I am honored to be a part of a free Black Wellness Clinic hosted by Design For the Commons. “In this clinic, Black healers provide a variety of healing modalities to Black individuals. At its root, reparations means “to repair,” It’s repairing the time we’ve lost, our hearts, ancestral practices, and generational trauma. Our intention is to create a space to explore various modes of repair for the Black community. When we have access to our wholistic needs (community, rest, healthy food, spirituality, medicine) we are able to create the proper internal environment to begin the process of repair.” If you feel called to support, please do so.
I offer the 5 Needle Protocol; a standardized ear acupuncture treatment that involves the placement of up to 5 needles into ear acupoints. Often done in community, recipients sit quietly for 30-45 minutes and let the treatment work. Benefits include: increased calmness & better sleep, decrease in anxiety and agitation, decreased craving for alcohol and other addictive substances, relief from stress & trauma, easier connection with counseling other healing modalities.
I first started doing this treatment around 2008 at Penn North in Baltimore, MD. Men & Women were struggling with addiction and working to move in better directions. Once, an irate man was yelling at us “I don’t need no fucking needles, I use needles all the damn time. Why the fuck imma let you put needles in me?” We just kept going in a circle needling people, not saying much. To my shock the next day he came back chill, apologized and said he never felt that calm without drugs. He was glad to receive treatment ongoingly. Imagine my surprise and joy of what a few needles could do to a human. I often do this treatment on myself and love it. So here, meet the points and what they have to offer:
Sympathetic – Helps the parasympathetic & sympathetic nervous systems to chill. Gets one out of fight or flight mode and gets you in your body.
Shenmen (Heart’s Gate) – Another place to help promote calmness. Guides the heart center into relaxation.
Kidney – Supports detoxification. Begins to help address fears and instill wisdom.
Liver – Supports detoxification. Helps one see their way with courage + clarity and make the changes they want to see in their life.
Lung – Supports detoxification. Reminds person to take deep breaths, see the bigger picture, reinforce a connection to something bigger than themselves and receive inspiration.
Like I said, it’s a beautiful treatment. It has helped me in my own healing and struggles with addiction. Visit acudetox.com to learn more about the treatment and the organization that travels the world bringing this medicine to people in need. Although it started as a treatment for addictions, its use spread for PTSD, trauma, stress, tension, anxiety and overall helping one achieve balance.
This Acudetox protocol has a powerful background. It was created by Dr. Matulu Shakur (an activist and political prisoner), the Black Panthers and Young Lords. They, along with many others, fought to make Acupuncture accessible to people just like you because it is simple, yet powerful, cost-effective, heals at a deep level and can easily be administered in community settings. . New York was a trailblazer in the use of this protocol for addictions and liberation. Check out the documentary “Dope Is Death” – an historically important film about it all.
Documentary about NADA’s origins, uses and the activists who fought to bring it to bring it to Lincoln Hospital , Bronx NY
