New Bodyworker
Five Point is excited to introduce our new bodyworker, Kate Fruchey, LMT. Kate completed her massage and bodywork training at McKinnon Body Therapy Center in Oakland, CA. While her practice is rooted in Swedish Massage and Craniosacral therapy, she utilizes a wide range of techniques in her sessions, including Acupressure, Reflexology and Tui Na, in order to best meet her clients’ needs.
As a practitioner, Kate has a deep appreciation for the effect that relaxation and touch have on our health and this informs all of her work, regardless of the techniques she is working with. Her goal is to bring awareness to her clients’ profound capacity for change and help them access their own inherent resources for health.
Kate is available Sundays from 12-6 and Tuesdays from 9-2. She is available for 60 and 90 minute massages beginning Sunday, December 4th. Book an appointment online, or email her at kate@fivepointholistic.com with questions.
Expanding Hours
Beginning the week of October 3rd, Five Point will be expanding its hours! We will be opening new hours on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings as well as lengthening our hours on Saturday
Additionally, Yoga is moving to Sunday mornings from 10-11 am beginning September 11th.
Our new schedule will be:
Monday: Psychotherapy, bodywork, and Tai Chi by appointment only
Tuesday: 9 am-8pm
Wednesday: 9am-8pm
Thursday: 2pm-8pm
Friday: 9am-3pm
Saturday: 9am-4pm
Sunday: Yoga 10-11am, acupuncture 12-6pm
Some practitioners' hours will be changing, so please contact our clinic if you have any questions.
Five Point's Herb Sourcing
We often get inquiries about where our herbs come from. Patients want to know if they’re safe or if they may contain pesticides or heavy metals. They ask if the herbs are ethically sourced or if we use endangered products. Many of our patients take herbs twice a day for weeks, months, or even years, so it’s understandable they’d want to know what they’re consuming. We take the quality and safety of our herbal products seriously and want our sourcing process to be transparent.
Herbal Medicine Regulation
Five Point predominantly sources our herbs from Sun Ten Laboratories, a pharmaceutical grade herb company based in Taiwan. Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) is a member of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S), “a non-binding, informal co-operative arrangement between Regulatory Authorities in the field of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) of medicinal products for human or veterinary use.” [1] PIC/S is an international organization that standardizes manufacturing practices and inspection procedures among Food and Drug regulating authorities. PIC/S membership guarantees that medicinals produced in another country, such as Taiwan, go through the same scrutinized testing that they would if produced in the United States.
China is not a PIC/S member, so while herbal products made in China are available for purchase in the US, the safety of many of those products cannot be guaranteed.
Current Good Manufacturing Practices
Sun Ten follows current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), which are regulations on manufacturing processes enforced by the FDA. Adherence to the CGMP regulations “assures the identity, strength, quality, and purity of drug products by requiring that manufacturers of medications adequately control manufacturing operations. This includes establishing strong quality management systems, obtaining appropriate quality raw materials, establishing robust operating procedures, detecting and investigating product quality deviations, and maintaining reliable testing laboratories. This formal system of controls at a pharmaceutical company, if adequately put into practice, helps to prevent instances of contamination, mix-ups, deviations, failures, and errors.”[2] Sun Ten follows manufacturing practices that allow them to guarantee the following standards.
Herb Authenticity
Sun Ten works closely with private growers and suppliers who meet strict standards. They avoid buying herbs on the public market in order to avoid inferior quality, adulterants, or improper additives.
Safety and Quality Control
All raw herbs are tested for species authentication and the detection of sulfur dioxide, pesticide, heavy metal and other harmful substances. Each batch of herbs is awarded a certificate of analysis and lot number, so it can be traced.
Manufacturing Process
Sun Ten’s medicinals are pharmaceutical grade, meaning there is no cross-contamination and they are safe for people with allergies. Raw herbs are decocted by cooking them in water. The decoction is then stabilized into a powder using non-GMO corn starch.
Consistency and Verification
The final products are tested for batch-to-batch consistency by constituent verification so that all batches of herbs have similar potency.
Other Herb Companies
Since the Chinese Materia Medica contains thousands of medicinal substances, not all herb companies carry them all. We choose certain herbs from different companies based on availability and a preference of taste, texture and desired potency. The other herb companies from which we order, including QualiHerb and Legendary Herbs, follow similar standards in sourcing, quality control and manufacturing.
Local Herb Sourcing
The growing of medicinal-grade Chinese herbs in the US is on the rise, though still in small amounts. These products are not available in the convenient granular form that we sell, only raw. Some raw herb companies such as Chicago’s Inner Ecology source as many of their herbs from local farmers as they can. Some herbs come from as close as Wisconsin, while others from the East or West Coast. Still, most herbs are only available from Mainland China and Eastern Asia where the growing climate is just right.
Our mission to provide high-quality holistic healthcare includes offering high-quality herbal products. The safety and purity of our herbs are our top priority, and we never dispense endangered plant or animal products. We appreciate your trust and are always open to answering your questions!
[1] https://www.picscheme.org/en/about
[2] http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/Manufacturing/ucm169105.htm
Anniversary Celebration and Free Day!
On May 24th, Five Point turned 2-years-old! We wouldn't be here today without the support of our community including friends, patients and neighbors. In the spirit of tradition and giving back to those who made our business strong, we are offering a day of free services!
On Saturday, June 18th from 9 am through 3 pm, we will offer free community acupuncture and 30-minute bodywork sessions. We will accept walk-ins, but we encourage you to book online since spots are limited. Bodywork sessions must be booked over phone or email. In lieu of yoga, Nathan will be offering a free 30-minute guided meditation from 4:30-5 on that day.
It's a great time to bring that friend or co-worker who has always wanted to try acupuncture. Bring your dad for a special Father's Day treat. We hope you'll come celebrate with us!
New Acupuncturist!
Five Point is thrilled to welcome the newest member of our team Joslynn Adams, L.Ac.
Prior to attaining her Masters degree in Acupuncture, Joslynn graduated from Prescott College with a Bachelors of Science degree with an emphasis on Environmental Science and Adventure Education for Youth at Risk. She is currently in the process of obtaining a two-year Diplomate in Canonical Chinese Medicine. East Asian Medicine has allowed Joslynn to combine her passion of people and the environment into a triad of mind, body and emotional health. She focuses her craft on functional medicine and pain management, and she has a particular interest in how emotional health affects the perception of pain in the body.
Appointments with Joslynn can be booked on Tuesdays 2-8 and Sundays 12-6. She can be reached at joslynn@fivepointholistic.com.
New Saturday Yoga Class
Beginning March 5th, Nathan Paulus will be teaching a Center Strength and Spinal Alignment yoga class at Five Point. These classes will work on principles of how correct alignment and deep body awareness can reduce outer body tightness, making the body both more strong and supple. Nathan will focus on refining basic postures to help reduce tightness in the shoulders, back, and hips simultaneously. Reducing this outer body tension allows deeper structures built around abdominal muscles and pelvic floor to begin to function properly on their own.
Classes are weekly on Saturdays 4:30-5:45.
Appropriate for yoga students of any level.
Space is limited, so participants are encouraged to reserve a spot online. Drop-ins are also welcome.
Drop-in price is $15/class, but packages of 6 ($80) or 12 ($150) are also available.
Please contact us with and questions, and we hope to see you there!
Tai Chi Class Schedule
Tai Chi is a sequence of gentle, rhythmic movements through 37 postures, flowing one to the next. The practice serves as a way to deepen and refine the quality of body energy and circulation; it helps to develop the emotional self and works to improve focus and concentration of the mind. Tai Chi is one of the true methods of self-development, and as with all the great arts, can work on multiple levels of a person simultaneously. Both classes are taught by Nathan Paulus, Five Point's bodyworker and yoga instructor.
BEGINNERS SERIES
Mondays 5:30-6:30 beginning February 29th
For beginners to learn tai chi basic principles, including five loosening exercises, first section of short form and 4 of the 8 fixed push hand patterns.
Students must purchase entire series for $80
Missed classes can be made up during the next session which restarts every 6 weeks.
INTERMEDIATE SERIES (must have completed beginner series)
Mondays 6:30-7:45 beginning February 29th
As a continuation of the beginner series, this class is designed to get students comfortable with the entire short form and eight push hand patterns.
Will have focus for sections of the form, in 6 week increments rotating around, refining and working on deeper concepts
Drop-in price is $15/class, but packages of 6 ($80) or 12 ($150) are also available.
Space is limited, so participants are encouraged to reserve a spot online. Please call us with any questions or email Nathan at nathan@fivepointholistic.com.
New Psychotherapist at Five Point
Five Point is excited to introduce Emmy Johnson, the newest member of our psychotherapy team. Emmy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor with over 8 years of experience. She has worked in a wide variety of settings from homeless shelters to a group private practice. Emmy earned her MSW from the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago and completed her clinical internship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. She specializes in working with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, grief and loss, relationship issues, stress and life transitions.
Emmy utilizes a client-centered, eclectic approach to therapy, drawing from both psychodynamic and behavioral theories. She believes you are the expert on your life and views therapy as a collaborative process between the therapist and client. Emmy has a particular interest helping people slow down and figure out ways to more fully engage in the life they are already living by integrating mindfulness when she can. When addressing mental health concerns, Emmy believes it is imperative to acknowledge the mind-body connection, and is excited to join the team at Five Point Holistic Health, where she can collaborate with practitioners of other disciplines to help individuals on their journey to improve both their physical and mental health.
Emmy's appointments are bookable online beginning Monday, January 25th. Her current hours are Mondays from 6-9 pm, but she will be adding Wednesdays 5-9 pm beginning February 10th. Her appointments last one hour for $90 and packages or sliding scale based on need are available. You can contact her directly at emmy@fivepointholistic.com.
Five Point Seeking Psychotherapist
Five Point Holistic Health is seeking a part-time psychotherapist to join our collaborative team. We are a worker-cooperative clinic in the Logan Square neighborhood specializing in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Our integrative clinic also includes bodywork, chiropractic, and psychotherapy.
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Art Therapy or related field
- Clinical Licensure as LCPC, LCSW, LMFT, or Licensed Clinical Psychologist
- Minimum 2 years experience
Desirable Qualifications
- Expertise in at least one of the following areas: trauma and violence, LGBTQ populations, multicultural/multisystemic work, addictions, eating disorders, sex therapy, EMDR, creative/expressive therapies, DBT/ACT/mindfulness
- Bilingual in English and Spanish
- Experience conducting workshops
- Experience leading group therapy
Responsibilities
- Availability to provide individual, couples, family, and/or group therapy for a minimum of 8 hours/week over 2-3 days
- Attendance at one meeting per month
- Must have own malpractice insurance
Compensation
- Clients are charged $90/hour, sliding scale encouraged based on need
- 2/3 (you) 1/3 (Five Point) split on each client as an independent contractor
- Insurance is not accepted at this time
Benefits
- Administrative and billing support including easy online scheduling
- User-friendly electronic health records system
- Marketing and in-house referrals
- Discounted acupuncture treatments and herbal medicine
- Future opportunity for co-op member-ownership
Please submit resume, references and cover letter to celeste@fivepointholistic.com
Five Point Seeking Bodyworker
Five Point Holistic Health is seeking a bodyworker to join our collaborative team. We are a worker-cooperative clinic in the Logan Square neighborhood specializing in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
Requirements include a minimum of one year hands-on clinical experience in either an educational or professional setting
License in the state of Illinois preferred, Asian Bodywork certified also accepted
Must carry own insurance
Must provide own sheets and lotions
Ideal candidate handles two 6-hour shifts per week
Compensation is a fee split per massage, 2/3 to you, 1/3 to Five Point
Contracts offered are 6 months duration, with a mutual opt-out assessment at 3 months. Option to renew contract at 6 month intervals.
Immediate benefit from company marketing. After first three months, you will receive a photo and bio on the clinic’s website and business cards.
Five Point provides storage space for your supplies
We have on-site laundry
We provide receptionist, online scheduling, and point of sale services
Expectation of attending a company meeting at least once a month
Expectation you are willing to learn about health/treatment philosophy of East Asian Medicine
Encouraged to participate in outreach and marketing events
Five Point is a worker-owner cooperative. We offer a path to member-ownership. Please ask for details.
Position available Octobert 1st
Send resumes and cover letters* to info@fivepointholistic.com
*We encourage candidates to visit Five Point’s website and read about our mission, our clinic, our services, and our team. In your cover letter, please address how your skills and/or professional philosophy would benefit Five Point’s mission.
July Community Spotlight: Tula Yoga Studio
Hey Five Point Community!
This spring we launched a new initiative called the Community Spotlight with the purpose of commending and promoting like-minded progressive businesses in our local community. We want to thank Logan Square Aikido for being our most recent partner in the spotlight program. Also, we deeply appreciate their donation of gift certificates to the raffle we featured at our one-year anniversary party. We have heard from the raffle winners that they are excited to begin their month of unlimited Aikido and meditation training.
Tula Yoga
For July, we are partnering with Tula Yoga, a studio located in the heart of the Logan Square neighborhood at 2827 W. Belden Avenue. Founded by Logan Square resident Maile Wicklander, Tula is a clean, modern, and friendly environment welcoming all students at any level of experience. The folks at Tula believe that unwinding, having fun, and being part of a community is as important as the quality of their yoga instruction. To them, yoga should never be intimidating.
What is Yoga?
Yoga is a 2,000 year old tradition outlined by the Indian sage Patanjali in a collection of 195 statements known as the Yoga Sutra. This tradition of yoga (from the Sanskrit word yuj meaning “to yoke” or union) is a multi-faceted discipline for the pursuit of philosophical and spiritual growth. In the west, it’s most commonly known and promoted facet is the physical practice of sequenced postures that train the body to be stronger, more flexible, and better balanced.
Usually, the physical practice of yoga is enhanced by a focus on controlled breathing, conscious alignment of anatomy, non-judgmental awareness of the body’s abilities and limitations, the cultivation of patience, and being present in the moment.
Flow for Health
There is an adage in Traditional Chinese Medicine that states, “Where there is lack of free flow, there will be pain.” Lack of free flow, or stagnation, can be the starting point for numerous disease states including pain. We at Five Point understand that the engaging and relaxing of muscles and the movement of the joints through their full range of motion are tools for alleviating bodily stagnation that everyone can possess. Using these tools, a sequence of yoga postures will promote the free flow of vital energy, blood, and fluids through all of the body’s tissues, organs, and joints. Yoga is well known to alleviate pain, vitalize the spine and joints, promote healthy bone density, boost immune function, increase lung capacity, lower blood pressure, calm the nervous system, and enhance mental focus.
Engaging in a yoga practice is an easy step one can take toward a responsible engagement with one’s health. The cultivation of awareness that happens when you move your body purposefully into and out of yoga postures fosters a greater awareness of how your body feels during the other activities of your life. Soon, you can sense when your physical or mental self is even slightly out of balance. This sensitivity allows you to take action to regain healthy balance sooner, so you can head off any impending health crisis. We at Five Point believe each person should feel empowered to make informed decisions about their own health and health care.
Community
We especially like Tula’s commitment to engaging with their community. You can find them at 10 am every Sunday offering yoga class to the wider community at the Logan Square Farmers Market. They also offer classes at Unity Park throughout the summer. If you are new to Logan Square, just visiting, or a long-time neighbor looking for recommendations, visit the community page of their website to find a long list of their favorite local businesses that you should check out.
Their YogiCitizen Program is a special opportunity for you to serve the community we love while earning credits toward discounted yoga classes. Tula has partnered with several volunteer organizations to which you can donate your time. All they ask is that you document your volunteer hours with their special sign-off sheet. What a great way to encourage everyone to engage with the needs of the community! Please visit the YogiCitizen page of their website to find the volunteer opportunity that is right for you.
The Deal
Tula Yoga is graciously offering a special promotion to Five Point patients during the month of July:
One FREE CLASS to anyone who is new to Tula Yoga. Please redeem the wooden tokens we have at the Five Point front desk.
$75 for a monthly membership at Tula, which includes unlimited yoga classes, 15% off on retail, discounts on workshops and events, and the option of bringing a friend to your first class for free (typical price is $99)!
Thank you Tula Yoga
Lastly, we want to simply say THANK YOU to Tula Yoga for being a resource for better health and motivators for community service. Keep being awesome. We look forward to working together for years to come!
Learn more about Tula Yoga’s instructors and class schedule on their website. Also like them on Facebook to keep updated with current happenings.
May Community Spotlight: Logan Square Aikido
Hey Five Point Community!
Last month we launched a new initiative called the Community Spotlight with the purpose of commending and promoting like-minded progressive businesses in our local community. We want to thank The Dill Pickle for being our first partner in this endeavor. It was a fun month, and we look forward to continuing to march together as the Chicago co-op movement grows.
For our second month we are highlighting a relatively new business to the area, one that bodes well for the health and wellness of our community: Logan Square Aikido.
Logan Square Aikido
Another obvious choice for our spotlight program, our newest neighborhood Dojo settled into its brick and mortar at 2845 N Kedzie within the past year. Organized as a non-profit by instructors Enmei Hunter and Chris Wagner, their mission statement can be simply broken down to three words: Fitness, Focus, and Community. These values are three big reasons we chose them for our spotlight.
What is Aikido?
Aikido means “the way of harmony with the force and principle of nature.” Aikido is a non-competitive martial art that utilizes throws, joint locks, and pins to counter the force of aggressors. The techniques of Aikido seek to blend and harmonize with the force of an attack and use dynamic movements and positioning to establish control. Through partnered practice, students learn to both apply and receive techniques correctly. Over time, each student will develop the ability to respond more dynamically, deal with more forceful attacks, and develop better overall body and situational awareness.
Martial arts are built on the similar philosophical frameworks as Chinese Medicine and thus recognize the importance of balance between the mind and body.
Fitness & Focus
As mentioned earlier, the elements of fitness and focus are intertwined. At Five Point we believe that moderation and balance are the keys to long-term physical and mental health. From a fitness perspective, moderation has become more and more difficult due to a modern emphasis on high intensity forms of fitness. It is refreshing to see a balanced, holistic approach to physical and mental wellness available in our neighborhood.
Logan Square Aikido offers a full schedule of Aikido along with Zazen meditation to offer a uniquely holistic approach to achieving a heightened physical and mental state of being. To quote them, “Aikido training can lead to personal transformations. Benefits include increased balance, flexibility and aerobic conditioning, greater self-confidence, and the ability to deal with stressful situations more effectively. Through our martial practice and strong sense of community, Logan Square Aikido seeks to foster the development of the whole person.”
Community
From the time we opened in the neighborhood, Chris and Enmei were supporters of our business. They are genuinely interested in building local community, making a point to be inclusive and welcoming, and working alongside other organizations for the benefit of the neighborhood.
The Deal
Logan Square Aikido is graciously offering a special promotion to Five Point patients during the month of May:
4 introductory classes for $50 OR
Unlimited classes for 1 month for $80 (typically $100)
Discounts are also always available for patrons aged 16-21 and over 55.
Thank you Logan Square Aikido
Lastly, we want to simply say THANK YOU to Logan Square Aikido for being another seed in the movement for social justice and conscious business practices. Keep being awesome, and we look forward to working together for years to come!
Learn more about Logan Square Aikido’s history on their website. Also like them on Facebook to keep updated with current happenings.
Internship Opportunities at Five Point
Five Point is seeking interns for one 6-hour shift per week with a 3-month minimum commitment. Applicants should be self-starters, be proactive, and willing to ask questions. This is not an externship as there is no school credit, and interns will not be working directly with patients. Instead, this experience is an opportunity see a unique business model in action and get comfort in a clinical environment. There are two options based on the experience and interest of the applicant:
Tier 1: Business and Community Healthcare Internship
Available to anyone interested in co-operative business models, community healthcare, and/or the basics of East Asian Medicine
Business learning objectives
· Participation in marketing and social media campaigns (writing blog and Facebook posts; participation in outreach, networking, and marketing events)
· Education about co-operative business and community health models
· Exposure to the responsibilities of finance, human resources, marketing, and operations teams
· Invitation to observe weekly business meetings
Tier 2: Business, Community Healthcare, and Clinical Internship
Available to students in an accredited MSTOM program who are at least in their second school year
Clinical learning objectives (in addition to the above business objectives)
· Observe treatments in community space when possible
· Discussion of 3 case studies per shift
· Application of Shang Han Lun herbal medicine and how to run an herbal pharmacy
· Witness integrative medicine in action: working with bodyworkers and psychotherapists
Internship Responsibilities
All interns are responsible for the following activities
Reception Duties
· Help with opening and closing: pulling files, restocking tea and water, light cleaning
· Greet patients, offer tea and water
· Hand out new patient paperwork and answer any questions
· Lead new patients to the community the space or a private room
· Answer phone, check voicemail and email
· Check-out patients after their treatments
· Schedule appointments
Herb Station Duties (Tier 2 only)
· Keep herb station clean and tidy
· Pull individual herbs, put away used bottles
Additional perks include a $50 credit toward acupuncture or herbal consult services (bodywork and counseling not included), and herbs will be sold to you at cost. Interns may also be considered for future employment or membership and offered recommendations for employment elsewhere.
Interested persons should submit a resume and cover letter to info@fivepointholistic.com
April Community Spotlight: The Dill Pickle Food Co-op
Hey Five Point Community!
As a central objective of the cooperative principals and our mission statement, we believe in fostering community and working together with other local businesses. In an effort to achieve and expand on this ambition, we have created an initiative we are calling the Five Point Community Spotlight. Simply put, instead of only promoting our mission and services, each month we will put other progressive local businesses in the spotlight, highlight what makes them extraordinary, and commend them for their contribution to our community.
First Up
The Dill Pickle Food Cooperative
An obvious choice for our first spotlight, our neighborhood cooperative in crime sets the standard for what it means to be a triple bottom line business (having social, environmental, and financial goals). Over our first year we’ve become quite fond of working with Dill Pickle, especially on our partnership Homestead Logan Square.
For those of you who are out of the loop, The Dill Pickle is a consumer food cooperative and grocery located just down the street from Five Point in Logan Square. Most of the Five Point team already shops regularly at the Pickle, and Ryan Palma is even on their board of directors.
So what makes them so great?
Food Quality
The Dill Pickle specializes in and excels at providing the highest quality organic and local produce, meat, dairy, and other products. Providing truly local food is no small feat, as they currently work directly with over 40 farms in the greater Chicagoland area. This accomplishment is revolutionary in the grocery world, as they were told it would be nearly impossible to primarily source directly from the farm. They truly understand the importance of knowing your suppliers personally, and they take their responsibility of providing and educating the consumer about sustainably grown produce and ethically raised animal products very seriously. From a quality of food perspective, we cannot recommend a grocery in the city with more confidence.
Community Building
In addition to their amazing food, Logan Square is very lucky to have such a leader in social justice in the community. As with any co-op, concern for community and education are central to their mission. The Dill Pickle cares about what is happening in the community, and they actively work to create opportunities to build a more cohesive, inclusive neighborhood. They lead one of Chicago’s more sophisticated outreach and volunteer efforts in their Hands On Owner Program and Block Club. Once an owner, these programs give you the opportunity to give back and get involved in the co-op and our community.
Cooperation (community ownership)
Obviously here at Five Point we are big fans of democratic, cooperative business structures. So who owns the Dill Pickle? Its members! Having just eclipsed 1,500 active members, the Dill Pickle is owned collectively by a vibrant community of progressive and diverse community members. Maintaining a sense of ownership at your local food hub gives you a voice in what food is available and keeps you actively engaged in the community at large. Though you do not need to be an owner to shop at the Dill Pickle, we recommend that everyone consider the benefits to ownership.
Thank you Dill Pickle
Lastly, we want to simply say THANK YOU the Dill Pickle for its work in the community over the last 5 years and for being a guiding light for ethical business practices. It is invaluable to have such a caring, connected grocery in the neighborhood. Keep being awesome.
Learn more about The Dill Pickle’s history and their upcoming expansion (very exciting) on their website. Also like them on Facebook to keep updated with current happenings. And if you happen to be in for a treatment sometime in the Month of April, we will be giving out a 10% off coupon for your next grocery trip to the Dill Pickle.
If you would like to recommend a local business or organization for our Community Spotlight program in future months, please email us at info@fivepointholistic.com.
Changes at Five Point: Reflections on Our First Year
Everyone is looking forward to the end of winter and the beginning of spring, the switch from the darkness and cold weather to longer days and warmth. But why do we feel so energized come springtime? We hear the phrases "spring fever" or "spring cleaning" and know that change is in the air. According to East Asian Medicinal theory, each season has attributes that correspond to emotions, body functions, and trends. In EAM springtime is associated with wind, the sinews, and change. The wind we feel outside can also be felt internally, wiping away all the old habits and darkness of winter. Our sinews are ready to move again after resting for so many months, ready to experience new things. Changes are easier because the rebirth happening around us in nature supports and facilitates growth and renewal. Change is in the air, including at Five Point.
As we approach our first year anniversary, we've grown wiser as business owners and clinicians. After much reflection and consideration, we have decided to make updates to our business, including our pricing model and hours, so that we may continue to fulfill the ideals of our mission statement. Our mission from day-one has been to provide high-quality, accessible holistic healthcare and education in an effort to cultivate long-standing relationships between highly-trained practitioners and the community that are socially and economically just.
Price Increases
Per our mission, it is most important that we offer "high-quality" treatments. When we first opened our doors, we offered treatments and consultations in the community space every 15 minutes. We quickly discovered that 15 minutes was too short a time to provide detailed treatments, so in September we expanded treatment time to 20 minutes. Twenty-minute treatments are less rushed and more thorough.
In order to sustain our business and continue to offer quality services, we are raising the prices of all 20-minute services by $5. The price of private acupuncture, bodywork, and psychotherapy sessions have not changed. The prices below reflect the changes effective April 1st.
Community acupuncture: $30
Moxa-only sessions: $30
Cupping-only sessions: $30
Herbal Consultations: $25
Packages
Even though this price increase is modest, we want to maintain our mission of accessibility. In an effort to keep our services as affordable as possible, we are now offering discounted packages for those who commit to several treatments. Packages are available for all services at Five Point including acupuncture, herbal consults, bodywork, and psychotherapy. Please speak to your practitioner for details.
New Hours
Five Point is expanding each shift by one hour in order to provide more appointment times. Our new hours are:
Sunday 12-6 pm
Monday 9 am-3 pm
Tuesday-Thursday 2-8 pm
Friday 9 am-1 pm, 4-6 pm
Saturday 9 am-3 pm
If you're eager to make an appointment and none of these times fit your schedule, don't hesitate to call or email us at info@fivepointholistic.com and we will make every effort to accommodate you.
We are making these changes to commit to our mission and be a cog in the community. We promise to continue to improve for years to come. From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to thank everyone who has supported Five Point over the last 9 months. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact us. This business could not be a success without your help and feedback!
New Dietary Therapy Program
It's a new year, which means many people are thinking about diets and detoxes after months of eating rich holiday foods. Research has shown, however, that most diets and juicing regimens are ineffective at best, dangerous at worst, and that unless you're a drug addict, you don't need to "detox." These diets are often focused on quick weight loss rather than healthfulness. If you're interested in starting 2015 with a new understanding of health and wellness beginning with the most basic form of medicine (food!), then we've got you covered.
East Asian Medicine views food and meal time as the first line of defense in both preventative care and the treatment of particular ailments. Within this system there is no concern for calories or micro-nutrients, and an emphasis is placed on the quality of food and mealtime. This diet is not designed to be temporary but rather a way to transform how you think about meals, your appreciation and care for what you put in your body, and your long-term health. After a few visits, you will feel more comfortable planning and choosing foods that are healthful for your particular constitution. There will be guidelines and recommendations to follow based on your goals, Chinese Medicine pattern diagnosis, and current lifestyle.
Your practitioner will compile a list of recommended foods, recipes, and meal plans tailored to your individual constitution and health concerns with a focus on foods that are seasonal, local, and organic. This plan will be modified considering your budget, time constraints, and cooking abilities while addressing your specific fears, challenges, and dietary restrictions or allergies.
The Dietary Therapy Program is designed to be a four-week series, and each session lasts 40 minutes. The program can be purchased as a package for $200, or sessions can be bought individually for $55. This service can only be booked over the phone, so call us at 773-466-9882 to schedule or if you have any questions!
Five Point Now Offering Psychotherapy
Five Point would like to proudly introduce and warmly welcome its newest teammate Kim Vachon, LPC. Kim is a Licensed Professional Counselor who provides therapy to individuals, couples and families. Kim’s areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, coping with trauma, and addressing issues that stem from relationships, work and stressful transitions. Kim holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Lawrence University.
Kim’s therapeutic philosophy is based on a psychodynamic perspective and incorporates a holistic worldview where mindfulness and awareness of mind and body help to facilitate change. The focus of her therapy is to bring awareness to patterns that may be negatively impacting the client’s life and to discover how the relationship with others and his or herself influences thoughts, emotions and behaviors. These therapy sessions are offered in a private room and may occur weekly or on an as needed basis.
Kim is available beginning September 10th on Wednesdays from 9-12 and Fridays from 10-6, though other appointment times may be arranged. She offers an initial free 30-minute consultation and 1-hour sessions for $75. Appointments can be made on our website, by phone, or by contacting Kim directly at kim@fivepointholistic.com.
Five Point Seeking Massage Therapists
Know of any talented body workers?? Five Point is looking for massage therapists. We'll be taking applications through August, click on the job description below to review and send any resumes and cover letters to info@fivepointholistic.com.