The Acupuncture Appointment From Hell--And How I Weaseled Out of Another.

I had a similar situation recently with telling a roommate that I wanted to move-out, but I guess its different in that I didn't feel that I had much of a choice in whether to tell him or not. I did put it off for weeks after I made up my mind trying to avoid it though. It's definitely a lot harder to make yourself be an adult when not being one only affects others, and I guess that's what having "character" is all about. Great thought-provoking article.

I also would have made a second appointment. Hopefully I would have called to cancel, but it could go either way! Now, frequently, physicians will charge you for appointments not kept or cancelled. This is a motivation!

First let me say upfront that I am an Acupuncturist then let me say that if you were uncomfortable with the situation in the office you have every right to not return. However, I do believe that you should have called to cancel the appointment. The reason I believe this is that acupuncturist needs to know that the way they do business makes people uncomfortable. Which they will never look at unless they are told by a patient.

The type of acupuncture that you experienced is a type of "community acupuncture" which is based on how acupuncture is practiced in China. That should have been explained to you on the phone when you made your first appointment.

Even though Acupuncture is a very old form of healing in China it is a relatively new profession here in the United States. There are even a few states left in the country where it is still not legal to practice. As the profession becomes more main stream it will start to look and feel more like what people in this country are used to medical care looking like. But for now acupuncture can take many forms and some of those forms may look and feel very foreign to Americans.

One more point I would like to make. There are many very good Chinese acupuncturists out there but for English speaking patients who like to get more information about their treatment it may be a bit frustrating. You can probably compare this to going to an American western doctor who will only speak medical jargon to their patient and will never learn to speak a more common language so the patient can understand. If you like to ask a lot of questions the language barrier my be to much.

Bottom line ask a lot of questions when you make your first appointment and if you feel pressure to make a second appointment but you are feeling uncomfortable go ahead and cancel it when you get home. But let them know why you are canceling it will do more good than harm

I am also an acupuncturist and I think it is a shame you did not feel comfortable enough to cancel. The majority of my professors at school were from China and they tend to have more aggressive treatment styles than what us Americans are used to. Some people love it (I actually had one consultation finish bfore it started because I was not Asian) and some people want a more nurturing approach. Periodically I get stood up by clients and it is usually because life gets in the way and I get an "I'm so sorry" phone call. Sometimes it is because acupuncture is not for them, and sometimes I am not for them. A lot of the sheepish call after hours and leave a cancel message. If I answer, I don't demand an excuse although most of the time they volunteer it.

So basically this is my long-winded way of saying, call to cancel, and try after hours if you feel embarrassed. :)