Dear Health Partner,
Welcome to my practice in Chinese Medicine. Exploring your health through this, and other ancient and natural healing modalities, can be an exciting and enlightening experience.
These healing practices are based on the principle that your body is it’s own healer. Your DNA carries the memory of how to heal itself. It’s the lack of communication within the cells of the body that causes the symptoms of illness. Natural healing approaches, such as Chinese Medicine, are designed to re-establish homeostasis and coherence within one’s own body. It is this balance that restores the communication among the cells. Chinese Medicine can provide a kick start and a support for the body to create it’s own miracles. But in the end, you are your own miracle. Your results will be a reflection of the attention and efforts you put into your own healing process.
In our culture of “quick fixes” it is easy to expect quick fixes in everything, including our own healing. In the field of natural medicine, this is not the case. It usually takes a person awhile to develop symptoms as a result of an imbalance in their body. Even in the case of a sudden injury, the body’s ability to heal itself, is affected by a person’s general state of health, exercise, eating habits, and mental state. How quickly a person responds to any medical approach will depend on a number of things, including how long a person has been ill, their age, their general state of health, and the amount of intention and effort they put into their own healing. This sometimes calls for radical changes in one’s lifestyle.
Acupuncture is designed to address the imbalances that underlie an illness. Unlike many medications it is not designed to immediately relieve symptoms, although this does often happen. Sometimes an individual may experience a temporary healing crisis. You may be brought to your own “wall” that lies between you and your optimal health, and you will be faced with the choice of confronting and walking through this wall or of stepping back into your previous level of comfort. The good news is that the miracle is not the practitioner, the vitamin, the herb, or a particular treatment. I repeat, “The miracle is you!”
My way of working is with the model of partnership. I will offer my expertise and experience in natural healing plus information and suggestions that I believe will shorten and enhance your healing process. I respect your choices about what you choose to implement and will not try to convince you to do anything or take anything. I do suggest that you commit to a minimum of 4 treatments, as you may need 4-6 treatments before you notice changes in your condition. Please read all of the literature I suggest.
I find that my patients respond to the acupuncture best in silence and often solitude. One exception is if feelings or memories arise during the acupuncture treatment and there is a desire to share them. Another is if any of the needles are uncomfortable (they should not be). Also please tell me if you begin to feel restless, as this is often an indication that the treatment is complete.
Before you begin your healing session, please make sure your cell phone is turned off. Concentrating on breathing slowly and deeply enhances the relaxation process. Visualizing your body healing itself and your future healthy self may have a surprisingly powerful effect on your outcome. Prayer and meditation are always encouraged.
Thank you for choosing me as your partner in the sacred art of healing.
From my heart to yours,
“Dr. Bonnie”
Bonnie McLean O.M.D. A.P.
