The most important relationship I seek to nurture in the treatment room is the one a patient has with their own body. We live in a culture that teaches us to override pain, defer to outside authority, and push through discomfort. Patients often arrive hoping I can “fix” them, but the truth is, we can’t do the work for them. We can offer guidance, insight and support, but healing requires their full participation.
Acupuncture Poll
The Acupuncture Poll question for December 2004 was:
What percentage of your patients are referred to you from medical doctors or chiropractors?
Results:
These results are based upon 283 responses. As this is a voluntary, non-scientific survey, caution should be used in generalizing the results. Here is a sample of the comments made by those who took the survey and how they voted. Some comments have been edited for brevity.
0%-25%: In New Jersey, patients need a diagnosis or referral ... while all of my patients have a diagnosis, very, very few come to my office with a referral.
26%-50%: The percentage increases every year.
26%-50%: I find MDs and DCs are accepting of acupuncture, especially when allopathy has failed the patient.
To vote in the current Acupuncture Poll, or to review comments and responses to previous poll questions, visit acupuncturetoday.com/acupuncturepoll.