The Sliding Scale Shows Up in Some Interesting Places
I was in New York City earlier this week and when I went to the Metropolitian Museum of Art I discovered that they have a sliding scale. I must have looked surprised when the woman told me because she said “That’s just the way we do it here.” This sliding scale idea must be really catching on!
It is only because of the sliding scale at my clinic that I can look a patient in the eye and tell them to come three times per week without feeling guilty about charging them more than most people can afford. I was recently trying to explain the sliding scale to an acupuncturist with a boutique clinic and she said “But people would just always pay on the lowest end of the scale!” That’s not the reality though, especially when you help them get better!
I have been having a lot of luck with using #30 gage needles for muskuloskeletal problems, especially for severe or chronic pain. I decided to try it out one day on a whim because I remember Dr. Tan saying he uses pretty heavy needles. It worked so well that I have been using the #30s more and more for pain. I like the look on people’s faces when I say “Where is the pain now?” and they say “Wow, it doesn’t hurt at all!”
Author: thomasriordan
<p> Tom Riordan has been involved with Eastern philosophy and healing arts since 1990. After earning a B.A. in History at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, he spent four years working at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. In addition to daily hatha yoga and meditation practice there, Tom completed the Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training the Kripalu Bodywork Training. </p> <p> Tom is a graduate of The New England School of Acupuncture, in Newton, MA, the oldest accredited acupuncture school in the United States. He maintained a private practice for several years in Columbia, Missouri. He was the first person to be licensed to practice acupuncture in that city. He became very active in the State acupuncture association by serving as secretary for two years and treasurer for one year. Tom is certified by the National Council for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and he is licensed to practice in Massachusetts. </p> <p> He currently practices in Medford, MA where he has maintained a community acupuncture clinic since 2007. </p>
Cool…
There’s a baroque chamber music group in PDX that offers sliding-scale concerts. It’s always encouraging to hear about social justice awareness in the arts world, especially things like museums and classical music. (Breaks down classism, I think.)