AboutHeather Vandeburg Expertise I can answer any questions about Acupuncture, Chinese Herbals, Tuina (Chinese massage, Cupping, and Gua Sha. I can answer questions about Qi, Meridians, and Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory. I can answer how these different modalities can benefit different conditions.
Experience I have a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practice in DeKalb IL. I have been practicing TCM since 2002. I have given many lectures and classes on the subject of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture, Women’s Health, Nutrition and Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation. This Includes speaking at an International Conference for the United Leukodystrophy Foundation.
Organizations AAOM, NCCAOM, CCAOM, ILAAOM
Publications Women Today, ILAAOM website,
Education/Credentials Master degree in Oriental Medicine, Bachelor degree in Nutrition, Bachelor degree in Biological Sciences. I am lisensed and board certified in Acupuncture. I did an advanced internship at Guang Zhou University in Guang Zhou China.
Awards and Honors I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Midwest College of Oriental Medicine
Yesterday, a strange phenomenon happened with a patient doing an undirect moxa on his arm and leg. He visited me to cure a tennis elbow to the right arm. So I exposed GB34, LI 9 to 11 and a-chi points with a undirect moxa only, starting by right side. As usually, I was very careful asking frequently to the patient about the amount and quality of heat he was feeling, clearly saying that at the first pain he would ask me to stop it. He seemed not to be sensitive to my moxa and I decided to stop the exposure after some 5 minutes to avoid burns, I didn't see any red mark on the points. I did the other side at the same points and there, after only 1 or 2 minutes he asked me to stop the exposure as he was very sensitive that side. The point is that afterward he sent me an "angry" e-mail complaining of blisters and burns.
I was very ashtonished of this reaction, as it wasn't a direct moxa upon the skin. After hundreds of moxas, it's the very first time that a patient complains about that kind of thing.
I wonder how it can have such differences of sensitivity between the Yin right side and the Yang left side of the body.I suppose that this is the sign of a important QI imbalance and that the surface upon the tennis elbow pain is less sensitive due to the stagnation of blood but what about GB 34 point? It's the very first time that I have such an unsatisfied patient, what would you advice to do to keep a good relation ship ? I already proposed him to refund the session what he appreciated but he still doesn't want to hear anything anymore about oriental medicine, which is a pity.
I thank you for your consideration
Pascal Moreaux
Answer Hi Pascal,
It could be that the side of the pain was somewhat desensitized. I think a very important thing when working with moxa is education. Letting him know ahead of time that blisters are possible and sometimes a good thing. Explaining how to treat the blister as after care is also very important. I always have qing wan hun available for patients and I give some to take home. I make a practice of putting it on moxa sites as a preventative after the session. Make sure that you document all your conversations with him to protect yourself. I am used to seeing imbalances in the qi and a difference side to side.
Your in good shape if this is your first unsatisfied customer. It sounds like you did all that you could in the situation. You may not be able to win him over. But you did try to make things right to the best of your ability. And I am sure that you learned from the experience.
