Podcast Ep. 5: Trey Brackman on the Art and Science of Acupuncture

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There’s no telling how many conversations Trey Brackman and I have had about acupuncture in the 10+ years we’ve been working together.

Usually we’ll start by discussing something mundane, like the clinic schedule, then one of us will bring up an interesting case study, and before we know it we’re deep in the weeds on esoteric theories, or new point combinations to try, or just generally being acupuncture nerds. This happened recently when we found ourselves talking about how acupuncture is both a science and an art, and I said, “Wait! This needs to be a podcast episode!” So here we are with today’s topic: the Art and Science of Acupuncture.

For this episode I didn’t really prepare a list of questions; I just decided to hit record and see where the conversation went. And I’m so glad I did. Trey and I talk about point selection, predicting disease progression, listening to what the needles communicate to us as practitioners, and how embracing the contradictions inherent in our medicine helps us serve our patients.

As Trey says, “Chinese Medicine is perfectly okay with paradox.” Two opposing forces can coexist within the same body. Heat and cold. Excess and deficiency. As we learn on day one of acupuncture school…it all goes back to yin and yang, always. And thus our medicine encompasses yin and yang, science and art.

Right-brained or left-brained, head or heart, scientist or artist, yin or yang…whoever you are, and wherever your tendencies lie, I hope you enjoy this conversation on the duality and oneness of our medicine.

Love and gratitude,

Your Acupuncturist

If you’re in Nashville, you can come see Trey at Encircle Acupuncture’s Bellevue clinic location. To keep up with him online, follow Encircle Acupuncture on Facebook and Instagram. Trey will occasionally pop into the Encircle social media feed with one of his (in)famous dad jokes…and you might just hear one if you listen all the way to the end of this episode!

Encircle Acupuncture: https://encircleacupuncture.com

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encircleacupuncture

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/encircleacupuncture/

Huge thanks to Trey Brackman for the great conversation, and to AudioCoffee for the music in this episode.

And endless love and gratitude to my paid subscribers for contributing to the sustainability of my work! You can become a paid subscriber for just a few dollars a month at https://notesfromyouracupuncturist.substack.com