Although the therapeutic encounter is imbued with ritual, conventional medicine tends to minimize ritual's significance, while acupuncture practitioners often try to cultivate it.
Methods:
This article explores the 12 Celestial points as an example of ritual in acupuncture, and suggests ways that modern practitioners might deconstruct and transcend such protocols. Illustrative case histories are provided.
Conclusions:
Grounded in both scientific and energetic paradigms, modern practitioners have an opportunity to deconstruct the therapeutic ritual openly to engender real empowerment as part of treatment process.
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