Treating Mixed Patterns: Spleen Qi Deficiency and Damp Accumulation in Real-Life Practice

Hey there, acupuncture rockstars! Dr. Richard Lai here, and welcome to the "Study Acupuncture With Me" podcast. I’m so glad you’re here—think of this as your safe and encouraging space to unravel tricky TCM topics, gain clarity, and build confidence for both clinic life and board exams. In today’s episode, we’re diving into the real-world challenge of “mixed patterns” with a special focus on Spleen Qi Deficiency combined with Damp Accumulation—a pattern you’ll see all the time in the clinic! I’ll walk you step-by-step through recognizing key symptoms, understanding the reasoning behind TCM diagnosis, and developing treatment strategies that adapt to your patient’s needs. You’ll also pick up actionable tips, practical analogies, and my personal thoughts on treating root vs. branch—and how to do all this with a patient-centered mindset. Here’s what you’ll learn: How to confidently spot the signs of Spleen Qi Deficiency and Damp Accumulation The logic behind treatment principles for mixed excess/deficiency patterns Practical point selections and how to tailor them to different patients Real-life applications to get you ready for clinic and exam day 00:00 – Welcome & Episode Introduction 00:45 – Case Presentation: Patient Symptoms & Exam Findings 01:56 – Diagnosis Breakdown: Spleen Qi Deficiency & Damp Accumulation 03:02 – Easy-to-Understand Analogies for Patient Education 04:20 – Treating Root vs. Manifestation: When & Why 06:12 – Acupuncture Point Selection & Real-World Application 07:44 – The Art of Personalizing Treatment 08:46 – Closing Thoughts & Next Steps If this episode helped you, I’d love to hear what pattern you want to break down next! Drop a comment on my socials, subscribe to the podcast, and don’t forget to visit www.studyacuwithme.com/quickwin to join our email list—you’ll get a weekly exam type question every single week! Readable in FIVE MINUTEs Let’s keep learning and growing together. Until next time, happy studying!