First off, there probably will not be enough space to write a full on review in the way I desire. So, in an effort to appease 'Yelp' I will try to squeeze here.
For starters, I received acupuncture at Working Class Acupuncture, Cully a handful of times. I have used at least two practitioners. Previously, I have received acupuncture at other independent clinics, so I have previous experience with the medicine.
Some positives:
The positives of this clinic are its sliding scale model. I feel the intent here is genuine. The clinic is open 7 days a week. It is along a couple different bus routes for people who use public transportation. It is accessible to people with mobility issues. The hours are flexible - 8:30 a.m - 8:00 p.m or 7:00 p.m. So, that's another plus. I do like that the acupuncturists aren't a bunch of 9-5 clock punchers.
And now, some hangups...
When entering the clinic, upon checking in as a patient, I find that the disgraceful receptionist, displaying the STARBUCKS coffee cup right out in the open, should be barred from entry! Having any view of this monster occult logo in a clinic supposedly operating under a grassroots, cooperative model is shameful. The credibility of this clinic is negated by this evildoer, likely a suburbanite. Dismiss her presence forever and receive more stars!
Overall, I find the clinic receptionists to be extremely loud. There are couches in the foyer for one to sit and drink tea, which is complementary provided by the clinic. But who wants to hear the receptionists gossiping either before or after their acupuncture treatment? Once, a receptionist brought her 'pet' dog to work. It did not look like a service animal. The dog's nails were so loud on the floor - like they needed to be cut. Just screeeech.
The ambiance in the treatment area is, hit or miss. Just a bunch of reclining chairs in a large room. Not the best place for those with anxiety issues or who are overwhelmed by crowds of people. Some people are loud when talking to the acupuncturist, and I am not sure how this is HIPPA compliant, to be honest.
This particular community acupuncture clinic model is kind of like "acupuncture fast food." The practitioners are constantly rushing around and only getting very small 'snippets' of a person's medical history, spending maybe only 5 minutes tops 'conversing' with a patient. I actually felt like one female acupuncturist was talking AT me, not TO me.
One time I relayed a very important medical issue to an acupuncturist who used the term, "bummer." I conversed with a friend who had a similar experience with this person using very casual language regarding my friend's chronic pain. So, I would not recommend this place if you have chronic pain.
From the point of natural medicine's model to treat the whole person, I do not find a patient could possibly explain his or her medical history to someone in simply three or five minutes of speaking to an acupuncturist at this clinic. When I tried to bring up information I very clearly relayed to an acupuncturist here, the person forgot each and every time when I returned. It was really insulting and negligent.
Having had acupuncture in full one hour or one hour and a half sessions from just a sole practitioner, I would choose that model over this 'affordable' community acupuncture model. In the long run, you may spend the same out of pocket in total with the sole practitioner, and need fewer treatments.
The goal of receiving acupuncture should not be to have the patient keep coming back - that creates a dependency model of care. Certainly a patient should be able to come back often, at an affordable rate, which this clinic does offer.
But, a patient should also be set free once treatment is complete. Little mini-treatments or 'tune-ups' should be encouraged. But, due to the lack of time an acupuncturist at this clinic spends conversing with a patient, I have no idea how the success of treatments could even be measured objectively.
In Working Class Acupuncture's mission it states, "Our goal is to offer people as much acupuncture as they want, in support of whatever goals they have, so that they can use it in whatever way works best for them."
I don't know how you can set health goals with someone if the acupuncturist only meets with a person for 3-5 minutes each time? Call me crazy!
With regards to scheduling, that part is fairly easy. To this day, I am very confused regarding the, "we take walk-ins" approach, but if you walk-in they are full?
In contrast to this clinic model, other community acupuncture clinics have massage tables, as opposed to recliners in their community acupuncture room. So, a person could receive treatment for his or her back, as well. And, potentially cupping. There are more treatment options when there are massage tables, as opposed to recliners. And, other community acupuncture clinics I have seen are way more relaxed in nature - with maybe one or two acupuncturists working. read more
