Meet Josh Whiteley | Acupuncturist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Josh Whiteley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Josh, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I saw a lack of accessible and affordable healthcare options available to the community and wanted to fill in that gap. I practice acupuncture and Chinese medicine which has traditionally been practiced in a way that allows it to be a very common part of people’s lives. As an independently minded person and not a lot of jobs out there for what I do anyway, I knew the only way to successfully create this opportunity was to build a clinic that filled this need in the Tucson community. I knew using a model of high volume, low cost acupuncture would be successful and embraced and I have been grateful for the response the clinic has gotten.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Common Roots Acupuncture is a 501c3 nonprofit community acupuncture clinic serving Tucson and the surrounding areas. Our rates are always on a sliding scale of $25-45 (one time $10 new patient paperwork fee). Patients decide what works best for their budget always, no proof of income is ever required. We provide affordable, skilled, and individualized acupuncture and herbal medicine with extensive experience treating many conditions. Many times the cost of acupuncture and Chinese medicine exceeds the budget of working people and we are so happy to provide an accessible option. It’s been a long road and lots of hard work by many people involved in the process of creating this clinic, but also a journey filled with gratitude and joy. Along the way I’ve learned that providing a space for people to come where they feel supported and to hold space for the many life situations that come up is a great honor and I couldn’t ask for more than that.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I realize how much I like Tucson when I go somewhere else and end up in a conversation about it. I appreciate how much this town has to offer in the way of food, nature, music, art, community, and just being a laid back town. When people visit me the first thought I have is, ”Let’s get out in the desert!” A hike through Saguaro West or up Mt. Lemon is a nice way to show all tat the area has to offer. Tacos at Boca, a sandwich at Time Market, or a drinks on the patio of The Cup Cafe or dinner on Govinda’s patio are my favorite ways to finish an evening.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to send a shout out of strength, perseverance, and praise to the community of Tucson at large. I’m seeing how many of us are struggling with the effects of COVID- 19 and it’s effects on finances, physical, and mental health and have been so impressed watching how people have come together to be supportive of each other. I’ve felt built up in certain moments by people when I’ve needed it and am grateful to get to do that for others as well when I can be their support. Through all the tough and sometimes divisive times we are in as well, it’s so nice to see the spirit of this community coming together for our common good.

Website: commonrootsacupuncture.com
Instagram: instagram.com/commonrootsacu
Twitter: twitter.com/commonrootsacu
Facebook: facebook.com/commonrootsacu
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/common-roots-acupuncture-tucson