Acupuncture Patient Assessment & Health History

Please remove this form template insights section before publishing.

Detailed Insights on the Acupuncture Patient Intake Form Template

1. The Diagnostic Value of "The Ten Questions"

The Systems Review section is modeled after the Shi Wen (Ten Questions) of TCM. While a patient might come in for back pain, these questions help you identify the root pattern (the "Ben") versus the symptom (the "Biao").

• Thermoregulation: Assessing chills and fever helps distinguish between "Cold" or "Heat" patterns. For example, night sweats often indicate a deficiency of Yin, while feeling cold easily suggests a Yang deficiency.
• Digestion: The state of the Spleen and Stomach systems is central to TCM. The form tracks "Dampness" (heaviness, bloating) or "Stomach Fire" (extreme hunger, reflux).
• Sleep & Energy: These are indicators of the Shen (spirit/mind) and the Heart and Kidney systems. Waking at specific times can even point to specific meridians being out of balance.

2. The Use of Pain Mapping

Visual data is often more accurate than verbal descriptions.

• Meridian Tracking: By seeing exactly where a patient marks their pain, you can immediately identify which meridians are involved (e.g., pain down the side of the leg often indicates the Gallbladder meridian).
• Nature of Pain: Sharp, fixed pain suggests "Blood Stasis," while moving, distending pain suggests "Qi Stagnation."

3. Gynecological History as a Vital Sign

In TCM, the menstrual cycle is considered a "window" into the state of the blood and the Liver system.

• Color and Texture: Dark blood with clots suggests stagnation; pale, thin blood suggests deficiency.
• Timing: Early cycles often point to "Heat," while late cycles point to "Cold" or "Deficiency."

4. Lifestyle and Environmental Factors

External factors like diet and environment are considered "External Pathogens."

• Diet: Heavy dairy or greasy foods contribute to "Dampness," which can manifest as physical heaviness or brain fog.
• Work/Environment: Sitting for long periods causes Qi to stagnate in the lower burner, while high-stress occupations tax the Liver Qi.

5. The "Practitioner Use Only" Section

This is the bridge between the patient's subjective experience and your objective clinical findings.

• Tongue Diagnosis: The tongue is a map of the internal organs. The "coating" represents the state of digestion, while the "body" represents the state of the blood and Qi.
• Pulse Diagnosis: This is the most complex diagnostic skill, requiring the practitioner to feel for depth, speed, and quality across six positions (three on each wrist).

6. Patient Attestation and Clarity

The final section ensures that the communication is transparent. It establishes a partnership where the patient acknowledges their role in providing truthful information, which is essential for a safe and effective treatment plan.

Please remove this mandatory questions recommendation before publishing.

Mandatory Questions & Core Rationale:

1. Pregnancy Status

• Why it is mandatory: In acupuncture, there are "forbidden points." These are specific points on the body known to have a strong downward-moving action or the ability to stimulate uterine contractions.
• Clinical Insight: For example, points like LI4 (Hegu) or SP6 (Sanyinjiao) are powerful for moving Qi and Blood but must be avoided or used with extreme caution during pregnancy. Knowing a patient's status ensures the treatment supports the pregnancy rather than inadvertently disrupting it.

2. Current Medications (Blood Thinners & Implants)

• Why it is mandatory: This is the primary safety check for the physical act of needling.
• Clinical Insight: * Anticoagulants: If a patient is on blood thinners, the practitioner must use thinner needles and apply longer manual pressure after withdrawal to prevent bruising or hematomas.
• • Pacemakers: If a patient has an electronic implant, electro-acupuncture (passing a small current between needles) is strictly avoided to prevent interference with the device.

3. Primary Concern and Pain Location

• Why it is mandatory: This defines the "Branch" of the treatment.
• Clinical Insight: TCM relies on "Channel Theory." If a patient has pain in the temple, the practitioner knows to treat the Gallbladder Meridian. If the pain is at the vertex (top of the head), it involves the Liver Meridian. This information dictates exactly which anatomical pathways the needles will be placed in.

4. Thermoregulation (Heat vs. Cold)

• Why it is mandatory: This determines the nature of the "Pathogen" and the style of treatment.
• Clinical Insight: * If a patient feels constant heat, the practitioner will use "reducing" techniques to clear heat.
• • If a patient feels cold, the practitioner may choose to use Moxibustion (burning the herb mugwort near the skin) to introduce Yang energy. Using heat on a "Heat" pattern can make symptoms significantly worse.

5. Energy Levels and Sleep Quality

• Why it is mandatory: This assesses the patient's "Base Qi" or "Reserve."
• Clinical Insight: A patient with profound exhaustion (Qi Deficiency) should not receive a heavy, dispersive treatment. If a practitioner needles too many points or uses too much stimulation on a depleted patient, the patient may experience "needle shock" or feel extremely drained for days after.

6. Digestive and Bowel Habits

• Why it is mandatory: In TCM, the "Spleen and Stomach" are the source of all Qi and Blood production.
• Clinical Insight: Chronic loose stools or constipation give the practitioner immediate insight into the efficiency of the patient's metabolism. This tells the practitioner whether they need to "tonify" (strengthen) the center or "drain" dampness and stagnation.

7. Tongue and Pulse Findings (Practitioner Section)

• Why it is mandatory: These are the objective "gold standards" of an acupuncture exam.
• Clinical Insight: Patients may be inaccurate in their self-reporting, but the tongue and pulse rarely lie. The tongue body shows the long-term state of the organs, while the pulse shows the immediate, moving state of the Qi. A diagnosis is only considered complete once the patient’s story matches these physical signs.