How to Network Within Your Community
Guest Blogger Michael Stephenson

Oriental practices, like acupuncture, offer many benefits to human health. As a practitioner, you are in a unique position to bring these benefits to the mainstream. You get to help people while doing something you enjoy. But, it’s not all fun and games. Sometimes, you have to focus on the business aspect. Networking is one of these.

Written by Chase Howard, Esq. from the Florida Healthcare Law Firm

On July 9, 2021, President Biden signed a far-reaching Executive Order that could have a significant impact on the acupuncture industry.  Under the Executive Order, President Biden:

This past weekend was my first live acupuncture seminar since COVID.  I have been overwhelmed by the sheer energy generated by a group of colleagues (APs, students and teacher) gathering together to learn and study.  I did not know how much I had missed this. 

It was a privilege to study scalp acupuncture with the 3rd generation teacher of the Fang's Scalp Acupuncture lineage Huang Zhuying.  Fang Yunpeng was the developer of acupuncture anesthesia and scalp acupuncture during a time when pain drug supplies were in short supply.  He passed the system to his son Fang Benzheng who further refined and developed the system. The teacher of the class Huang Zhuying is the 3rd generation.  I'll post the class picture later. 

May 2021 provided the most visible celebration of Asian Americans' & Pacific Islanders' (AAPI) history, culture, and global influence.  By highlighting personal examples of courage and tenacity I was better able to learn about the lives of millions who came this country with little more than optimism and ambition.  Asian/Pacific immigrants, like those from Eastern/Western Europe and around the globe, most often chose to leave their birthplace to escape poverty, famine, and persecution only to face similar conditions in their new homeland. 

The stories of Asian/Pacific Americans who overcame biases rooted in ignorance and intolerance continue to inspire those who follow seeking similar opportunities for a brighter path in America.  Learning some of the heartwarming and heartbreaking stories of people who exceeded contemporary and societal expectations to fulfill their dreams is a reminder that the human spirit will triumph when given a chance.        

I've been listening in again to the Qilogical podcasts produced by Michael Max   (Thank you to my new puppy for taking me on walks) After Michael spoke at the 2012 FSOMA Conference on the 10 Formula Families*  I've been an occasional listener to his podcast and enjoyed his clinic newsletter for the thoughtful comments and insights.  

This week's interview was quite fascinating as it brought into the acupuncture clinic the writings of an FBI negotiator that finding the "No" place with your patient could be more usefully ultimately than trying to get to agreement or a "Yes".  Thinking about your patient's disease as a hostage taker and your patient as the hostage can give you more tools in how to navigate the healing process. I've been in practice over 20 years and still struggle with those patients with whom I don't seem to be able to communicate the value in what I'm offering, who drop out of care just when we seem to be getting somewhere.  I also seem to have forgotten about the maxim that "All Diseases Come from the Heart" and the podcast took me back to some basics.