Q's for Dr. Duckworth: Acupuncture and "Quiet"

Greetings,

Curious about something. I've been to acupuncture treatments in open-air clinics (for lack of a better term), in which people are treated close together, as well as in traditional office settings. With the open-air settings, it's interesting to hear people go into detail about their maladies, though it can seem a bit of a public place to air your personal ailments. Just wondered what you think about people staying quiet and in-the-moment, as opposed to being more talkative, when they get their treatments?

Thanks,
Eric

Dear Eric,

Interesting question. In China, the clinical setting is (so I'm told) an open communal situation; while in Japan, the standard is privacy, modesty and quiet. A practitioner I knew from Switzerland had studied in China and her clinic in Switzerland was open and she reported that her Swiss patients/clients loved the open room setting - possibly because it was so novel. Years ago, I was involved with a teaching/service clinic in Mexico that had 5 tables in a large open room. Patients talked to each other, family & friends stood around the tables and talked - it was often like a picnic! The group dynamic experienced in Mexico seemed to be part of the healing process. Another experience I have had has been through the work we do with the Institute of American Acupuncture & Life Medicine. We operated a clinic in south city that was a large room. Our clientele were constrained economically and some spoke little or no English. At first, we had screens and room dividers separating the treatment tables but we eventually took them down and operated in an open arena and no one seemed to mind. It may be a cultural thing, I don't know.

At Natural Life Therapy Clinic we treat in private rooms. Family members (and sometimes friends) do occasionally come in to observe/visit but most of our patients like the quiet, relaxing aspects of the private room. In addition, in the private practice, some clients want the sanctuary of privacy where they can freely talk about their issues (health and otherwise) and seek counsel. (As you pointed out, some people talk very freely in the open air environment also.) I consider it very important that the treatment be a relaxing, non-disruptive experience. Quiet is most helpful but some people can be quite relaxed while talking... even while being treated. So, I have treated in both environments and find both acceptable but I think in my practice, my clients are more relaxed in a quiet, private setting.

Thank you for this question. I hope I have helped you in your studies.

Dr. Thomas E. Duckworth, L.Ac.