Balance System Acupuncture Case Study

Presented by Suzanne Williams, MBA, RAc

A senior patient with stiffness in her hands has just passed the two year mark of acupuncture treatment, and I consider her one of my “model patients”. She is now on a maintenance program of acupuncture and self-care that she follows diligently, motivated by the fast and incredible relief she feels from treatment. 

She initially sought help for stiffness in her back as well as her hands. She’d been diagnosed with mild osteoarthritis in her hip and SI joint a number of years before, and had been managing it well with exercise. Her hands had recently become stiff, and she was concerned that OA was sitting there. She also came with a secondary complaint of a feeling of uncomfortably strong heat every day at 6:00 AM.

The patient now only feels minute stiffness in her hands on occasion, and in certain weather conditions (more on that below). She has been taking piano lessons and now feels agile and unrestricted when she plays. Her back stiffness flares marginally when she really pushes it in the garden or (unsurprisingly) in certain weather conditions. The uncomfortable feeling of heat all but disappeared after one treatment, returning only twice during the first month of treatment and never again.

What were the key factors in this successful case? Why, Balance System Acupuncture (BSA), of course! However, BSA alone can’t take all the credit. It was a combination of BSA at the right frequency, using the right balancing channels, with the right images, plus the patient’s self-care and self-awareness. With that combination of care, this patient’s results have been remarkable. Let’s look at these components a little more closely.

Right frequency of treatment

The patient’s treatment schedule was as follows:

·   four treatments within first 10 days to inject the healing effects of acupuncture into her system and provide strong relief

·   a five day interval for one week as her symptoms had reduced in frequency from daily to every third day after the initial round of treatment

·   a one week interval for two weeks as her stiffness dropped from every few days to once every two weeks, and I wanted to expand her interval of relief

·   monthly sessions for nine months when her stiffness returned every 3-4 weeks

·   treatment every second month for three months when her stiffness returned every 6-8 weeks

·   monthly treatments through water season (hint on her triggers!)

·   treatment every eight weeks during spring, summer and fall as that is now her maximum interval before the hint of stiffness returns outside of water season

·   monthly through water season

This demonstrates the importance of the initial course of treatment for symptom relief, adjusting to prevention, and then titrating for maintenance of healing through the year depending on a patient’s triggers.

Right channels and images

Initially, I diagnosed the patient’s blocked channels as SI, LI, SJ; HT, PC, LU (primary) + GB, BL (secondary), i.e. a LOT of channels. As you can likely guess, I started with Magical 12 for a series of four treatments close together, focusing the images on her L 5th finger, which was the stiffest. The delayering process was quick. Her heat all but disappeared after one treatment. By visit five, the main blockage had reduced down to the SI and HT channels. I was then able to pare the treatment down to Mag4 Heat plus single balance. Although the heat symptoms were gone, the balancing channels of Magic 4 heat addressed the main blocked channels quite beautifully. I did some strong imaging work on three leg yin channels of the patient’s toes (youch!) to reinforce the balancing effect. I was able to work within Magic 4 Heat or adjust single balance approaches as needed if the patient’s back or SI joint felt stiff on a particular visit.

As we moved through treatment, the patient was able to identify key triggers for flares in stiffness in her hands or back and hip. This led me to adjust my treatment approach to a Seasonal Balance as needed through the year. Which brings us to the next factor in the constellation of care…

Self-awareness

Initially, the patient did not report any clear causes for the stiffness in her hands, other than a history of OA. However, a freak rainstorm during the first few weeks of treatment caused a stronger flare than she had experienced before, so she thought this might have been a trigger. Her suspicions were confirmed when the weather in Raincouver grew increasingly damp, and after she drank some wine and had cake in one evening (a rarity for this patient). Enter the beautiful magic of Seasonal Balance! I have continued to use this approach through the water season, and as/when the weather is unusually damp. This year we also did preparation sessions during metal season. The adjustment in approach happened in large part because the patient paid close attention to the waxing and waning of her symptoms, and reported this back to me with accuracy. 

Damp weather is a key trigger for her stiffness, and since she cannot control the weather, she knows that treatment is critical for maintaining the supple, smooth sensation she feels after acupuncture. Wine and sugar are also triggers, and since she can control consumption of both, she does. She plays the piano and it has helped with her agility and…

Self-care

The final piece of this patient’s successful relief is her diligent self-care. Her compliance is remarkable. She applies moist heat to her hands each morning, holding her hands over the steam of the tea kettle. She uses a topical ointment for muscle and joint pain that we sell in our clinic. It is easy and convenient to use and smells amazing, so that helps entice the patient to use it, but more importantly it helps extend the effect of her treatments and can be used for flares in stiffness or muscle tightness anywhere on her body. The patient is active and understands that movement is medicine. She avoids alcohol and sugar most of the time, and knows that she might “pay the price of admission” if she has them. She can’t control the weather, so she schedules her acupuncture treatments at my recommended interval during water season – yes, scheduling and coming to appointments is a form of self-care!

Far reaching results

The effects of this patient’s success have extended beyond the treatment room. She has referred numerous patients to me, most of whom are now on a preventive tune-up schedule. She talks up our topical products and has gifted them to her friends and family, many of whom buy them on repeat. She has inspired her spouse to pay closer attention to his health and seek preventive care, not just reactive care. For this patient, it all came down to BSA at the right frequency, using the correct balancing channels, with strong images, plus the patient’s self-care and self-awareness. It really can be as simple as that! I incorporate these principles into every treatment I provide, using it to inform my treatment approach and inspire my patients to take control of their care. BSA is indeed amazing, and with this approach, it often feels more like magic than medicine!

— Suzanne Williams, MBA, RAc

Certified BSA Practitioner, First Cohort Graduate and Certified BSA Teacher.

Suzanne Williams, BA, MBA, RAc, is a Registered Acupuncturist, Certified Tui Na practitioner, a Certified Balance System Acupuncture Practitioner, and a graduate of the first cohort! She is also one of Tan Shifu’s Certified BSA Teachers. Balance Acupuncture has changed the way she practices and she looks forward to passing the knowledge on!

Balance System Acupuncture (BSA) Certificate Mentorship Program

The Balance System Acupuncture Certificate Program includes all Advanced levels of Balance Acupuncture(3-9) and Grand Rounds classes of cases, adjunct topics, and guest lecturers. The program dives deep in exploring the advanced Balance Acupuncture strategies to effectively deliver more immediate, lasting results. 

Based on a long lineage of ancient, authentic teachings and applied channel theory, the Balance Acupuncture Certificate Program teachers brings Acupuncture to life.

Hybrid Program: 

The Balance System Acupuncture Certificate program is hosted at Langara College and has been transformed to a hybrid style of learning. This is combination of online and in-person delivery and provides more flexible learning options, especially for individuals living outside of Vancouver’s Lower Mainland.

Study Balance Acupuncture from Near & Far!

How do you know if this is the right program for you?

The Langara Balance Acupuncture Certification is:

• A layered advanced level 10 month program
• An opportunity to learn channel theory acupuncture
• An place to fill your gaps of knowledge and elevate your skill set
• A higher quality of teaching focusing on:
  • Academic teaching
  • Classroom collaboration & case studies
  • Grand Rounds cases & adjunct topics
  • Real world stories & experiences
  • Optional online 1 hour study labs with a Teaching Assistant 
  • Fostering & grows your community
  • Guest speakers and TA support
  • A place to grow your proficiency and achieve more confidence

If this program is not a fit for you right now, we have other courses and webinars to support your learning and are actively working to create more Balance Acupuncture content in the TAB HUB. (let us know what you would like!)

Optional TA Study Labs:

• Online
• 1 hour on Sunday mornings between the class & exam

It’s a great opportunity to bring your cases & questions and review discussions before the exam.

Certificate(s): 

Earn a recognized certificate in this highly specialised area of acupuncture. 

At the end of the Program, you will have earned the status of Certified Balance System Acupuncture Practitioner from Tan Academy of Balance Inc, and a Certificate of Balance System Acupuncture from Langara College, a well-respected public institution of higher learning in Canada.

What’s Coming

BSA Foundations Refresher & Practical Course

It’s been a while since you first studied BSA, you need some CEU’s, or you did it on-line as a webinar?

This course will help you:

Review and get hands-on practice with personalised evaluation.

• Refresh & Review your Foundational Balance Acupuncture theory:
• Level 1 – Single Balance
• Level 2 – Multiple & Global Balance Systems
• Earn CEU’s
• Is a great hands-on practical skills refresher especially the new and alternate location acupoints
• Prepare & Review to challenge the Level 1 & 2 exams if you are interested in earning your Certification.

It’s a great way to get personal hands on learning while meeting Tan Shifu and meeting the teachers & teaching assistants. Ask your custom questions and have a better understanding on how the Certification and the Certificate program works.

Sunday January 15, 2023

Where: Langara College – Vancouver, BC

Format: Live In-Person

Pre-requisites:

Level 1 – Single Balance *

Level 2 – Multiple & Global Balance Systems *

Prior approval required, email: soniatan@langara.ca

* via approved Langara course, webinar or other Balance System class/instructor

Become Certified – Challenge the BSA Foundations Level 1 & 2 Exams

• Getting Certified as a Level 1 and 2 (Foundations) BSA Practitioner
• Improving your understanding & application of BSA & get feedback & improving proficency
• Improved visibility of your practicing listing on the Tan Academy of Balance’s Find A Practitioner List (pre-requisite: Foundations levels and HUB membership)
• It’s one of the prerequisites for the full Balance System Acupuncture (BSA) Certificate Program (all Advanced levels)
• Receive feedback of your understanding and anchor your confidence!

Winter Season Learning Lab

Link to sign up available mid-December – stay tuned!

Exciting Mentorship Opportunities beginning in 2023

Extra Channels and Vessels Mentorship – 1.5 years, 4 meetings per year, in-person only, Vancouver, Canada.

With Dr. Yvonne Farrell, DAOM

Inquire with hello@tanbalance.com for more information.

Certified Chinese Astrology Practitioner – 2.5 year mentorship, 3 meetings per year, beginning June 2023, by application only.

Inquire with hello@tanbalance.com for more information.

Webinars & Online Learning

• Please remember that while webinars do discuss the basic principles being taught, they can lack the normal exchange of energy and/or ideas that case studies and classroom Q&A’s can bring.

• Unless otherwise noted, webinars are offered through Net of Knowledge, and purchases are automatically redirected to your host country’s provider.

Books

• If you are a member and your office locations and/or contact information has changed, please update this in your member profile and notify us through email or the TAB HUB.