In 2017, PMP Program Director Leslie Chaison presented an Opioid Task Force Panel themed “How to Stay Grounded During the Holidays” for folks in early opioid recovery. While speaking about self-care practices, she met fellow presenters Emily Hildebrand and Ben Walker, the then-new owners of Greenfield Community Acupuncture (GCA).
“Community acupuncture” is a model that allows acupuncturists to treat high volumes of people in a shared space. At GCA, patients are seen every 15 minutes and then rest in comfortable “lazy-boy”-style chairs with their needles in for an additional 30 minutes while the treatment integrates. This model allows practitioners to see multiple patients per hour at a fraction of the cost. The inspiration for this model, and the social movement connected to it, will be revealed in our subsequent posts—so stay tuned!
It was clear that GCA’s and PMP’s passion for accessible holistic care aligned, and we both sought to offer alternatives to pain management and support addiction recovery. Our meeting coincided with the height of the opioid epidemic. At that time, the People’s Medicine Clinic’s acupuncture appointments were maxed out. We knew that folks in early opioid recovery needed more frequent, consistent care for opioid-related cravings and symptoms than our clinic could offer. Together, GCA and PMP created the “Acupuncture Access” program, with help from a grant from the Opioid Task Force. This program allows people in early opioid recovery free, unlimited acupuncture treatments for addictive cravings and symptoms at GCA. People’s Medicine does outreach, initial intake, and makes referrals to GCA, and GCA provides the referred clients with unlimited treatments.
We’re really grateful for the opportunity to expand our reach into the recovery community. Acupuncture is a very flexible modality that allows us to address not only on the acute symptoms people may experience early in recovery, but also a number of factors that may be adding to their difficulties in terms of quality of life, including physical pain, emotional distress, insomnia, medication side effects, and more. By working Acupuncture Access patients into our regular clinic flow, we’re able to provide them with the same comprehensive treatments that everyone else receives. We’ve formed some tight bonds with the folks who have stuck with treatment via this program and we’re very much looking forward to seeing new faces in the future. -Ben Walker, Co-Owner Greenfield Community Acupuncture.
Even with grant funding, the Acupuncture Access Program depends on ongoing community support to keep treatments free and available whenever someone reaches out for help. Your donation today ensures that people in early recovery can continue receiving the consistent, compassionate care they deserve. Please consider making a gift to sustain this vital program.
