I've been asked about what is happening when I am taking pulses during treatment. Several things are happening. I take pulses to get information about what is going on in my patient's body. There are many different qualities that may be felt on the pulses, slippery, choppy, wiry or knotted to name a few. Each gives a clue as to how the patient is. For example, if a pulse is 'wiry' it has a taut feel to it, like a guitar string. This often is a sign of disharmony in the Liver and Gallbladder when felt in the pulse position corresponding to these organs - or it may indicate Phlegm or pain when felt on other pulse positions. The quality of the pulse may guide my treatment planning. There are six pulse positions on the wrists - three on the right and three on the left and each can be felt either deeply or superficially. Each position corresponds to one of the organs of the body.

I also use the pulse to give me feedback during my treatment. I take the pulses at the beginning of the session. In my mind I have a idea of what I think an ideal pulse would be for my patient and I plan my treatment to move the pulse in that direction. I often think of what a child's pulse feels like. All the positions are equal in strength relative to each other, are not too big or too small, they are elastic and calm and regular and rooted. Such a pulse indicates good health. It is often called the Normal pulse. I needle and take the pulse again. I hope to find a pulse change that takes the patient nearer to this ideal , Normal pulse. The pulse tells me if I am going in the right direction.

I record the pulses from one treatment to the next because I can then see if the pulses changes achieved in one treatment are lasting and carrying on into the next. If I change the pulse for the better but it reverts after an hour then I must try to find points that make the change more permanent.

When I needle a point the pulses can change quite dramatically. It still fills me with wonder sometimes - I'm sure my patients can see my jaw drop from time to time.

Today I was advising a patient to practise a little bit of acupressure on a few points at home to help with headaches and was asked exactly what technique to use. I thought of a website I visited some months ago that discussed this and I thought it had some good ideas and advice. The link to the site is http://www.eclecticenergies.com/acupressure/ . I think the technique described here is sound and the actual point location directions are good for people looking for points for the first time. I would be careful using the points without talking to an acupuncturist though - not all of the points would suit everyone. I would want to take into consideration what Element a patient resonated with - what we call the Causative Factor in Five Element acupuncture. Acupressure can be used to work with the emotions - help a person experiencing grief for example - and it can also be used as first aid - perhaps to reduce the impact of a headache or to quell nausea. I would be very happy to discuss this with patients if they wanted to explore acupressure.

I made a bit of a mail shot today so I hope people will start visiting over the next few days. Looking back at the first post I think I should be clear that I would never use patients names nor write about anything that could be linked to a particular individual without first asking permission.

I was asked today about acupuncture and giving blood. As a member of the British Acupuncture Council my patients can give blood - you need to ask me for a certificate which you present at the donation centre. Just ask me.

Today my website is up and running and I am starting my blog. I guess this first post should be a bit of a mission statement. The address is www.joestevens-acupuncture.co.uk

What do I hope to do with this blog that I have grafted on to my website? The truth is that this is the first time I have set up something like this. I plan to use it to answer questions put to me by my patients in my practice or emailed to me by readers of this blog. I would also like to give patients the space to share their experiences of acupuncture with other people. I hope that this will stimulate comment and discussion and that the blog will grow. The next step is to let my patients know of the existence of this blog and to see how it develops.