The Time Issue- Setting Expectations
When patient walks into my office what they articulate and what they need aren’t always the same thing. People want to know not only if I can fix their issue (often some kind of pain), but also how long it will take to ‘fix’ them. I would argue that the latter is much more important. That’s because people have the capacity to tolerate discomfort quite well if they understand the timeframe of discomfort.
If my orthopedic surgeon tells me I’ll be back to normal three weeks after a knee replacement, I may be depressed if it takes me three months. But if he tells me I should be at 80% within 10-12 weeks, then I may have no trouble at all being patient with gradual improvement. In short, people can handle anything if they know what they are in for.
My job is to understand the totality of their situation and set appropriate expectations. The reason I do this well is because I’ve been in business for a long time and have seen thousands of patients recover from myriad ailments and injuries.
Quarterbacking
Another issue patients have is that everyone gives them different advice. Correct. Not correct. Well-meaning. Self-serving. Who knows. Having someone who can review imaging data, bloodwork, treatment plans, and timelines can be invaluable. I don’t always act as the point person, but I do always advocate for the idea of having one person manage the condition.
One thing I enjoy doing with my patients is helping them craft a strategy for their care. Who they should see and in what timeframe. What information is actionable and what should be reviewed or ignored? What other resources do I have available internally or by referral.
As soon as a patient has a plan and someone they trust to execute that plan, they can work more efficiently to resolve their condition.
Effective Treatment- Putting the 'acu' in acupuncture
At the end of the day, you have to diagnose the condition correctly, and put the needles in the right place. While no practitioner can help everyone, acupuncture treatment done correctly can help most people partially or completely heal.
At this point in my career, I’ve inserted hundreds of thousands of needles. So I have clear expectations of patient responses and outcomes. I also know what to do when my treatment doesn’t work.
I excel is treating both simple and complex conditions because I’ve been doing this a really long time. This allows me to tailor treatment to the individual, bring in other modalities (or doctors) as appropriate, and set clear treatment timelines.
This way, patients heal well, and as efficiently as possible.
The Human Factor
The beauty of being in private practice is that I have the luxury of time. I can spend as much time with my patients as need be. Patients feel heard and valued and I genuinely enjoy getting to know my patients and their families and being a resource for them to enhance their well-being.
Missing from modern medicine is this human connection. Work, home life, relationships, and emotions all inform both physical and emotional health. Recognizing and acknowledging the totality of person can be just as valuable as selecting the right acupuncture point or herb.
An Intelligent Approach to Care
In summary, it’s not always easy finding the right practitioner, but if you look for someone who embodies the traits above, you will be off to a great start.
Remember, no one is better qualified to make decisions about your health than you. Look for someone that offers advice, is willing to hear your concerns, and work with you and on your behalf to get the job done.
Ted Ray
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