Integrative Acupuncture Center

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine serving Ridgewood and Paramus, NJ

Call Today: 201.444.7150 69 West Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ
Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on E-mailFollow Us on YouTube
  • Home
  • Services
    • Acupuncture
    • Cupping
  • Meet Joshua
    • Meet Joshua Goldstein
    • FAQ
    • Blog
  • Testimonials
  • Conditions Treated
    • Acupuncture for Stress Relief!
    • Is Acupuncture Effective for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
    • 4 Reasons Acupuncture Helps With Pregnancy
  • Videos
  • Contact

What makes Acupuncturist’s Happy? An Acupuncturist’s Perspective and the Art of Cupping

June 16, 2017 By Joshua Goldstein, Ridgewood Acupuncturist

What makes acupuncturists happy? An Acupuncturist’s Perspective and the  Art of  Cupping 

Acupuncturists are a misunderstood lot. We generally love helping people but there are a few things that make our day glow. These little things for an acupuncturist would make the average ordinary person would probably raise an eyebrow quizzically to. For example, when we are needling the now famous point for nausea, PC-6 (see the diagram) the point is actually needled between the two tendons on the wrist.

Picture of acupuncture point PC-6
The acupuncture point PC-6 needles to be needled between the two tendons -easier on some people anatomically than others!

Some patients have a very good distinction between the points helping to make inserting the needle effortless and pain free. Another thing that makes acupuncturists sing with delight, is when they can access the back for a round of cupping and have a cleared runway. What I mean by that is when you perform cupping (cupping creates a suction on the skin and is great for alleviating muscle tightness and soreness), you need to have a clear surface. Sometimes, the people who need it the most, are men, who have hairier backs. Now I know we can’t fight what we are born with but having a patient with a hairy back creates existential angst in acupuncturists. The cups won’t stay on for long and if you leave the room you hear the cups falling off the back and hitting the floor with the sound of a depth charge sent to destroy the enemy submarine below you.

In cases like these it requires finesse and a little old boy scout preparedness. A disposable razor, and a little shaving cream as well as a lot of aplomb in explaining to guys why we need to shave them so we can perform cupping needs to be done so we can get the cups to stay on them. We like to get the therapies done so we can help people, but sometimes this can rub men the wrong way. I mean hair, especially in the wrong places, is a sensitive thing, just ask your wife. I can recall the times I did not insist on shaving the back. The man was named Bobby, and he had a lot of hair on his back. The cups kept flying off and I had to keep running back and forth into the room to re-affix the cup that lost the suction, only to be hurling back into the room to fix another. Meanwhile the other patient, is waiting thinking, well I don’t know what the patient I was in consult with was thinking at the time.

Another happy patient feeling good after cups are released from the back- a CLEAN back! Thanks Mike!

Lately, I had another patient named Mike. Mike had significant neck pain and a vertebra form the neck that would get pushed out of place when he looked upwards in neck extension. We were working on this neck and right shoulder pain. I recommended that we do the cupping. I however, insisted, that he shave his back and keep his back well-manicured in order to get the best results from the cupping. To my surprise, in all of my 18 years as an acupuncturist, I never met any guy who was compliant. The next week Mike told me he had his wife rub in the hair removal cream into his back and helped him clean it. Imagine, looking through the eyes of an acupuncturist to find a beautifully cleared back. He actually took what I said seriously. Well suffice it to say the acupuncture music in my head started playing and my heart soared. We have been cupping and treating him with acupuncture for 4 months now. Mike loves the cupping and says it is the part of the treatment that he looks most forward to – and can I make a confession here, so do I.  I can’t tell you how that has changed my outlook on treating men’s backs. I mean, the forethought that Mike had to do this, and to involve his wife in it, all for the noble cause of relaxing his back.

You don’t get a lot of cases like these. Most advice is never followed upon. But Mike, you made my day and have inspired other acupuncturists who will be reading this blog.  Being an acupuncturist can sometimes be a brutal lot. Most people come in, impatient for results, not knowing or trusting the medicine. It’s not like the dental community. I mean everyone is sold on getting their teeth cleaned. Not yet so for the profession of acupuncture.

So, nothing makes an acupuncturist happy and smile more, than a well-manicured back. At worst, we could be accused of being quirky but in the end, it just makes us that much more amusing to “civilians”. As we try to treat patients it’s the simple pleasures and pleasantries of manicured backs and easy needle insertion that allows those that ply this trade to feel really happy.  As I write this I realize just how different we acupuncturists are  We look at things through a different eye. But then again, most people don’t have to look at hairy backed people! So what makes an acupuncturist happy?

Filed Under: Acupuncture

Recent Posts

  • How Acupuncture Benefits Your Body by Enhancing Blood Flow
  • Treating Anxiety, Depression and Stress -Differing Perspectives East and West
  • Treating Hidden Causes of Seasonal Allergies
  • The Body as a Microcosm of the Universe- Microcosm in Acupuncture and Life
  • How long does acupuncture take to work for back pain?

Archives

Integrative Acupuncture Center

Testimonials

I returned to this office for pain related to a sports injury. I had pain in the upper body region from boxing and sparing and was not getting relief from the medications prescribed to me from the orthopedist. My most recent injury was preventing me from even raising my arm to brush my teeth as well… Read more
Donna, Haworth, NJ
I had an L-5 fracture in my back, a broken ankle and arthritis in both ankles. Pain also existed in my lower back and ankles. I was referred to Integrative Acupuncture from my brother, who is a chiropractor, and through his website. Since seeing Joshua, my sleeping is 80% better. My lower back pain … Read more
Jim, Ridgewood, NJ
I cannot begin to thank Joshua enough for his help. My experience and results with him were wonderful. He is not focused on just helping you ameliorate your specific problems, but he also looks at everything else going on with your body rather than just one piece of you. He genuinely wants to help y… Read more
Dee, Hewitt, NJ
When I first came into see Joshua, I had pain in my foot from running. Previously, I had tried icing, rest, and stretching. When I tried the services from Integrative Acupuncture Center, I noticed the results were incredibly helpful. After just two sessions all pain in the targeted area was gone and… Read more
Rosesann, Ramsey, NJ
I have suffered from headaches all of my life between four to five times per week. I have gone to physicians and have only been prescribed medications for my headaches. The results were always the same, and I always felt foggy due to the medication. I was referred to Joshua’s office through a frie… Read more
Anthony, Paramus, NJ
My experience with him was phenomenal. He [Joshua Goldstein] is very good at what he does and he has a very well rounded approach to helping. I would recommend him to anyone, especially if they suffer from stress or aches.
Anastasia, Fairlawn, NJ
GET YOUR FREE EBOOK
Enter your name and email address to get instant access to this informative ebook now!

Contact

Integrative Acupuncture Center
69 West Ridgewood Avenue
Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
Phone: 201.444.7150

Copyright © 2023 · Integrative Acupuncture Center · Acupuncture Ridgewood
201.444.7150 · 69 West Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ
HOME | MEET JOSHUA | CONDITIONS TREATED | TESTIMONIALS | FAQ | BLOG | CONTACT
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine serving Ridgewood and Paramus, NJ
Website Design Virtual Design, LLC

Do You Have a Question?

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Your Question