What is Community Acupuncture?

Community Acupuncture started in 2002 in Portland, OR, when a group of acupuncturists became inspired to lower the price of acupuncture by treating groups of patients at the same time in one room, as it is done in China. Their office is called Working Class Acupuncture. A book they wrote entitled Acupuncture Is Like Noodles, tells their story.  There are now over 100 offices doing this style of treatment in the United States.
Many patients prefer a community setting because they find it more relaxing; or, as one patient put it,

"Acupuncture is acupuncture, and it works wherever you do it. I like having other people around; you can feel the healing energy in the room."

How does it work and how often should I come?

Acupuncture is a process.  Every now and then, acupuncture will act like a “miracle cure”, and a person will have all of their symptoms disappear after only one treatment – but that is a rare event. Acupuncture works by stimulating the body's own self-healing mechanisms; it is gentle and safe and usually gradual. Almost everybody who gets acupuncture will need a series of treatments to get good results, which is one big reason we came up with our sliding scale. Acupuncture works best when you come in often enough and long enough. Your acupuncturist will suggest a treatment plan to you, meaning, how many treatments we think you will need to get good results; please let us know if you have any questions about your treatment plan, and please do your best to stick with it, so you can feel good faster.

Does it hurt?

Acupuncture needles are very fine and flexible. Four of them can fit inside a hypodermic needle. They are usually barely felt when inserted. There are certain sensations associated with the therapeutic effects of acupuncture. These may include tugging, tingling or electric sensations traveling along the meridian. If any discomfort is experienced, it is usually mild and lasts only an instant.

How many treatments will I need?

From five to fifteen treatments are generally adequate for the majority of chronic complaints. Many acute conditions may only require a single treatment and some degenerative conditions may require more. The nature, severity, and history of each individual’s complaint, as well as the individual him or herself, determine the number of treatments necessary.

phone: 774.722.3700  Contact Us