I loved this and wanted to share it!

> -------------- Original message ----------------------
> From: yehuda frischman
> > Hi Anne,
> >
> > My sessions are generally 2 hours. I have a couple of impatient businessmen
> > who can't and so I give them one hour sessions, ask them what they would like
> > to focus on, take their tongue and pulses and just jump in. I only see one
> > patient at a time. During the first half hour or so, I carefully review with
> > them their comments and my observations from the previous session as well as
> > asking them to update me on any changes or new developments. We explore any
> > reasons why there might have been setbacks such as reactions to foods,
> emotional
> > issues, etc. I feel that this is an important part of bonding with the
> patient,
> > and opening them up to trust. Based upon their symptoms, constitution and
> > status quo, I will generally prescribe and give them ready made medicines to
> > take for a week. Then slowly I begin to needle. Together with my patient I
> > exhale upon insertion and find when insertion is made with intention, that the
> > qi opens up much quicker and less uncomfortably,
> > even if I insert a full inch on fairly sensitive points. Sometimes, if I sense
> > that a point is quite blocked, I will hold it first with my hands, focus my
> > intention upon it and massage it at times fairly deeply in order to prepare it
> > for needling. This obviously takes longer than regular acupuncture insertion.
> > After all the needles are in, if indicated I will attach electrodes, or do
> moxa.
> > Then, while the needles are in (and BTW, I got slammed when I was in school by
> > my clinical supervisors for doing this, and was told in no uncertain terms,
> > "after the needles are placed you have to leave the patient alone, otherwise
> you
> > will interfere with the smooth flow of qi!") I will carefully do craniosacral
> > therapy. I have developed this protocol intuitively, have found that it
> > exponentially speeds up the healing process, and is particularly helpful in
> > releasing emotional baggage which often blocks the healing of physical
> symptoms.
> > The process is time consuming (sometimes
> > session have lasted longer than 3 hours--though I will retain needles for a
> > much shorter time) , but because I can only treat maximum 4-5 patients a day,
> > bookkeeping is easy, I don't need a secretary or assistant, and simply utilize
> > the receptionist who is employed by the chiropractor whose office I share.
> >
> > I know that what I do is unconventional, but I enjoy it, my patients enjoy it,
> > and we both enjoy the results.
> >
> > All the best,
> >
> > Yehuda

Re: how I work, (I guess it's a bit unconventionally!)
Posted by: "anne.crowley
Fri Apr 27, 2007 9:26 pm (PST)
What do they spend on average on herbs per week/month?
Do you have clients turn over. Some go to every 2 wks? Every month?

Thanks,
Anne

-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: yehuda frischman <
> They come weekly. I see on the average 3 patients daily, 5 days a week.
>
> anne.crowley wrote: Yehuda:
>
> So they are okay with $180 per tx. and the cost of herbs 20, 30, 40 dollars or
> more per month. How often do they come for tx? Yes, I learned in the beginning
> to spend a lot of time with patients but what we didn't do was charge. This can
> lead to a very paultry income.
>
> Anne
> -------------- Original message ----------------------
> From: yehuda frischman
> > Hi Anne,
> >
> > My sessions are generally 2 hours. I have a couple of impatient businessmen
> > who can't and so I give them one hour sessions, ask them what they would like
> > to focus on, take their tongue and pulses and just jump in. I only see one
> > patient at a time. During the first half hour or so, I carefully review with
> > them their comments and my observations from the previous session as well as
> > asking them to update me on any changes or new developments. We explore any
> > reasons why there might have been setbacks such as reactions to foods,
> emotional
> > issues, etc. I feel that this is an important part of bonding with the
> patient,
> > and opening them up to trust. Based upon their symptoms, constitution and
> > status quo, I will generally prescribe and give them ready made medicines to
> > take for a week. Then slowly I begin to needle. Together with my patient I
> > exhale upon insertion and find when insertion is made with intention, that the
> > qi opens up much quicker and less uncomfortably,
> > even if I insert a full inch on fairly sensitive points. Sometimes, if I sense
> > that a point is quite blocked, I will hold it first with my hands, focus my
> > intention upon it and massage it at times fairly deeply in order to prepare it
> > for needling. This obviously takes longer than regular acupuncture insertion.
> > After all the needles are in, if indicated I will attach electrodes, or do
> moxa.
> > Then, while the needles are in (and BTW, I got slammed when I was in school by
> > my clinical supervisors for doing this, and was told in no uncertain terms,
> > "after the needles are placed you have to leave the patient alone, otherwise
> you
> > will interfere with the smooth flow of qi!") I will carefully do craniosacral
> > therapy. I have developed this protocol intuitively, have found that it
> > exponentially speeds up the healing process, and is particularly helpful in
> > releasing emotional baggage which often blocks the healing of physical
> symptoms.
> > The process is time consuming (sometimes
> > session have lasted longer than 3 hours--though I will retain needles for a
> > much shorter time) , but because I can only treat maximum 4-5 patients a day,
> > bookkeeping is easy, I don't need a secretary or assistant, and simply utilize
> > the receptionist who is employed by the chiropractor whose office I share.
> >
> > I know that what I do is unconventional, but I enjoy it, my patients enjoy it,
> > and we both enjoy the results.
> >
> > All the best,
> >
> > Yehuda
> >
> > anne.crowley wrote:
> > 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 ----------------------
> > From: yehuda frischman <
> > > 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
> > >
> > >