**

COVID-19, RSV, and FLU

** AT MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE WE WELCOME RETURNING PATIENTS TO SCHEDULE ONLINE OR CALL TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT. NEW PATIENTS MUST CALL TO SCHEDULE THEIR INITIAL APPOINTMENT AND RECEIVE ORIENTATION TO THE CLINIC. 612-708-8917 **

**PLEASE BE PREPARED TO MASK WHEN YOU COME TO MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE. For the protection of one another, and to keep the clinic safe and accessible for a wide range of individual health needs, all patients and staff are required to wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth while in the clinic. We will give you a mask if you do not have one. WE THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING THAT WHEN WE ALL MASK WE COOPERATIVELY MAINTAIN A HEALTHY COMMUNITY. . **

** **If you have a fever or chills, or symptoms of respiratory illness or COVID 19, please reschedule your appointment.

**Regular acupuncture is an excellent immune booster and stress reliever, as well as an effective method to manage pain or inflammation. There also are herbal formulas to support the immune system and help you remain healthy. **

**We continue to accept payment by cash, check, or credit/debit/HSA card. We are not set up to accept virtual payments, and also do not do any insurance billing. **

If you have any questions or concerns about these issues please let us know. Call us at 612-708-8917.

+ What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture refers to the insertion of very fine needles into designated points on the body selected according to theories and principles of Chinese medicine.

Acupuncture is often used in conjunction with related adjunctive modalities like cupping and moxa therapy.

Acupuncture and its related modalities are relatively painless and free of side effects. Acupuncture is capable of treating both acute and chronic conditions and can provide both remedial and preventative care.

+ What is Community Acupuncture?

Inspired by Working Class Acupuncture in Portland, Oregon, Community Acupuncture Clinics provide calm, relaxing environments where patients receive acupuncture in small groups, either seated in comfortable reclining chairs or laying on treatment tables. This group setting creates a dynamic healing "community" within the clinic, resulting in collective shared energy that can enhance the power of each individual's treatment. In Asia, acupuncture typically occurs in this type of community setting. Needles are placed primarily along the arms, legs, face and head. Appointment times are staggered throughout the hour to allow high-quality, personalized care to multiple patients at the same time. In this way fees can be lower and acupuncture can be accessible to a greater number of people.

In higher cost private one-on-one treatments common in America, people usually receive acupuncture once a week, at best. However, when treated with greater frequency, patients can often see and feel faster improvements in their condition. Minneapolis Community Acupuncture’s fees make it more feasible for patients to receive acupuncture as often as they need it. Depending on a patient's constitution and condition, we may encourage coming in multiple times in one week.

Patients benefit in many ways from the community setting. In this busy society, it is not often we stop and take time to relax while surrounded by our peers. This group experience creates a collective healing energy, and allows families and friends to visit our clinic together and support one another.

+ Why Did You Put That Needle There?

Andy Wegman Book

Friend and colleague Andy Wegman wrote a great booklet for his own community acupuncture clinic in New Hampshire to answer lots of the most commonly asked questions about acupuncture in general and community acupuncture in particular.

A free copy of his booklet available to download in Spanish or English.

Printed copies are also available for sale at the clinic.

+ Will acupuncture hurt?

Most people feel very little or no pain at all. Sometimes there is a pin-prick sensation for the first few seconds after needle insertion, but then it goes away. More typically, people who receive acupuncture find it is not only clinically effective but also generally relaxing and calming. Many people feel more energized and have a stronger sense of well being during and after an acupuncture treatment.

Compared to an injection from a hypodermic needle the sensation of an acupuncture needle is negliable.

There are many different techniques used in acupuncture ranging from relatively stronger sensations to very light insertions.

If there is any discomfort at all, it’s usually mild and temporary.

+ What can acupuncture treat?

Because acupuncture is part of a comprehensive system of health care (Traditional East Asian Medicine), it can help almost any problem to some degree. That’s because it works by helping you access your own healing energy or your ‘inner pharmacy’.

Acupuncture is used by itself or often alongside other therapies to increase the overall efficacy of treatment, or to reduce undesirable side effects from pharmaceutical medications.

The World Health Organization, research from the National Institutes of Health and other peer reviewed studies, and a growing number of hospitals across the US recognize the efficacy of acupuncture for a wide range of health issues.

+ What is Acupuncture Known to Help?

  • Addiction
  • Allergies
  • Anxiety and stress, Depression
  • Autoimmune Disorder
  • Bell’s Palsy
  • Cancer Care Support
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Common Cold/Flu
  • Digestive and intestinal disorders, including loss of appetite, GERDs (acid reflux, bloating and gas, constipation/diarrhea, ulcerative colitis, IBS, Chrone’s|
  • Fatigue
  • Fibromyalgia and Myofacial Pain Syndrome
  • Headaches and Migraines
  • High Blood Pressure
  • HIV/AIDS support
  • Infertility and Reproductive health
  • Insomnia and sleep disturbances
  • Menopausal symptoms including hot flashes and night sweats
  • Menstrual irregularities, pain and associated symptoms such as PMS, cramps
  • Nausea
  • Pain and Injuries of the musculoskeletal system, including:
  • Joint pain: knee and hip pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel and other wrist/hand pain, shoulder pain, bursitis, tendonitis, back pain, neck pain, whiplash
  • Post surgical pain
  • Pain from neuropathy, Herpes Zoster
  • TMJ, dental pain
  • Pregnancy support and related conditions (morning sickness, digestive disturbances, etc.)
  • Respiratory Disorders including allergies, asthma, bronchitis, COPD and sinusitis
  • Stroke rehabilitation
  • Weakened immunity