By Hana Lanin LAc, LMT
Did you know that community acupuncture is happening all around Portland? You may have heard someone mention a “community” or “group” acupuncture clinic they’d been to, but wondered what exactly they were talking about.
Community acupuncture is a mission! Its aim is to make acupuncture accessible to a broader economic spectrum than only those who have health insurance or can afford private treatment rates. It’s low cost, low frills, effective acupuncture, facilitated in group settings by licensed acupuncturists. The community acupuncture movement is alive around the country and it is especially popular here in Portland!
What to expect
At a community acupuncture clinic, there may be from four to a dozen reclining chairs and massage tables arranged for maximum comfort in an aesthetic, if sometimes Spartan environment. There is usually a waiting and/or payment area. You may hear soft music wafting through the room, the lighting is peaceful; people speak in a slight hush. When you enter, you may notice a few folks who’ve already been given their treatment by the acupuncturist on staff and are resting with the needles. There is a lulling, nurturing sense brought about by all who are present; who’ve taken an hour out of the rush of the city day, to rebalance the health and flow of their bodies via the gentle yet powerful persuasion of acupuncture treatment.
What does it help?
What ailments can acupuncture help? There are many! Acupuncture is best known for its effectiveness in relieving body pain due to injury, aging, arthritis, headaches, menstrual cycle, digestive issues – just about any sort of pain in the body may respond well to acupuncture.
Other conditions include women’s health, sleep issues, health maintenance from pregnancy through labor, childhood and adolescence to healthy aging, immune support, including treatment of wintertime colds and flus, as well as seasonal allergies and asthma, skin problems, mental and emotional rebalancing, adjunct support for cancer patients, the list goes on.
Nowadays, people are learning to turn to modalities like acupuncture to assist in handling day to day life stress, which we know can be disruptive to our health and well-being.
How much does it cost?
Prices for treatments at community clinics will vary – some operate on a sliding scale basis while others offer a flat fee. The usual range for an acupuncture treatment at a community clinic is $20 to $40. Some clinics will have a nominal extra fee at the first visit for an initial patient intake.
There are several community clinics in each quadrant of the city, where group treatments are either an option to private treatments, or where group treatments are the sole mission of the clinic. Some of the clinics participate in the Community Acupuncture Network, others may be located by Googling “community acupuncture Portland OR.” Still more clinics may have flyers posted on neighborhood bulletin boards.
So now, when a friend tells you they had a great experience at group acupuncture or when you see a “Community Acupuncture” flyer posted at the corner coffee hub, you’ll know the drill!
Hana Lanin brings you People’s Welcome Health Space in Hollywood, offering community and private acupuncture sessions, as well as massage therapy. She has been an acupuncturist since 2002, LMT since 1993. For more information visit www.kunlunmountainhealing.com or call (503) 432 3322.