How Treatment Works
Assessment first. Treatment second. Reassessment throughout.
Treatment is based on the clinical picture at the time of consultation and is reviewed according to what changes between visits.
The first consultation
Establishing the clinical picture.
The first consultation is used to understand your main concern in context. This includes the history and behaviour of the symptoms, previous treatment, medication and supplements, relevant medical information and associated symptoms.
Depending on the presentation, questions may also cover sleep, digestion, energy, temperature, urinary function, stress and other factors relevant to the TCM assessment.
Tongue and pulse assessment form part of the Traditional Chinese Medicine examination. These findings are interpreted within the TCM diagnostic framework and are not substitutes for biomedical diagnostic tests.
Once the information has been organised, a working TCM assessment and treatment priority are established before treatment is selected.
The treatment sequence
A structured process, not a fixed protocol.
Assess
Gather the history, symptom behaviour, tongue, pulse and relevant clinical information.
Prioritise
Determine the working TCM pattern and the treatment priority considered most relevant at that stage.
Treat
Select acupuncture and, where appropriate, pre-prepared Chinese herbal formulas according to the assessment.
Reassess
Review response and decide whether to continue, modify or reconsider the treatment strategy.
Treatment methods
What may form part of treatment.
Acupuncture
Points are selected according to the individual TCM assessment rather than simply from the name of a condition.
Electroacupuncture
Where clinically appropriate, gentle electrical stimulation may be applied through selected acupuncture needles.
Chinese herbal formulas
Pre-prepared formulas may be prescribed when appropriate to the TCM assessment and the individual clinical situation.
Reassessment
Changes in symptoms, function and stability are reviewed so that treatment does not continue automatically without clinical review.
What happens after treatment
Changes are monitored rather than predicted.
There is no universal sequence of changes that every patient should experience after acupuncture. Response varies according to the person, presentation and treatment.
The useful question at follow-up is therefore not whether a predetermined “shift” occurred, but what actually changed and whether that change is clinically meaningful.
We may review symptom intensity, frequency, duration, functional ability, sleep, recurrence between visits and other measures relevant to your particular concern.
A lack of expected improvement is also information. It may lead to modification of the TCM strategy or a recommendation for further medical assessment where appropriate.
Treatment frequency
Regular treatment allows response to be assessed properly.
When a course of treatment is undertaken, regular attendance is important. Treatment is generally planned at intervals appropriate to the clinical presentation, with treatment in this practice not scheduled more frequently than once weekly.
The number of consultations required cannot be predicted accurately in advance. Acute and longstanding presentations may respond differently, and individual response varies.
Where a Chinese herbal formula is prescribed, it should be taken according to the instructions provided unless you are advised otherwise. Please report unexpected symptoms or concerns rather than changing the prescription independently.
Repeated missed sessions or inability to follow the agreed treatment plan can make it difficult to assess response and may limit the usefulness of continuing treatment.
Your role in reassessment
Useful information between consultations.
Please notice
- Whether the main symptom changed in intensity or frequency.
- How long any improvement lasted.
- Whether daily function became easier or more difficult.
- Whether associated symptoms changed.
- Any new symptoms or unexpected reactions.
Please tell me about
- New diagnoses, investigations or significant medical findings.
- Changes to medication, supplements or other treatment.
- Pregnancy or the possibility of pregnancy where relevant.
- Any significant deterioration since the previous consultation.
- Anything that may affect the safety or appropriateness of treatment.
Safety and scope
Treatment has limits.
Acupuncture has a good safety profile when performed appropriately by a suitably trained and registered practitioner. I use sterile, single-use disposable needles and assess relevant risks and contraindications before treatment.
Chinese Medicine and acupuncture do not replace emergency care, appropriate medical diagnosis, laboratory investigation, imaging or specialist assessment. Where further investigation or referral is clinically indicated, this will be recommended.
Next step
Begin with the assessment.
The first consultation establishes whether your concern is appropriate for treatment and provides the information needed to develop an individual strategy.