ACUPUNCTURE
Touro College Acupuncture Clinic
33 W 23rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves, lower level (212-463-0400, ext 313)

What is it?
Part of Touro’s Oriental Medicine program, the clinic offers discounted treatments—$10 for the first visit, $25 for subsequent visits—performed by grad students working toward a masters of science in acupuncture. In the tradition of Chinese medicine, a diagnosis is made by asking specific questions about a patient’s health, taking a pulse and examining the tongue.

How was it?
Our long-standing fear of needles was quickly allayed by the pleasant demeanor of the staff. Four student assistants (and one professor) questioned us; then, needles were placed in our body (left ear, elbows, ankles and knees). The pain was minimal; mostly we felt relaxed (though our ear got quite warm—a common reaction). Our diagnosis? We’re “run-down.”

Worth the risk?
Before this experience, the thought of anyone poking us—professional or otherwise—was frightening. But in these hands and at this price, we’d be willing to give it another go.

DENTAL
The NYU College of Dentistry
345 E 24th St at First Ave (212-998-9800)

What is it?
Going to the dentist is painful for any nonmasochist (remember Marathon Man?), but the price of care can be worse than the throb of an abscessed tooth. The NYU College of Dentistry offers affordable checkups ($50) from dental students, with professors keeping a close watch over their charges and your mouth.

How was it?
“I feel very unworried here, because there are three, four people looking at you at the same time. At a private practice there is only one,” says Gihan Sakr, 57, who makes the 80-mile commute from her home in Oxford, CT, for orthodonture that she says would cost her $20,000 at any other dentist. Sakr is paying only $2,000.

Worth the risk?
There’s no risk, really—the students are supervised, the pain surprisingly un–Little Shop of Horrors.

DINNER
L’Ecole
462 Broadway at Grand St (212-219-3300)

What is it
A five-course feast goes for $40 at the house restaurant of Soho’s French Culinary Institute. But the wanna-be cooks are newbies in name only. Inside the serene, high-ceilinged eatery, black-clad servers (professionally seasoned, not students) dispense gratis canapés like fried corn fritters with fresh-made guacamole.

How was it?
The ever-rotating, contemporary-French dishes are spiked with global accents, such as curry-glazed scallops with baby beets and horseradish crème fraîche, and country pâté with cherry chutney—each creation as tasteful to the eyes as it is to the tongue. If this is amateurs’ work, every chef should be an amateur.

Worth the risk?
Passion-fruit cheesecake with a macadamia nut crust. In other words, yes. If only wine—starting at $7 a glass—were included.

DOG GROOMING
New York School of Dog Grooming
455 Second Av at 26th St (212-685-3776)

What is it?
Depressed that Rover’s coif cost more than your own trip to the salon? This place offers cuts starting at $28 for smaller dogs and maxes out at $35 for larger pooches. If you happen to become enthralled by the art of canine cosmetology, pick up an application at the school, which has been training doggie beauticians since 1960.

How was it?
Christine Barci brought her Pomeranian, Palmer, to a pro groomer in the East Village, but maintains she had better results with the school. “I had him cut here last year, and I liked the way it looked. He doesn’t seem to have any complaints,” Barci says. “Palmer’s got attitude. Now he’s going to have a bigger attitude.”

Worth the risk?
If you have room in your apartment for your dog’s ego, sure.

HAIRDRESSING
New York International Beauty School
500 Eighth Ave at 35th St (212-868-7171)

What is it?
Walk-ins are welcome here, where students practice on mannequin heads (just like on Shear Genius!). Licensed instructors supervise all work, and you can choose from a variety of styling and cut combinations for $10 and up. The studio is well lit and clean, with up-tempo Top 40 tunes blaring over the radio.

How is it?
We chose a wash, dry and set and found it well worth the $10, as did the other two customers in the salon. Shampoo and conditioner were massaged in and out under warm water, followed by a long, hot session under the dryer. Big bonus: The student stylists chat earnestly about your hair, but not much else.

Worth the risk?
You’ll notice we got our hair washed, not cut (prices vary). While the service was flawless, we got an uneasy feeling walking in. Like Mom always says, be careful of sharp objects.

PSYCHOTHERAPY AND PSYCHOANALYSIS
NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis
240 Greene St at Washington Pl, third floor (212-998-7890)

What is it?
Like the dental school but for your brain, the practice here has postdocs treating you while being supervised by their teachers. Prices—as low as $5 in one case—are arranged according to a person’s income.

How was it?

Our guinea pig signed up after friends recommended it. “I had no idea there was anything affordable out there,” says our wishes-to-be-anonymous friend. She’s been going there for more than a year. “It’s amazing how much stuff you can explore if you have the opportunity and find somebody who’s helpful, has empathy and can guide you a little bit.”

Worth the risk?
It is for our contact, at least. “I’ve been in this city eight years, going to this place for one and have seen concrete changes,” she says. “It’s helped me survive in New York.”