Why, nowadays, do people focus on disease rather than wellness? What is the position of the acupuncture practitioner: Curative or preventive medicine? I've tried to count the number of patients coming to my clinic in Paris for preventive purposes, and it seems to be only ∼10% of first consultations and more than 70% of my regular patients. Most often, patients come to see me for the first time when they are ill, but, when their first experience with acupuncture proves to be successful, they become very attentive to my advice regarding preventive measures, such as lifestyle; diet; and, of course, preventive acupuncture sessions.
Another question is: “How can we measure the benefit of prevention?” For instance, when a patient suffers from severe neck pain and, after 1 session of acupuncture, the pain disappears, it is easy to assess the efficacy of the treatment. However, when patients come for preventive sessions, these individuals feel good anyway, so how can we know whether the treatment was effective or not? In addition, how can we explain to our patients the necessity of preventive measures, including regular acupuncture sessions? Statistically, we can argue that preventive sessions of acupuncture reduce overall fatigue, the number of days of sickness per year, the amount of medication needed, and the number of medical consultations. Based on my practice for more than 40 years, I have developed a common protocol for prevention that has become fundamental.
Usually, I ask my patients to come for preventive sessions of acupuncture at least 5 times per year, in the beginning of every season to help their body cope with new climatic conditions and to boost their immune systems against external pathogenic factors. For patients with chronic conditions, once they are healed after a series of treatments, I advise 1 preventive session per month to prevent any relapses. In case of patients with seasonal allergies, it is crucial to do at least 2 or 3 preventive sessions every year before Spring to stimulate protections against pollen. During pregnancy, I follow each of my patients every month until the eighth month of gestation as a preventive measure to promote a smooth pregnancy and to improve healthy development for the baby. However, during the last month, 3 acupuncture sessions will be necessary to prepare for the birth.
I often take care of whole families, and, of course, I treat a lot of children. Usually, young mothers bring their newborns (of course, instead of needles I use a small low-light laser), and I also treat the mothers for postpartum issues. These acupuncture sessions are very beneficial for both mothers and their babies. For a baby, acupuncture will improve digestion, prevent colitis and gastric reflux, and stimulate the psychomotor development. For a young mother, preventive acupuncture will help recover her energy, promote lactation, and retrieve complete balance. Three sessions are usually necessary in that postpartum period. The preventive approach is the base for my consultations with children. For preventive sessions, I see children 3 times per year, at the beginning of September, before the cold windy Fall; in December to prevent Winter-related conditions; and at the end of February, when the lack of sun and of natural vitamins exhaust their immune systems. Acupuncture also prevents side-effects of vaccinations, and I usually suggest an acupuncture session on the day of vaccination.
Thus, perhaps one possible answer to the initial question is that, although acupuncture can be a wonderful tool for treating a number of diseases, this therapy could be an even more wonderful tool for preventing them. Therefore, we, as practitioners, should never forget that prevention is at the very root of the particular type of medicine that we devote ourselves to—so perhaps it is time—more than ever—to shift our focus from treating disease to enhancing wellness. If we are able to enter that state of mind—or rather state of spirit—surely, we shall see major shifts in our patients.