[TCM] Introduction (and comments on clinic jitters)

[Ferre, Cynthia]

I'll introduce myself... I'm Cynthia.  I'm in a TCM apprenticeship and
NCCAOM acupuncture-board eligible in June 2005; June 2006  for the herb
board.  My full-time job is as an epidemiologist at CDC in Atlanta where
I work on maternal health issues.  My long-term goal is to bring more
alternative and complementary medicine into public health, especially
since there is little support for this here currently.  I've also had a
couple years training in energy medicine and am starting another program
this fall in integrated healing.

I've been regularly exposed to clinic in various ways after the first 4
months of my apprenticeship.  My roles and responsibilities have
steadily increased from observation and intake to now needling in the
presence of an instructor (legal in Georgia).  I go in cycles about
remembering point locations and functions but increasingly feel more
competent.  It also helps that my instructors don't always remember
*all* the points nor *all* the functions.  They are also constantly
telling me that it is ok to ask for help.  I have a long way to go on my
competency regarding herbs and formulas.  

I also want to say that clinic is very rewarding and fun.  We offer a
free student clinic for those wanting to try acupuncture.  Clients get 2
free acu treatments but have to pay for herbs.  It feels good that when
I'm doing an intake and differentiating a pattern and I ask a patient a
question about a symptom they hadn't mention - they are amazed at how I
knew it.  They feel seen and understood.  I had another clinic patient
in her late 70s who told me, while she was on the table during her first
treatment, that this was much better than any Western medical treatment
she ever had and that it was good to have all of her physical symptoms
and emotional health being addressed at once.  I'm realizing that I
really like working with the elderly because they have a lot going on
and tend to be very discouraged by Western medicine.  I held one
client's hand for about 10 minutes after one treatment - this was as
much a part of the treatment as the rest of her time there.

My own growth as an acupuncturist has also occurred.  With one of my
last clients, I was able to adjust some point selections as she
disclosed more of what was happening with her while she was on the table
- she hadn't given this information during the intake.  She had also
complained about arthritis in her hands and I insisted we do the extra
points for this.  She had immediate relief and called her friends the
next day to rave about acupuncture.  I felt good that I was able to go
with the flow of her visit and help her.

So it's ok to be nervous about clinic but you'll have teachers there to
help you along.  Clinic also gives you the opportunity to have fun, make
contact with clients, and make a difference in their lives.

My best,
Cynthia
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