What do you hope to achieve?

A Good Health
In the previous contribution, I invited you to consider what is truly important to you. Hopefully, you now have a clearer view on that. Some of the things you have written down may have resonated with you. You can take these things to the next question: What do you hope to achieve by visiting an acupuncturist?

For many people, a physical or sometimes psychological complaint is the reason to seek help. For example, from an acupuncturist. For many people, the first answer that comes to mind to the above question is: That my complaints disappear!
Now it's handy that you have already considered the question from part one of this series: What do you find important? Chances are 'no health complaints' is not on that list. And there's a reasonable chance that 'good health' is on there. If so, you can question what exactly you mean by good health.

I always ask everyone who comes to me what they hope to achieve. Many people indeed want their complaint to disappear, but many people also have other wishes that can contribute just as much to good health. Many people, for example, want more balance between effort and relaxation or to be less caught up in their thoughts. Or to be less driven by work or family. More enjoyment in their work. Or to be able to accept things as they are better.

Happier
All these are wishes that lie on the psychological level, but are definitely important. After all, people who are less controlled by circumstances or can overcome or accept setbacks are generally happier and healthier than those who cannot. So before you settle for just the disappearance of your complaint, it's good to realize that there is more possible in terms of health. Chances are that an acupuncturist can contribute to that. However, if you still mainly want your complaint to disappear, it's good to realize that too. The most important thing is to have an answer that is right for you. This helps in answering the next question: What kind of acupuncturist appeals to me?

We are slowly approaching a choice. Before choosing an acupuncturist, you can question what kind of acupuncturist suits you. There are all kinds of acupuncturists and not everyone feels at home with every acupuncturist. The internet is a good place to start your orientation. You can see what comes up when you type the word acupuncture and your location into a search engine, possibly supplemented with a word that is important to you. On the website of the NVA, you can also search by location and by the name of an acupuncturist.

Differences
It's not about making a choice yet, you are still orienting yourself. Look at a few of the websites and be amazed by the differences! Differences in atmosphere, language, types of acupuncture (and how much is explained about it). Also, take a look at what the acupuncturists tell about themselves. About what is important to them or why they have chosen acupuncture. You will discover that some consider acupuncture a valuable addition to their work as a physiotherapist, while others focus entirely on acupuncture. Some have a more Chinese approach, others a more Western one. Some combine acupuncture with, for example, herbal therapy, auriculotherapy, massage, or qi-gong. Some emphasize the Eastern aspect, others the scientific nature of acupuncture. One is more focused on a medical approach, another opts for a psychological approach. A website can be very atmospheric or mainly clear. It can make you happy or thoughtful. Or both.

After a night of surfing, perhaps some websites will stand out to you. Then it's time for the third step. In the next and final contribution, this will be addressed and everything you have done so far will come together;
Which acupuncturist do you choose?

by Koos van Kooten: www.de-kraanvogel.nl