because all needling isn’t the same.
An acupuncture treatment is more than just needling — there’s history, diagnosis, palpation, and more — but shouldn’t we really understand the needling?
All needling isn’t the same — techniques vary from patient to patient, treatment to treatment, point to point. TCM needling is different from Japanese. “Reinforcing” techniques are different from “reducing”. How do these techniques differ? Can styles of needling be clearly differentiated? Are these differences important?
The Acusensor uses advanced sensor technology to help students, researchers, and clinicians see what’s happening during the needling portion of a treatment.
Can the Acusensor can benefit you?
Researchers
Document and analyze needling techniques clearly and objectively
Researchers know that needling is highly variable. By documenting when and how these variances occur, potential effects on treatment outcomes can be explored. The Acusensor provides the technology to measure, document, and analyze the needling component of treatment.
Researchers may use the Acusensor to:
• Quantify acupuncture needling (verum and sham) along 5 dimensions:
• axial (in and out) motion
• rotation
• axial (in and out) force
• torque (rotational force)
• time
• Compare the force profiles and potential biomechanical effects of various sham needling procedures.
• Conduct descriptive research documenting the range and frequency of various needling practices.
• Test hypotheses related to the impact of needling techniques on clinical outcomes.
• Document and explore differences related to needling style (e.g. Toyohari vs. TCM).
Students and Teachers
Simplify the mastery of complicated needling techniques
Students know that needling techniques are difficult to learn. You can never be sure you’re getting it just right. You watch your instructor. Your instructor watches you. But you never really know what the other is feeling. It’s difficult to communicate precisely about movements and forces encountered while needling. The Acusensor provides real-time feedback, and the ability to go back and review what happened later allowing comparisons between needling encounters. You’ll have an easier time learning the classic techniques and feeling confident that you’re doing it just right.
Teachers can use the Acusensor to:
• Create powerful teaching visuals clarifying the 5 dimensions of the needling technique (axial motion, rotation, axial force, torque, and time) in one clear snapshot.
• Model needling techniques for students in a replicable format.
• Assess students’ skill in mimicking desired techniques.
• Communicate more effectively regarding needling.
Acupuncturists
Amplify your responsiveness while needling
Good acupuncture engages all the practitioner’s senses to assess the patient. Verbal and non-verbal cues are interpreted. Palpation may occur. Rapport is cultivated. During the needling portion of treatment, tactile cues give the practitioner important feedback about how to handle the needle. Needling techniques are dynamic — adapted in real-time as the patient responds. Recognizing the importance of this delicate “dance” between practitioner and patient, the Acusensor enhances the acupuncturist’s ability to respond to tactile cues while needling. The needling is adjusted — perhaps a little more, perhaps a little less, perhaps a little different. Like a stethoscope for a physician, the Acusensor can amplify tactile feedback while documenting what occurred so you can refer back to the event later.
Acupuncturists can use the Acusensor to:
• Amplify tactile feedback during needling.
• Document treatments more completely.
• Communicate more effectively with colleagues regarding treatment techniques.
• Partner with researchers to identify optimal needling techniques in order to potentially improve clinical outcomes.
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