Community Acupuncture
Community acupuncture practices are grown through the efforts of acupuncturists and patients, who naturally rely on each other for success moving forward. Most of our staff barter their time and hard work in exchange for acupuncture treatments. Opportunities are available for those interested in bartering services, skills or time for the benefit of our community practice. If you would like to directly support our mission of helping to bring social justice to health care, please talk to our front desk staff regarding opportunities with our clinic.
The Beauty of the Sliding Scale
Research performed over many years in the United States, Europe and Asia has shown that acupuncture is undeniably most effective for current health concerns when it is done frequently and regularly. We've found this to be especially true at the beginning of a course of treatment, when we are getting the ball rolling. Once a week is usually the minimum required to make progress with a health issue, though more frequent visits are common.
The purpose of the sliding scale is ultimately to separate the issues of money and treatment. When this is done, acupuncture can be available as often as needed, affording quicker and more lasting results. To this end, we offer the following guidelines for what you might pay for each treatment, based on your individual budget.
| Yearly Income | Initial visit one-time paperwork fee | Acupuncture Treatments | Initial Visit Fee Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $20,000 | $10 | $15 | $25 |
| $20,000–$25,000 | $10 | $20 | $30 |
| $25,000–$35,000 | $10 | $25 | $35 |
| $35,000–$50,000 | $10 | $30 | $30 |
| $50,000+ | $10 | $35 | $45+ |
These figures are meant as guidelines only; the bottom line is you should choose a rate you feel you can budget for at each visit.
Acupuncture Treatment
Most acupuncture treatments in the United States take place on a table in a room by oneself. This is not traditional in Asia, where acupuncture usually occurs in a community setting. We all know the value of “power in numbers”. Would you prefer to eat in an empty restaurant, or one that is full of people and bustling? How about an empty movie theater? Neither would we! A healthy group setting creates a dynamic that can be used for all of our benefit in an acupuncture clinic. Receiving treatment in a community setting has other tangible benefits, as well: it’s easier for friends and family members to come in together and many patients find it a relief to not be isolated during their treatment. In addition, our practice allows patients to keep their needles in as long as they want, as we observe the“right“ amount of time varies from person to person.
Most people learn after a few treatments when they feel “done” or “cooked”. This can take anywhere from twenty minutes to a couple of hours. You can stay as long as you feel comfortable doing so—or until we close for the day! If you want to be finished at a specific time, ask your acupuncturist. We’ll make sure you’re out on time. Otherwise, we prefer you forget about time altogether. When you are feeling as though you are ready to end your visit, or need to get our attention, just open your eyes and give us a “meaningful look”, and we will remove your points or be available otherwise.
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