The Distinction Between Prescriptive and Embodied Healing, Or How to Find a Really Great Acupuncturist 😉
When folks cold call me to inquire about acupuncture, generally speaking, I am asked two questions up front: How much do I charge? and Do I take their insurance? I fully understand why they are asking these questions and I promptly share my rates and the fact that I do not accept third party reimbursement. Then I ask them if they have time for a slightly longer and deeper conversation. Sometimes they do have the time and I then proceed to ask about why they are seeking treatment? Generally speaking, folks will then share their symptoms. I might ask more about how sleep, diet and exercise shows up in their lives. As the conversation continues, I may ask about the state of their emotions, their spirit and the relationship between how they are living and what they would like to see happen in their lives. I offer them that what we are sharing establishes a rapport that extends beyond a prescriptive approach to healing.
Prescriptive healing is a health approach that is based on fixing a symptom through a specific treatment protocol. While this approach is highly effective if one needs a surgeon, it comes up measurably short when applied to wholistic medicine. With a wholistic approach, the practitioner and their client enter a partnership where the client learns how to Heal & Grow through the treatment modalities of the practitioner. At least that’s the plan. What the client needs is for the practitioner to embody the Healing & Growth steps they are being encouraged to take. Whether it is how to more effectively rest, to cultivate a stillness practice, or a healthier relationship with food, I offer that the client needs the practitioner to be walking their talk. To that end, I encourage you to ask your wholistic practitioners (or prospective practitioners) about their self-care practices. Ask them about:
Meditation or Yoga practice
Practice in rest
Exercise regimen
Personal approach to diet
What their life mission looks like and how it is expressing itself
These questions speak directly to Embodied Healing. They can tell you directly to what degree your wholistic practitioner can guide you into your journey of Healing & Growth. Are they embodying their work or are they capable technicians? The question isn’t whether they have arrived at some false notion of perfect practice but focuses on how they are practicing with these opportunities in their life. My experience as both client and practitioner is this distinction is crucial to cultivating a vibrant healthy life.