Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does a community acupuncture clinic work?

Acupuncture has been a community based medicine for most of its long history. In Asia, acupuncture has traditionally been practiced in group rather than individual settings. For acupuncture to be most effective, patients need to receive it frequently and regularly -- far more frequently and regularly than most insurance plans will pay for. As acupuncture has moved toward the mainstream, it has been forced into a paradigm of one-on-one treatments and high prices, which has decreased not only patient access but treatment efficacy.

Community acupuncture clinics represent a return to tradition. Community acupuncturists focus on using “distal” points (below the knee and elbow, and on the head and neck) so that patients can remain fully clothed during treatment. Community acupuncture clinics often use recliners rather than treatment tables. Many patients prefer a community setting because they find it more relaxing; or, as one patient put it,

2. Is community acupuncture the same as public health?

No. Public health clinics rely on some combination of grants, government subsidies, and/or donations. Community acupuncture clinics rely on fees charged to the patients: a classic private sector practice. In addition public health clinics are strictly non-profit entities. Community acupuncture clincs can be either non-profit or for profit companies. In practice, most are for profit.

3. What are the requirements of getting a clinic listed on the Locate A Clinic (LOC) page?

To be listed in LOC, you must meet the criteria outlined on the locate a clinic page.

4. How does this website work?

The goal of this website is both to connect patients seeking affordable, accessible acupuncture with a community clinic near them (see the locate a clinic page), and to connect practitioners of community acupuncture with each other. When practitioners join CAN, they can access a lively online dialogue with their colleagues about every aspect of community acupuncture practice. The practitioner forums are a valuable resource for acupuncturists who are either considering, or already committed to, making their practices more accessible.

5. I’m an acupuncturist; why should I join CAN?

You can get a huge amount of support from other acupuncturists -  The Community Acupuncture Network (CAN) is a nonprofit organization (501c6 ) dedicated to helping acupuncturists implement the community acupuncture business model.  We believe that there are more than enough patients for everybody! We also believe that all acupuncturists are each others’ best marketing, and more people getting acupuncture means more people getting acupuncture. CAN is something like an online support group, full of other acupuncturists who are rooting for your practice and who are genuinely thrilled at your success: just what every acupuncturist needs, right?

You don’t have to re-invent the wheel - Besides being supportive, CAN is also a treasure trove of information. The CAN website is designed for open-sourcing; when a community acupuncturist figures out something that works, they post it on the practitioner forums so everyone else can use it too. CAN acupuncturists post their business plans, their marketing ideas, their flyer templates, their favorite points to treat headaches, the best places to find recliners, you name it -- and once you join CAN as a member, everybody’s good ideas are available to you.

6. I’m a patient; can I get involved?

We suggest strongly you consider purchasing a copy of Acupuncture Is Like Noodles:  The Little Red (Cook) Book of Working Class Acupuncture, by Lisa Rohleder and members of the Working Class Acupuncture Staff.

The success of a community acupuncture clinic depends upon the involvement of a core group of supportive patients who can help grow the clinic through referrals and who may also volunteer to help the acupuncturist with the day to day operation of the clinic. Many existing acupuncture clinics have these core groups, which have grown organically over the years. CAN hopes to figure out how to support the growth of these core groups of patients, and even to serve as a vehicle for organizing them. However, CAN is only 2+ years old, and we have been concentrating on spreading information about our practice model to acupuncturists. We’re still working on developing the patient end of things.

If you are a patient and 1) would like to be involved, 2) have an idea you’d like to share, or 3) want to help organize an accessible acupuncture clinic in your community, please send us an email. We’d love to hear from you.And if you've picke dup a copy of Noodles, let us know what you think.

7. I want more information!

We have 3 suggestions:

• Please read the articles on the articles and links page of this website.
• Purchase and read: The Remedy, Integrating Acupuncture into American Healthcare, by Lisa Rohleder.  For a more in depth look into the practical and theoretical workings of community acupuncture clinics, read: Acupuncture Is Like Noodles:  The Little Red (Cook) Book of Working Class Acupuncture, by Lisa Rohleder and members of the Working Class Acupuncture Staff
• Visit a community acupuncture clinic near you. Whether you are a practitioner or a patient, the best way to do this is to make an appointment for an acupuncture treatment so that you can experience how this works firsthand. Some community clinics are very busy, and if you want to schedule a conversation with the practitioners, you should request to do so in advance.