Greenpoint’s Community Acupuncture Clinic
I’ve been meaning to write about my experiences at Worksong Acupuncture, the new-ish acupuncture clinic on Franklin Street between Oak and Calyer. I’m a big fan of acupuncture. I’ve been using it to treat various aliments for the past 10+ years. When the former car service location down the street from my apartment in Brooklyn hung out a shingle advertising Worksong Acupuncture, I decided to check it out, since my go-to resident at the Pacific College of Acupuncture had graduated and moved to North Carolina.
Worksong is part of the Community Acupuncture Network. As Isobeau Trybula, MS, LAc explained to me, their model is closer to the way acupuncture is practiced in China, and less the way I’ve experienced it. I’m used to 20+ minutes of intake and initial diagnosis. At Worksong, there is an initial intake, but it’s brisk and to the point, and most of the time is spent on treatment.
This isn’t for the squeamish: community acupuncture means there will be more than one patient in a room. You might run into the situation I did, where someone in the next room was snoring loudly. The handout about community acupuncture will warn you of this, and encourage you to bring earplugs, as well as a blanket or a favorite pillow. In addition to being efficient and cost effective, there’s a belief that there’s a shared energetic vibration of healing that everyone benefits from. I know from working in a room with a bunch of writers that there is something to a positive shared vibration - my only concern would ever be if someone was chatty or if the vibe was unpleasant. It hasn’t happened to me yet.
The space is very Greenpoint and very homegrown, and more appealing to me than a traditional clinic. There are zero gravity chairs, places to put your shoes and bag, and space blankets to keep you warm. I was treating continuing symptoms from a subway fall I had last winter, and was very pleased with the quality of care. One visit I left the clinic so out of it I forgot to pay Isobeau - I ran back just as she was closing up, where she laughed and said she was just going to call me the next day with a reminder.
Community acupuncture is also very kind to your wallet. Treatments are on a sliding scale from $15-$40. (As a basis of comparsion, Pacific College of Acupuncture charges $40, with your sixth visit free.) The hours are great, as she’s open from 11-7 and on Saturdays as well. Worksong can be reached at 347.742.3834.
We are spoiled to have a resource like this in the neighborhood and I’m delighted that it’s here. Isobeau lives in Greenpoint so the community spirit is definitely alive and well.
Christine said,
September 19, 2008 @ 5:30 am
Thanks for writing about Worksong. I’ve been going weekly for several months and I think Isobeau is amazing. Besides helping me get pregnant (after 10 years of trying), she’s helped get my allergies and arthritic knees under control.
Affordable acupuncture can help everyone, and I think she’s the best addition to the neighborhood that we’ve seen in a while.
Kate said,
February 1, 2009 @ 7:26 am
I agree, Isobeau is amazing. I have had hormonal acne for three years since going on and off birth control and have tried everything, including topical products, herbs, a vegetarian diet, homeopathy, etc. I went to one dermatologist who recommended that the only truly effective treatment for the acne would be either the birth control “Yaz” or a diuretic called spironolactone, which has been found to be carcinogenic! I knew there had to be another answer, and I’m so happy to have found acupuncture. Not only is my skin better than I can ever remember, I also have way more energy, less stress and sleep better. I know she treats a variety of things, even more than what is listed here so if you are experiencing less than optimal health (as we all are) you should definitely give her a call. Thank you so much, Isobeau!
Rutila said,
February 18, 2009 @ 8:11 am
I don’t know why I waited so long to try acupuncture after originally reading this post, but I’m glad I finally made an appointment. I was treated by Victoria Allen at Work Song, and my inner skeptic disappeared when the treatment began. Many thanks for the review!