Welcome back to Study Acupuncture with Me—where we dive deep into the art and science of Traditional Chinese Medicine together. I’m so glad you’re here, and I’m honored to be a part of your journey as you build your clinical knowledge and confidence.

In this episode, we take an open-hearted look at ADHD through the lens of TCM. You’ll hear us break down how ADHD symptoms might map to traditional patterns of imbalance like Heart Fire, liver qi stagnation, phlegm, and spleen deficiency. We’re not replacing psychiatric care with acupuncture, but we’re uncovering how we can support regulation, stability, and resilience in our neurodivergent patients. We cover everything from the Western diagnosis to practical TCM interpretation—plus how you can measure progress in your clinical practice, even when the changes are subtle.

Here’s what you’ll find in this episode:

Timestamps

• 00:00 : Welcoming listeners & sharing the inspiration from a viewer’s comment

• 01:53 : ADHD in the DSM: Symptoms & Western diagnosis

• 04:06 : TCM perspective: Patterns like Heart Fire, yin deficiency, and Shen disturbance

• 07:23 : Emotional regulation & the liver’s role

• 09:02 : Inattention, phlegm, and spleen Qi patterns

• 11:10 : Kidney’s connection to the nervous system

• 13:35 : Treating regulation, not chasing a cure—measuring subtle progress

• 16:25 : Neurodivergence & TCM: Embracing support and stability over perfection

• 17:48 : Closing thoughts, call for feedback & encouragement to keep learning

If this episode sparked new thoughts, I’d love to hear your questions and experiences! Comment on my socials, subscribe to Study Acupuncture with Me, and visit www.studyacuwithme.com and join my email list.

Happy studying!

Welcome, acupuncture scholars! It’s your favorite professor here, ready to help you unravel one of the trickiest concepts in TCM—and boost your confidence in the clinic. Whether you’re feeling stuck on diagnosis or just craving clarity, you’re in the right place!

In this episode, we dive deep into the all-important difference between treating acute versus chronic conditions in Traditional Chinese Medicine. If you’ve ever wondered why sometimes your treatments seem to make things worse or why kidney and spleen deficiency patterns confuse you, this lesson is for you. Together, we’ll demystify the distinction, walk through real-world examples, and share simple strategies to help you tailor your treatment—and get results for your patients.

What you’ll learn:

• How and why acute and chronic patterns present differently in TCM

• Why treating acute injuries like chronic issues is a major student mistake

• Step-by-step guide for determining if a patient’s condition is acute or chronic

• Practical treatment strategies for each phase

• How to handle complex cases with both acute and chronic components

Timestamps for Main Sections:

• 00:00 – Introduction & the biggest student mistake in acupuncture

• 01:01 – Why pattern confusion happens: kidney, spleen, and acute vs. chronic

• 01:50 – How to spot an acute condition

• 02:19 – Classic chronic symptoms & patient presentation

• 03:22 – Acute phase: what’s happening in the body and how to treat it

• 04:23 – When NOT to tonify: the risk of trapping pathogens

• 05:34 – Chronic phase: nourishing, supporting, and rebuilding

• 06:25 – Complex conditions: deficiency with excess, dampness and spleen

• 08:03 – Real-life diagnosis checklist: how to sort out acute vs. chronic

• 09:20 – What happens if you do nothing? Acute vs. chronic timelines

• 10:15 – How to handle patients with both acute and chronic layers

• 11:02 – Final checklist & key takeaways

Ready for your next step?
Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments—your insights are what inspire these episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a clinical pearl. And swing by www.studyacuwithme.com to join my email list. Let’s keep learning together!

Happy studying, and see you in the next episode!

Hey everyone, and welcome back to Study Acupuncture With Me! I’m so glad you’re here—whether you’re a student feeling overwhelmed or an experienced practitioner looking for clarity, you’re in the right place. Think of me as your favorite professor, cheering you on as we navigate the beautiful complexity of acupuncture together.

In this episode, we’re tackling one of the biggest questions I hear all the time: “Why are there so many protocols, and how can I use them safely?” I’ll walk you through the reasoning behind all those different treatment methods, why it’s okay to feel confused, and most importantly, how to find your confidence in the clinic—even if you’re just getting started. You’ll learn why having a solid framework is much more valuable than memorizing hundreds of protocols, the importance of clinical curiosity, and how to provide safe, effective treatments every time. Plus, I’ll share real-world advice for handling “imposter syndrome” and building meaningful relationships with your patients.

Here’s a quick guide to the main sections of the episode:

• Welcome & Episode Inspiration 00:02

• Why So Many Protocols? (Frameworks & Diagnosis) 01:21

• Handling Self-Doubt & Practitioner Community 02:21

• Acupuncture’s Responsive Nature 04:11

• Stages of Illness and Treatment Priorities 05:28

• Safety & How to Check Yourself Clinically 06:31

• Sedation vs. Tonification: What to Ask Yourself 09:21

• Real Patient Examples & Gentle Approaches 11:09

• The Power of Questions and Adjusting Treatment 12:12

• Confusion Is Normal—Here’s How to Grow 13:45

• Community Learning & Sharing Wins 14:19

• Wrap-Up & Words of Encouragement 15:01
  

I’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment on my socials if you have questions, are feeling stuck with a patient case, or just want to share your own learning experiences. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode—and visit www.studyacuwithme.com to join our email list, and become part of the community.

Happy studying—and remember, you’ve got this!