You’re relaxing in a reclining chair in a peaceful room, and the aroma of fragrant candles fills the air. Light streams softly through the sheer curtains, while you and up to four other people (who may well be strangers) are receiving community acupuncture treatments at Healing Within Acupuncture & Nutrition, which opened in November at the Drishti Yoga Studio in White Bear Lake. Everyone knows about one-on-one acupuncture, but community acupuncture is a recent twist on this ancient Chinese science.
“Community acupuncture started as a movement in Oregon to give more access and affordability to acupuncture,” says Aimee Van Ostrand, owner and sole acupuncturist at Healing Within Acupuncture & Nutrition. “It’s on a sliding fee scale, so folks can pay what they can afford.” This inclusiveness is an important aspect of the nurturing and supportive community of Healing Within, which Van Ostrand opened because she wanted to “build a community that cares for our community.” She notes that many clients come in with friends or family to receive treatments together.
In addition to pain relief, community acupuncture can also be used to help treat depression or stress.
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Healing Within Acupuncture & Nutrition at Drishti Yoga
2189 Fourth St., Suite 2, White Bear Lake
651.295.1950
