Acupuncture for the People in Phoenixville

There is a healing oasis alive in Phoenixville, and it has made its home at the Soul Center.

Lance Isakov has come to declare, “Acupuncture for the people!” offering low cost community acupuncture in a group setting.

Since he was a child Isakov has felt a connection to indigenous healers, convinced he was meant to become a medicine man or a witch doctor. This connection began to manifest itself during his stay at the University of Pittsburgh where he took part in a guided meditation class. Here he was taught Reiki by his instructor, and finding a natural affinity for the healing art, Isakov was soon a Reiki master teaching others, sometimes more than twice his age, out of his parents' basement.

“Looking back it may sound a little weird, but my parents were open to it,” Isakov said.

Isakov was introduced to acupuncture through Bob Weisbord, a local acupuncturist who treated his mother for an ankle injury. Inspired, this meeting led Isakov to study acupuncture at the Traditional Acupuncture Institute (now the Tai Sophia Institute) in Maryland. Walking in to the school for the first time Isakov recalls an “A-ha!” moment when he knew “This is it!”

After graduation Isakov began working in an alternative detox center in inner city Baltimore. Rather than treating heroin addiction with methadone, this center used alternative therapies like Tai Chi, yoga, meditation, and group acupuncture to treat withdrawal symptoms.

“There would be 30 people sitting in a circle, supporting each other through withdrawal," remembers Isakov.

Not only was it successful, it consistently outperformed the traditional detox center model. By teaching residents practical ways to improve their own health, they would leave feeling empowered as well as recovered.

Isakov took this “group” acupuncture model and ran with it, beginning Community Acupuncture in 2003. Unbeknownst to him this movement was also taking place simultaneously in Portland, Ore., responding to a growing need for alternative, low-cost health care.

Isakov encountered the Soul Center through mutual friend and Soul Center yoga instructor Dave Odorisio who told him, “You have to come see this place. You need to be here!”

Phoenixville was a long way from Wayne, but Odorisio would not give up and Isakov gave in.

“The first meeting was a love fest," said Robyn Evan, director of the Soul Center, “We knew it was a fit."

What can you expect if you go?

Walking through the door of the Soul Center, visitors are greeted by a warm and colorful foyer and Isakov's spouse, Amy, and infant daughter Luna. They will check you in and provide you with a medical history form to be filled out prior to treatment. You will then be led into the treatment space, adjoining the foyer, where you have the choice of a chair or a yoga mat and blankets.

After a brief interview Isakov will feel your pulse to diagnose the present quality of your bod's energy, or “chi," which will help him to develop the treatment. Needles are placed in arms, hands, legs, feet and/or ears, depending on the treatment. After relaxing for 20 minutes to an hour Isakov will remove the needles as the session comes to an end.

Who is it for?

Anyone. While acupuncture has proven beneficial in the treatment of numerous illnesses and conditions from Parkinson's to headaches, it essentially benefits anyone and everyone.

“Everybody is recovering from something,” said Isakov.

Where and when is community acupuncture?

Phoenixville community acupuncture takes place every Wednesday between 5 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. at the Soul Center, located at 550 Kimberton Rd., Suite 1, in Phoenixville.

How much will it cost?

Pricing is based on a sliding scale ranging from $15 to $40, with a one-time $10 paperwork processing fee due at your first visit.

“We ask that you pay what you can. There is no income verification and I have never turned someone away from a treatment,” Isakov said.

How do you make an appointment?

While you are welcome to drop in, no later that 6 p.m., you can also reserve your space online at PhoenixvilleAcupuncture.com or by calling 610-203-3747.

Keep up to date with Isakov on the web at www.PhoenixvilleAcupuncture.com.

Keep up to date with the Soul Center on the web at  www.TheSoulCenter.com.

"Friend" Phoenixville Community Acupuncture on Facebook here.