Circle Community Acupuncture

Are You Unemployed?

2011-10-02T08:33:00.000-07:00

Circle Community Acupuncture has in the past offered a number of monthly specials for workers... service workers, nurses, teachers, etc. One group of people that we hear from and see everyday at Circle that we have not yet offered a monthly special are people who are currently unemployed.

In the three years since we opened, the national unemployment rate has risen dramatically. It is an everyday occurrence at Circle CA to hear from patients that they have lost their jobs and are struggling to afford taking care of their health.

For the ~~month of October~~ rest of 2011, we would like to offer a special rate of $10 per treatment for anyone who is currently unemployed. The special rate is available Monday through Friday from 10am to 2pm for the entire month of October.

This is NOT a one time deal! Unemployed patients can pay this rate for as many times as they like during the month.

We do not require proof of unemployment or an explanation of the reason for your unemployment. All we want you to do is get some acupuncture!

Please call (415) 864-1070 or use our online appointment service to schedule your appointments now.

September Back to School Special

2011-09-01T21:05:00.000-07:00

Classes are back in session... time for acupuncture. School is hard on everyone; students, teachers, and administrators. Late night studying, early classes, studying, lesson planning, grading, paperwork, schedule juggling, erratic diet... all of this is very stressful and hard on your health.

If you are a student, teacher or school administrator, Circle CA wants to give you a break. For the entire month of September we will give you acupuncture treatments for only $10 all day Saturday and Sunday. This offer is good every time students, teachers, and administrators receive treatments -- every weekend throughout the month.

To get your $10 acupuncture, schedule an appointment online or call the front desk (415) 864-1070. Let us know that you are a student, teacher, or administrator and that you are taking advantage of the special. It is available on Saturdays and Sundays for new and returning patients throughout the month of September.

Schedule your Back to School appointments now!

July Special for New Parents and Birth Assistants

2011-07-03T15:16:00.000-07:00

For the entire month of July, Circle CA is offering something special to the parents of newborn babies and for those who help babies come into the world.

If you are a midwife, doula, the proud parents of a newborn baby (12 months or younger), or have a baby on the way, we are offering you acupuncture treatments for only $10.

This offer is for both new and returning patients. The offer is not for just one treatment--every acupuncture visit you make during July is $10 each.

Schedule appointments online or call 415-864-1070. Make sure to tell us if you are taking advantage of this baby/birthing special!

Post-Pride Special -- Monday, June 27

2011-06-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

Monday, June 27 from 10am to 7pm -- We're having a Post-Pride wind-down celebration. All acupuncture appointments are only $10.

Schedule your appointment.

Acupunks' schedules

2011-06-09T11:32:00.000-07:00

$10 Acupuncture for Dancers on Tuesdays, May 17 to June28

2011-05-11T23:05:00.000-07:00

Are you a dancer, choreographer, dance teacher or student? If the answer to that question is YES...then dance your way over to Circle for a $10 acupuncture treatment. This $10 offer is only available on Tuesdays between 10am and 2pm. Dancers can receive multiple treatments at this rate from now through the month of June. So if you like to shake it, make it on over to Circle CA!

Schedule appointments online or call (415) 864-1070. Make sure to let us know that you are taking advantage of the dancer special.

Practitoner schedules

2011-01-29T16:59:00.001-08:00

Effective January 31st

New T-shirts available!

2010-10-19T21:26:00.000-07:00

We recently received a new batch of Circle CA T-shirts. They are available in Royal Blue and Black versions. The black tees are available in unisex and women's cut, and we also have a few toddler sizes in various colors. Make sure to pick one up while supplies last and take pride in sporting your recliner about town. $15/each.

Who are our wonderful substitute acupuncturists?

2010-10-19T21:23:00.000-07:00

Jules Dirsa. Jules is a California state licensed acupuncturist, co-founder of the Yerba Buena Acupuncture Collective, and graduate of the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. As part of his education, he interned at the Community Auricular Clinic at ACTCM. Previously he has worked as a residential and harm reduction counselor for homeless and runaway youth.

Mari Kubota is a co-founder of East Bay Community Acupuncture, and grew up in North Carolina with the influence of an acupuncturist for a father. Mari studied acupuncture at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Oakland and the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley, and has volunteered at Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic in Oakland, and Lyon-Martin Health Clinic in San Francisco

October Schedule Announcements:

2010-10-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

Melissa Craven is on vacation from October 20th to October 27th. Her first day back on the schedule is Thursday, October 28th.
Mari Kubota is filling in for Melissa on Thursday, October 21st.
Lis Goldschmidt is filling in for Melissa on Sunday, October 24th.
Jennifer Holley is on call for jury duty October 25th to October 29th. She is currently off the schedule for Monday the 25th and Wednesday the 27th, but will re-open those shifts if she becomes available. She is also taking the day off on November 2nd.
Jules Dirsa is filling in for Jennifer on Tuesday, October 26th and Tuesday, November 2nd.
David's schedule remains unchanged.

September service workers special

2010-08-22T23:12:00.000-07:00

Do you work in the service industry? Are you a restaurant server, cashier, retail clerk, grocery stocker, customer service rep, sex worker, janitor, bus or BART operator, caregiver, barista, or baker? Do you have a job that requires taking care of and providing a service to other people? Then you work in the service industry, and we want to take care of you.

For the entire month of September, we invite you to receive a free treatment on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Schedule an appointment between 10AM and 2PM on any Tuesday or Thursday in September, let us know what service job you have, and we'll give you a free acupuncture treatment. This applies to new and existing patients. Please limit this to one free treatment per person. Feel free to forward this offer to anyone that you think is interested.

At the end of the month we will send out an anonymous list of all of the job titles. Don't you want to know how many bakers there are at Circle CA?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tertiary_sector_of_the_economy

July News Bulletin

2010-07-06T21:39:00.000-07:00

We have exciting announcements for the month of July. We have a new
acupuncturist on staff, new morning hours, and new Frequent Recliner
cards.

Starting Friday July 16th, our newest acupuncturist Lis Goldschmidt will be available for acupuncture appointments at Circle CA. Lis
Goldschmidt moved to San Francisco in the mid-90s after fleeing the
life of a working class Southern Homecoming Queen. Like lots of
people who live in San Francisco, Lis has lived many lives; including
as an ally to kids in Juvenile Hall, a house painter, an artist and a
Rainbow Grocery Cooperative worker. Lis' personal experience with the
power of acupuncture led her to study at the American College of
Traditional Chinese Medicine. These days you can find her staring at
her community garden plot waiting for it to grow, sewing while
listening to talk radio, or walking her dog Mikey. Lis' enthusiasm
for community acupuncture grows from her interest in the human body,
the arts and her commitment to community.

Schedule an appointment with Lis or any of the Circle CA practitioners

Starting July 19th, we will open at 9:00AM on Tuesdays. When we
conducted our patient survey last year, patients overwhelmingly
requested that we add morning hours to our schedule. This is our
first attempt at being open in the early morning, and if it is
successful, we will add more morning shifts. So, spread the word,
tell your friends, family, and co-workers, and encourage them to take
advantage of the new morning hours.

Make sure you get your Frequent Recliner Card. Have you made
acupuncture at Circle CA part of your regular health care? Do you
have a condition that requires frequent visits? Do you just like
coming in an seeing us? We want to thank you by providing free
treatments for Frequent Recliners. Every time you come in for a
regular treatment make sure to have your card stamped. After 10
stamps your next visit will be FREE. Frequent Recliner cards are now
available at the front desk. Make sure to request yours on your next
visit.

FREE Acupuncture Days

2010-03-31T10:58:00.000-07:00

In the coming weeks, Circle Community Acupuncture is offering two opportunities for free acupuncture treatments. Take advantage of them for yourself, and please forward this to your friends and family.

Free Treatments for Nurses

To show our support and gratitude to Bay Area nurses we are offering two special days for them in April. On Monday, April 12th and Thursday, April 15th from 11AM to 5PM, nurses can receive a free acupuncture treatment. Each nurse can receive 1 treatment on either day. If you're a nurse and already a regular Circle patient, be sure to book your appointment. If you know someone in the Bay Area who is a nurse, please pass this message on to them.

Schedule an appointment.

Free Treatments on May Day

This year, Circle Community Acupuncture is participating in a worldwide celebration of International Workers Day, May 1st. To honor this day, community acupuncture clinics all over the world will be offering FREE acupuncture. Also known as International Workers Day, May Day is acknowledged as a commemoration of the social and economic achievements of the international labor movement. This is the 8th year that community acupuncture clinics have honored May Day with FREE acupuncture and the first year that Circle will be taking part.

Community Acupuncture clinics are social businesses dedicated to affordable health care. With over 150 Community Acupuncture clinics in North America and more worldwide, thousands of individuals are expected to receive free services on May 1st. For a list of participating clinics, visit http://www.CommunityAcupunctureNetwork.org/May-Day.

T-shirts for sale

2010-02-10T19:18:00.000-08:00

They are here! T-shirts have arrived hot of the screens of Dustin Klein. They are available in a variety of unisex, and women's sizes and for toddlers. All shirts are $15 and feature the hot recliner graphic on the front (well, we think recliners are hot) and our logo on the back. Below the logo it proclaims "acupuncture without walls." Get them while you can and sport them around town.

New hours starting in March

2010-02-10T19:14:00.000-08:00

Beginning in March we will offer expanded hours of operation at Circle CA.

Our new schedule:

Sunday 12PM - 4PM

Monday 11AM -- 8PM

Tuesday 2PM -- 8PM

Wednesday 2PM -- 8PM

Thursday 11AM -- 8PM

Friday 2PM -- 8PM

Saturday 12PM -- 4PM

As you can see, we are now offering morning and lunchtime hours on Monday and Thursday, opening an hour earlier on the other weekdays, and now we are open on Saturday. The new schedule will be available on the online appointment scheduler soon, so make your appointments.

Community Acupuncture Discussion

2009-07-10T11:08:00.000-07:00

Blogger extraordinaire, brownfemipower (bfp), is hosting a read-along/discussion of the book, Acupuncture is Like Noodles, over at the Detroit Community Acupuncture website.

So far she's posted an introduction, a Part I and Part II.

The discussion is open to all, and we're particularly encouraging other patients, other healthcare providers, community organizers, small "social business" owners, and other folks who are involved in social justice projects, etc., to contribute their observations, questions, critique, etc. Of course CA punks and other acupuncturists are encouraged to join in! I think bfp will be doing most of the moderating, and DCA Nora will jump in for questions and clarification.

Come on over!

(Oh, and if you don't have the book yet, ask for it at Circle Community Acupuncture, or order it online from WCA.)

What's new?

2009-06-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

New Art...
Our Wednesday evening front-desk volunteer, Adriana Atema, has kindly hung some of her artwork in the clinic. Next time you come in, make sure to check out her beautiful paintings.

For a view of more of her artwork, go to her website.

Massage on Sundays...
Kristen Florey is now available for Community Massage on Sundays, as well as Wednesdays.
Book appointments online or call the clinic (415-864.1070)

New Chairs...
We recently purchased two new (to us) lazy-boy recliners. It has been our experience that most people prefer to sit in the lazy-boys instead of the zero-gravity recliners during their treatments. If you do like the zero-gravity chairs -- don’t worry we still have those available.

Thank you,
David, Jenn, Melissa

Friends!

2009-05-26T23:16:00.000-07:00

Do you know someone that has been curious about acupuncture? In need of a treatment and needs a little push to get to Circle Community Acupuncture? Throughout the month of June, after each acupuncture treatment you will receive a Friend Card. The cards are good for one free treatment for first time patients at Circle CA.

We have come to think of our patients as our friends. Every time you come in we are genuinely happy to see you. Help us extend that feeling to your friends by inviting them to join us. If you enjoy your experiences at Circle CA, go ahead and share them by passing on a Friend Card.

Cards are good for one new-patient treatment and will be honored until July 31st. Friends with cards can make appointments to come in the same time you do, or at anytime convenient for their schedule.

We look forward to meeting your friends.

(please excuse the picture for this entry, I couldn't help my self)

2009-05-19T19:53:00.001-07:00

Have you ever wanted to know more about acupuncture? Wondered what Community Acupuncture is? Would you like to know how acupuncture is like a bowl of noodles?

We are now selling the new book, "Acupuncture is Like Noodles", written by Lisa Rohleder, the founder of Working Class Acupuncture.

This book covers the above topics and more. It is written for patients, students, and acupuncturists. It addresses acupuncture and health care through the lens of class-politics, and includes a detailed view of how to run a Community Acupuncture clinic.

If you would like to purchase a copy, we are selling it at the clinic -- sliding scale (of course) $15 to $25.

Call or come by to pick up your copy!

Mother's Day!!!

2009-05-10T15:12:00.000-07:00

I’ve been lucky enough to have my mom in town for the last three weeks. This is her first visit since the clinic opened. I was really excited for her to see the space and to meet Jenn and David. From the beginning, she and my dad have been nothing but supportive when it came to the clinic. I was pretty sure she would love what she helped me create with Jenn and David.
I brought her to Circle on her second day in town. Right away she liked the look and feel of the clinic. She seemed really comfortable when I gave her a treatment that day too.
This past Friday, on my day off together, we booked appointments with Jenn and David. We were both in need of some acupuncture. I’m always telling people that I really like the fact that at Circle, family and friends can come and receive acupuncture together. Its great catching two patients who know each other making faces at each other across the room. I thought my mom and I would joke a little too but in fact, we settled into our chairs quickly and once our needles were in, we both passed out and took naps side by side.
I’ve had a lot of fun with my mom this visit. We’ve packed quite a bit into these last few weeks--seeing old friends, having her meet new ones and showing off a city that I love. But I think my most memorable times from this visit of hers will be showing her the clinic for the first time and sharing some quiet time with her getting some acupuncture. Now, if only I could get my Pops on an airplane...

Melissa

Circle CA and "swine flu"

2009-05-01T00:04:00.000-07:00

Recently there has been growing media attention and concern around the possibility of a H1N1 (“swine flu”) pandemic. We would like to address how this might affect you as a patient at Circle Community Acupuncture.

At Circle CA, we have always had a policy of treating anyone with common cold / flu symptoms, and following basic procedures to reduce the risk to others in the clinic (changing sheets, washing hands and using sanitizers, cleaning with antiseptic wipes.) We will continue to take the same precautions, and offer treatments to those who need them with one basic modification. If you are a patient with a fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, AND have a severe cough that is hard to control, we will ask you to post-pone coming into Circle CA until these symptoms start to show some improvement. If your symptoms become severe, please consult with an M.D. When you come in for a treatment, if you continue to have an uncontrollable expressive cough, we might ask you to wear a surgical mask out of consideration for others in the room.

We would like to ask everyone to avoid reacting with panic to the recent news coverage of the spread of H1N1 flu. At the time of writing this, only 14 cases have been confirmed in the entire State of California resulting in zero deaths. In the United States people who have contracted H1N1 have had mild symptoms with very few hospitalizations.

The following is from the San Francisco Department of Public Health (http://www.sfcdcp.org/swineflu.html):

How to Protect Yourself
First and most important: wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% ethyl alcohol.

There is currently no need to avoid general public gatherings, public transit or school, or for healthy persons to wear masks.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Droplets from a cough or sneeze move up to 6 feet through the air. Some viruses can live up to 24 hours or longer on surfaces such as counters, tables, and door handles. Frequent hand washing will help kill swine flu virus.

If You are Sick or Think You May Have Swine Flu
In the USA swine flu cases have had mild disease, very similar to regular seasonal flu.

People who are mildly sick should stay home, drink plenty of fluids, and treat their symptoms with over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). People with mild disease do not need to see the doctor or get swine flu testing. See our Flu Home Care Guide [English] [Spanish] for more information.

If you have difficulty breathing, dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea, a fever that remains >101 after taking acetaminophen, or are severely ill, you should seek medical care. Please call the doctor's office before going there, so that they can make arrangements for your arrival.

As a courtesy to others, if you are sick you should wash your hands frequently and consider wearing a surgical mask to help avoid spreading your flu viruses to other people.

Lastly, we at Circle CA would recommend one last bit of advice for protecting yourself… keep informed! Below are some helpful links for information:

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/key_facts.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swine_flu
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/28/regular.flu/index.html

2009-04-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick FAQ-video made by our friend Nora at Detroit Community Acupuncture. It is cute, bizarre, and purely for laughs. Feel free to share it with your friends.

Vote for Circle CA!!!

2009-04-08T23:51:00.001-07:00

Circle CA has been nominated as one of the best places for acupuncture in the City. Please cast your vote for us. Doing so sends the message that not only is acupuncture a great and affective means of healthcare, but that it can and shoud be affordable!

Here is the link.

Thank you very much,
David, Jen, and Melissa

Spring Cleaning Party!

2009-03-31T13:12:00.001-07:00

Spring Time is here! On April 4th, from 3PM to 6PM, we will have our first annual Spring Cleaning at Circle CA. We are asking you to give us a hand with the clean-up. In exchange for your help, we will provide snacks and a gift-certificate worth one free acupuncture treatment -- save it for yourself or give it to a friend.

If you would like to help us out for an hour or so, give us a call and let us know if you plan to attend. Just bring yourself and clothes that you don't mind getting a little dirty.

for contact info: www.circleca.com

How often should I come for Acupuncture?

2009-03-15T23:42:00.000-07:00

At Circle CA, we want you to experience maximum relief from your health complaints in the shortest amount of time possible. Often times, you will notice improvement in your condition after just the first or second visit; however, it is common for this to only be a temporary improvement. For acupuncture to have a lasting affect, it is best to receive it frequently and often enough for a cumulative improvement in your health.

When you come in for your first treatment, your acupuncturist will speak to you about a treatment plan that is best for you. Below are some basic guidelines that apply to most conditions.

If your problem is new, for example back strain from recent overexertion, then you will experience the best benefit from multiple visits in a short period of time. You should receive two or three treatments in a week for a period of one or two weeks. By this time, your problem should be much better, and you and your practitioner can determine if further treatments are necessary.

If you have a long-term problem that you are addressing, then it is usually best to start with a round of treatments close together for a period of time and then slowly increase the amount of time between treatments. This is especially true if you are experiencing a recent flare-up of a chronic problem. For example, let’s say you are coming in for insomnia that you’ve experienced for many months or years, and that it has been very bad for one month. In this case it is best to come in two or three times a week until you notice a noticeable change in the insomnia – usually for two weeks or a month. Once the condition has started to improve to the point that you have better sleep most nights of the week, then the amount of time between treatments can be stretched to once a week. After that occasional maintenance visits should be enough to prevent further problems.

If you are seeking relief from uncontrollable events, such as job related stress or the common cold, then it is best to think of acupuncture as a tool to help you get through those periods. While acupuncture cannot change the fact that your job causes you stress, or that you sat next to someone with the flu on the bus, it can help alleviate the affects of these external pressures. During those times, come in once or twice a week, or as often as you need to alleviate the symptoms.

If you are relatively healthy, and would like to include acupuncture as a part of a preventative regimen, then feel free to come in once a week or every other week. If you listen to your body and pay attention to your emotional state, you will have a good understanding of when it is time to come in.

Please keep in mind that the above guidelines are only suggestions. If your schedule can only accommodate one visit per week, acupuncture can still be of benefit to you. Less frequent acupuncture is better than no acupuncture. If you are coming less often than the suggested guidelines, you will still receive benefits; however it may take longer before the results “stick” and you experience lasting benefit. If you are unable to come as frequently as suggested, please let your practitioner know, so that you may discuss a realistic timeline for treatment and assessing progress.

Triple Base Gallery "Open for the Making" night

2009-02-27T11:19:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, February 7th, we hosted the Triple Base Gallery "Open for the Making" Residence for Creativity. The residency members arrived at the gallery, and we had an open discussion about Community Acupuncture and the history of acupuncture in the Bay Area. The participants were very excited by the story of Miriam Lee and her pioneering efforts.

After the talk, all of the participants received a treatment of Miriam Lee's 10 magic points. This allowed them to experience the group healing of Community Acupuncture, and to have a shared experience of receiving the same protocol collectively.

New Additions to Circle CA

2009-02-27T10:43:00.000-08:00

Has anyone noticed the new additions to the clinic?

For starters, we hung a bulletin board in the bathroom. David, Jenn and I knew we needed a place to post information about the clinic but we also wanted to provide our patients a place to announce events they may be associated with or services they provide (such as counseling). So please feel free to grab a thumbtack from the board and put up that flyer telling about your band’s upcoming show, your friend’s art opening, or your business card.

Also, last weekend we acquired another recliner widening our circle a bit more. Try it out if its free the next time you’re getting a treatment. We think you’ll like it.

Miriam Lee!

2009-02-14T23:46:00.001-08:00

“To practice acupuncture, you must be certain of your intention, your purpose in doing so. It can be done for fame or wealth, to cure or to kill. If the intention is wrong, if you are concentrating on earning money, treating fewer patients and charging higher fees, doing little for much profit, you may get some results from your treatments or you may not….

… But, if you intend to cure, you use all your might to treat patients. You study, you concentrate, you learn all you can. Then when you are with your patients, the best of your knowledge and technique comes to you.”
--Miriam Lee, Insights of a Senior Acupuncturist

Who is Miriam Lee, and what does she mean to us at Circle Community Acupuncture? She stands in my mind as one of the true role models for acupuncturists. Born in China, she worked as a nurse and a midwife and later learned acupuncture. She moved to Singapore and later to the San Francisco, Bay Area.

When she arrived in California, it was illegal to practice acupuncture, so she took a job on an assembly line. However, she found it impossible to not offer her skills, and was soon seeing patients clandestinely. Over time, her reputation grew, and her clientele out grew her ability to practice at home. One anecdote she tells is of the steps to her back porch collapsing due to the number of people waiting to receive a treatment from her. Eventually, she found a sympathetic M.D. who allowed her to work out of his office during the off hours.

In 1974 Miriam Lee was arrested for practicing medicine without a license. Her patient’s filled the courthouse at her hearing, and demanded to have the right to receive acupuncture. Many of them had found relief from long-standing chronic complaints, and were angered that this was being taken away from them. Miriam Lee had offered them compassion and health, and now they came to her defense. Thanks to this public outcry, acupuncture was declared an “experimental procedure” and Miriam Lee was granted the right to see patients at SFU. In 1976, acupuncture was legalized in California.

I have never had the opportunity to meet Ms. Lee. When I talk to people who had the chance to work in her clinic, they say it was a multiple-bed space with patients being treated in the same room. At her busiest, she was treating 10 patients an hour, and up to 80 patients a day.

It is clear to me that Miriam Lee is someone who saw the power of acupuncture and was compelled to offer it to as many people as possible. She could have set up shop in a small office and treated one or two people per hour, and charged quite a lot of money for her treatments. Instead, she worked from the heart, and worked in a manner that allowed her to help as many people as she could. At Circle CA, we hold Miriam Lee’s example close to our hearts. I hope when I am her age and retired, that I can say, I helped as many people as I could, so please spread the word. If you have experienced benefit from acupuncture at Circle CA, let people know that acupuncture can help, and that it can be affordable.

It begins with Acupuncture...

2009-01-24T22:21:00.000-08:00

[Originally posted here...]

There were two catalysts that led to my realization that I wanted to do a CA clinic. The first was reading The Remedy (get it and read it if you haven't.) The second was discovering Tan's Balance Method and Tung style acupuncture.

Reading The Remedy was great -- it opened my eyes to the possibility of running a successful clinic without selling my soul. I saw that this was the way I wanted to run a clinic -- a lot of patients at an affordable rate. It made sense and it felt comfortable. Right away, as a third year student, I started formulating plans on how to run a clinic. But, in my head I kept straying from the model created by Working Class Acupuncture. What if we use tables instead of chairs? How about hospital curtains for privacy? Should we include more time and privacy for intakes? I loved the idea of CA, but I couldn't make it jive with what I was learning in school. Then I discovered Tan.

I'd heard of Balance Method before, but didn't really pay attention -- Tan's website looked too cheesy and not "professional" enough, so I immediately dismissed it as not "real TCM." Luckily two classmates were experimenting with BM in the student clinic and bragging about their results. I gave it a second look, and bought his first book (12 and 12.) I till remember the first time I put in Ling Ku and Da Bai in a patient, asked her to wiggle her aching back. She looked confused for a few seconds and then got a big smile on her face. It was gone. I almost bust out laughing and couldn't keep the goofy grin off my face, I think I was even more thrilled than my patient.

That first experience changed me. I became a Tan-a-maniac and spent all of my time studying everything I could get my hands on -- his books, every inch of his forum, notes from friends that attended his seminars -- I soaked it in. After being burned out by three years of school, I was suddenly in love with acupuncture again. All of the beauty and power that had originally drawn me to the medicine was finally in front of me.

More importantly, CA finally made sense to me. Now I understood how you could treat back pain in a recliner, and why I didn't need a 30 minute intake that bordered on becoming a psychotherapy session to formulate a treatment plan for a patient experiencing depression. Here was a method that was simple and worked.

Learning Tan and Tung also allowed me to look more critically at the education I received. Much of what I learned was not necessary for running a CA. Much of my time in school, I had a strong feeling that something wasn't right. I knew the education was inflated and that the school was mostly a money factory for a few lucky administrators, but I didn't know what was missing. It took the beautiful simplicity of Tan's style to realize that much of my education was window dressing to rake in students, and to "legitimize" the profession in the eyes of people who didn't giving a rat's ass about our profession.

If you are looking at this website for information on how to start a CA, then my advice is make sure you know a good meridian-based approach to acupuncture. It doesn't have to be Tan or Tung, but it does need to be something that allows you to work quickly and confidently. Combine this with The Remedy and the information in the CAN forum, and you will have a recipe for successfully treating and helping a lot of people.

-David

Commnity Tui Na with David Lesseps

2009-01-16T14:06:00.000-08:00

Starting February 2nd, Circle Community Acupuncture will offer community tui na every Monday.

Tui Na is the therapeutic massage of Chinese medicine. It uses pressure, rolling, stretching, pinching, shaking, kneading, joint mobilization, and traction to soothe the body of aches and to vitalize one's energy. It can also incorporate glass fire cupping and gua sha (scraping) for specific complaints.

Tui Na sessions can range from just a few minutes of attention on one problem area, to over an hour of full body massage. Techniques are administered with the patient lying on a table or sitting on a stool and usually remaining fully clothed.

David Lesseps is one of the owners of Circle CA and as well as being a licensed acupuncturist he is also a certified massage therapist specializing in Tui Na. On Monday evenings he will be available for tui na appointments or drop-in sessions.

Rates: $1/minute. Available in 15 minute increments all the way up to 90 minutes.

For more information, contact the clinic

New Hours!

2009-01-16T14:02:00.000-08:00

In February, Circle Community Acupuncture will have new hours of operation.

Starting February 1st, our hours will be:

3PM to 8PM Monday -- Thursday
11AM to 5PM Friday
Closed Saturday
11AM to 4PM Sunday

Please let us know if you have any questions

Gift Certificates available at Circle CA

2008-12-10T22:53:00.000-08:00

Do you have someone in your life who loves acupuncture?
Know somebody who would benefit from acupuncture but has never tried it?

Well, we have the perfect holiday gift idea for you. Circle Community Acupuncture is now offering gift certificates.

At affordable sliding scale rates -- of course!

Contact us for purchasing.

www.circleca.com
(415) 864-1070

Holiday Party with Chatty Kathy at Circle CA!

2008-12-04T19:59:00.000-08:00

Recently a new friend called me talkative and for a moment I was a little worried that hanging out with me made her think to herself, “Cut the cord, chatty Kathy!” It’s true though. I do love to talk. Perhaps it was my upbringing--my parents are both avid conversationalists. My father seems unaware of the fact that once you get him going, he can talk just as much my mother. He’s always joked, “Ask your mother what time it is and she’ll tell you how a watch is made.”

When it comes to the clinic, my urge to talk doesn’t cease. Fortunately, this is helpful because when I see my patients, I need to know how they felt after there last treatment, how are their symptoms and have there been any noticeable changes in their health. Along with the patient’s tongue and pulse, this information helps guide that day’s treatment.

Oftentimes, during the course of a patient talking about their physical and mental well being, they may also mention in passing other things about themselves, such as their parents coming for a visit, an upcoming poetry workshop they’ll be conducting or their recent return to school. These topics interest me too but because of the need to preserve quiet in the clinic and in the interest of time (we want patients to have enough time relaxing quietly with needles in) I often don’t get to hear enough about these aspects of the patients’ life. This was one of the main reasons that Jenn, David and I recently decided to throw a holiday party at the clinic. We wanted a chance to share the space in a different way and to learn more about our patients. So please join us on Saturday, December 13th from 3 to 6. Come enjoy good food, drink and of course…conversation!

Warmly,
Melissa

New article about Circle CA

2008-12-01T21:28:00.000-08:00

This month's issue of 944 Magazine has an article about Circle CA. To see a preview of the article, click the image below, and then select the San Francisco edition. It will give you a page by page slide show of the entire magazine. We are on p.37.

Wanted: More chairs!

2008-11-29T21:52:00.000-08:00

We are in the market for more recliners for the clinic. As the clinic becomes busier, there is a need for more chairs to seat patients. If you have a lead on a nice used recliner looking for a home, send us a message.

info@circleca.com

Desired:
"La-Z-Boy" style recliners in used but good condition. Color and material is not important because they end up being covered with sheets.

One month!

2008-10-18T20:59:00.000-07:00

This Friday was our one month anniversary. Wow. I'm still reeling at the idea we are open, and so much has happened in the past four weeks that it feels like a year has been compressed into one short month.

Here is the quick breakdown:
Sept 17th, opening day: free acupuncture -- 21 treatments in 4 hours.
Sept 21-26, Week 1: 37 treatments
Sept28 - Oct3, Week 2: 27 treatments
Oct5 - 10, Week 3: 38 treatments
Oct 12-17, Week 4: 47 treatments
Total number of acupuncture treatments in one month = 170!

What this means:
Most of those treatments are returning patients, many of whom came more than once a week. These are people who are coming in getting acupuncture often, and as a result they are feeling better, and seeing improvements in their health. Best of all, they can afford it.

Some patient experiences I had in this time:

The first is a young woman who has been experiencing migraines for more than a decade. Pain, is only part of her migraine experience; she also experiences shaking limbs, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. She told me that she had to "migraine-proof" her apartment to prevent her from hurting herself if she passes out during an attack. I've been seeing her two or three times a week since we opened. A week and a half ago she told me that this was the first time she has been symptom-free in months.

The next three all occurred this week. Each was suffering from severe back pain. A sign-maker, a grocer, and a dance choreographer. The sign-maker called early in the week and came in that day. She has bulging discs at L4-L5/S1, and rated her pain at a 7 out of 10. She left without any pain, and minimal pressure. On her second visit, she left without any complaints, and is coming back for follow-ups until her vacation at the end of the month. The grocer came in the next night, and was unable to bend over or stand up with out strong pain in his right lumbar region. On his way out he demonstrated his ability to touch his toes without pain. He's coming in for a follow-up later in the week. The dance-choreographer was a drop-in visit. He was in so much pain that he was doubled over, and unable to straighten out. He left with 50% improvement, and is returning for follow-ups this week until he is 100%. Each of them left with a smile.

I'm not relaying these experiences to brag about how great an acupuncturist I am. I'm not. I'm still pretty fresh out of school, and leaning from more experienced acupuncturists. The reason these people feel better is because they are able to come in often enough, and frequently enough to get better.

In one short month, I've personally experienced the beauty of the Community Acupuncture model. I first learned about it almost two years ago when I read some articles written by Lisa Rohleder at Working Class Acupuncture in Portland, Oregon. From that time on, I knew that I would open a Community Acupuncture clinic. What I didn't know was how exciting and enriching it would be once it was open. After one month, I'm looking forward to many more years.

September 17, 2008: A Birthday Bash to Remember

2008-10-06T15:31:00.000-07:00

September 17 was a big day for us here at Circle Community Acupuncture. Not only was it our Grand Opening, it was also resident acupuncturists David and Jennifer's 38th birthday -- born a mere 20 minutes apart, David in Austin, Texas, and Jennifer in Torrance, California. Who would have known these 2 Virgos would end up opening an acupuncture clinic together, along with their wonderful and witty Libran classmate, Melissa Craven.

The day started out with a bang! Between 12pm and 4pm, all 7 of our recliners were full with happy folks taking us up on our free four hours of celebratory acupuncture. The resounding theme of the day was people telling us what "great energy" our clinic has. For me at least, there could be no greater compliment (other than "you've cured me of all my ills!"). I have to agree with them -- We do have a very special spot here in the SOMA neighborhood, calm, serene, light, and spacious, with palpable good healing energy.

Then from 5-8pm we invited all of our family, friends, colleagues and neighbors for some tea, champagne, and wonderful healthy snacks catered by David's lovely wife Meghan (with adorable son Austin in tow). Thank you for all the beautiful plants everybody! They're exactly what we needed. Here are some pictures from that day. I hope you enjoy them. A joyous day indeed.

Happy Autumn,

Jennifer

I'm smiling

2008-09-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

This week, I had an experience that drove home to me the reason I love doing Community Acupuncture. I had a patient come in early in the week who complained of being absolutely exhausted and dizzy after getting over an intestinal flu. I treated him and explained that he would receive the most benefit if he could come in for several treatments during the week. I saw him three times in five days, and after the last treatment, he emailed me to let me know he felt better than he had in weeks.

Why is this special to Community Acupuncture?
If I ran a normal private practice, and told him he needed to come in three times in one week, at $50 to $100 per visit (these are the average rates in our fair City -- many practitioners charge even more!), he probably would have been unable to do so due to the financial burden. With our sliding scale, he was able to come in as much as needed, and ended up feeling much better in a very short amount of time -- at a total cost less than a single private treatment!

This is what community acupuncture is about. Providing a realistic opportunity to receive proper health care.
My job makes me smile.

Welcome Letter

2008-09-22T22:52:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Our Community!

Please take a minute to read this introduction to our clinic and to our community. We are delighted that you are interested in joining us!

What is different about Circle Community Acupuncture?

We treat in a community setting -
Most US acupuncturists treat patients on tables in individual cubicles. This is not traditional in Asia, where acupuncture usually occurs in a community setting. In our clinic we primarily use recliners, clustered in groups in a large, quiet, soothing space. Treating patients in a community setting has many benefits: it’s easy for friends and family members to come in for treatment together; many patients find it comforting; and a collective energetic field becomes established which actually makes individual treatments more powerful. Many people fall asleep, and wake feeling refreshed.

We have a sliding scale
Most US acupuncturists also see only one patient per hour and charge $65 to $175 per treatment. They tend to spend a long time talking with each patient, going over medical records, asking many questions. We don’t. The only way that we at Circle Community Acupuncture can make acupuncture affordable and still make a living ourselves is to streamline our treatments and see multiple patients in an hour, so we have returned to the traditional approach; instead of asking you lots of questions, we rely on pulse diagnosis to decide how to treat you. This is exactly how acupuncture is practiced traditionally in Asia -- many patients per hour and very little talking.

Our sliding scale is from $15 to $35 per session.
You decide how much you can afford! At Circle Community Acupuncture, we understand that financial circumstances can change, so if you want to pay $25 one week, and $15 the next, that is fine.

Because we have a sliding scale, we cannot do insurance billing (that’s the insurance companies’ rule). If you have insurance that covers acupuncture, we’ll be happy to give you a payment receipt, and you can submit it; that’s OK with the insurance companies.

Our Commitment to You

We want to make it possible for you to receive acupuncture regularly enough and long enough to get better and stay better. We want our community to be welcoming to all different kinds of people. We want to give you the tools to take care of your own health so that you will not need to rely on corporations like Big Insurance or Big Pharmaceuticals for costly, high-tech interventions. We will provide a safe environment with skilled practitioners.

What We Need From You

Responsibility
Circle Community Acupuncture does not receive grants, state or federal money, or insurance reimbursement. We exist because patients pay for their treatments – it a sustainable community business model.

Flexibility
The community setting requires some flexibility from you. For instance, many patients have a favorite recliner. When we are busy, someone may be sitting in yours. Similarly, a few patients may snore. Other patients who dislike snoring should bring earplugs to their treatments. We are grateful for this! Some of our patients might even bring favorite pillows or blankets from home with them, because they prefer theirs to ours. That’s fine with us. Basically, we need you to participate in making yourself comfortable in the community room before we arrive to treat you.

In terms of how long you want to stay -- tell the receptionist, when you check in, if you need to be somewhere at a certain time! If you want to be leave at a specific time, let the acupuncturist know at the beginning of your session. We’ll make sure you’re out on time. In general, if you feel done, open your eyes and give us a meaningful look -- if your eyes are closed, we think you’re asleep and we won’t wake you up.

Community-Mindedness
The soothing atmosphere in our clinic exists because all of our patients create it by relaxing together. We appreciate everyone’s presence! This kind of collective stillness is a rare and precious thing in our rushed and busy society. Maintaining this reservoir of calm requires that no one talk very much in the clinic space. If you would like to speak to a practitioner one-on-one at any length, please let us know. If you want to have a substantial conversation, we will probably need to schedule that separately and might need to do it by phone.

Please take all personal belongings, (bags, shoes, etc.) with you back into the treatment room. And of course, please turn off your cell phone.

Commitment
Acupuncture is a PROCESS. It is very rare for any acupuncturist to be able to resolve a problem with one treatment. In China, a typical treatment protocol for a chronic condition could be acupuncture every other day for three months! Most of our patients don’t need that much acupuncture, but virtually every patient requires a course of treatment, rather than a single treatment, in order to get what they want from acupuncture.

On your first visit, your acupuncturist will suggest a course of treatment, which can be anything from “we’d like to see you once a week for six weeks” to “we’d really like to see you every day for the next four days”. This suggestion is based on our experience with treating different kinds of conditions. If you don’t come in often enough or long enough, acupuncture probably won’t work for you. The purpose of our sliding scale is to help you make that commitment. If you have questions about how long it will take to see results, please ask us, or if you think you need to adjust your treatment plan, please let us know. We need you to commit to the process of treatment in order to get good results.

And, last, but not least….enjoy the space. We do, and hope that Circle Community Acupuncture can be an important part of your community.

Thank you,
Circle Community Acupuncture Staff

More Community Acupuncture on Public Radio

2008-09-09T21:51:00.000-07:00

Andy Wegman of Manchester Acupuncture Studio, in Manchester, NH interviewed about Community Acupuncture by New Hampshire Public Radio.

Photos of the (almost ready) clinic!

2008-09-07T21:14:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak preview of what the clinic looks like. It's almost ready, except for some last minute details, and some much needed artwork for the walls.

Community Acupuncture on Market Place

2008-09-04T23:43:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, September 2nd, the American Public Media produced radio show Marketplace aired a segment on Philadelphia Community Acupuncture. Take a few minutes and listen.

Listen here.

We have a space!

2008-07-18T21:57:00.000-07:00

We found a space for the clinic. More details in a few days...