City celebrates Potrero Hill Healing Project pilot integrating acupuncture, chiropractic and yoga into public clinic

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors honored a pilot program at the Potrero Hill Health Center that integrates acupuncture, chiropractic care, yoga and community gardening into primary care services, and heard testimony from patients and clinicians about early benefits.

Supervisor Maxwell presented the recognition, saying the Healing Project is “groundbreaking” because it integrates alternative and Western care in a public clinic setting funded through the Department of Public Health (DPH). The project offers patients access to nonpharmacologic treatments and wellness programs in a neighborhood clinic.

Patients who testified said the clinic improved chronic pain, mobility and quality of life. One patient described being unable to walk before treatment and crediting chiropractic sessions and acupuncture with substantial recovery: “I couldn't even walk. And doctor Andrew, he actually, with all what he did in my body, it really helped,” the patient said. Another patient described long-term back pain and lack of insurance; after several sessions the patient reported being “more mobile” and “more flexible.”

DPH representatives told the board the pilot is part of a broader, integrative approach to reduce demand on primary-care visits by focusing on prevention and wellness. Supervisors heard that preliminary internal polling of providers at Potrero Hill indicated most found the project beneficial, with many reporting reduced need for primary-care medical visits and improved patient self-care.

Why it matters: The pilot expands services for uninsured and low‑income patients at a city clinic and aligns with San Francisco’s broader local steps on health‑care access. If shown successful, the model could be expanded to other public clinics.

Program details and evidence presented

- Services: chiropractic care, acupuncture, yoga classes and organic gardening, with appointments offered at least weekly. - Funding: supported by the Department of Public Health as a pilot program. - Early outcomes: patient testimonials of pain relief and increased mobility; provider polling indicating positive effects on patient self‑care and reduced primary-care demand; DPH said formal research is under way to quantify effects and cost impacts.

Next steps

DPH said it will continue to evaluate the pilot and document results; supervisors encouraged broader study to determine whether the integrative model can be scaled to other clinics. Several supervisors and health officials urged continued funding and research, noting the project could reduce medical costs by preventing disease and reliance on expensive medications.

Ending

Supervisors asked staff to track outcomes and reporting from the pilot. Patients, clinicians and supervisors framed the Healing Project as an example of practical innovation in public healthcare in San Francisco.