A new trend is emerging within the acupuncture profession - community acupuncture. Community acupuncture is based on three principles: Community building, simpler acupuncture treatments and lower acupuncture fees for patients.

With lowered acupuncture costs, patients have the opportunity to receive acupuncture treatment several times a week, allowing for optimal treatment results for their particular condition. The goal of community acupuncture is to create a national community of like-minded acupuncture practitioners in independent clinics that provide low-cost, high-quality acupuncture to people from a wide variety of communities.

Patients are encouraged to pay whatever feels affordable so that they will come in regularly to receive a full series of treatments and see actual results.

Community acupuncture is a sustainable business model which works outside of the current health care system and broadens access to include working-class people. Acupuncture is an integral part of routine health care for many people. Community based acupuncture is a revolutionary idea in the contemporary American health care system but an ancient practice in other countries.

Community acupuncture services utilize acupuncture to create social change in health care. AMC´s clinic is presently developing a business model for natural health care that will empower patients, build community and dissolve class divisions.

Acupuncture is one of the oldest systems of healing in the world; it is a safe, sustainable and simple form of health care. As acupuncture has moved more toward the mainstream health care system in America, it has become prohibitively expensive for many people. Due in part to community acupuncture clinics developing across the continental US, this trend does not have to continue. Acupuncture does not need to be costly to be effective. Acupuncture can be part of the solution to the rising cost of health care if it is affordable.

There are several clinics across the nation that are in the process of developing a community acupuncture business model, with a goal of making acupuncture treatments accessible to people of all income levels, offering individuals expanded health care choices.

AMC´s clinic is in the process of restructuring facilities to accommodate a community based medicine, practiced in group rather than individual patient settings. The new facilities will support the practice of affordable acupuncture, encouraging patients to receive acupuncture frequently and regularly.

The clinic will provide acupuncture treatment which focuses on distal acupoints (acupoints located below the knee and elbow and on the head and neck.) Treatment in a community setting utilizing distal acupoints allows patients to remain fully clothed during treatment. Patients who prefer acupuncture treatment in an individual patient setting will still be offered this option at the regular acupuncture treatment cost.

Providing acupuncture in a communal setting is part of the clinic´s mission to help people experience greater health. For more information about community acupuncture for health and wellness call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500. For information about Acupuncture & Massage College´s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso.