Welcome to Community Acupuncture Albuquerque!

Winter

"The three months of winter are closing up and storing away. Water freezes and the earth cracks, there is no stirring in yang. Go to bed early and rise late, waiting for full sunlight. The attitude should be as if lying low, as if staying hidden, as if attending only to one's own private business, as when we already have everything. Avoid cold and seek warmth, not allowing the skin to leak (sweat), keeping the qi under forceful control. This is what is in accord with winter's qi, supporting the path or storing away..."

Translation from the ancient Chinese text the Su Wen of the Huang Di Nei Jing by Selah Chamberlain, DOM (c) 2011

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncturists treat many health problems using fine needles inserted at particular points around the body. Acupuncture is based in the system of Chinese Medicine which has several thousand years of history including medical books that date back to 100BCE. The Chinese developed a meridian or channel map that connects hands, feet and head areas to internal organs and other parts of the body. It can be likened to a house with electric wires which turn on lights, heaters, the refrigerator etc. at different switches. Acupuncture stimulates your body's own resources, for example, the immune or hormonal systems, to help you heal or to just help you destress and relax. Acupuncture is very safe when administered by trained acupuncturists and because there is no medication, there is no danger of side effects or medication interactions.

What conditions can we treat?

At Community Acupuncture Albuquerque, we treat all kinds of pain - headaches, back aches, hip, shoulder, knee, elbow, wrist, heel, and ankle pain. We commonly treat allergies, anxiety, sleeplessness, depression, weight gain, and high blood pressure, We also treat symptoms of diabetes, asthma, menstrual pain, menopausal symptoms, prostate symptoms, constipation, diarrhea, stomach problems, eye problems, and many more. The World Health Organization has a list of more than a hundred conditions that acupuncture can treat.
More about conditions that acupuncture can help.

What Is Community Acupuncture?

Community Acupuncture Albuquerque acupuncturists treat in a communal setting using chairs gathered in a large, quiet, soothing space. We have eight zero gravity recliners and a massage table if needed. 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; we can be treated fully clothed, and a collective energetic ("qi") field becomes established, making individual treatments even more powerful!
More about Community Acupuncture Albuquerque

Affordable Fees

Most US acupuncturists see one or two patients per hour and charge $60-$180 per treatment and tend to spend a long time talking with each patient. We don't. This model allows us to make acupuncture affordable to everyone while still making a living ourselves. Instead of asking you lots of questions, we rely on our diagnostic skills to treat you, using observation of tongue, complexion and pulses, or finding out exactly where the pain is. This is how acupuncture is practiced traditionally in Asia-many patients per hour and very little talking. We want to make it possible for you to receive acupuncture regularly enough and long enough to get better and stay better. We charge $20-$50 per acupuncture treatment (you pay what you are comfortable with on the sliding scale), with a new patient assessment fee of $20.

Sign up for our newsletter here for notification on our specials and other clinic news and health tips. As with all our fees you pay what you like on the sliding scales. We are a non-profit organization, so anything you pay above the minimum is gratefully received and is used to provide acupuncture and acudetox (ear acupuncture for addictions) treatments in Albuquerque and around the state for those who cannot afford the regular sliding scale.

More about affordable fees

Who We Are

We are a community of people - patients, staff, acupuncturists - who believe in accessible acupuncture for everyone. We thrive on diversity of all kinds and Community Acupuncture Albuquerque is part of a national multi-stakeholder co-operative called the People's Organization of Community Acupuncture.

How to find us

Find Community Acupuncture Albuquerque on Vermont St NE (Suite A2) easily between Pennsylvania and Wyoming in NE Albuquerque. We are located just north of Menaul, one block east of the Flying Star Cafe, and right behind Relish Sandwiches. More about how to find us by car, bus or bicycle.

FAQs: What can I expect?

At Community Acupuncture Albuquerque, we treat clients fully clothed in reclining chairs, using mostly points on the arms, legs and head. The acupuncturist will spend a few minutes reviewing your paperwork and asking you some questions. He or she will feel your pulse, look at your tongue and make other observations to determine how to treat you. More about what to expect.

Frequency of Treatments

How many treatments are necessary? The frequency of acupuncture treatments the clinic recommends is dependent on the severity of your symptoms, the duration of these symptoms, or the specific illness you desire to treat. See the scale below for guidelines. You may only need 1-3 acupuncture treatments if your complaint is relatively recent - a week or two, or if you have had an ailment for many years or decades, give yourself enough treatments to experience improvement - at least 6 treatments at the recommended frequency to start with. Then we can re-evaluate based on your response. As you start to feel better, you can reduce the frequency of treatments. If your ailment is alleviated, just come in when you feel you need to, when you suffer a recurrence or if you are going through a stressful time. The acupuncturist will give you their best estimate of how long and often to come after your first treatment.

Keep in mind that acupuncture can be used to maintain wellness as well as treat illness.

How Often Should I Come?

Using the scale of 1 to 10 to assess the level of pain or distress 1= lowest and 10= highest:

10 out of 10 on the pain scale or "At the end of your rope"
Every day until we see some change

7-9 out of 10
3 x week for 2-3 weeks then re-evaluate

5-7 out of 10
2 x week for 2-3 weeks then re-evaluate

less than 5 out of 10
1 x week for 6 weeks

Mild/Chronic Issues
(You have had for 3mos - 1yr)
1 x week for 8-10 weeks then re-evaluate

Gynecological pain or Irregularity
Weekly until a normal cycle is established, then every other week until 2 ok cycles then 1x month during the week before the problem week.

Chronic stress (and related symptoms)
1 x week until stress subsides

Chronic conditions with poor prognosis
1 x week indefinitely

Wellness and Prevention
1 x per week, especially before travel, during season changes, or times of higher stress

Testimonials

"I never thought that acupuncture would work for me - for over 10 years, I suffered from hives - doctors did not know why - I was not allergic to anything - it was a mystery. The last bad hive attack was a year ago and I decided to try acupuncture. I went to a private Doctor of Oriental Medicine (DOM) and thought they were great, but I could not afford $65.00 to $100.00 per session and I needed more than one treatment. I heard about Community Acupuncture Albuquerque and decided to try it. I am so glad I did - I was able to get treatments and still be able to put food on the table for my family. I feel that I can continue with my treatments and the best part is I have been hive free!!! I am also having some other areas worked on and have seen improvements. I highly recommend Community Acupuncture Albuquerque; both the DOMs are very good. The place is very relaxing and it is kind of nice being in a community environment - I always felt so alone in the private rooms. I have recommended them to my family and friends who are being treated there too! I give them three thumbs up!"

"Very respectful and professional staff! My back pain is well below a 4 now, and feels better after every visit. I have recommended 4 friends today! I am so happy I found this place! Unbelievable difference in my mood and pain levels"

"I was pleasantly surprised! I wasn't sure I would like the community setting but it's still quite private and the staff and doctors are very knowledgeable and courteous. I've had pain in my arm for over a year now and it got better after the first treatment. They make acupuncture affordable for just about anyone. Thank you, Community Acupuncture!"

More testimonials