A student stands over a patient, needle poised. They have a “perfect” prescription: a textbook combination of points harvested from a lecture slide on chronic lower back pain. But as the needle meets the skin, the student hesitates - the symptom of a quiet habit that has taken hold of our profession. We routinely say we “prescribe” points. It sounds efficient. It echoes the authority of biomedical culture and fits neatly into the insurance field. But vocabulary is never neutral; repeated long enough, it dictates behavior.
Matthew Bauer, LAc
Matthew Bauer began studying Taoist history, philosophy, and spirituality under Taoist Master Hua-Ching Ni in 1978 and became a Licensed Acupuncturist in 1986. In addition to managing a successful practice, Matthew worked with various acupuncture organizations, as a consultant to the insurance industry, and as an expert witness for the California Acupuncture Board and in private cases. His book "The Healing Power of Acupressure and Acupuncture" explores the roots of acupuncture and Chinese medicine theory including how the point/meridian system came to be organized. His latest book "Making Acupuncture Pay" is the cornerstone of Matthew's efforts to help acupuncturists build successful practices. For more information please see his websites at www.MakingAcupuncturePay.com or www.MatthewDBauer.com or email Matthew at wlmailhtml:acu.guy@verizon.net.