Correction: A previous version of this story indicated that Shelldale Family Gateway was offering this program. That is not the case, the program is running out of the Shelldale Centre.
Relieving stress often comes with a higher price tag, like a massage or therapy. But a local acupuncturist is doing her best to keep help affordable by offering acupuncture services on a sliding scale out of the Shelldale Centre.
“It takes you from that fight and flight to rest, relax, repair mode,” said Bonnie Adam says of acupuncture, which she says helps with stress, PTSD, anxiety, depression, addiction, pain, inflammation and hormonal balance.
Adam has started a sliding scale, walk-in acupuncture clinic running out of 20 Shelldale Cr.. It runs every Thursday from 2 to 6 pm. Suggested fee starts at $20.
“I would see so many people coming in either talking to me about acupuncture or inquiring and as soon as you say how much the fees are they immediately say ‘oh, I can’t afford that,'” she said. “You see their face fall and they have so much hope and they want to try something and they want to feel better.
“This is a model where they can pay whatever they can comfortably afford. I think there is a whole group of people out there that can really benefit from having treatment if it was affordable to them,” said Adam.
The suggested amount of treatment is three to five sessions to start and to come for a session each week. Each session is 20 to 30 minutes and is done in a group setting with up to three people. Between 10 and 20 needles are used in the session.
Having an affordable model is particularly helpful if people would like more than one session, she said.
“I was afraid of acupuncture when I first tried it too.”
If people have a fear of needles Adam gave a visual explanation to ease the fear. She said she can fit about 20 acupuncture needles into the head of the needle you get with a vaccine shot.
“The worst sensation people have is sort of like a bad mosquito bite and lasts about two or three sessions and then it’s gone,” she said.
Adam said she is happy if people reach out to ask any questions about acupuncture and what they are trying to heal.
