Spooky Season is upon us, and it’s time to release those stress demons! Earlier this year, ASHwell officially launched a collaborative partnership with AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine, with the goal of increasing equitable access to integrative and holistic therapies. This new partnership has been transformational to many of ASHwell’s clients and patients seeking to destress, manage symptoms, and improve their overall quality of life — but this isn’t the first time we’ve brought integrative medicine to our community. Rewinding 35 years to the founding days of ASHwell — or The Austin Immune Health Clinic as it was first known — you’ll find a collective of advocates, doctors, and integrative medicine practitioners providing holistic care to folx living with autoimmune disorders.
As an organization that has been rooted in community and grassroots advocacy since the very beginning, it has always been our mission to stay true to our roots and the vision of our founders: to support those with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C (“HCV”) with holistic therapies. With medical advancements shifting the focus from delaying death to managing illness and improving quality of life, ASHwell’s programs have evolved and adapted with community need in the years since this vision was established. We offer medical care, integrative holistic care, plus social wellness care and patient advocacy. We promote destigmatization of sex and drug use, celebration of identity and sexuality, and radical inclusion and acceptance of people as they are. But as priorities and needs shifted, pandemics rampaged, and the organization grew, integrative medicine fell into the background.
That all changed in April 2023 with the launch of our partnership with AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine. Thanks to this collaborative effort and AOMA’s dedication to positive community impact, ASHwell now offers NO COST access to holistic services for our patients and clients. This includes access to Medical Qigong, Tuina, and Acupuncture.
Medical Qigong
This energetic therapy utilizes physical movement, breathing exercises, and mental intention to balance and relax the nervous system, bringing a sense of calmness into the body and mind.
Tuina
This form of Asian bodywork involves hands on, manual manipulation of muscles, joints, and the energetic meridians of the body. Tuina is excellent in treating musculoskeletal problems, helping to relax tissues of the body, and calm the mind.
Acupuncture
This ancient practice has been used for thousands of years to treat ailments of the body and spirit. The foundational philosophy is based on a holistic approach to health and healing by balancing our energetic frequencies in a gentle and nuanced way.
With the help of our friends at AOMA, we’re able to carry on our long tradition of integrating complementary health therapies, recognizing their effectiveness in addressing chronic pain and illness. As we release those stress demons with AOMA this spooky season, let us embrace the healing power of integrative medicine and carry the torch of holistic wellness into the future. Together, we’re on a bewitching journey toward a healthier, happier community. Happy Spooky Season!
