China back to Australia - the transition

A few months ago I said my goodbyes to Dr Zhu and team, my friends, neighbors and landlord then got on a flight with all my belongings. My destination was home. While China had been an enriching experience for my skills as an acupuncturist and herbalist, as well as being a cultural eye-opener and where I really learnt how to speak Chinese it was time for me to come home.

Since coming home I have re-discovered what its like to be a Chinese Medicine Practitioner in Melbourne. At the beginning I was comparing it with that of the lifestyle of a practitioner back in China. I have now stopped comparing but to put a final end to the comparing would like to share some breif points.

One: Patient Privacy
Here we have privacy laws and regulations and while it may not be illegal, once past the waiting room patients seeing each other is not the done thing. The patient gets one-on-one time with the practitioner (without strangers in the consulting room adding there two cents). Whilst they are resting with the needles the patient usually listens to relaxing personal music through earphones or on a sound system. There treatment is in a room squished with of 9-15 patients some laying, some sitting and some squatting but most engaging in conversation about sensitive topics e.g. teen pregnancy .

Two: Pre-Booking, Post Pay
Here you know your schedule before you start, its rare you'll have a drop in therefore time management with planning is possible. There the patient lines up in te foyer either from 8am for the morning session or 1pm for the afternoon session. Its here they pre-pay for their consultation, get a number and WAIT (sometimes for hours).

Three: Understanding Chinese Medicine Theory
Acupuncture and herbal medicine aligns well with Chinese culture and Chinese language. Well of course! Therefore when a patient there speaks about symptoms and complaints its very easy to interpret and give them a Chinese Medicine diagnosis ready to treat. On the other hand here can be more challenging, aren't so experienced in talking about their body in terms of temperature and elements.

Four: New and Exciting
The fourth and nicest point I have to share is that lots of people here are coming to received acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine for the first time. This is an interesting experience to share with them. There they have seen numerous Chinese Medicine Physicians know the theory and are comparing you to their previous physician.

Five: Final
There are no big dogs allowed within the 4th ring rd in There. Here they are allowed anywhere.