Why community acupuncture?

What is community acupuncture? Community Acupuncture (CA) is a group style individualized acupuncture in which multiple people will be together and receive treatment in the same room. Individualized means the acupuncturist will assess you, your own body and case before deciding which points to use on you.

Why community acupuncture?

1. It's affordable! New Orleans Community Acupuncture treatments are $20-40, much less than what you may pay for an initial private acupuncture session. When you come into community acupuncture, the acupuncturist will have a brief chat with you and maybe feel your pulses to do an assessment and make a plan. Then they will place some needles, and then leave you to rest. While you are resting, they will move on to the next person. Treating multiple people together makes it more efficient and more affordable.

2. It's drop-in, you don't have to make an appointment and you have a little scheduling flexibility. If you decide to come and then don't, no big deal. If you are 15 minutes later than you thought you might be, but still within our time parameters and there is space for you, it's OK.

3. You can bring your peops! You are welcome to come by yourself and sometimes that's just what you need. You can also come with a friend, with your sweetie, your grandma or brother, or give your elderly neighbor who doesn't drive a ride to do something healthy together.

4. Group Qi! Some believe a group qi dymanic emerges when you have multiple people together in the same place focused on healing that is different than a private session.

What to expect/ how to prepare:

In CA, patients don't disrobe, but the clothing you wear can help the acupuncturist easily access the areas where we put the needles. Generally we would like to have access to the lower legs and feet, the arms from the elbows down and the head and ears. If you want some care for your sore knees, wear something that comfortably pulls above the knees, so we can get to them.

I recommend you keep the needles in for at least 15 minutes to get a good therapeutic effect. A 20-40 minute retention time is probably the standard. The ideal time varies based on the person and the case. In community style acupuncture, we let you decide when you feel "done". Longer is not necessarily better. Occasionally, a recommendation will be made and you are also welcome to say "I need to leave by 3" or set your time parameters.

The room is kept fairly quiet with mellow music playing so people can relax while resting with the needles.

Ideally, you will have eaten something the day of your treatment, be sober, and ready to rest quietly for a while. There are no restrictions on what you can do after a session, but often people feel relaxed after acupuncture and it is nice if you can enjoy that feeling for a while!

New Orleans Community Acupuncture will be happening every Sunday in October at Dancing Grounds, 3705 St. Claude from 1:30-4:30 PM. Come by 3:30 to get a treatment.