Jonathan answers Laura's questions on 'What is Acupuncture?'

by Jonaathan Clogstoun-Willmott
(Edinburgh)

Q1/ Is it possible for you to cause an 'imbalance' in an organ? ...

A1/ Yes. If you use an acupuncture point to disperse Qi - energy - in a situation of deficiency, such as weakness, tiredness or coldness from exhaustion, you may further reduce Qi from the channel on which the point lies. That in turn may weaken and potentially un-balance the system as a whole.

Q2/ ...or to make the ill condition worse by missing the 'right' point of needle insertion
A2/ This depends on the condition but in general if you completely miss the correct acupuncture point but are still on its channel and are not at an Ahsi point - a temporarily active point on the channel, often discovered because of pain there - your treatment may still be partially beneficial. If you use the completely wrong point on the channel, and do a strong treatment there, you may also further un-balance the condition, possibly making it worse.

Q3/... or by misdiagnosis of the condition?
Q4/ Misdiagnosis in itself is not the problem, it's the treatment you do based on the misdiagnosis which may either not help, or if you act too decisively, strongly, could make it worse. (Ask any therapist!)

Q4/ Do you keep a patient history and record of all the treatment?
A4/ Yes.

Q5/ How do you remember the treatment you gave someone over a period of time?
A5/ I have all the notes for each patient with me at each consultation in case I need to refer to them and so as to update them each time.

Q6/Can I have an 'idea' of how much a session can cost?
A6/ I list my prices on my site. You can see them at https://www.acupuncture-points.org/fees.html

Q7/ Can your treatment, if NOT done accurately, weaken the patient?
A7/ Acupuncture is a medical treatment. The wrong treatment may harm the patient.

Q8/ Can any harm (if it occurs) be undone? As if you 'fine tune' an 'area' but in doing so, something else gets imbalanced or caused to malfunction, can it be 'repaired'?
A8/ Depends what you mean by 'any' harm! Usually a patient will soon say if they feel worse in which case the acupuncturist or other therapist will have to reassess the diagnosis and treatment strategy. Often problems arise from attempting to suppress a condition: see more about this at https://www.acupuncture-points.org/suppression.html

What is Acupuncture

by Laura
(Maryland)

Is it possible for you to cause an 'imbalance' in an organ

or to make the ill condition worse by missing the 'right' point of needle insertion

or by misdiagnosis of the condition?

Do you keep a patient history and record of all the treatment?

How do you remember the treatment you gave someone over a period of time?

Can I have an 'idea' of how much a session can cost?

Can your treatment, if NOT done accurately, weaken the patient?

Can any harm (if it occurs) can it be undone? As if you 'fine tune' an 'area' but in doing so, something else gets imbalanced or caused to malfunction, can it be 'repaired'?