Conscious Choice: Low Cost Alternative Health Care

October 1999

Low Cost Alternative Health Care

by Darlene Paris

Afraid you can’t afford to get treatments like acupuncture, naprapathy, and massage? Think again. Schools of various healing arts offer discounted services at student clinics.

When you visit these places, advanced students are able to get hands-on experience before they graduate. Don’t worry about whether or not it’s safe. Students are supervised by qualified instructors. The good news is that you get to try alternative therapies at a discounted rate. Some therapies are even free. Here’s a guide to student clinics in the Chicago area.

Chicago School of Massage Therapy
Professional and Student Clinic
1300 W. Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657; 773-880-1397
Hours: Wednesday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Thursday 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Friday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturday 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and Sunday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm

This place offers supervised massage therapy provided by students enrolled in the certification program. The students here give full body Swedish massage. The fee is $32 for a one hour session. All sessions are made by appointment only. Appointments are scheduled Monday through Saturday from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm.

The Chicago National College of Naprapathy
3330 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60641; 800-262-6620
Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

This place offers low cost naprapathic examinations and treatments. The initial visit is $40 and $30 for seniors. All other visits are $25 and $20 for seniors. Walk-ins are welcome. See this school’s web site at www.naprapathy.edu to receive coupons for additional savings.

Midwest College of Oriental Medicine
909 W. Montrose, Suite 201
Chicago, IL 60613; 773-975-1295
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm for the Acupuncture and Herb Clinic; Wednesday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm for the Acupuncture Clinic

This walk-in clinic offers free acupuncture treatments and advice on Chinese herbs. Patients are expected to pay for herbs if recommended. If you are a new patient, you must have a physician’s referral in order to be treated. If you don’t have a referral from a physician, you may see the college’s on-staff physician for a free intake screening. The physician is available Monday 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Tuesday and Wednesday at 1:00 pm.

National College of Chiropractic
200 E. Roosevelt Road
Lombard, IL 60148; 630-629-9664
Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm to 7:00 pm, Saturday 7:00 am to 12:00 pm

This clinic offers chiropractic treatments administered by students completing their final trimester at the college. The first visit includes a complete health history, physical examination, blood count, urinalysis, and treatment. The cost is $75. Subsequent examinations last about 30 minutes and range from $20 to $30. Seniors get a 15 percent discount. All sessions by appointment only.

The Soma Institute
14 E. Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1300
Chicago, IL 60604; 312-939-2723
Hours: Monday and Wednesday 6:15 pm and 7:30 pm

The students at this clinic provide clinical massage using myofascial release and trigger point therapy. The cost for a sixty minute session is $20. Call for an appointment.

Wellness & Massage Training Institute
1051 Internationale Parkway
Woodridge, IL 60517; 630-739-9684
Hours: Monday and Wednesday 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm and Friday and Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

These students provide a variety of massage services including Swedish and pregnancy massage. They also like to work with subjects who have chronic physical problems such as a frozen shoulder or bad back. Rates are $30 for an hour massage and $25 for seniors. All sessions are arranged by appointment only.

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