Over the years many of the people I have trained with have become fantastic acupuncturists (obviously) but also wonderful life long friends. Like many professions we meet up regularly to undertake CPD and one recent meet up in London got me thinking about what makes an outstanding acupuncture therapist and also a great friend.
Nearly everyone who is a British Acupuncture Council  member will have, at the very least, a degree level qualification and will therefore possess skills and knowledge about Chinese medicine. But like a good friend a good acupuncturist will be something more.
The best treatment won't just be about symptom relief and the placing of needles at the correct points but will deal with the client/patient's underlying dis-ease. To do that the acupuncturist and client need to have a relationship based on trust, integrity and compassion. Like a good friend the therapist will be sensitive to the client patient's needs and be totally non judgemental. She will really listen and work with the client rather than work on them. A good friend doesn't tell you what to do but makes suggestions and allows you to decide. Like a good friend a good therapist will empower the other person to discover for themselves what changes they need to make to regain the best health they can.
And like all relationships the benefit isn't just one way. Whether as a therapist or a friend by being whole heartedly there and present for another person, the best therapists and friends grow and learn to become better, healthier and wiser themselves. 

Acupuncture can help you sleep. Dr Neil Stanley, has more than 36 years’ experience in sleep research and is the author of How to Sleep Well. Stanley says the three essential ingredients for good sleep are a dark, quiet, comfortable place; a relaxed body and a quiet mind. “It doesn’t matter what gets you a quiet mind – camomile tea, yoga, listening to Pink Floyd really loudly – as long as you enjoy it.” I’d add acupuncture to that list. It’s great at creating a relaxed body and quiet mind!