This is how I think acupuncture should be practiced... it will suit some patients and not others. I think a lot of people will be helped by this:
Acupuncture should be Affordable: Think about people who need acupuncture but whose jobs and finances have been affected by their ailment. What about senior citizens with fixed incomes? What about those laid off work because of injuries and without disability funds?
How can they get acupuncture if acupuncture is $60 or more per treatment? If they need 6-8 treatments just to start, and if it's best to get acupuncture once or twice a week, they need $400-500 spare at least... that's too much for some. Acupuncture shouldn't be just a luxury for the rich.
What if it cost half as much? $30 a treatment. How many more people could get the relief they need?
Acupuncture works without talk therapy: Some acupuncturists talk to each patient for 15 to 30 minutes every visit. Add re-diagnosis, needle insertion, and removal time, and they spend 45-60 minutes with each patient. To make a living, they have to charge $60 per treatment. [We don't keep all the money- there are business costs like needes, malpractice insurance, continuing education, office rental, receptionist, postage, etc.]
Acupuncture, like ex-lax, works regardless of what we say or think, with or without talk, with or without relaxing music, etc.
It's the acupuncture you really need- if you need talk therapy, see a therapist. If you need a friend, get a friends. I'm a friendly guy and I like to make fun of myself for your amusement, and I like my patients, but I don't think people they're paying me to be their best friend... people are paying for the healing effects of the acupuncture.
The way we were taught to practice in school is very time-intensive... It's nice, but it's expensive- what if you just want the benefits of the acupuncture?
Low Cost, Effective Acupuncture
The practice model I'm creating is to get affordable acupuncture to more people. Why is this so important to me?
- I think it's the right thing to do. It's where my heart is. I felt conflicted in the past, charging so much money. My belief is that as a healer and helper, I'm supposed to help people. I don't feel good excluding those with more limited means. Heck, I know what that's like- I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth!
- Another part of it is that I don't want to be a talk therapist- it's not what I was trained to do. I was trained to diagnose people's health conditions from an Asian medicine perspective and treat them with herbs and acupuncture.
- I got extra training in acupuncture and so I do quick, effective acupuncture. That saves patients money so I can help more people. To do that, I have to see more patients per hour. I can't do talk therapy if I want to be efficient and keep the price down.
What does this quick acupuncture treat? Can I treat
anything and everything this way? No, some people have very complicated, chronic internal problems. They need more time from a diagnostician. They may need a customized herbal formula. I know how to do that, but it takes time and that costs money- there are herbalists and internal medicine practitioners who love to practice that way- like my practice partner Christian Dionese.
What can I treat that way?
- Just about any type of pain- for example: muscle pain, nerve pain, chronic pain, and headaches.
- I've also helped with insomnia, migraines, and various nervous system disorders...
- I can do the smoking/drug/alcohol cessation treatment called NADA
- And if you're not sure, ask me!
How can you get an appointment?I'm not currently practicing, but I may in the very near future- if you're interested, call Kristin at 322-9200 with your email and phone number and we'll contact you when I'm available.
All the best!
Brian
