As the Director of Qi Zone Wellness, Juan Cortez pursues a mission to guide diverse communities in a wide range of holistic health practices for harm reduction and beyond. With decades of experience in acupuncture detox, massage, reiki, tai chi, qigong and sound healing as well as running one of the most eminent holistic harm reduction centers in NYC, Juan now offers educational workshops and consultations worldwide.
As a young drug user in the 1990s, I was introduced to acupuncture and harm reduction for the first time on the streets of Harlem. As a result of this introduction, my life was saved. Once on the track of holistic healing, I started volunteering at New York Harm Reduction Educators (NYHRE) in 2006, became a peer doing outreach as I was detoxing and going through withdrawal from methadone, crack and pills. Combining harm reduction at NYHRE as well as receiving acupuncture treatment and attending support group meetings at Lincoln Recovery Center (Lincoln Detox), I was able to achieve my goal of being drug-free. Soon after I took the detox acupuncture training at Lincoln in 2006, I was hired at NYHRE as a case manager before transitioning into the holistic services department where my true passion lies. I am currently the Holistic Services Manager at OnPoint NYC, one of the nation’s most eminent harm reduction clinics. My holistic health team treats thousands of people each year, and I connect with hundreds more people each year during street outreach and community events.
In 2016, I earned a degree in massage therapy from the Swedish Institute specializing in Shiatsu. I hold certifications as a Reiki Master, Tai Chi and Qigong instructor, Personal Fitness trainer, Black Belt in ITF Tae Kwon Do, and as a Registered Trainer with the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) and serve on their Board of Directors. I have trained people from across the world in the use of auricular acupuncture and reiki, to manage drug use and reduce stress. I am also a consultant for NYU School of Public Health and Street Works Safe Horizon, and have aided people around the country in setting up clinics and other projects.
My passion is bringing holistic services to people that may not otherwise be able to access them– like myself when I was first introduced to harm reduction on the streets of East Harlem. Using my own personal and professional experience I work with formerly incarcerated people, military veterans and young injection drug users using acupuncture and other holistic tools as an introduction to wellness and harm reduction. The most important tool I have is my love and respect for the people I serve and my community.
The main ingredient for healing is love, and the acupuncture needles we use are an extension of that love. I feel we must educate future generations on the legacy of Dr. Mutulu Shakur, the Black Panthers, the Young Lords and Act Up. We must not accept stigma, racism and oppression. We must speak up for our rights and heal together as a community.
– Juan Cortez