Phase 3: Integrating Chinese Medicine

Phase 3:  Integrating Chinese Medicine

An acupuncturist working with a patient in Phase III of their rehabilitation may become the only practitioner with whom the patient is having regular contact.

Continuing with regularly scheduled appointments places the acupuncturist in a position to monitor any difficulties or discomfort the patient may be experiencing as a result of the home exercise program.  Regular acupuncture visits also serve to survey the patient's overall condition.

Familiarity with the exercises and/or a good relationship with the physical therapist will allow the acupuncturist to confirm the patient's understanding of their exercise program and to raise any concerns or precautions you may have detected.

As the current practitioner, the acupuncturist is in the position to recommend that the patient return to their physical therapist or post-op appointment at an earlier date than was scheduled, call the physical therapist for clarification on their exercises, or to consult with the physical therapist on behalf of the patient.  Patients will sometimes become less proactive in contacting their physical therapist at this point in the rehabilitation process once they feel they have progressed enough to be sent home with their exercises rather than having to go to an appointment.  This is especially true if their insurance has denied further appointments.