So you failed the acupuncture board exam... now what?

Recently I went through a failing moment and making this video was part of my healing process. I took a big risk trying to buy a new home for my family—but it didn’t go as planned. We had to leave the place where we built so many memories… and move back into my childhood home.

This video helped me process the grief, the guilt, and the hope that still remains. One thing is for certain - i'm eternally grateful to have family that we can lean on and help us get through these times.

But having to move back in without being able to buy a home feels like a massive step backward—and that feeling mirrors exactly what it’s like to fail the NCCAOM board exam.You might have failed the boards once... twice, or more - my heart feels for you..

I know what it’s like to feel like you’ve let everyone down. To feel like all your studying, money, and sacrifice just wasn't enough. But I also know what it means to rise—and how to find your strength again.

I hope this video helps you find your strength again too, and I hope this video reminds you that you're not alone - that you have yourself, your friends and your family to lean on through these hard times (and of course you have me too to help as much as I can with your studies)

👉 This video is literally my heart opened up, so if you're an acupuncture student or just someone who feels defeated by something like an exam, a job or even just life in general - I hope you watch this video until the end... and if you'd be so brave and tell me about what's going on with you and how you're rising from it.

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📚 Want help studying for the NCCAOM boards?

👉 https://www.StudyAcuWithMe.com/quickwin

Episode Description:
In this episode, Dr. Richard Lai dives deep into a must-know topic for every acupuncture student and practitioner: how to differentiate between Wind Cold and Wind Heat patterns in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). If you've ever found these patterns confusing—especially when prepping for board exams—you're not alone! Dr. Lai walks listeners through two exam-style case studies, highlighting the subtle but critical differences between the two. You’ll learn which clinical features, tongue and pulse signs, and classic symptoms set Wind Cold apart from Wind Heat—tips that will help you ace your exams and get better results in clinic.

Show Notes:

• Introduction to the Episode

  • Dr. Lai shares his mission to make TCM concepts easier to understand and retain for students and practitioners.

  • Quick reminder to sign up for his "Quick Win" newsletter for weekly board exam questions and explanations in under five minutes.

  • Sign up here

• Why Wind Cold vs Wind Heat Matters

  • This differentiation is a frequent board exam topic and an everyday clinical challenge.

  • Dr. Lai explains that though symptoms can overlap, recognizing key differences is essential.

• Case Study 1: Wind Heat Pattern

  • 25-year-old grad student, Tracy: mild sore throat, mild fever, nasal congestion, slight red tongue tip, thin yellow coating, floating and slightly rapid pulse, spontaneous sweating, scratchy throat.

  • Classic Wind Heat symptoms identified: yellow tongue coat, red tongue tip, fever, sore throat, floating-rapid pulse and sweating.

  • Dr. Lai breaks down the pathophysiology—how Wind Heat impairs the lung’s descending and dispersing function, resulting in upper body symptoms.

• Case Study 2: Wind Cold Pattern

  • 37-year-old PT, Raffi: body aches, runny nose, congestion, chills, cannot get warm, mild scratchy throat, no sweat, no thirst, pale tongue with thin white coat, floating and tight pulse.

  • Hallmarks of Wind Cold: tight pulse, strong chills, no sweating, pale tongue, thin white coating.

  • Discussion on how these findings help rule out interior cold and yang deficiency.

  • Dr. Lai emphasizes the importance of tongue and pulse in differentiating cases on the exam.

• Quick Review & Tips

  • Key symptoms to distinguish Wind Heat vs Wind Cold

  • The importance of tongue color/coat, pulse quality, and specific symptom presentations.

  • How exams may offer tricky answer choices—look for the “most correct” answer based on the case details.

• Stay Connected

  • Sign up for Dr. Lai’s Quick Win Newsletter for more board exam questions and explanations.

  • www.studyacuwithme.com/quickwin

Resources Mentioned:

• Study Acupuncture with Me Website

• Quick Win Newsletter

Thank you for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode or found it helpful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review. Until next time—good luck with your studies and clinic, and happy studying!

Episode Summary:

Welcome to another insightful episode of "Study Acupuncture with Me". In this episode, we're diving into the intricacies of Heart Yin Deficiency, a common pattern in both clinical practice and board exams. We're going to talk about Heart Yin Deficiency in terms of Pattern identification and potential causes

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Introduction to Heart Yin Deficiency:

   • Overview of heart functions in traditional Chinese medicine, focusing on the heart's role in governing blood and housing the Shen (spirit).

2. Heart Yin vs. Heart Yang:

   • Explanation of how Heart Yin and Yang are complementary forces, with Yin nourishing and anchoring the heart, and Yang propelling physiological activity.

3. Signs and Symptoms:

   • Common manifestations include palpitations, insomnia, anxiety, and dry mouth, with specific signs such as a tongue without coating and a floating, empty pulse indicating Yin deficiency.

4. Causes:

   • Discusses stress, overwork, and external factors like heat as primary causes of Heart Yin Deficiency.

5. Differential Diagnosis:

   • Differentiating insomnia from Heart Yin Deficiency and Heart Blood Deficiency based on sleep patterns.

6. Recommendations:

   • Importance of consulting an acupuncturist for personalized treatment, with points like Ren 4, Ren 14, and Spleen 6 highlighted for nourishing heart Yin.

Additional Resources:

• Sign up for my weekly newsletter featuring a quick win with one multiple-choice practice question and explanation: www.studyacuwithme.com/quickwin

Feel free to reach out with feedback or questions about the topics discussed in this episode. And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast and join the conversation in the comments below! Happy studying!

In this episode, let's takes a deep dive into the often-confusing topic of Lung Yin Deficiency versus Lung Dryness. These two patterns might sound similar, but understanding their nuances is crucial for effective acupuncture treatment and accurate diagnosis.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction to Lung Patterns: Dr. Lai discusses the importance of differentiating between Lung Yin Deficiency and Lung Dryness, especially for board exams and clinical practice.

• The Lungs – A Delicate Organ: Learn about why the lungs are considered a delicate organ in Traditional Chinese Medicine and how external factors influence them.

• Understanding Lung Dryness: Discover the causes and symptoms associated with lung dryness, from environmental factors like dry climates and air-conditioned spaces to lifestyle influences such as smoking and hydration.

• Lung Yin Deficiency Explored: Dr. Lai explains the manifestations of lung yin deficiency and how they differ from lung dryness, including the role of empty heat signs.

• Differential Diagnosis Tips: Get practical advice on differentiating between these two patterns using clinical observations and diagnostic techniques.

• Acupuncture Treatment Points: Dr. Lai shares effective acupuncture points for treating both lung dryness and lung yin deficiency, with special focus on yin-nourishing points like Spleen 6 and Lung 9.

• Practical Tips for Lung Health: Enhance your lung health with simple, everyday tips on hydration, diet, posture, and environment management that Dr. Lai provides for both acupuncture practitioners and the general public.

• Engage and Share: Join the conversation! Dr. Lai invites listeners to share their experiences and tips in the comments, and to help spread the knowledge by sharing this episode with fellow students and practitioners.

Tune into this episode to deepen your understanding and appreciation for the complexities of lung health within acupuncture practice. Don't forget to subscribe for more enriching acupuncture content, and if you’re enjoying the podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help us reach more listeners!

Happy studying, and until next time, take care of your lungs! 🌿

Episode Overview:
This is a special episode offering a sneak peek into my upcoming foundations board exam prep course. Dive deep into the general manifestations of lung patterns in acupuncture and learn a fun mnemonic—"BAD COLD"— This can help you remember the clinical manifestations of lung patterns.

Whether you're juggling multiple responsibilities or just starting your journey in acupuncture, I hope this episode gives you great tools and tips to maximize your learning.

Key Takeaways:

• Course Development Journey: The episode shares Dr. Lai's reflective journey in creating a comprehensive board prep course that's been four years in the making.

• Mnemonic Insight - "BAD COLD":

  • B: Breathlessness (Lung chi deficiency)

  • A: Airway issues/dryness (Lung yin deficiency)

  • D: Dryness (Lung dryness)

  • C: Cough and Cold (Invasion by exterior factors like wind, cold, and heat)

  • O: Oedema, aka edema (Invasion of the lung by wind water)

  • L: Loud barking cough (Phlegm heat in the lungs)

  • D: Damp phlegm (Various phlegm-related lungs patterns)

• Strategies for Success: Discover the importance of having a structured routine and systems to manage multiple priorities effectively as a student or practitioner.

• Continued Learning and Resources: Don't miss out on Dr. Lai's planner and video guide for efficient planning. Sign up for the email list for updates on the release of his board exam prep course. https://youtu.be/AyJFt5SiRd0?si=v6Rk6FxHRQZKRj2m Sign up for my email list at www.studyacuwithme.com

• How to Apply in Practice: Learn to recognize clinical manifestations in practice and apply these insights during exams and patient interactions.

Resources Mentioned:

• Visit studyacuwithme.com to join the email list for course updates.

• Planner video https://youtu.be/AyJFt5SiRd0?si=v6Rk6FxHRQZKRj2m

Call to Action:
If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a fellow acupuncture student or practitioner. Your support can help others benefit as well.

Connect with Us:
Stay connected by signing up for the email list on Dr. Lai's website to get the latest episodes and course details directly to your inbox.

Until next time, happy studying!

Welcome to another episode of "Study Acupuncture with Me" with Dr. Richard Lai! 🌿

This week, I’m sharing personal strategies to help you stay positive, manage your time effectively, and balance life while preparing for your acupuncture board exams. Whether you’re juggling school, work, family, or all three, these tips will help make your acupuncture journey smoother and more rewarding.

💡 In this episode, we cover:
✔️ How to maintain a positive mindset in acupuncture school
✔️ Time management tips to balance study, work, and life
✔️ My personal experience juggling acupuncture school and family
✔️ The importance of clinical learning & patient connections
✔️ Why gratitude & positivity are key to success in TCM

📩 Get more TCM insights & free study resources!
Sign up for my weekly newsletter 👉 www.studyacuwithme.com

🔔 Follow & Subscribe for more acupuncture study tips, TCM insights, and board exam prep!

⏳ Timestamps:
0:00 - Welcome to Study Acupuncture with Me
0:35 - Announcing the TCM Board Prep Course
1:09 - Request for Feedback on Weekly Newsletter
1:46 - How to Stay Positive in Acupuncture School
2:53 - Balancing Acupuncture School and Life (My Story)
3:36 - Why I Created Study Acupuncture with Me
4:29 - Building Patient Connections with Acupuncture
5:05 - Subscribe for More TCM Insights!
6:04 - Offering Support via Comments & Emails
6:45 - Managing Family Life & Acupuncture Commitments
8:07 - Positivity & Time Management for Success
8:41 - The Power of Clinical Learning & Conversations
9:11 - Staying Open & Continuously Learning
9:33 - Why Gratitude Matters in Your Journey
10:01 - Closing & Next Episode Preview

🙏 Thank you for tuning in! You’ve got this! We’re all in this together—let’s make studying acupuncture a positive and successful experience.

#Acupuncture #TCM #AcupunctureStudents #BoardExamPrep #StudyAcuWithMe #TraditionalChineseMedicine #Positivity #TimeManagement #HealthCare #Mindset #LifeBalance

Welcome back to another episode of Study Acupuncture with Me!

🌟 Welcome to "Study Acupuncture with Me"! 🌟

🔍 Welcome to "Study Acupuncture with Me" with Dr. Richard Lai DPT LAc! In this episode, we dive into the intricate details of the Dai Mai, also known as the girdling vessel, one of the extraordinary acupuncture vessels. Gain in-depth knowledge on its functions, clinical applications, and anatomical significance. Perfect for acupuncture students and professionals preparing for their board exams! 🚀

🔗 Life, Learning, and Launching: Insights from Acupuncture Entrepreneurs

In our latest podcast episode, "Boncho Friends," I had the pleasure of diving deep into the journey of Bora and Isaac, the dedicated co-founders of Boncho Friends. 🚀 Whether you're a budding acupuncture student or an aspiring entrepreneur, their story is filled with invaluable lessons and inspiration. Here are some key takeaways:

🔹 Foundational Knowledge is Crucial: Both Isaac and Bora emphasize the importance of mastering the foundational concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It’s not just about memorizing facts but truly understanding the underlying principles to prevent misdiagnosis and offer effective treatments.

🔹 Ethics and Passion Over Profit: Whether it’s Dr. Richard Lai’s decision to resign from an unethical clinic or Bora and Isaac’s commitment to a business driven by values, this episode highlights the importance of maintaining integrity and following your passion. Financial success follows if you're true to your ethics and dedicated to your craft.

🔹 Balancing Act of Entrepreneurship: Starting Boncho Friends wasn't easy for Bora and Isaac. They had to juggle full-time jobs while working late nights on their project. Their realistic approach and perseverance paid off, demonstrating that balancing financial stability with entrepreneurial dreams is indeed challenging but possible.

✨ Bonus: Our guests shared practical study tips for acupuncturists, including the use of memory palaces, spaced repetition, and understanding the 'why' behind concepts rather than rote memorization.

📲 Don't miss out on the full conversation! Listen now and be inspired by their journey. Plus, get a 10% discount on Boncho Friends products with the code "studyacuwithme." www.bonchofriends.com Follow them on Instagram and TikTok @BonchoFriends.