community acupuncture explained

There are 10-12 cozy recliners and tables in a quiet room of a beautifully renovated mill where patients are able to benefit from 'the community qi of healing'. Patients sometimes come in groups, but typically come on their own. Group acupuncture is how acupuncture is performed in Asia; the affordability means that you can come in closer intervals of treatment if needed, or for a prolonged period of time if you have multiple health care problems or a chronic condition that has been developing over a number of years. Your acupuncturist will recommend a schedule. Typically, acute issues require a shorter number of treatments close together, and chronic issues require weekly treatments over a prolonged period of time.

This treatment model allows us to give effective, individual treatments while seeing multiple patients per hour, which brings our costs down allowing for a treatment rate of just $20-40. sliding scale

During community acupuncture treatments, your clothing stays on because we only needle points primarily on the upper and lower limbs, head, chest, and abdomen. Lower back treatments require only the lifting of a shirt, and are done discreetly. Although you may have pain in your back, distal points are very effective in treating pain anywhere in the body. In Chinese medicine, it is widely accepted that distal points (those furthest from the pain), have the strongest affect on pain; even stronger than needling directly in to the site of pain. Some of the most effective acupuncture points for headache are on the foot. All disease patterns and pain can be treated this way. how much community acupuncture treatments cost

why community acupuncture

  • It's Affordable! We practice in a group setting and it keeps costs down .
  • It works! Community Acupuncture is highly effective because patients can come often enough for effective outcomes.
  • It's convenient. We are easy to find, have lots of free parking, and are open weekends, and 6 days per week! clinic hours

There is not a lot of talking in this communal setting, but we have a book explaining Chinese medicine that you can peruse in clinic, and we have lots of online articles on what acupuncture can treat.

 

community acupuncture private practice acupuncture

The biggest difference between "community acupuncture" and the 'spa' type private practice acupuncture treatments prevalent in the U.S. is (1) the cost, (2) that treatments are received in a more open setting with multiple recliners and tables, and (3) there is not a great deal of verbal interaction in a community acupuncture setting; rather, patients briefly describe their most pressing need or two in a hushed voice, have their pulses taken, and then just relax during their treatment. All the while, community acupuncture is highly effective. It is said that the finest acupuncturist could cure you with only one needle. We will likely use 10-20, and are able to produce great outcomes for patients.

Being pampered is wonderful, and everyone deserves to be pampered from time to time. Community Acupuncture is not for anyone who feels that they need a great deal of attention or pampering. There is great therapeutic value to talking out your issues and to being paid attention to, but you will need to visit one many highly qualified licensed acupuncturists in the Charlotte area who are in private practice to receive this type of attention. Also, you have the right to know more about Chinese medicine and how it works, but not in a Community Acupuncture setting.

In private practice settings it is common, almost expected, for patients to ask the acupuncturist to explain how Chinese medicine and acupuncture work, and what they are being treated for; after all, you are supposed to be an informed patient, right? This puts the practitioner in the awkward position of trying to condense Chinese medicine that took many years to learn, in to a 5 minute elevator speech. It sounds something like this: "Acupuncture stimulates specific acupuncture points along "channels" where energy called "Qi" flows. If the Qi is blocked or stops moving for some reason, pain develops." and so on. After the 5 minute explanation, the patient has absolutely no clear understanding of Chinese medicine and has wasted 5 minutes of their treatment time. Luckily, you do not need to understand acupuncture for it to work.

Who are Community Acupuncture Patients? Patients tend to be much more diverse in culture, age, and income in Community Acupuncture clinic than in a private practice.

  • Income Ranges-Typically people who are middle income and upper middle income, but some people are unemployed and struggling financially.
  • Ethnic and Cultural Types-Our patient population is very diverse and reflects the make up of the greater Charlotte population.
  • Ages-Tends to be from 23-70; we have a lot of college students and elderly patients compared to a private practice because they can afford the treatments more easily.
  • Those who want to be rid of pain and disease and be re-vitalized so that they can get back to work and play.
  • Many are familiar with acupuncture and have benefited from treatments in the past.

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