Yerba Buena Community Acupuncture has doubled their real estate and expanded the number of treatment chairs from seven to fifteen.
Owner Demetra Markis had been wanting to expand for a while. The seven acupuncture chairs she had were always full, and the former space wasn't enabling her to grow her business. Finally, the space next door opened up in January, and within the span of three days the wall was broken down, new chairs were moved in, and they were ready to re-open on March 1st. The increase in clientele was almost immediate, resulting in 300 clients in one week (a new record for the clinic).
What can acupuncture actually treat? Common reasons clients come in to the clinic are for hormonal regulation, inflammation, and to deal with symptoms of "fight or flight". These three categories cover virtually everything, from sore muscles to infertility, depression to migraines.
If you're skeptical, consider this. The biggest source of first-time clients? Kaiser, who frequently sends patients suffering from pain to Yerba Buena Community Acupuncture for treatment. At $20 for an acupuncture session, the cost is an affordable complement to a doctor's visit. The spot averages about 30-40 new patients every week, and a significant percentage of them have never had acupuncture before.
As treatment often requires repeat visits, many patients come in several times a week. And walking in to the waiting room, the sense of community is palpable. One patient has volunteered to maintain the sidewalk gardens out front, and another offered up a reclining chair for the new space. "I feel like it's one of the few places in San Francisco where everyone is on an even playing field," explains Demetra. "People of all kinds come in, in a very neutral space. Once you're all lying down with your socks off you're pretty equal."
What's next for Yerba Buena Community Acupuncture? Having already exceeded her five-year goals ahead of schedule, Demetra has been thinking big picture about the future. The clinic is going to be turned into a worker co-op soon, better reflecting their democratic work style. She is also looking into adding customized herbal formulas to the practice, given that the expanded space now has room for an apothecary lab.
So next time you're feeling some aches and pains from the daily grind of existing, give acupuncture a try. Yerba Buena may offer the refuge you've been looking for.
Owner Demetra Markis had been wanting to expand for a while. The seven acupuncture chairs she had were always full, and the former space wasn't enabling her to grow her business. Finally, the space next door opened up in January, and within the span of three days the wall was broken down, new chairs were moved in, and they were ready to re-open on March 1st. The increase in clientele was almost immediate, resulting in 300 clients in one week (a new record for the clinic).
What can acupuncture actually treat? Common reasons clients come in to the clinic are for hormonal regulation, inflammation, and to deal with symptoms of "fight or flight". These three categories cover virtually everything, from sore muscles to infertility, depression to migraines.
If you're skeptical, consider this. The biggest source of first-time clients? Kaiser, who frequently sends patients suffering from pain to Yerba Buena Community Acupuncture for treatment. At $20 for an acupuncture session, the cost is an affordable complement to a doctor's visit. The spot averages about 30-40 new patients every week, and a significant percentage of them have never had acupuncture before.
As treatment often requires repeat visits, many patients come in several times a week. And walking in to the waiting room, the sense of community is palpable. One patient has volunteered to maintain the sidewalk gardens out front, and another offered up a reclining chair for the new space. "I feel like it's one of the few places in San Francisco where everyone is on an even playing field," explains Demetra. "People of all kinds come in, in a very neutral space. Once you're all lying down with your socks off you're pretty equal."
What's next for Yerba Buena Community Acupuncture? Having already exceeded her five-year goals ahead of schedule, Demetra has been thinking big picture about the future. The clinic is going to be turned into a worker co-op soon, better reflecting their democratic work style. She is also looking into adding customized herbal formulas to the practice, given that the expanded space now has room for an apothecary lab.
So next time you're feeling some aches and pains from the daily grind of existing, give acupuncture a try. Yerba Buena may offer the refuge you've been looking for.
