Hey there, acupuncture scholars! 👋 Dr. Richard Lai here, and welcome back to Study Acupuncture with Me—your mobile classroom for mastering TCM, no matter where life takes us. I’m so glad you’re joining me, and I promise we’re buckled up for another episode filled with encouragement, practical tips, and heart.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of the most foundational concepts in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Deficiency vs. Excess. I’ll break down what these principles really mean, how to spot them in your patients, and why they’re absolutely essential for acing your board exams and becoming a confident, skillful practitioner. Whether you’re brand new to acupuncture or a seasoned pro, you’ll find actionable insights and motivating advice to supercharge your study routine (yes—even if you’re listening while driving, commuting, or doing the dishes!). Remember, success is all about those small efforts repeated day in and day out. Let’s make today count!

Timestamps:

• 00:00 — Warm Welcome & Study Motivation

• 03:01 — The Eight Principles: Why Basics Matter

• 03:23 — Understanding Deficiency: Qi, Blood, Yin, Yang

• 09:25 — Flipping to Excess: Signs, Symptoms & Examples

• 13:51 — Case Studies: Putting Theory into Practice

• 18:20 — Clinical Tips: Tongue & Pulse Diagnosis

• 20:35 — Study Hacks: Spaced Repetition & Smart Prep

• 21:50 — Final Boost & Words of Encouragement

I’d love to hear how this episode helped you! Head over to my socials and drop a comment with what resonated most, your study wins, or any questions you want answered. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for more heart-to-heart acupuncture talks, and visit www.studyacuwithme.com to grab your FREE study resources and join our supportive email community.

Keep studying smart, keep showing up, and remember—I’m rooting for you every step of the way! God bless, and happy studying!