Intention

Acupuncture is, among other things, a transfer of energy.  When we needle a point, we are using the needle to active the acupuncture point’s unique  function.  Each acupuncture treatment is a unique set of points that are used to treat each person’s Chinese pathology.  However, I have found that the idea of intention is just as important in an acupuncture session as the point prescription.  This is the idea that when the acupuncturist is inserting the needles, they direct their energy into the overall intention of the treatment.  In recent months, I have found that when I focus my intention of the overall acupuncture treatment, my patients report a greater sense of relaxation during the treatment and longer lasting results as well.

I experienced this phenomenon while I was in acupuncture school.  During the first few semesters of school, we were required to take a massage class and practice on our friends.  I was massaging my friend’s calves because she was experiencing leg cramps at night.  During the massage, I was talking to my friends and not really setting my energy or focus on the massage itself.   That night, I woke in the middle of the night from horrible cramping in my claves.  I had never experienced that pain before nor have I ever experienced it since that time.  This was how I realized and truly understood the value of intention and focus in giving acupuncture (or any other) treatment.