Our History

2007

In 2007, our owner and founder, Lauren O’Brien, listened to the call of her roots and moved back to Philadelphia while pregnant with her first son. After leaving the city at the age of 18 to embark on her journey in the healing arts, Lauren returned home to Philadelphia to give back to the community she knew and loved.

Lauren started her acupuncture business in Queen Village, working 3 days a week for 3 years as she grew her family.

After 3 years in business, Lauren had 3 sons and a fully packed schedule! She was ready for her first expansion.

2011

Lauren wanted to be a part of the East Passyunk Avenue revitalization, and she was lucky to find a cozy spot across from the Singing Fountain, a popular year-round gathering spot for musicians, artists, farmers, and community organizers. The cozy spot was a run down podiatrist’s office that had been out of business for years. After two months of renovation, Lauren moved her acupuncture business from Queen Village to East Passyunk.

2016

In 2016, Lauren opened an apothecary in the waiting room of the East Passyunk clinic. The apothecary is fully stocked with Chinese herbs, vitamins, herbal pain remedies, tinctures and elixirs developed by local herbalists and farmers, and a variety of CBD products. As a prominent provider of alternative medicine, we consider it our responsibility to provide our patients and our community with access to the products we have tested and trusted for years.

2018

In April of 2018, South Philadelphia Community Acupuncture opened its second location at 519 S. 9th Street. Happy to be able to bring the healing services of our practitioners to the Washington Square and Bella Vista communities!

2019

Covid-19 pandemic closed our second clinic in Washington Square. We remained open as an “essential health care business” through the pandemic serving those most in need. We lost half of our beloved staff during the pandemic but we are still open on East Passyunk. We have grown into a vital source of health care at the mother of our business. We are grateful to still be afloat and of service during these challenging times!