 

Thanks again for all the support,

Nick Kurtz

AdAstraAcupuncture

1119 Massachusetts St.

Lawrence, Kansas 66044

Author: Jessica Feltz, L.Ac.

<p> I learned about Community Acupuncture while studying at the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine (MCOM) in the Spring of 2006 when Lisa Rohleder's first article about her clinic appeared in Acupuncture Today. Coming from a middle-class background myself, I was the only student in my acupuncture class to have not experienced the healing benefits of this medicine prior to beginning studies at MCOM. I couldn't afford it. And my family couldn't understand what I was doing by investing in an education that they didn't perceive to be financially sustainable. </p> <p> The Community Acupuncture model is a perfect fit for me, balancing social justice and taoist simplicity with the patient's innate ability to heal him/herself (with a few gentle nudges from strategically placed needles). I am grateful every day to have found CAN and the love it brings into my life. I want to share that joy by spreading the message about how we can create a new health care experience in our communities through each of our very small efforts...and how those very small efforts can in turn change the world. </p> I enjoy my two sons, my 4 cats, and big stacks of books.  I own and operate...