poll was acupuncture business startup

[Guest guest]

Hi folks - I posted a question a while ago, and no one has responded

(surprised me, given the topic), so I thought I'd post it again.

Please note: there has been lots of talk about how to launch/maintain

a business, but that's not my question. Here it is:

 

A friend and I have been talking about the joys and wonders of

starting a business as an acupuncturist, and how (or whether) that

information is passed on to acupuncture students. So I'm running a

mini-poll:

 

How long did it take for your business to provide you with a steady,

reliable income that met all your needs? This would be defined as an

average monthly patient flow that paid all business expenses, covered

all personal expenses, and was able to absorb fluctuations (things

like unexpected cancellations or patients moving on).

 

Did anyone at your college discuss this with you prior to graduation?

 

Those of you who are currently acupuncture students: is this on your

curriculum?

 

Thanks so much!

Karen

 

Karen R. Adams

Lic Ac, Dipl Ac, BA(Hons), BS

Four Directions Healing Arts

112 Avenue A

Turners Falls, MA 01376

413-863-8033

413-768-8333

[Guest guest]

HI Karen,

Acupuncture is a tough and challenging career. It

maybe considered as an expensive hobby. Besides, the

politics is involved, the medical board and FDA are

always trying to find ways to eliminate us out of

their sights...... Nobody knows for sure that

acupuncture therapy and herbal therapy will be handled

by an acupuncturist or by MD.

They " MD " all want to control the market. They'd

rather have their nurses taking a few seminars getting

certified and perfoming these acts than

acupuncturists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Karen,

Interesting questions. Here's what I can tell you...... I put about

$2000 of my own money into supplies and such before I opened my practice.

Luckily, my patient flow was such that I was able to pay all my business bills

the very first month. I started taking a small salary within the first few

months but I it wouldn't have been enough to live on if I hadn't had a second

income in my home back then.

I now make a regular salary but it's no where near the $100,000 a year

some acupuncture business classes suggest. I suppose I could get closer to that

if I worked differently, but I'm not willing to change. I don't take insurance

and and about 20-25% of my patients are on a sliding scale, including some who

pay $20 or less for a treatment. The other reason my salary is decent but not

great is because, at 58, I'm not interested in working the crazy hours I did

when I was younger.

As to acupuncture school training for practice management, it was close

to non-existent. We were offered one 1-credit course and my memory of that is

mostly the instructor urging us to charge lots of money for our treatments.

There was no information given on developing a business plan, advertising,

dealing with insurance companies (for those who were interested in that),

scheduling, front desk protocols, etc. etc. I've been in practice for eight

years, so maybe acupuncture schools are offering more in this area now. I sure

hope so! When I look around at my colleagues, the ones who are doing the best

(and that means quality of life as well as money) are the ones who, like myself,

had experience running businesses before they opened their acupuncture practice.

Karen, I hope you'll post the results of your poll.

Peace, Liz Casey

 

 

-

Karen Adams

Chinese Medicine

Wednesday, April 25, 2007 7:06 AM

poll was acupuncture business startup

 

 

Hi folks - I posted a question a while ago, and no one has responded

(surprised me, given the topic), so I thought I'd post it again.

Please note: there has been lots of talk about how to launch/maintain

a business, but that's not my question. Here it is:

 

A friend and I have been talking about the joys and wonders of

starting a business as an acupuncturist, and how (or whether) that

information is passed on to acupuncture students. So I'm running a

mini-poll:

 

How long did it take for your business to provide you with a steady,

reliable income that met all your needs? This would be defined as an

average monthly patient flow that paid all business expenses, covered

all personal expenses, and was able to absorb fluctuations (things

like unexpected cancellations or patients moving on).

 

Did anyone at your college discuss this with you prior to graduation?

 

Those of you who are currently acupuncture students: is this on your

curriculum?

 

Thanks so much!

Karen

 

Karen R. Adams

Lic Ac, Dipl Ac, BA(Hons), BS

Four Directions Healing Arts

112 Avenue A

Turners Falls, MA 01376

413-863-8033

413-768-8333

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

HI Karen,

Acupuncture is a tough and challenging career. It

maybe considered as an expensive hobby. Besides, the

politics is involved, the medical board and FDA are

always trying to find ways to eliminate us out of

their sights...... In near future, nobody knows for

sure that acupuncture therapy and herbal therapy will

be honored and handled by an acupuncturist.

They " MDs and FDA " all want to control the market.

They'd rather have themselves or their nurses taking a

few seminars getting certified and perfoming these

acts than acupuncturists themselves.

The market is tough everywhere. It depends on the

location and the acceptance of the local residents if

they do believe in acupuncture you might have a chance

to survive. It would be nice for all of us who

graduated would have a chance to get into a hospital

or clinic to establish our career there " equal

opportunity " .

How fast you grow and how stable your income will

make depends upon your skills in

management,performance and marketing. There are so

many MDs in need of seeing more patients, I've seen

some of them had closed their offices for this reason.

We are competing with them. I suggest you should try

to find any family physicians " clinical office " and

join them. Some of them are now in thirst to join us

to make their office growing. Try this way first

before running an office on your own. I think you may

need more exposure and more experience.

 

Good luck !!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Dear Karen,

 

I think that there are three prerequisites to successfully start up an

acupuncture business:

 

1. A love of people. Everywhere I go, when I'm in the market, the park, or

the study hall I engage people that I meet. It is so easy to have the

conversation shift to health and invariably it can lead to acupuncture and what

you do. Also, to neighborhood venues that tailor to heath such as gyms, health

food stores, physicians offices, etc., make yourself known as a neighbor. Offer

free classes and seminars. When you schedule them, send out releases to the

local newspapers. Also, (and others might disagree with me!) take your patients

or potential patients phone calls and don't charge them for them. I feel that

what goes around comes around, and if you are kind, giving, and make it clear

that you are available for quick 5-10 minute phone calls, of course, at your

convenience, you will further solidify your relationship.

 

2. A niche. Do things differently than other acupuncturists in your area,

either by treating a specific population (as an Chasidic and orthodox Jew I am

constantly getting calls from my community), a specialty such as infertility,

cardiology, dermatotogy, etc. or an additional skill or modality such as

integrating CranioSacral therapy, using a laser, etc.

 

3. Presentation. Make sure that your office is attractive, your staff is

pleasant and that location is accessable so that people not only like you but

will like coming to see you.

 

I disagree with those who say that it is tough to build up a business. I also

think that money shouldn't be an issue, either. I charge a lot, I think. My

sessions are 2 hours and I charge $90 per hour plus herbs. I also run a cash

business. I will give a receipt or statement if a patient asks for it,

otherwise, I don't. Those who can't afford that much, I ask them how much they

are able to pay for each session up front, and I abbreviate the session to an

hour. The one prerequisite, though is that they do pay something, for I have

found that those who say that they can't afford anything don't take their

appointments seriously, and don't show up or come late. Building my business

has been fun and challenging. And it hasn't taken a lot of money, either. What

it does take is creative thinking, getting out there, and again, loving yourself

and loving others. In my tradition there is a Mishna (part of the Oral law)

which says, " If I am not for myself, who will be

for me? if I am only for myself what am I? and if not now, when? "

 

Much success,

 

Yehuda Frischman, L.Ac, CST, SER

www.traditionaljewishmedicine.com

 

 

 

 

 

Karen Adams <k_r_adams wrote:

Hi folks - I posted a question a while ago, and no one has responded

(surprised me, given the topic), so I thought I'd post it again.

Please note: there has been lots of talk about how to launch/maintain

a business, but that's not my question. Here it is:

 

A friend and I have been talking about the joys and wonders of

starting a business as an acupuncturist, and how (or whether) that

information is passed on to acupuncture students. So I'm running a

mini-poll:

 

How long did it take for your business to provide you with a steady,

reliable income that met all your needs? This would be defined as an

average monthly patient flow that paid all business expenses, covered

all personal expenses, and was able to absorb fluctuations (things

like unexpected cancellations or patients moving on).

 

Did anyone at your college discuss this with you prior to graduation?

 

Those of you who are currently acupuncture students: is this on your

curriculum?

 

Thanks so much!

Karen

 

Karen R. Adams

Lic Ac, Dipl Ac, BA(Hons), BS

Four Directions Healing Arts

112 Avenue A

Turners Falls, MA 01376

413-863-8033

413-768-8333

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ahhh...imagining that irresistible " new car " smell?

Check outnew cars at Autos.

 

 

[Guest guest]

I would say that it took me about 3-5 years to get my practice

going. However, I am fortunate enough to be able to work out of my

home so overhead it low.

 

Jamie

 

Chinese Medicine , " Karen Adams "

<k_r_adams wrote:

>

> Hi folks - I posted a question a while ago, and no one has responded

> (surprised me, given the topic), so I thought I'd post it again.

> Please note: there has been lots of talk about how to

launch/maintain

> a business, but that's not my question. Here it is:

>

> A friend and I have been talking about the joys and wonders of

> starting a business as an acupuncturist, and how (or whether) that

> information is passed on to acupuncture students. So I'm running a

> mini-poll:

>

> How long did it take for your business to provide you with a steady,

> reliable income that met all your needs? This would be defined as an

> average monthly patient flow that paid all business expenses,

covered

> all personal expenses, and was able to absorb fluctuations (things

> like unexpected cancellations or patients moving on).

>

> Did anyone at your college discuss this with you prior to

graduation?

>

> Those of you who are currently acupuncture students: is this on your

> curriculum?

>

> Thanks so much!

> Karen

>

> Karen R. Adams

> Lic Ac, Dipl Ac, BA(Hons), BS

> Four Directions Healing Arts

> 112 Avenue A

> Turners Falls, MA 01376

> 413-863-8033

> 413-768-8333

>

[Guest guest]

Yehuda:

 

Very interesting response on your business model. I have a question on point #3.

Do you do all sessions for 2 hrs or some just 1 hr. Do you see only one person

at a time during the 2hr session? During the one hour session?

 

I hate to ask such a mundane question with this eloquent expose below - but that

mundanity becomes a sticking point (no pun intended) for me.

 

This is great, Yehuda. I'll have to post it somewhere so I can see it

regularly.

" In my tradition there is a Mishna (part of the Oral law)

> which says, " If I am not for myself, who will be

> for me? if I am only for myself what am I? and if not now, when? "

 

These are two cards I have on my desk:

 

" I dwell in possibility "

 

-Emily Dickinson

 

and

 

" A cup of tea together will make us glad, and a little friendship is no small

matter. "

 

-Words from a Japanese folk song

 

I

Anne

 

 

-------------- Original message ----------------------

 

> Dear Karen,

>

> I think that there are three prerequisites to successfully start up an

> acupuncture business:

>

> 1. A love of people. Everywhere I go, when I'm in the market, the park, or

> the study hall I engage people that I meet. It is so easy to have the

> conversation shift to health and invariably it can lead to acupuncture and

what

> you do. Also, to neighborhood venues that tailor to heath such as gyms,

health

> food stores, physicians offices, etc., make yourself known as a neighbor.

Offer

> free classes and seminars. When you schedule them, send out releases to the

> local newspapers. Also, (and others might disagree with me!) take your

patients

> or potential patients phone calls and don't charge them for them. I feel that

> what goes around comes around, and if you are kind, giving, and make it clear

> that you are available for quick 5-10 minute phone calls, of course, at your

> convenience, you will further solidify your relationship.

>

> 2. A niche. Do things differently than other acupuncturists in your area,

> either by treating a specific population (as an Chasidic and orthodox Jew I am

> constantly getting calls from my community), a specialty such as infertility,

> cardiology, dermatotogy, etc. or an additional skill or modality such as

> integrating CranioSacral therapy, using a laser, etc.

>

> 3. Presentation. Make sure that your office is attractive, your staff is

> pleasant and that location is accessable so that people not only like you but

> will like coming to see you.

>

> I disagree with those who say that it is tough to build up a business. I

also

> think that money shouldn't be an issue, either. I charge a lot, I think. My

> sessions are 2 hours and I charge $90 per hour plus herbs. I also run a cash

> business. I will give a receipt or statement if a patient asks for it,

> otherwise, I don't. Those who can't afford that much, I ask them how much

they

> are able to pay for each session up front, and I abbreviate the session to an

> hour. The one prerequisite, though is that they do pay something, for I have

> found that those who say that they can't afford anything don't take their

> appointments seriously, and don't show up or come late. Building my business

> has been fun and challenging. And it hasn't taken a lot of money, either.

What

> it does take is creative thinking, getting out there, and again, loving

yourself

> and loving others. In my tradition there is a Mishna (part of the Oral law)

> which says, " If I am not for myself, who will be

> for me? if I am only for myself what am I? and if not now, when? "

>

> Much success,

>

> Yehuda Frischman, L.Ac, CST, SER

> www.traditionaljewishmedicine.com

>

>

>

>

>

> Karen Adams <k_r_adams wrote:

> Hi folks - I posted a question a while ago, and no one has responded

> (surprised me, given the topic), so I thought I'd post it again.

> Please note: there has been lots of talk about how to launch/maintain

> a business, but that's not my question. Here it is:

>

> A friend and I have been talking about the joys and wonders of

> starting a business as an acupuncturist, and how (or whether) that

> information is passed on to acupuncture students. So I'm running a

> mini-poll:

>

> How long did it take for your business to provide you with a steady,

> reliable income that met all your needs? This would be defined as an

> average monthly patient flow that paid all business expenses, covered

> all personal expenses, and was able to absorb fluctuations (things

> like unexpected cancellations or patients moving on).

>

> Did anyone at your college discuss this with you prior to graduation?

>

> Those of you who are currently acupuncture students: is this on your

> curriculum?

>

> Thanks so much!

> Karen

>

> Karen R. Adams

> Lic Ac, Dipl Ac, BA(Hons), BS

> Four Directions Healing Arts

> 112 Avenue A

> Turners Falls, MA 01376

> 413-863-8033

> 413-768-8333

 

>

>

>

>

>

> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible " new car " smell?

> Check outnew cars at Autos.

>

>

[Guest guest]

It took me 6 months to cover clinic & life expenses. Interestingly,

it was exactly what I had set as a goal. My clinic mate said about

the same for him.

 

No, my school did not discuss this topic, but I think it would be

quite difficult to nail down, as everyone's circumstances are so

different.

 

Good luck!

[Guest guest]

Hi Karen,

 

This issue was one of the reasons AOM professional associations have been

pushing so hard for increased educational standards for the past 10 years.

Starting in 2004-5, both ACAOM accredited and CA approved schools were

required to significantly increase their hours in this arena.

 

While some schools squeak by with the minimum and weekend courses, where I

work, AIMC Berkeley, we take this very seriously as our mission is to

produce successful practitioners. We teach a 3-trimester series on Practice

Building and follow it up with a Practice Management class where students

are required to submit a business plan

<http://www.aimc.edu/acupuncture-school/professional.html>. Our first cohort

for this curriculum will graduate this Fall, so we'll see how they do. My

sense is they are way ahead of students on the older curriculums.

 

Benjamin

[Guest guest]

Great work Benjamin, keep it up and maybe others will follow. Mike W. Bowser, L

Ac

 

 

: bdierauf:

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 11:20:42 -0700Re: poll was acupuncture business

startup

 

 

 

 

Hi Karen,This issue was one of the reasons AOM professional associations have

beenpushing so hard for increased educational standards for the past 10

years.Starting in 2004-5, both ACAOM accredited and CA approved schools

wererequired to significantly increase their hours in this arena.While some

schools squeak by with the minimum and weekend courses, where Iwork, AIMC

Berkeley, we take this very seriously as our mission is toproduce successful

practitioners. We teach a 3-trimester series on PracticeBuilding and follow it

up with a Practice Management class where studentsare required to submit a

business plan<http://www.aimc.edu/acupuncture-school/professional.html>. Our

first cohortfor this curriculum will graduate this Fall, so we'll see how they

do. Mysense is they are way ahead of students on the older curriculums.Benjamin

 

 

_______________

Invite your mail contacts to join your friends list with Windows Live Spaces.

It's easy!

http://spaces.live.com/spacesapi.aspx?wx_action=create & wx_url=/friends.aspx & mkt=\

en-us

 

 

[Guest guest]

It took me 2 to 3 years. It was not covered in school in a business management

class, but it was covered if you took chinese medicine seriously and read the

classics. I suggest for people to meditate on and contemplate the various

classics associated with cm and derive benefit for their business from that.

I do however believe that cm school should provide courses on the various

dangers associated with clinical practice in this culture, the specifics, in

other words. Insurance dangers, legal issues, getting sued, accused of

malpractice etc etc.

Hugo

 

 

Jamie Whartenby <jwhartenby

Chinese Medicine

Wednesday, 25 April, 2007 6:05:48 PM

Re: poll was acupuncture business startup

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would say that it took me about 3-5 years to get my practice

 

going. However, I am fortunate enough to be able to work out of my

 

home so overhead it low.

 

 

 

Jamie

 

 

 

Traditional_ Chinese_Medicine , " Karen Adams "

 

<k_r_adams@. ..> wrote:

 

>

 

> Hi folks - I posted a question a while ago, and no one has responded

 

> (surprised me, given the topic), so I thought I'd post it again.

 

> Please note: there has been lots of talk about how to

 

launch/maintain

 

> a business, but that's not my question. Here it is:

 

>

 

> A friend and I have been talking about the joys and wonders of

 

> starting a business as an acupuncturist, and how (or whether) that

 

> information is passed on to acupuncture students. So I'm running a

 

> mini-poll:

 

>

 

> How long did it take for your business to provide you with a steady,

 

> reliable income that met all your needs? This would be defined as an

 

> average monthly patient flow that paid all business expenses,

 

covered

 

> all personal expenses, and was able to absorb fluctuations (things

 

> like unexpected cancellations or patients moving on).

 

>

 

> Did anyone at your college discuss this with you prior to

 

graduation?

 

>

 

> Those of you who are currently acupuncture students: is this on your

 

> curriculum?

 

>

 

> Thanks so much!

 

> Karen

 

>

 

> Karen R. Adams

 

> Lic Ac, Dipl Ac, BA(Hons), BS

 

> Four Directions Healing Arts

 

> 112 Avenue A

 

> Turners Falls, MA 01376

 

> 413-863-8033

 

> 413-768-8333

 

>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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24 FIFA World Cup tickets to be won with Mail http://uk.mail.

 

 

[Guest guest]

it's difficult to remember back at this point. i remember a lot of stress

and anxiety in the begining. i bought a small practice to get me started,

so i had to use credit cards for a while until i got the purchase paid off.

i recall staying in the black from the begining, excepting the credit card

debt. i lived frugally, and within 1 1 1/2 years had the practice and

credit cards paid. since then, i have felt that my wants and needs are met,

and feel quite fortunate to be self employed and self supporting, doing

something i love, feel passionate about and that is challenging and

rewarding. i remember hitting the five year mark and feeling that i had

rounded the corner so to speak: could absorb fluxuations, etc.

 

do give the results of your poll.

 

i agree with the others, practice mgmt training was sadly lacking in my

program (PCOM). i think getting to the 5y mark involved getting the

self-taught, small business training absorbed.

 

k

 

 

On 4/25/07, Karen Adams <k_r_adams wrote:

>

> Hi folks - I posted a question a while ago, and no one has responded

> (surprised me, given the topic), so I thought I'd post it again.

> Please note: there has been lots of talk about how to launch/maintain

> a business, but that's not my question. Here it is:

>

> A friend and I have been talking about the joys and wonders of

> starting a business as an acupuncturist, and how (or whether) that

> information is passed on to acupuncture students. So I'm running a

> mini-poll:

>

> How long did it take for your business to provide you with a steady,

> reliable income that met all your needs? This would be defined as an

> average monthly patient flow that paid all business expenses, covered

> all personal expenses, and was able to absorb fluctuations (things

> like unexpected cancellations or patients moving on).

>

> Did anyone at your college discuss this with you prior to graduation?

>

> Those of you who are currently acupuncture students: is this on your

> curriculum?

>

> Thanks so much!

> Karen

>

> Karen R. Adams

> Lic Ac, Dipl Ac, BA(Hons), BS

> Four Directions Healing Arts

> 112 Avenue A

> Turners Falls, MA 01376

> 413-863-8033

> 413-768-8333

>

>

>

 

 

 

--

Kath Bartlett, LAc, MS, BA UCLA

Oriental Medicine

Experienced, Dedicated, Effective

 

Asheville Center For

70 Woodfin Place, Suite West Wing Two

Asheville, NC 28801 828.258.2777

kbartlett

www.AcupunctureAsheville.com