Welcome to The Thrifty Taoist, Black Mountain’s affordable acupuncture and holistic healthcare choice. Located in downtown Black Mountain, NC, The Thrifty Taoist is western North Carolina’s only integrated acupuncture and crystal healing center - and one of only a few acupuncture practices in the area offering discounted group treatments.

Founders Jean E. Brannon, Licensed Acupuncturist, and Gregory L. Hagin, Crystal Therapist & Healer, looked to the roots of Taoist mysticism as their inspiration for creating a healing center. For centuries, Taoists have observed nature and used the many “tools” it provides in order to help keep people well. Acupuncture, herbal remedies, energy medicine and crystal therapy all have been used in Taoist healing practices, and it is that tradition Jean and Greg bring to the Black Mountain community today.

In addition to offering multiple modalities, Jean and Greg have set up a modest fee structure for their services so more people can afford holistic care on a regular basis. Historically, acupuncture has been shown to be most effective for chronic conditions when it’s received often enough and for a long enough period of time. In Asia, where fees are extremely modest, people will often be treated daily in order to address a particular issue or as a way of maintaining good health. But if treatments can run up to $125 or more for a single visit, as they routinely do here in this country, how realistic is it to expect most people to be able to afford even one treatment per week?

At The Thrifty Taoist, private treatments in acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutrition are $50. Reiki or crystal therapy sessions cost $50 per hour. Group acupuncture treatments, in which up to three people are treated at a time in comfortable recliners, are only $30. Jean and Greg believe that by making their treatments affordable, they can bring acupuncture and holistic healthcare to a broader cross-section of the community who might otherwise not be able to pay for alternative care. So whether you’re a student, a single mom, a senior citizen or somebody else looking for low-cost, quality holistic care, Jean and Greg invite you to browse through this website to learn more about how they can help you feel better … naturally!

Be sure to check out our “News & Events” page for the latest happenings here at The Thrifty Taoist. Currently, you can try a crystal tarot card reading with Greg for only $1 per minute. (Average sessions run about 15 minutes long.) Read more about Greg’s crystal tarot readings and healings by clicking on the “Crystal Therapy” button in the above header.

If you are visiting Black Mountain, we encourage you to come by our office and say “hello”! The Thrifty Taoist is conveniently located downtown on Black Mountain Avenue - right next door to Black Mountain Natural Foods.  Parking is easy - there are spaces in front of our building, in addition to a small gravel lot right beside us. We hope you’ll give us the opportunity to treat you and your family to the age-old Taoist practice of natural medicine. We’d like to show you first-hand our healing philosophy … that we are absolutely committed to each person leaving our office feeling better than when he or she first walked in the door.

Please call us at (828)713-9185 to find out how we can help you feel better, at a price you can afford.