Acupuncturist: Most People Are Scared, Until They Try It!

Introduction
There is a lot of nay saying out there when it comes to alternative medicines, and though my opinion, being a licensed and operating acupuncturist, might be a tad skewed, I still have to say that alternative medicine has its value. I know it does because I see the results every day. I had a guy come in just a month or two ago with near crippling back pain: cortisone shots and surgery had both proved to be worthless, and so, his doctor recommended that he try another approach and sent him to come see me. While he is not completely cured, he is able to stand up straight again, and walk more than 20 steps without having to sit down. He swears by acupuncture, now. It’s a very rewarding feeling, cases like this, where I have sincerely helped a person to live a happier life.

Job Function
You have to speak with a patient’s doctor, review all medical history, and speak with the patient himself, as well as run a few physical tests (see if they can touch their toes or lift their leg beyond a certain point kind of stuff) so that you can fully understand the best treatment to give. Once this has been done, you select the appropriate needles (for each part of the body there is a different needle…one cannot just go poking around willy-nilly) and apply them to the appropriate places, and let them stay in for a certain amount of time. Then you burn the bark of a mugwort tree in a strainer so that you can administer a moxibustion, and cover the area in a cloth to allow a heat that will further relieve the patient’s pain.
It doesn’t work 100% of the time, but in my experience it is effective more often than not. You can’t say more than that for any form of medicine. Lifestyle
I have a great life, afforded to me because of my great career. I have set work hours (9-5, M-F) and get paid enough to be comfortable. I am happy with what I do, it makes a huge difference when you work 40 hours a week doing something helpful, meaningful, over doing the same amount of work but knowing what you do helps nobody aside from your boss.

Additional Information
If you become an acupuncturist and set up shop, get a Zen rock garden. It sounds goofy to think that this thing is a necessity, for you can be an acupuncturist and not be a Zen Buddhist, but when a patient comes in and they don’t see that Zen garden on your desk, they are not happy. It sound silly, but people want what they want.