Unlike a stressed-out water bed or a particularly fragile bundt cake, the human body benefits from an occasional jab. Poke with a purpose with today's Groupon: for $25, you get two acupuncture treatments from a student intern at the AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine (up to a $60 value). This Groupon is valid at either of AOMA's Austin student locations. For an additional $50, this Groupon can be applied toward two sessions at the professional clinic instead.
Amid AOMA's graduate-student clinic, rising acupuncturists partake in hands-on practice overseen by a licensed professional. Each 60–90 minute appointment revolves around a series of thin, sterile needle insertions at precise bodily points often designated by X-shaped freckles. An ancient Chinese healing method, acupuncture aims to rebalance an anatomical energy known as chi. With each needlepoint, nerve stimulation occurs, which boosts blood flow, making the brain roughly 10 times more successful at Sudoku challenges. Aside from stress release, acupuncture's calming effects aim to appease clients with a panoply of plagues, including allergies, addictions such as smoking, sports injuries, and pain management.
Though AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine features discounted prices for students, seniors, and select professions, this Groupon still offers the best deal available.
AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine
"Our mission is to transform lives and communities through graduate education in Oriental medicine," school president William R. Morris tells AOMA students. These budding practitioners are all working toward a master's degree in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, studying needle techniques, herbal and mind-body medicine, and Eastern bodywork modalities at one of the largest institutions of its kind in Austin. In 2009, the clinics had more than 20,000 appointments to treat patient ailments ranging from allergies and stress to digestive woes and ice-cream headaches.