Key Sentences to Communicate during an Acupuncture Session.
Key points of communication with patients.
1. Explain what you are going to do in advance.
2. Leaving the opportunity for the patient to report discomfort, even (and especially) at the end.
3. Be specific. Avoid ‘It’s OK?’, ‘Are you alright’, ‘Do you feel OK’ and use ‘Is the cup
too tight for you?’, ‘Are you experiencing any sharp pain’, ‘Is the moxa burning?’
4. Too much is as bad as not enough. Avoid talking excessively and constantly asking the same questions, especially in a nervous/anxious way.
Step 1. Present the treatment plan.
Based on the information for your case, I think you will need a total of [number] weekly [or other frequency] sessions, with some/significant improvement achieved in the first few sessions. These treatments will consist of acupuncture/moxa/cupping/etc.
Step 2. Explain the technique.
| Acupuncture. | Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles at specific points in the body (in your case, mainly arms and legs/back and neck/etc) to stimulate these points. This stimulation can [pick as appropriate] regulate the nerve system/regulate the endocrine system/improve digestion/improve local inflammation/reduce pain. The most common risks associated with acupuncture are local hematoma, post-treatment pain, and fainting. These adverse events are not serious and disappear naturally after a few days. |
| Moxibustion. | Moxa treatment involves burning dried mugwort leaves at a certain distance from the skin /through a slice of ginger/etc to warm and stimulate acupuncture points. This stimulation can [pick as appropriate] regulate the nerve system/regulate the endocrine system/improve digestion/improve local inflammation/reduce pain. The most common risks associated with moxibustion are burns and they are rarely serious. |
| Cupping. | Cupping involves placing glass / plastic cups on certain areas of the body (back, legs etc.) Removing air with fire / a pump creates a suction that opens the pores to remove pathogens, improves the circulation of qi and blood, and readjusts soft tissues [delete functions that are not relevant]. Although cupping rarely causes adverse reactions, it leaves marks on the skin that can take days and sometimes weeks to disappear. |
| Guasha. | Guasha involves scraping the skin with an instrument made of stone/Jade/ceramic/horn. This improves qi and blood circulation and relaxes soft tissues. Although guasha rarely causes adverse reactions, it leaves marks on the skin that can take days and sometimes weeks to disappear. |
| Electro-acupuncture. | Electro-acupuncture involves applying a current of electricity into the body through acupuncture needles. [functions and adverse events same as acupuncture] |
| Bloodletting. | Blood-letting involves pricking capillaries/veins with a lancet/hypodermic needles to draw a few drops of blood. This is particularly good for clearing heat and also circulating qi and blood. |
Step 3. At the beginning of the consultation.
Would you like to use the bathroom now, as you will not be able to move for the next [number] minutes?
| Optional – removing clothes: I will need you to remove your shoes, socks, and shirt. (If applicable: you can wrap yourself in this towel/place this towel on your back once you are ready) (I will need you to roll up your sleeves to the level of the elbows and your pants to the level of your knees) |
I will ask you to lie on your back/stomach on this massage table. Please find a comfortable position as you will need to stay in the same position without moving for [number] minutes.
Step 4. Starting the treatment.
| Acupuncture. | I am going to insert needles here, there, and there, is that OK? Please let me know if you feel any unbearable/long-lasting sharp pain during this process. A full/dull/heavy feeling is a normal sign. I’m starting to insert the needles now.[Checking dechee] Do you feel anything here? What about here? All the needles are now in place. Please try to avoid moving for the next [number] minutes as it may cause discomfort.[If using manipulation during the session] I will manipulate the needles. Please let me know if this is uncomfortable. Hi [name], I will now remove the needles. (…) how do you feel? |
| Cupping. | I am going to place the cups here and here. You will feel some suction, which is normal, but let me know if this is unbearable. (observed one cup is very strong) is the suction from this cup too strong for you? I’m now going to leave the cups for 8 minutes. Please avoid moving too much as this can make the cups fall off. Hi [name], I am now going to remove the cups. How do you feel? |
| Guasha. | I am going to put some oil on your skin to limit irritation and start to scrape your skin with this instrument. You may feel pressure and some degree of pain, which is expected. Please let me know if the pain is unbearable. Is it bearable? Can I scrape stronger? [repeat every two to five minutes as appropriate] Alright, the guasha is done, how do you feel [name]? |
| Moxibustion. | I am going to start the stimulation of the acupuncture point with the moxa stick/cone/box. You will feel some warmth, which is normal, but let me know immediately if it begins to burn / it gets too hot. Do you feel the warmth? Is it too hot? [repeat every five minutes or more if necessary] Alright, we are all done, how do you feel [name]? |
| Bloodletting. | [name], I am going to prick your ear/leg/etc. With this lancet/needle, it is going to hurt a little but it will be very quick. (if using multiple points) how is it going [name], can we do [number] more points? Alright, the bloodletting is completed, how do you feel? |
Step 5. Wrap up.
How did it go?
Some people may feel tired after an acupuncture session. If this happens to you, do not push yourself too much and rest as much as needed.
We also recommend avoiding a shower in the next 8 hours (for moxa, cupping, and blood-letting) to avoid infections.
Is there anything else you would like to tell me before leaving?
I will see you at the next session on [date/time] then. Enjoy your day/evening.