new patients?

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I've been in practice for little less than a year now...and I was just

wondering what type of things you all do to reach potential patients?

Advertising, discussion groups? What type of things have worked for you?

Thanks

Lauren

[Guest guest]

Chinese Traditional Medicine , Lauren Fortuna

<llbeandip@n...> wrote:

> I've been in practice for little less than a year now...and I

was just

> wondering what type of things you all do to reach potential

patients?

 

This is from a client's viewpoint. I tried TCM because I first read

a book about it in the local library. It made sense, and I

thought, " I'd like to try that. " But at the time I figured there

wasn't a TCM healer in the area, and it would have to wait until

after we moved. To my great surprise, a few weeks after that a

friend (who didn't know of my interest) called and told me her

grandmother had told her about a TCM herbalist in a neighboring

town. I made an appointment, got a lot of help, started to learn all

I could, and started writing about TCM. I also started this message

group so that others might learn about TCM. I wish I had known

about TCM years ago. I never would have gotten as sick as I got.

 

Many local libraries allow the public to recommend books. Or, you

might consider donating one or two.

 

Depending on how large the community you live in, many small town

newspapers will accept contributions from locals. If you have an

interest in writing, you might consider this. You also might

consider an " ask the TCM healer " column. Small newspapers usually

don't pay, but it's a win-win-win situation. The newspaper gets

something interesting and orginal by a local, people in the

community learn a little about TCM and how they might get help, and

you get some name recognition.

 

Some communities have a local website. Check and see if there's one

in your area and if it has a section for healing articles. Again,

you might want to consider an " ask the TCM healer " type of

arrangement.

 

Some states have an extensive community college system with

Continuing Ed. departments. In some of these states, any resident

can propose or ask that a course be offered. I imagine that

offering a course in acupuncture is out because of various legal

concerns, not to mention that it's not the type of subject that

would lend itself to one course. However, an acupressure class

might go if there are no restrictions in the state on touching. It

could even be not a class but a seminar with a narrow focus. For

example acupressure to reduce stress. Once someone gets one

demonstration that this stuff works, they tend to seek it out for

other things. And they tend to tell their family and friends about

how it helped them.

 

An introductory class on TCM basics, laced with a lot of practical

infomation would probably make.

 

You might also consider going through private colleges and even

through the local Parks and Recreation department for some type of

classes. Say for example, you have no interest in teaching, but

you'd like to see some classes offered. Not only so the community

can become more aware of TCM but a class you'd be interested in

learning more about. Say for example, a class in Qi Gong. That is

one that some Parks and Recreation departments or the local YMCA or

other organizaations offer. (I'm assuming you don't already have a

background in Qi Gong or might like to learn more.) Once people get

familiar with just one aspect of Chinese healing and see what it can

do, they are more likely to seek out other forms of TCM healing.

 

The advantage to state community college classes is that they give

CE credits. In some states, teachers, nurses, and others are

required to have so many CE credits per every two or three year

period. (BTW, I used to be a CE instructor in computer basics back

in the early 1980s. I was one of the instructors originally hired

to teach teachers the basics of computer use. The courses counted

toward the CE credits they are required to accumulate. After they

had the classes, the classes were opened up to the general public.)

 

If there are any martial arts classes in your area, they might let

you display a business card on their bulletin boards.

 

 

The more people are familiar with TCM and what it can do, the more

likely that they will seek out a TCM healer.