FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Acupuncture Clinics Offer Up Affordable Acupuncture

Milwaukee, Wisconsin (February 18, 2010) – “Why all over America is there a sudden profusion of dimly lit rooms full of second-hand recliners, filled with peacefully dozing people – people of all ages, races, backgrounds, and occupations, all napping together? And why, if you look closely, do all of these people have very tiny needles sticking out of their hands, feet and heads?” – from Acupuncture is Like Noodles, by Lisa Rohleder et al.

Community acupuncture clinics are popping up across America and three of these clinics have recently opened their doors for business in Milwaukee. Their goal is to make acupuncture available to everyone. These clinics provide quality, convenient and low-cost health care to members of their community. They offer acupuncture on a sliding scale, generally between $15 to $40 per treatment. Patients determine where on the sliding scale they fall; there are no hardship waivers or income verifications to complete.

Community acupuncture clinics are able to charge so little for each treatment because they treat multiple patients together in a large, open room. Patients remain fully clothed and lie comfortably in reclining chairs or on massage tables. White noise machines and soft music allow patients to relax into their own space. Family members and friends enjoy coming in for treatment together and patients often comment that they enjoy a quiet, yet collective sense of healing energy in the room.

The community model allows more people access to acupuncture on a regular basis. It aims at separating the issues of money and healthcare and allows people to receive treatment regardless of whether or not they have health insurance. Acupuncture usually involves a course of treatments and with community acupuncture people are able to come in when they need to, not when they can afford to.

With three community acupuncture clinics now serving three different communities throughout Milwaukee, acupuncture has very quickly become accessible here. Community acupuncture encourages and empowers people to take charge of their own health and healthy individuals comprise healthy communities.

Timeline of Community Acupuncture growth in Milwaukee:

In August of 2009, Janet Fritz converted her private acupuncture practice on 2nd Street to a community-style clinic, called Balance Point Community Acupuncture.

In September 2009, Milwaukee Community Acupuncture opened it’s doors in Bay Veiw and has given over 1,000 treatments since.

In February 2010, Riverwest Community Acupuncture opened their location on Locust Street.

Contact:

Amy Severinsen or Olivia Crane

milwaukeecommunityacupuncture@gmail.com

414-943-2915

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