We’re a nonprofit dedicated to bringing community acupuncture to the people.
Our mission is to end chronic pain and opiate addiction.
Acupuncture is a safe, effective, and non-addictive solution for the treatment of both chronic pain and addiction—two of the most concerning health issues of our time.
Traveling Acupuncture Project is committed to helping as many people as we can. With your support, we’re sharing acupuncture with those who need it most by traveling directly to them.
Together, we’re uplifting and empowering our communities by sharing the greatest gift — optimal health.
Everyone deserves access to the healing power of acupuncture.
We are in the midst of two public health crises — pain and opiate addiction are causing immense suffering throughout our nation.
Over 20% of the US population is experiencing chronic pain — that’s over 50 million people.
The rates of opiate addiction and associated overdose deaths are continuing to rise at a devastating rate.
Government leaders have declared the opioid crisis a national emergency.
There is an urgent need for effective non-pharmacologic treatment for pain and addiction.
Americans are in pain.
And pain care is in crisis: the prevalence of pain has reached epidemic proportions, and aspects of pain management strategies are having disastrous impacts on patients, the health system, and society.
The impact of pain is felt at many levels.
Chronic pain disrupts life, impacts work, impairs physical functioning, negatively impacts social functioning and relationships, reduces sense of self-worth, and increases feelings of sadness, worry, anger, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
Pain and opiate addiction are two deeply intertwined epidemics.
Both pain and Opioid Use Disorder impact the bodies, minds, and spirits of affected individuals. To foster long-term recovery, a comprehensive treatment strategy is essential.
Current pain management strategies are not working.
Patients are not getting effective pain relief.
Opiate prescriptions are fueling addiction.
There is pressure for pain medicine to shift away from reliance on opioids.
Addiction is hurting our communities and leaving a trail of heartbreak in its wake.
Chances are, each of us has borne witness to the gut-wrenching devastation wrought by addiction, or worse, endured the loss of a loved one.
But let’s delve into some statistics that should give us all pause:
The US has the highest rate of per capita opioid consumption in the world. This alarming overreliance on opioids has set the stage for a public health crisis of unprecedented proportions.
A shocking 27% of patients transition to chronic use after starting opioids for short-term treatment of post-operative or injury-related pain.
To make matters worse, opioids, far from providing long-term relief, actually plunge patients deeper into the abyss of pain. The first long-term study evaluating the effectiveness of opiates found that patients were actually in more pain at 12 months.
Drug overdose deaths have risen sixfold over the past 2 decades. In 2021, 106,699 deaths occurred.
The urgency for a paradigm shift in pain medicine is palpable. It's time to reimagine our approach, steering away from the perilous dependence on opioids and toward a future where pain management is both effective and devoid of the risks that currently threaten the well-being of those we aim to help.
The time for action is now.
Acupuncture is effective in treating many types of pain and supporting addiction recovery.
But the benefits don’t end there.
Acupuncture can help treat a wide variety of conditions, including:
insomnia
anxiety, depression, PTSD
digestive health: nausea, vomiting, IBS, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, acid reflux, and more
fatigue
hypertension
stroke rehabilitation
relieving chemotherapy side effects
allergies
reproductive health: fertility, menopausal symptoms, painful/irregular menstruation, fibroids, erectile dysfunction, low libido, prostate issues, and more
neurological conditions: Bell’s Palsy, trigeminal neuralgia, neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and more
respiratory conditions
problems with eyes and ears
general wellness, strengthening the immune system, reducing inflammation
We are focusing on these urgent public health crises, but we treat a wide range of conditions, because we believe in helping everyone in any way we can.
Acupuncture can help,
but too many of those who need it can’t access it…
Traveling Acupuncture Project was created to solve this problem.
Our solution:
Bring it to the people.
Our mobile setup allows us to transcend geographical barriers, reaching people who lack access to acupuncturists in their area
Collaborating with community organizations, detox centers, treatment facilities, clinics, and more, we're forging a network that amplifies our impact
We create a healing environment through group acupuncture anywhere it's needed — whether it's beneath the open sky, surrounded by the tranquility of nature, or in partnership with organizations that share our vision
Make it accessible.
Our donation-based project lets us offer free treatments
This ensures that everyone, regardless of their economic circumstances, can receive care and benefit from acupuncture
Imagine the impact – the joy of experiencing freedom from pain for the first time, the serenity that comes with the dissolution of anxiety, and the myriad other benefits that acupuncture brings. It's more than a treatment; it's a gateway to a profound sense of well-being.
Educate.
Acupuncture treatment strategies always include patient involvement, facilitating self-care, self-sovereignty, and empowerment
Increased self-efficacy improves mood and predicts better outcomes, as well as more enduring results
We counsel patients on steps they can take to nurture health, like nutritional guidance and supportive lifestyle practices tailored to their unique needs
Along this journey, we are dedicated advocates for raising awareness about critical causes. We shine a spotlight on communities in need, amplifying their voices and mobilizing support. It's not just about acupuncture; it's about building a foundation of knowledge, resilience, and community strength.
While these big problems may appear insurmountable, our collective strength can wield a powerful influence, enabling us to make a significant difference when we unite and work together.
How you can help:
Contribute
Your support helps us to provide treatments, travel to where we’re needed, and get necessary supplies, like needles and gas.
Spread the word
Share about the project with your friends, family, and network to help carry out our mission and build community.
Share this link and follow us on instagram
Become a member
Join the movement
References:
Rikard SM, Strahan AE, Schmit KM, Guy GP Jr.. Chronic Pain Among Adults — United States, 2019–2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:379–385. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7215a1
US Department of Health & Human Services: Administration for Strategic Preparedness & Response. Renewal of Determination That a Public Health Emergency Exists. 2022.
Yin Fan A, Miller DW, Bolash B, Bauer M, et al. Acupuncture's Role in Solving the Opioid Epidemic: Evidence, Cost-Effectiveness, and Care Availability for Acupuncture as a Primary, Non-Pharmacologic Method for Pain Relief and Management–White Paper 2017, Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2017 15:6, 411-425. ISSN 2095-4964, https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-4964(17)60378-9.
Sommers E, Vinjamury SP, Noborikawa J. Pain and Opioid Use: Evidence for Integrating Acupuncture Into Treatment Planning. Glob Adv Health Med. 2021 Aug 24;10:21649561211042571. doi: 10.1177/21649561211042571. PMID: 34458014; PMCID: PMC8392795.
Dasgupta N, Beletsky L, Daniel Ciccarone D, 2018: Opioid Crisis: No Easy Fix to Its Social and Economic Determinants. American Journal of Public Health 108, 182_186, https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2017.304187
CDC: Understanding the Opioid Overdose Epidemic. https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/epidemic.html