Are you an activist? Do you experience trauma?  
Acupuncture may help...
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photo: Jasna Hoznic

art by Jon Williams

Who?
Everyone is welcome! 
You will be treated by Sarah: a certified acupuncture detoxification specialist.  She is trained in the NADA (North American Detox Association) Five Point Protocol.  She has been practicing the treatment since 2009 and has worked with a variety of people to treat post-traumatic stress and various substance addictions.  The treatment also has positive effects on anxiety, insomnia, cravings, detoxification, and withdrawal from drugs, alcohol, tobacco and psychiatric medications. The points are also excellent for general wellness and improving overall health, including migraine headaches, allergies and other issues. Generally there are no side effects, and anyone with any health condition can safely receive this treatment. However if you have experienced extreme trauma you might expect some discomfort during or after the treatment in the form of dizziness, nausea, sickness or depression.  These effects are a sign of the healing process and should subside within a day or two of treatment. Remember: You are the best judge of what is right for your body so if you don't feel acupuncture is right for you, please discontinue treatment.

What is the Five Point Protocol?
​The Five Point Protocol is an auricular (ear) acupuncture treatment developed in the 1970’s.  There are five specific points in the ears -- the Shen Men or “spirit gate”, the sympathetic nervous system, the kidney, liver and lung which are targeted during the treatment. The protocol was a treatment designed specifically for a U.S. Vietnam War veteran who was suffering a heroine addiction. The treatment has been found extremely effective for Post Traumatic Stress as well as drug and alcohol addictions. 

Community treatments with the Five Point Protocol started thirty years ago in a South Bronx community clinic, Lincoln Recovery Center, which continues to treat community members and lead training programs. Lincoln was started by community activists including Black Panthers and Young Lords, who demanded effective health programs and alternatives to methadone and other mainstream treatments. The innovative health activists created a new approach of accessible, community based care that promotes empowerment, not dependence. Group treatments create a shared energy or “chi field” that strengthens and deepens the experience. By combining many treatments in one session, costs can be kept low and more people can access acupuncture.   Watch a video about how acupuncture was useful for survivors of 9/11 below:

What will a treatment feel like?
You may feel a small pinching sensation as the sterile and disposable needles are inserted just a millimeter or two into the skin of the ears. Any discomfort should quickly ease. If you continue to feel discomfort or are uncomfortable in any way, raise your hand and the needles can be removed.  Once the needles are in, you may experience a relaxing and refreshing effect, warmth, throbbing, or other energy flowing sensations. You may become sleepy and even take a short nap, which is fine. After the treatment you may feel rejuvenated, nourished, and relaxed. Note: repeat treatments often have a cumulative and more lasting effect. 

Treatments last anywhere from 30 to 80 minutes.  You are invited to stay as long as you like.

When can I expect to see results?
Each person is different.  Some people can expect to see dramatic results after just one session, others take many weeks to feel substantial results from the treatments. While most people feel benefitted by the ear acupuncture treatment, everyone is different. Your experience is uniquely your own, and we encourage you to trust your own response and intuition about what is the health care that works for you.  Acupuncture does not add anything, but instead supports your own body’s ability to heal itself. Acupuncture helps restore health, promote a healthy immune system, and prevent future problems.