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Hello!
Western world strongly emphasizes evidence-based research and measurable outcomes when evaluating the effectiveness of different treatments. Within the field of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), this presents a particular challenge, as e.g. the underlying treatment philosophy does not easily or at all fit into these frameworks.
In many CAM therapies, each client is understood as unique, and there is no standardized, predefined treatment protocol. This makes traditional quantitative research difficult. The requirements they use distort or “color” the nature of the therapy itself, which is inherently individualized and context dependent.
CAM treatments are holistic and “tailored-made” to everyone. Case reports might provide a way to document individual client processes within a more flexible framework. They might allow core elements that are essential and meaningful with the therapeutic process without forcing them into rigid quantitative structures.
Do you know has these kind of case reporting been done in the classical and constitutional acupuncture field?Something to think about and discuss. It is my experience that research on acupuncture within a Western framework can easily lead to protocolization. Even more importantly, it can gradually guide practitioners toward a different way of thinking, one in which the essential value of individualized, relational practice risks being lost. When treatment is reduced to fixed protocols and predefined outcomes, the dynamic process of diagnosis, interaction, and adjustment that lies at the heart of the practice may fade into the background.
There is full understanding for the good intentions behind this research. It aims at recognition, integration into healthcare systems, and the development of an evidence base that can support professional positioning and accessibility for patients. These are valuable goals. At the same time, acupuncture and other CAM therapies are rooted in holistic, person-centered approaches that do not naturally fit standardized research models.
Case-based and practice-oriented forms of inquiry may offer a more fitting bridge. They allow practitioners to document clinical reasoning, individual responses, and the evolution of treatment over time, while staying closer to the lived reality of practice. Ultimately, the issue is not only methodological but philosophical. How can we study and communicate the value of acupuncture without reshaping it into something that no longer reflects its core principles. Being aware of this tension helps ensure that research supports the field without unintentionally narrowing it.Thank you for your reply Joan!
Yes, I completely agree. The possibility to include also the client’s subjective experiences – sensations, behavioral changes, subtle shifts – makes the case reporting process much easier and richer. Like you wrote, in classical and constitutional acupuncture, treatment is not based on rigid protocols, but on pattern recognition, resonance, and the practitioner’s understanding of the individual. This gives us a valuable opportunity to demonstrate how theory becomes embodied practice.
I have treated a dachshund with complete hind limb paralysis. The vet did not consider any recovery possible without surgery. Within weeks and months, the dog gradually regained function and is now essentially normal, with only about a 5% difference in movement in the right hind leg.
What has been particularly interesting is what emerged after the physical condition resolved. The imbalance in the dog’s Great Movement became much more visible. The constitutional tendency expressed by his temperament, behavior and overall presence and also in a level of understanding why the paralyses might have happened in the first place . With the acute structural issue no longer masking the deeper pattern, we have been able to work at this constitutional level with good results as well.
Trying to translate this into a structured case report feels especially meaningful – feeling curious and excited. It is not only about documenting the outcome, but about articulating how the deep philosophical framework of classical acupuncture and constitutional factors, elemental dynamics, the movement of Qi, point energetics and the relationship between structure and spirit are used in the case taking process. Feeling that it will be good and deep learning process to myself .
Will let you know the outcome then later. :)
Hello everyone!
The case report document is ready. As discussed earlier, in the CAM field a case report is the only way to document case histories. The problem with these is that publishing them has also been made impossible. In many publishing platforms the fee is $2000–$4000, which is completely impossible for an individual practitioner.
The hope would be that we could, across various CAM fields, produce well-structured and documented reports that each respective association could use and archive. Ideally would be great to have a country specific data bank where different reports could be stored.
If you would like to read the case report document titled “Recovery from Severe Paraplegia to Functional Ambulation in a Dachshund — Role of Classical Acupuncture in Conservative Management”, send me a message to johanna@vivere.fi and I will mail it to you.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Summer time!
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