SF Bay Area Musicians' Acupuncture Project

• Can verify their musical activities via a website or MySpace page that includes a recognizable photograph of the artist, as well audio clips, CDs and/or a current performance schedule.



• San Francisco Conservatory of Music faculty, students and staff
  (valid conservatory ID card required)



• San Francisco Opera featured artists, chorus, symphony and staff
  (valid opera ID card required)



• San Francisco Symphony instrumentalists, chorus and staff (valid symphony ID card required)



• San Francisco World Music Festival featured artists and staff (referral from director required)



• Sangati Center featured artists and staff (referral from director required)



• Can provide a Letter of Verification from a manager/agent, club owner, band leader or employer. The letter should detail your music activities. The letter must be on official letterhead and include a phone number at which the signer of the letter can be reached.



• Note: If you are the administrator of an organization you would like to see included in this list please contact MAP at (415)846-4643.

Our community treatment model enables us to provide high quality, appropriately frequent acupuncture treatment at affordable rates.

The recommended frequency of appointments in our clinic is based on each individual patient's needs, and can range from multiple treatments per week for more serious conditions to the occasional "tune up" for mild or occasional symptoms.

In keeping with Chinese medical tradition, all treatments are customized to the individual patient's conditions and needs.

Health concerns appropriate for treatment through MAP may be specifically performance-related, such as muscle tension or pain caused by the repetitive strain of playing a musical instrument, or respiratory/throat conditions affecting vocal production. Also appropriate for treatment in the MAP clinic are almost any conditions that respond favorably to Chinese medical treatment.

Conditions Treated

While a great number of conditions can be effectively treated in the MAP clinic setting, there are some conditions not appropriate for treatment through MAP. These include:

• Any acute condition more appropriately treated in a hospital emergency room
• Peri-natal conditions that endanger the life of the mother or child
• Uncontrolled severe psychiatric disorders
• Cancer, HIV and other potentially life-threatening conditions, though palliative or supportive care may be available through MAP

All treatments are provided on a sliding scale.

Research has shown that most conditions respond best to frequent and regular acupuncture treatment. In particular, pain usually responds best when acupuncture treatment is received several times per week. The goal of MAP's sliding scale is to make acupuncture available to patients at the frequency required for optimal resolution of their condition.

The road to success is paved in part by those who have come before. We appreciate your integrity in determining your place on our sliding scale.

The cost of any herbal products recommended is not included in the above fees.

If the lower end of our sliding scale seems high for you, please contact the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic at (415)746-1950 for care.

While the primary focus of SF Bay MAP is on providing acupuncture, we may recommend concurrent Chinese herbal therapy for some patients if we believe their condition will improve more readily with both.

The MAP clinic stocks herbal products for internal and external use. Many of the herbal formulas for internal use are available in pill or capsule form. However, when appropriate we may recommend a customized herbal formula. This may require a private Herb Consultation outside of MAP clinic hours to discuss options and anticipated costs. Herb Consulations may entail an additional fee.

The cost of herbal products varies depending on the ingredients and formulation. Generally, herbal formulas for internal use average $9.00 to $25.00 per week. Customized herbal formulas may range from $9.00 to $30.00 or more per week. Herbal products for external use generally range from $9.00 to $18.00 per item.

While SF Bay MAP strives to keep the cost of herbal products affordable, these prices are subject to change without notice.

Moxibustion and cupping are adjunct treatments used by acupuncturists in some situations. Moxibustion (moxa) is sometimes used for stubborn pain that is relieved by warmth, for chronic diarrhea or for patients with an overall weak consitution. Cupping is sometimes used for stubborn pain in the shoulders and back.

Due to constraints inherent to the community acupuncture setting moxibustion and cupping services may not be available in the MAP clinic. If your practitioner feels you would benefit from one of these treatments, she may suggest scheduling a private appointment outside of MAP clinic hours. In such cases, standard private appointment fees may apply.

The number of treatments needed varies greatly based on the age and constitution of the patient, the severity of the condition(s) and other factors. A general rule of thumb is "The longer you've had a condition, the longer it takes to resolve."

Many conditions, especially pain, respond best when acupuncture is administered 2 or more times per week. The goal of MAP's sliding scale is to make acupuncture available to you at the frequency appropriate for your condition.

For most conditions a reasonable trial period is 8 to 10 treatments, scheduled at the frequency recommended by your practitioner. Most patients experience partial to marked improvement within the 8- to 10-treatment trial period.

After this trial period we will provide you with a follow-up treatment plan. In cases of partial improvement the follow-up treatment plan may be very similar to the initial one. If you have experienced marked improvement the follow-up plan may include fewer or less frequent appointments. If you achieve complete resolution we will welcome you back to the MAP clinic whenever our services are needed.

Studies in China have shown that around 95% of the population responds favorably to acupuncture treatment for a wide range of conditions. For most conditions, if after 8 to 10 treatments there is no change you may be referred to another modality or provider.

• From the Mission District: 26, 47, 49
• From other SF locations: J, K, L, M and N (disembark at the VanNess MUNI station), F Market, 6, 7, 71 Civic Center BART is a 7-minute walk

Note: Many, but not all, conditions are suitable for treatment through MAP. When appropriate, MAP refers elsewhere any individual we feel can be better served by another provider or modality.

Private appointments with MAP founder Amy Hanks, MS, LAc are open to anyone, regardless of their eligibility for the MAP clinic. To schedule please call Amy at (415)846-4643 and say you are interested in a private appointment. Please enquire about current rates when you call.