Brooklyn Community Acupuncture

Nice healer and good prices. Great for the community.

This was my first visit to Brooklyn Community Acupuncture.
The Good:
My overall experience was good. The online scheduling was a breeze, the clinic is easy to find, parking was easy. The clinic itself is very small, but they’ve used the space creatively. The chair I chose was comfortable, and the rest (6 chairs total, I believe) looked comfy as well.
The interview prior to treatment was reasonably thorough. The acupuncturist’s (Vera) technique was outstanding — I’ve had lots (and lots… and lots…) of acupuncture, and people aren’t kidding when they say she’s really good — she is.
The atmosphere is soothing, the treatment area is hygienic. I got my needles, and dozed off into a restful light sleep.
The Not So Good /​Weird:
The bathroom was, in a word, gross. It smelled bad, it clearly is not cleaned or monitored as frequently as it should be. There is a little sign saying to let them know if it needs cleaning. However, from what I saw, that just isn’t happening much. Ew.
Although I expressed a goal of doing some health maintenance/​season transition work, this was not followed up on. It was almost a feeling of ‘you want to come back, then come back’. So that was a little weird.
I also felt rushed out. I think all told (paperwork, intake, treatment) I was there for about an hour and maybe 15 minutes, with about 40 minutes of it being treatment. However, at the end of my treatment, I was definitely feeling rushed to get the needles out and leave. It was very odd — there was one other client in the treatment area, and no one waiting. Sooooo… not sure what to make of it.
Overall:
Nice space, little bit crowded. Well-​trained and kind personnel. Kinda of crunchy and home-grown…very Portland feeling. Nice place. Could use a business-​minded office manager or partner to attend to the details.
I’m on the hunt for an alternative-​medicine ‘home’. Not sure BCA is the right fit for me for that, but if I just need some acupuncture for something specific, they are an acceptable option.

My neck was so stiff that I couldn’t look sideways for 3 days. I took Advil & naproxen, no help. I got a massage on Tuesday, no help. Wednesday I went to Brooklyn Community Acupuncture, they got me right in (others had a week wait). The next morning, my neck and shoulders were pain free and I could move my head almost all t

I love getting treatments here. I feel that I get quality care and attention, and I feel safe to just be myself, however I feel that day. It’s a very unpretentious setting with very relaxing music and comfortable chairs. I love the tulsi tea that is usually brewing, and the friendliness of the people who work and volunteer here. Vera’s needles always put me into a decadent sleep, and I appreciate her gentle style and considerate interviews.
I have also been seeing Maria Menolasino for counseling around some chronic health issues. She is wonderfully supportive. She has a very sensitive wisdom about her, and I find her perspectives very insightful. She has helped me to redirect my communication style and spinning brain challenges with more awareness, and this is helping in turn to manage my stress and emotions better. Very grateful for her support.

Love these people! Super great vibe, mellow atmosphere, chill place to relax and let the stress drain out. I wish I still lived within walking distance!

I have been several acupuncturists in Portland, and Vera at Brooklyn is by far one of the bests. She takes her time to get to know you as a client, understand your needs, and discusses treatment options. She is the only acupuncturist I have found that truly specializes in diet and it’s influences on the body. I have used Brooklyn for both physical alinements, like a sprained ankle, and mental issues and seen positive results.
I’m such a big fan that I’ve brought visiting friends and family to Brooklyn. I would highly recommend trying Brooklyn out.

One of the most relaxing things you can do for yourself. It took me a little while to get used to the community aspect of it– you’re receiving treatment while someone else is also, sitting just a few chairs away. But after accepting that, it’s easy to embrace as a welcoming and healing space. I’ve always had a great experience here, and recommend acupuncture, and especially community acupuncture, for everyone.
I was able to walk right in on a late Sunday morning, but I imagine other times could be harder to get in. The therapists I’ve had here have always been super gentle and knowledgable. I love that they’re flexible with how long they let you sit and «stew».

Not too fond of needle spinning and flicking, I left with pain in my hands and ankles for 3 days after my treatment. Asking for it gently won’t do you any good.
Whatever you do, don’t ask for a different acupuncturist even if you really don’t want the one you got.

I have been going to this clinic since it opened. It is wonderful because I can usually get same day appointments and often can be seen on a walk in basis. This is great for headaches, which don’t like making an appointment before onset. Acupuncture seems to work great for my headaches.

This is an amazing setup! I’ve been coming here for over four years now. They offer sliding scale fees which are reasonable; I buy the punch card of 11 visits for the price of 10.
They have highly skilled acupuncturist who always offer additional therapies at no additional cost. They have done cupping, coining, and other alternative therapies when I was having sever symptoms (be a stiff neck, a cold, or pain).

This place is great. For people without insurance, it’s a godsend.
The workers (volunteer and otherwise) are unfailingly friendly, understanding, and helpful.
Come here if you want effective treatment at a great price in comfortable, clean environment that treats all patients equally… viz., princesses, stay away.

The naturopath associated with this clinic, Dr. Mealeau, seems very professional, knowledgeable and compassionate. However, after Corrine left (the specialist I met on my first walk-​in) in 2010 I was treated very rudely by the other specialists either over the phone or in person.
After a particularly unpleasant phone exchange (I was asking for a specific provider I wanted to see and was treated terribly while I inquired when they were expected to be back in that clinic from one of the other workplaces they juggle), I decided that I’m not convinced these care providers truly embody the spirit of «do no harm». The explanation given to me for the abrupt and rude behaviors was that these people were working at several different clinics and were therefore stretched very thin. Yikes! I still have the distinct impression that the people at this clinic I encountered had/​have a difficult time listening carefully — how could one trust anybody with such scattered focus to treat effectively with needles.

I received Bowenwork from Tara Cobalt Coy and it was amazing. After two sessions I was able to go to sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow, something I thought I’d never get back after being a Mom. Also the first visit got rid of a lingering cough I had had for months. I have taken my 5 year old son to her and she was incredible. She made him feel so comfortable and he had a lot of fun during the treatment and his sleep and cough also dramatically improved after one visit. Her gentle, highly informed touch is very healing on many levels. I have continued to get treatments from her for overall health and well-​being. She is wonderful!

I asked my acupuncturist who I should see for a massage and this was the best person she knew:
Barbara Van Ballegooijen
First visit:
I have carpal tunnel so badly that it extends from my shoulders down to my hands. After three weeks of intense physical labor in constructing some major items for our back yard my right hand was asleep for nearly one full week (not to mention the other pain in my body).
I made an appointment with Barbara and am AMAZED at how awesome my time was with her.
My hand regained feeling shortly after the massage and the things she showed me to do to help myself have been used repeatedly to ease pain.
Second visit:
I had suffered from vertigo caused by an issue in one of my s.e.m. muscles in my neck. I contacted Barbara at the advice of my chiropractor and she was very knowledgeable in ways to help these muscles.
Sure enough, going to Barbara again was a healing experience as well as amazingly relaxing and intense all at the same time!
I’m pretty particular about who works on my body. I have had a difficult time finding the right person. I am so happy to have found her and refer her to all of my friends!

I love this place. I haven’t been in a while and I miss it. The large room and comfy chairs are relaxing, comforting. The practitioners were very knowledgeable and caring. Not to mention, their pricing couldn’t be any easier on the budget!

A beautiful set-​up with big cozy chairs you get to pick out yourself and no time limit on how long you chillax during/​after your treatment. highly recommended, i loved it and will definitely be going regularly from now on :-)