Yesterday’s message was about the practitioner who sees over 200 patients per week. I promised to ask Andy for permission to tell you his methods for treating that many patients effectively. Here’s what he said:

“I learned to do free very fast free-hand needling - mimicking what I learned in China (I never saw people put so many needles in so fast in my life).

I do a VERY comprehensive intake and there’s nothing really to talk about since they come 2-3 times each week - unless they have some issue or question.

I see about 8 patients per hour and run a pretty tight ship (people never wait more than 5-10 min). I have designated times for existing patients and times for new patients. I believe in having a well-structured practice. I’m very frank and straight forward with my patients and if I feel they need to come in every day, than I tell them and they come every day. If I say 2x week they come 2x week, etc.”

Andy is aware that some people see a conflict in treating so many patients in so little time:

“Many practitioners feel that you can’t have a high volume practice and give quality care. These people should visit the hospitals in china where the Chinese acupuncturists make my volume look minuscule. Every hour they typically squeeze from 20 - 60 patients into a large room with many beds. the acupuncturists spends about 10-60 seconds needling each patient and the results are nothing short of amazing!

If you are fully committed to what you do (OM), then your objective would most certainly be to try to help the largest number of people that you are capable of helping.

Some people can simply handle more and the Universe/God/Nature will give you ONLY what you demonstrate that you can handle. If other people can’t mentally or emotionally handle a large volume than that’s fine. Some people have more energy than others and NO ONE should work to the point where they feel exhausted and burned out.

The main point here is that each practitioner should do what’s most comfortable for him or her in terms of volume, hours worked, time pent with each patient, style of acupuncture, etc. Who cares what method or amount of time you spend with each patient as long as you get good results.”

The Practice Management Course Andy created covers how he manages to treat so many people without burning out and losing his sense of fun. If you’re interested in knowing more about how to develop a mindset like his, it’s in there. Take a look.  (Forgot to mention, the course includes a consultation with Andy.  If you’d like personal guidance in increasing the number of patients you attract, and the number of patients you can treat, you might want to look into it.)

Don’t forget, this is a prize for the Doer’s Contest. All you have to do to enter is actually DO some marketing and send me your results. Prizes will be chosen both by popular vote and by drawings, which means anyone can win.

If you have any questions or comments, the form below is for you.