2a. Talking during treatments

[Guest guest]

I agree too much talking can make it difficult to treat people. The

question is why do some people want to talk and others not? This in itself

must be good for diagnosis. Added to which what they say or don't say also

assists the diagnosis. I am so grateful I underwent a training in

acupuncture where we were taught to listen to aid diagnosis. I certainly

think too that we must accept sometimes the patient needs to be able to talk

things out as part of the treatment.

 

I am sure I am teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, but surely most of us

find that when we hit that special point the talking suddenly ceases? I

find the changes in levels of talking a great barometer as to how well the

treatment is going. Added to which we should be taught skills to stop the

talking, or to elicit it when needed.. As to letting it get to you, yes it

can be tiring, but its so easy, when the needles are in to go out of the

treatment room for a short while, saying, " lets give you some quiet space

you have such a busy life " if its getting too much. When I do try and

remember to quieten the patient its so simple to change the subject, lower

and quieten my tone of voice, add a gentle touch saying " try and relax now

while I treat you " . This usually works like magic and totally changes the

atmosphere in the treatment room. None of this is difficult. It certainly

doesn't take an intensive psychotherapy course to learn such skills I think

we all should be taught these tips in our training. If not then ask your

colleges why its not part of their curriculum?

 

Helene