AHAC was initially formed in August 1999 by a small group of students and homeless advocates, who were concerned that the benefits of alternative healthcare were becoming exclusively available to the wealthier segments of society. Previously, the Sound Clinic provided full service alternative and conventional healthcare to the downtown Seattle community until its closure in 1997, which created a void in accessible alternative healthcare for low-income & homeless people.

In 2010 it was estimated that nearly 8,000 people were homeless in the Seattle area, according to the one night count of Seattle King County Coalition for the Homeless. Studies show that people in stressful circumstances (such as homelessness & unemployment) are more likely to also suffer from ill health.

As alternative healthcare's focus is on disease prevention and restoring the body's natural balance, it is a strong tool for re-establishing and maintaining health in this population. One of AHAC's primary goals is to establish onsite clinical services at social service centers for low-income and homeless people to help address this need.

Since the start of providing services in October 2000 through June 2010, AHAC has delivered 5,500 treatments to 1633 clients.

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