Working Class Acupuncture

Tag along with - or drag in- a friend, family member, neighbor, co-worker....as long as it's a first time visitor, they are FREE on Tuesdays.  Please call to make an appointment at the Working Class Acupuncture Clinic near you...go to the "Our Clinic" tab for contact information. 

 Working Class Acupuncture has succeeded far beyond everyone's expectations because of only one thing -- the continual support of our patients. This support comes in so many creative ways: patients not only coming in regularly for acupuncture, but finding ways to bring in family members and friends; not only having a "favorite chair", but even bringing us recliners; not only telling everyone who will listen about how great acupuncture is, but getting us into the newspaper and on TV. Kari-Sita's loving, whimsical interpretation of acupuncture needles as wearable art is the latest proof that Working Class Acupuncture's patients are the smartest, most imaginative, most supportive, and in general the best patients any clinic could ever have. The community acupuncture revolution is succeeding because of you.

 A Personal Statement From Kari-Sita:

I have been many things in my short life -- a preschool teacher, a homesteader, a high school honor role student and a college dropout. In the last few years, I have also become a cancer survivor and an artist.

Some days I am all of these things, other days none; each day reveals itself differently and I am learning to flow from one thing to the next. Acupuncture at Working Class Acupuncture has become part of my journey by helping me better learn how to be present in my body while allowing me to participate in my own healing.  There are other places I could go to get this kind of treatment, but being a patient at this clinic allows me to be part of a larger idea; that of affordable healthcare, community connection and sustainable living. In that spirit, I have begun to create earrings out of acupuncture needles, one-of-a-kind pieces of art that are to me a way to further enrich the relationship between practioners and patients. Hopefully these creations will further the cause of the "quietest revolution ever staged" and serve to remind us that we are all individual expressions of a greater whole.

To find out more about my story and my art, go to www.supportacancersurvivor.org

Peace... always,

Kari-Sita

Acupuncture Needle Earrings Available for $25/pair with 1/2 the proceeds

going towards opening another Working Class Acupuncture Clinic

and can be purchased here, on our online store, at Working Class Acupuncture, or through Kari-Sita's website. 

As many of you know (because we may have come knocking in your very own town), we at WCA have been flying all over the country in order to bullyrag other acupuncturists, I mean, teach workshops about our business model.  This kind of travel is lots of fun, but we get even MORE excited to teach in our very own town of Portland.  We get to offer visiting folks treatment at "the mothership", which is such an easy way to start out a workshop and quell any doubts they might have about community acupuncture.  We get to be surrounded by our fabulous staff and, thanks to one of those folks, Christine, we have found the perfect place to conduct our workshops:  Liberty Hall, also known as the home of the IWW (pdx.iww.org) is where the stage is set for action...and for the upcoming October Revolution!

On October 23, 2008, the event will kick-off with the Annual Meeting of the Community Acupuncture Network's Board (www.communityacupuncturenetwork.org), where the meeting of the minds (they owe me for saying that) take place to shape and support this fledgling organzition as it grows (over 300 members strong!) and becomes a force to be reckoned with in the world of accessible health care.  In the afternoon of this day, a tour of local community clinics on the "Yes, we're CAN!" 2008 Clinic Bus Tour.  Interested in hopping on a bus full of L.Ac.'s to tour the variety of community clinics, hear valuable info about them, have a few snacks/beverages on board...and from what I hear, some GREAT entertainment too???  Well, join the fun.....

The next two days, October 24 & 25 are full with the workshop:

DAY ONE

Part One:  “Fundamental Definition of Community Acupuncture” - 8:30am-12:30pm   Working Class Acupuncture, in Portland, Oregon has the mission of using acupuncture to create social change in health care by providing, and advocating for others to provide, accessible acupuncture for working class patients.  WCA also provides technical assistance to acupuncturists who want to make their practices accessible to patients who don’t have insurance.  This is not about free clinics, alcohol and drug treatment, or becoming a social service agency.  It’s a low-cost, high-volume business strategy designed to make health care affordable.

Part Two:  “Nuts & Bolts of the Working Class Acupuncture Business Model” - 1:30 -5:30pm   Attendees will have enough ideas, information, forms, and structural guidelines to shape and develop their practice around a sustainable business model.  Marketing material ideas, sliding scale, business structure, office tracking and tools will all be covered.  Focus on the who, the how and the why of your business.  Learn how to leverage resources and work to organize outreach in your community.  Get your patients to help you.  Learn how not to be the Lone Ranger.  Examine your idea of “the perfect patient” – the reasons you can (or cannot) attract those people. 

DAY TWO

Part Three:     Jingei Pulse Diagnosis - 8:30-12:30pm  

Jingei pulse diagnosis is an ancient form of pulse reading that has its origins in the Ling Shu, Chapter Nine:  “The Beginning and the End.”  Used specifically to find the root channel of a patient’s illness, Jingei (the term is Japanese for the point Stomach nine) uses a simple comparison of the pulse of the wrist and neck.  It can then be used as the basis of a point prescription that cuts to the heart of a patient’s illness, saving much time in formulating effective treatments.  Use this simple comparison of the pulse of the wrist and neck to be used as the basis of a point prescription that cuts to the heart of a patient’s illness, saving much time in formulating effective treatments.  Learn the ancient pulse diagnosis technique, Nei Jing Ling Shu, Chapter 9 to diagnose the root channel to treat in a patient.  

Part Four:     Advanced Techniques in Community Acupuncture - 1:30-5:30pm  

–Nuts and Bolts of a High Volume Treatment Model; Treat Anything in a Recliner

Participants will gain hands on experience.  In this course, practitioners will learn how to effectively and confidently use Jingei as well as its theory and history in their practice.  Learn how to treat anything and everything in a recliner…..                   

Sliding scale for workshop:      $250 - $350    OR     $125 - $175 (for students)

14 CEUS through NCCAOM for two full days of training.

Please email lupine@workingclassacupuncture.org with any questions or register, here, online for the October Revolution.

As we tend to say a lot around here.....

Acupuncture Can Change the World

WCA made the list of Portland Monthly Magazine's "Best of the City", 2008! See the August issue for the story, plus a great picture of our acupuncturist John and receptionist Carolyn.