Acupuncture Technology News

As many of you know, a couple of weeks ago, Alan and I were in Florida for the FSOMA conference. We met some really great practitioners.

I would like to introduce you to two Florida practitioners. One already owned the AcuGraph and the second had been ‘stalking us’ on the blog, for about a year, while she was deciding whether or not to buy!

#1: Jo Ann came to our booth to get graphed just for fun. She already owned the AcuGraph and had some great information to share. Click her picture below to play the video!
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Isn’t it exciting? After all of the vacations, reunions and hot summer days…the kids are now heading back to school! Even if you don’t have kids, or they are grown, Back to School brings a collective sigh of relief since that’s when patients return to their normal schedule and practices become busy again.

As we contemplate our kids going back to school, we mentally start the checklist of the things we want to accomplish before the end of the year (because we know year-end will be here sooner than we realize!).

Here are 3 things you can do to make this your best year ever!

1. Increase the number of new patients you see.

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Good morning. I hope that your holiday weekend has been fabulous. Today’s blog is short and sweet.

I’d like to share an article that was written by one of our AcuGraph users in China. Matthew Scott writes regular articles that you may be interested in following. He is a professionally-trained Chinese-medicine practitioner from Australia. In 2000, Matthew moved to China for a few months to further his studies in Chinese medicine and never went back. I hope that you enjoy reading his article.

http://www.chinese-holistic-health-exercises.com/Chinese_Health_Tips-modern-acupuncture.html

I really love hearing from our AcuGraph practitioners. Do you write articles for your own or another blog? I want to know so that I can follow you! Please send me a note and let me know if you write articles too. Who knows, maybe you’ll be featured on our newsletter sometime as well.

Have a great day!

Kimberly Thompson, L.Ac.

kimberly@miridiatech.com

Recently, I received an e-mail from a practitioner who was considering purchasing an AcuGraph. She had a couple of really good questions for me. I’d like you to read my responses and tell me what you would add to my thoughts.

Background: This practitioner was responding to an e-mail which she received from me stating that my practice had doubled.

Question #1:

I’m interested in numbers. Telling me that your practice immediately doubled because you use the AcuGraph doesn’t really help me make a decision about the product. If you were seeing two patients a week, which then increased to four, that is doubling–but not really worth the costly investment. Can you tell me what doubling your practice means to you?

Question #2:

Secondly, what type of patients compose your practice? Seemingly, the AcuGraph could guide you to which meridian is involved in a painful situation, but what about fertility, weight loss, ADHD or autism?

My response…

Hello XXXXX,

I work for Miridia Technology three days a week, and treat patients in my private practice 2 days per week. This is a great balance for me, because it fulfills my need for research and continued educational growth, but it also allows me to treat patients regularly–which I really LOVE.

The growth of my practice since the AcuGraph came in two stages.

First:

When I first started working at Miridia, I allowed myself to treat 5 patients a week. Just enough to stay in touch with patients as I began this new endeavor. I immediately incorporated the AcuGraph into my private practice and used it as a “patient education tool.” Within a couple of months my practice doubled. That doesn’t sound like too much, does it? Going from  5 to 10 patients isn’t that big of a deal.

Second:

After about a year and a half, I had a paradigm shift. Finally, I realized that the AcuGraph was more than just a patient education tool. It was quite a transition for me. Once I made the transition, my patients started getting better twice as fast and my referral rate doubled. Currently, I am treating approximately 20 patients per week in my two-day a week practice. If a new patient called today, it would take 2.5 to 3 weeks to get in.

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Enjoy the clip!

We’d love your feedback!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QicmybM40M

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Here at Miridia headquarters, we spent the weekend holding our live training with Dr. Jake Paul Fratkin. “Clinical Applications of AcuGraph Meridian Diagnostics” was a huge success, with every seat sold out and very high ratings from attendees.

Highlights included advanced graph interpretation and treatment, Japanese needling techniques and philosophy, Dr. Fratkin’s wealth of clinical experience, and of course, my bare backside. (Dr. Fratkin demonstrated his back treatment on me in front of the class–including needling GB 30.)

We had a really great group of practitioners, including brand new AcuGraph users and well-seasoned veterans. Thanks to all who participated–it was an amazing weekend. How amazing? Here are some pictures and a few quotes from attendees…

The weekend was well attended and a huge success

I recommend this course to all acupuncturists–even the ones that don’t own the AcuGraph (yet.) It covers all the basics in meridian therapy and expands their knowledge and adds to all that they already know.

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Hello Friends,

There’s a great article up at Acupuncture Today about Digital Meridian Imaging. Monique Smith, LAc, talks about her journey from skepticism of acupuncture software to understanding, and ultimately embracing AcuGraph in her practice. Check it out here:

Acupuncture Today Article

When you get there, don’t forget to hit the “Plus 1″ button in the upper right corner to let others know you liked the article. Then let me know what you think in the comments below.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Every now and then you receive exactly the message you need to hear. That happened to me today, and I hope it happens to you as well. I know that for some of you, this is EXACTLY the message you need to hear.

About three years ago, when economic conditions took a turn for the worse, I made the conscious decision NOT to participate in this recession. I know from my business education that Economics is really just the study of human behavior, and that we humans get to CHOOSE our behavior. Recessions come and go, so I decided to just sit this one out.

The practical application of my decision meant that I would have to work smarter and provide even more value in the marketplace than ever before. In other words, the key to MY economic survival boiled down to doing all I can to serve YOU. If I provide you with the value and tools you need to run a successful practice, prosperity follows for us both.

I wrote quite a bit about this topic in 2008 and 2009, but I haven’t written much about it lately. I think we all assumed the economy would have improved much more by now than it has. Nevertheless, my business has survived and even thrived because my decisions have FORCED me to work harder and smarter, while providing you incredible value for your money.

That’s not to say I haven’t been discouraged at times. I’d like a break as much as anybody else. I’d love to put the business on “autopilot” and just be able to relax a bit. But in this economic climate, that’s just not an option. Heck, I’d also like free chocolate kisses raining from the sky. But that’s not an option either.

So through the continual innovation and perspiration, I’ll admit I was feeling a little discouraged today. I was, that is, until I got the phone call…

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I have had the AcuGraph 4 for almost 4 weeks now, and am totally blown away! I got the system two days before a big health fair. The system was super simple to set up. I was able to get it working in minutes. I have a busy practice and only had about three hours to practice taking graphs. I set up at the show with just my laptop, the AcuGraph, and a printer. I graphed 86 people that day!

I was reluctant at first to introduce any sort of machinery into my practice. I changed my mind when I discovered the research done by Dr. Nakatani and those who followed his work. Dr. Larsen’s analogy of using electrical measurements as a surrogate for qi was also compelling. I thought that if this were true, if we really could have an objective measurement of some kind, it would revolutionize the practice of acupuncture. Other than AcuGraph Digital Meridian Imaging we have no objective measurements in our medicine.

In my mind, the AcuGraph needed to pass three tests if I was going to accept it as a valid way to measure the relative balance between the meridians:

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One of the best parts of my job is hearing from happy customers.

From time to time, I get a message that just makes me grin for the rest of the day. A short time ago, I received one of those messages:

In the last 3-4 months, I have done some hundred + AcuGraphs of new patients.  People are coming in with everything from depression and anxieties, to menstrual irregularities, to foot pain, to allergies, to digestive conditions, to headaches, to low energy and on and on.  Much to mine and their amazement, the graphs for the most part, pretty much reflect either high or low or split values in the meridians that are located over their areas of CC. Coincidence?

I have consciously been treating (sort of like an experiment) only the recommendations from the graphs, and this is no easy task after 20 years of doing TCM analysis and treatment.  I have found that other “conditions” got better that I didn’t even know about (patient never initially revealed it) until talking with the patient after a few sessions.  I am grudgingly converting my acupuncture mentality to a “non-condition” based one and treating accordingly.

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Hello Everyone,

I received the following case report from one of our clients and I just had to share it.

Enjoy!

Hello Dr. Larsen,

I have been using the auriculotherapy for about three months and have been VERY PLEASED with this addition to my practice. Every patient is now receiving ear acupuncture with each treatment. I am using the Stimplus Pro to find the active points, regardless of the intended treatment. I then treat all active points—anywhere from two to ten. The results have been nothing short of outstanding!

Here is what I have found:

#1: My success rate has increased to the point that I feel confident in treating just about anything…

#2: I am seeing patients for fewer consecutive treatments and am getting better results consistently.

#3:  My referral rate has increased!

One particular story that I would like to share:

Recently I had a patient with stubborn neck and shoulder pain. He had previously tried chiropractic, massage, and acupuncture—each of which had brought him very little relief. His wife was a patient of mine. He was impressed that her sleep issues were rectified within only five treatments, so he decided to come and see me. After his first treatment, he was pain free for three days. I continued to treat every 3-4 days, totaling 5 treatments in all. His problems resolved and he is now scheduled for maintenance.

On his initial visit his pie score was only a 37. The Small Intestine meridian was split and read at 200 on the left side, which was no surprise since this is exactly where he was experiencing pain.

Treatment 1:

Chief Complaint: Left sided posterior shoulder/scapula and neck pain 8/10 following SI meridian. Does not sleep due to pain. Sits at desk most days, high stress job.

Tongue: Pale, swollen, orange sides, no stasis, no coat
Pulse: Left, Wiry  Right, Slippery
TX:

• Ear-L: Shen Men, SI, Cervical-E, Lumbar-E, Thoracic-E (Nogier phase 2)
• Body: LI11, LI4, SI3, SI7-R, LV3, ST36; Fire Cupping painful area

Treatment 2:

Since last TX: Three days no pain 0/10, slept great, pain returning today 4/10
Tongue & Pulse: Unchanged
TX:

• Ear-L: Shen Men, PT Zero, SI, Cervical, Lumbar, Thoracic (Nogier phase 2)
• Body: LI11, LI4, SI3, SI7-R, LV3, ST36; Fire Cupping

Treatment 3:

Since last TX: Some pain 5/10 day after last treatment, then three days no pain 0/10, still sleeping well.
TX:

• Ear-L: Shen Men, SI, Cervical-E, Lumbar-E, Neck, Shoulder (Nogier phase 2)
• Body: LI11, LI4, SI3, SI7-R, LV3, ST36; Fire Cupping

Treatment 4:

Since last TX: Neck pain for one day of last three 2/10, Cervical spinal soreness due to overstretching, sleeping well.
TX:

• Ear-L: Shen Men, PT Zero, Cervical-E + C, Lumbar-E (Nogier phase 2)
• Body: LI11, LI4, SI3, SI7-R, LV3, ST36; Fire Cupping

Treatment 5:

Since last TX: Pain gone since last treatment. Move patient to maintenance.
TX:

• Ear-L: Shen Men, PT Zero, Cervical-E (Nogier phase 2)
• Body: LI11, LI4, LU5, LV3, ST36, SP4-L; Fire Cupping

After his last treatment his pie score improved from a 37 to an 85 and his Small Intestine channel went from an extreme split to a slight deficiency. These AMAZING RESULTS came after only 5 treatments!

I feel as if Auriculotherapy was “The Missing Link” in my practice. By adding in auricular treatments for every patient, I have obtained better results than I could have ever imagined. Thank you, Dr. Larsen, for everything you have done for this wonderful medicine!

Sincerely,

James Pedersen

MSOM, L.Ac.

Valley Acupuncture Health Solutions

A year ago I was a brand new acupuncturist, just getting settled in a new area and starting my practice. An ad for an acupuncture research position at Miridia Technology caught my eye, and that’s how I came to learn about the AcuGraph system.

I’ve been working for Miridia Technology for almost a year now. Dr. Larsen asked me to make a list of things that I’ve learned in the last year for my first annual review. One of the items on my list was this:

I am confident with the AcuGraph program.

Now, I know what you’re thinking:  “Well, I’d hope you’re confident with it… You do work for Miridia Technology, after all!”  Yes, that’s a good point. Obviously I feel confident working within the program, answering questions for users, and doing continued research to help the program grow.

But the confidence I’m talking about comes from experience in my own private practice… (yes, I also have a private practice). Let me tell you a couple of the reasons for my confidence.

1. Patients LOVE AcuGraph!

This continues to amaze me! Every time they come in, they are anxious to be graphed.  The big question is always: “What is my pie score? Am I getting better?” AcuGraph allows me to teach my patients about Chinese medicine theory with interactive charts and graphs. Everyone wins… The patients trust more in what I do because I have professional tools and I get additional information to help me make a more informed diagnosis.

When the graphs don’t look the way we want them to, we talk about stress and lifestyle and how these aspects of our lives affect our bodies. I get much better “buy-in” from patients when they see the visible effects of their life choices.

2. I can see TCM Patterns in the Graph.

I came to Miridia Technology with a TCM background. I wondered how I could use the graphs to explain diagnoses such as Spleen Qi Deficiency, Kidney Yin Deficiency or Liver Yang Rising. After a year of using the graphs I have learned that with continued graphing and treatment, the pattern begins to show through in the graph history. Comparing graphs throughout the year helps me to see constitutional patterns that exist for my patient and gives me ideas for herbal formulas they may need.

• Are the Liver and Kidney showing up as deficient most of the time?  Liu Wei Di Huang Pian may be a good constitutional formula for this patient.
• How about a continual deficiency in the Spleen channel with sleep disturbances.  Gui Pi Pian may be a good choice for this patient.
• And so on…

3. There’s no substitute for evidence-based progress tracking.

After nearly a year of use it is really nice to be able to show patients the progress they’ve made clinically! One way to do this is with a “One Year Review.” AcuGraph is a great tool to show the patient how they have been progressing and changing clinically. What a great time to compare graphs for the year. Just click on the “History” button to talk about healthy goals for the New Year and find a constitutional formula that will fit their needs. Good for business—and good for the patient!

Now that I’ve practiced with AcuGraph for a year, as well as helping develop new features and technologies, I can honestly say the system makes me a better practitioner, gives my patients more confidence, and results in better outcomes than I would have otherwise enjoyed.

It’s been a great first year at Miridia Technology!

Now that I’m more experienced with AcuGraph, I’ve been asked to regularly share clinical insights, case studies and tips here in the AcuGraphing blog. I look forward to sending you some great information in 2011.

Thanks for sharing in my journey…

Have you ever Googled yourself? I’ll bet you have.

To tell you the truth, I haven’t Googled myself in many months, but the last time I did, I watched great video coverage of a guy with my name bench pressing over 800 lbs and breaking world records. It definitely wasn’t me in those videos, but I’ll admit it felt pretty good to know there is in fact another Adrian Larsen out there, and he’s doing amazing things.

But I’ll tell you what I DO Google frequently: I Google AcuGraph. I actually have an automated Google search that looks up AcuGraph every day and shows me pages I haven’t yet seen that mention AcuGraph. It’s always fun to see practitioner pages, news features, and other mentions of our products, and I like to keep tabs on what the world is saying about us.

But I got a search notification the other day that stopped me cold and left me filled with profound gratitude.

It was a blog entry about a special-needs baby girl named Sadie. Her mother had written about Sadie’s first experience with AcuGraph, as her acupuncturist initiated gentle treatment to help this very special little girl.

Maybe it sounds sentimental, but her blog entry means more to me than all the positive press in the world. It means that in Sadie’s world, and in the worlds of millions of other patients, my daily work–YOUR daily work–is making a difference. Since most of my time these days is spent behind a desk or in a research lab, I don’t get to see first hand the differences you and I make in people’s lives quite as often as I used to. And I miss that.

But from time to time, I get a gentle reminder of what each of you does every day, and it defines WHY I do what I do every day. Yes, I do it for me, and I do it for you. But most of all I do it for Sadie, and all the millions of others in the world who are seeking better health and improved lives.

I don’t know Sadie or her family. But I’m impressed that they’re using their blog exposure to raise money for Phoenix Children’s Hospital–the very hospital that saved Sadie’s life when she was born. And I want to help them. They’ve established a very modest goal of $1,500 to be raised through their efforts, and last I checked, they’re not quite half way there.

On any given day, this blog is read by several hundred, and sometimes over a thousand people. If we each give something, no matter how small, Sadie’s family will reach their giving goal. Remember, the money is not for them; it’s for the Children’s Hospital.

So take a minute, click the link below, and read about Sadie’s AcuGraph experience. Then, if you can, please make a donation to a good cause by clicking the link on the left side of Sadie’s story.

Click Here to Read About Sadie’s First AcuGraph Experience

PS: No, Sadie’s family doesn’t know I’m doing this. I’m just following their example of giving back.

Hello Everyone,

Just taking a quick break from the rush of AcuGraph 4 upgrades to post a tip. I often get asked about graphing children and infants. People want to know if it’s appropriate to do so, and the answer is YES.

I originally was introduced to Ryodoraku acupuncture years ago when I took my newborn daughter to the acupuncturist because she wasn’t sleeping very well at night. The acupuncturist used an old manual Ryodoraku system to find her problem and treat her. I was intrigued, and began studying Ryodoraku. One thing led to another, and here we are today. All because of a graph on a baby.

A few nights ago at home, a different daughter, who is 6 years old, said she wasn’t feeling well and asked if I would graph her. I did so, and provided treatment. Afterwards, she drew me this picture:

In case you’re not well-versed in classic 6-year-old art, that’s my daughter, myself and the laptop computer. She’s being graphed.

So there’s your recommendation from my 6-year-old daughter.

A hearty congratulations to Dr. Zach LaBoube of Clayton, Missouri, who was recently featured on a television news segment on Fox 2 News in St. Louis, Missouri (my old home town). Dr. LaBoube gave a great demonstration and overview of acupuncture, and talked about his use of the AcuGraph system in his practice.

Great job, Dr. LaBoube!!

To see the video segment, click here.

To learn more about Dr. LaBoube’s unique practice, visit http://www.insideoutwellness.net.