How to Determine if Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Is for You

You are ready to commit

I often refer to Traditional Chinese Medicine as “slow medicine” because it’s not the “quick fix” that is promised with western allopathic medicine. Not only does it require regular and frequent treatments, but it also asks you to be involved in your care. You’ll be given a detailed treatment plan after your initial visit, filled with individualized care you can implement immediately into your daily routine. Taking part in your healing at home reduces recovery times and improves outcomes of your acupuncture treatments. My role as a practitioner is to provide ongoing support in your healing process. If you are coming in to treatment begrudgingly because your doctor or a spouse told you to, this isn’t a good reason to seek care from a Chinese medicine practitioner. Your hearts gotta be in it for the long haul!

You hold respect for the culture in which this traditional medicine originates

If you are not a person of East Asian descent, then it is critical that you arrive to treatment with openness and respect for the culture in which you are seeking care from. If you describe yourself as a skeptic, it’s important to unpack why. Are your questions or assumptions rooted in prejudice? If you find yourself avoiding herbal medicine because it is “from China,” refusing to acknowledge hate crimes against the Asian community or asking “does acupuncture actually work?,” then you might not yet be ready for this medicine. It’s important to understand we cannot separate the medicine from the people and culture because they are deeply intertwined. Receiving TCM requires a genuine curiosity and a listening ear in order not to perpetuate harm within the AAPI community.

Nothing else has helped your condition

TCM views the body through a different lens than western medicine. This allows us to fill in the gaps that western medicine overlooks. What is often unimportant in the west, is extremely important in Chinese medical diagnosis. If you feel like aspects of your health have been overlooked, or you’ve been gaslit by medical professionals, you’ll be at ease knowing TCM views all aspects of body, mind and spirit when creating your treatment plan. Everything in the body is connected.

You want ongoing wellness support

You don't have to have a problem to get treatment! Acupuncture and Chinese medicine thrives in preventative care. Since the medicine is actually rooted in lifestyle habits, ensuring your body, mind and spirit are balanced and in alignment with the seasons is an excellent way to prevent illness.

You want integrative care

It takes a community to provide comprehensive care. A TCM practitioner is an invaluable addition to your healthcare team, helping you to navigate your options and fill in the gaps missed by other practitioners. TCM practitioners are also trained in biomedicine and can refer you to necessary healthcare professionals needed for your care.

Chinese medicine and acupuncture is for you if:

You want a holistic, root cause approach, not just symptom masking

You are curious about traditional knowledge and lifestyles

You want to be involved in your healthcare, not just have someone “fix” you

Ready to take the plunge?