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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Y. Giovanna Dellorto

Altar acupuncture: A Minneapolis church brings well-being sessions to its migrant ministry

Be Well-Immigrant Ministry-Stress Relief - (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Right after Sunday worship at St. Paul’s-San Pablo Lutheran Church, Juan Carlos Toapanta lay in a lounge chair set up by the altar, needles sticking out of his forehead, wrist and foot for an hourlong acupuncture session.

“Just like the Lord’s light helps emotionally, the body’s pain is treated as well,” said the Ecuadorian construction worker, who suffers from sciatica and has worshipped at the Minneapolis church for about five months. “Everything feels freed, emotionally.”

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