Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Gabriella Rivera, DAOM, L.Ac, HHC.
Hi Dr. Rivera, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been a holistic health consultant for over 20 years and an acupuncturist for the last eight years. I moved to Savannah, Georgia, from Chicago to form Front Porch Community Acupuncture LLC, out of a need to survive during the economic shut down of 2020.
My goal at FPCA is to provide affordable acupuncture and holistic health consulting services for the most marginalized communities.
The national lack of affordable healthcare, poor nutrition, inaccessibility to good food, and lack of education around nutrition are part of the inequity that for me had become personal.
Growing up in Southwest Texas in a predominately Mexican American community, I lived and witnessed firsthand what food deserts, lack of economic resources, and the lack of education about nutrition can do to generational health. Our black and brown communities deal with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and chronic pain at higher rates overall.
During such politically and socially charged times, working at a busy Chicago clinic that catered to mainly a certain demographic didn’t feel good anymore. In my own small way, I wanted to be a part of the solution for my community.
At FPCA, I offer a sliding scale model to make treatment affordable to most people. This allows a patient to have more treatments more often and to be able to treat a chronic or acute health concern without having to fall back on the use of opioids when they are not absolutely necessary. Nutrition and lifestyle recommendations are always a major part of any treatment protocol and are essential for long-term wellness and pain management.
This is especially true for people struggling to manage diabetes, other metabolic health issues, and chronic pain.
I love Savannah! People here are friendly with a generous spirit. My clinic is still new and I’m going through the growing pains of most businesses in a pandemic, but I’m hopeful. I’m excited to meet and collaborate with other local pain management specialists and to bring acupuncture to more mainstream clinics and to the general publics’ attention.
I’m excited for a time when Western and Eastern medicine really collaborates on a deeper level for the good of the patient. I see a future where acupuncture is a solid fixture in pain clinics and hospitals across the country and where the need for opioids, and their dangerous side effects, can be greatly reduced.
A pandemic brought me to Savannah and now it’s my home. I’m proud to be a part of this soulful community and to contribute in my own way to its health.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a rocky road. Like many people, my profession took a big hit during the pandemic shutdown. The bottom completely fell out for almost a year. I had to get clear about what was important to me quickly and make a move to make my savings last longer.
I wasn’t emotionally ready to leave Chicago and landing in a new city with a new community during a pandemic has been difficult. I have experienced levels of loneliness and financial insecurity I didn’t expect. Still, I consider myself lucky. I’ve met some amazing people in Savannah and I’m focused on providing the best care possible.
I’m learning that slow and steady is good and that I have to surrender to that.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Front Porch Community Acupuncture LLC specializes in treating pain, hormonal balancing, holistic nutrition consulting, and now Cosmetic Acupuncture and Microneedling. We offer a sliding scale for acupuncture treatments so that people don’t have to live with pain. I am proud that we take the mystery out of Chinese medicine and can explain how acupuncture works in a way that is easy for anyone to understand.
We are different from most clinics because we offer a sliding scale that makes acupuncture more accessible. I want people to know that acupuncture is a safe and powerful medical modality that treats no only pain but a variety of other health concerns, mental health issues and it’s even amazing for facial rejuvenation.
Acupuncture doesn’t hurt. The tiny needles are as thin as hair and most people don’t feel the insertion. It can be so relaxing that most people fall asleep during their treatment.
I especially want people to know that acupuncture can be a great option for opioids and over-the-counter medication for managing pain, stress, and diabetes.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey is that lining up my values with my profession is everything. I’ve learned that if I keep my communities health needs at the forefront of my purpose, everything will fall into place. I trust this.
Pricing:
- $45 – $65 initial consultation and treatment
- $40 – $65 for return acupuncture treatments
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.frontporchacupuncture.com/
Image Credits
Images created by Gabriella Rivera.
