Welcome

Our Clinic

We invite you to use our online Genbook schedule, or call us to discuss a treatment plan for you: 650-948-9642. You can also download the Genbook schedule app to manage your appointments.

It’s a good idea for new patients to plan on making an initial visit as well as a second visit within the following week. We typically see clients one to three times per week for two to eight weeks or more. Frequency varies based on each client's needs.

Our Intake form is provided as an attachment within our online schedule. Please fill it out prior to your first visit; you may send it to us or bring it in with you. If you have had recent lab testing or imaging please bring those reports with you as well.

Schedule Online

Your Role

Choosing to take care of yourself is a key component of your over all well-being. A healthy lifestyle includes committing to eating well, exercising, and managing stress. Other supportive services, such as chiropractic, massage, meditation, and cognitive behavioral therapy, may also be part of your self-care routine. Acupuncture is a positive and complementary addition to any and all of these, often providing benefits your other supportive service providers will notice as well.

First Visit: 75-90 minutes

We will review your medical history, lab reports, discuss your health concerns and goals, feel your wrist pulses, look at your tongue, answer any questions you have, before you receive acupuncture. Hair-thin, sterile, single-use needles are inserted as you rest comfortably for thirty to forty five minutes. Most people feel incredibly relaxed during and after acupuncture.

Please have something light to eat before your appointment; it’s best not to be too hungry or too full when you receive acupuncture. If you exercise daily, it’s best to do this before your acupuncture treatment.

We prescribe herbal medicine and nutritional supplements, and explain the benefit you can expect from adding it to your treatment plan. We may also recommend/provide additional modalities such as gua sha, cupping, electro-acupuncture, acupressure, or moxa, and we will always explain the process to you.

Subsequent visits: 50-60 minutes

We will briefly discuss your progress, then you will receive acupuncture and/or one of the modalities mentioned above. Your provider will make additional recommendations as needed, and compose your herbal formula.

Fees and Insurance

Initial visit: $190

Follow up visits: $110

Please ask us about our package discounts.

We require payment at each visit, we accept cash, checks, credit cards, HSA and FSA cards.

We are out of network with all insurance plans, but we submit claims to your insurance provider on your behalf at your request.

Services

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the gentle insertion of tiny, disposable, sterile needles. Acupuncture points are selected in order to regulate the vital energies of the body. What do we mean by regulate? Many health problems manifest as excess or deficient, with symptoms of heat, cold, dryness, excess phlegm or fluids, stagnation, or pain.

Fire-Cupping

Fire-Cupping involves applying a glass cup to the skin with suction over an area where there is muscle pain, decreased sensation, coldness, or limited movement. Cupping moves blockage in the tissues that have built up as a result of injury, illness, or poor circulation. The suction action restores adequate blood flow to the area, accelerating the healing process after an injury or illness. Cupping is also used in early stages of colds and respiratory infections to assist in clearing the pathogen from the body.

Gua Sha and Graston

Gua Sha and Graston are techniques in which an oil is applied to the skin over an area where pain or limited function occurs. Then a flat edged gua sha or Graston tool is rubbed over the area with pressure, releasing tight, painful, numb, contracted muscles and tendons. These treatments are great post injury to help break up scar tissue and adhesions that limit movement or cause pain. Gua sha or Graston can also be used to release congestion and toxins from the lungs

Moxa

Moxa is the leaf of the plant Artemesia Vulgaris, or "Mugwort". Moxa is used externally to warm the body, invigorate blood flow, and dispel dampness and cold. Two forms are used: the smokeless stick, and indirect moxa applied to the needle handle.

We use moxa often in our clinic, and it produces a lightly smoky smell that you may notice when you arrive. We use moxa to help injuries and wounds heal better, post surgery for faster recovery, for clients with excessive coldness, for "mother roasting" - a treatment for moms postpartum to help restore energy and augment healing. We also use moxa with acupuncture on the outside of the little toenail for pregnant women with breech position babies. In 60% of pregnant patients, moxa and acupuncture helps correct a breech position between 33 and 37 weeks. We provide these breech treatments to help a baby reposition before doctors attempt a manual version.

Electro-Acupuncture

Electro-Acupuncture is the application of a pulsating electrical micro-current to acupuncture needles. It was developed in China as an extension of hand manipulation of acupuncture needles around 1934. Benefits include:

Reducing total treatment time by providing continued stimulus;
Producing stronger stimulation without causing tissue damage associated with manual manipulation of the needle;
Easier to control.

Herbs & Supplements

Herbal Medicine is the use of plant seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, flowers, mineral, and animal objects for medicinal purposes. Chinese herbal medicine usually consists of combining two or more herbs into formulas instead of using single herbs. While the scientific study of herbs began just over two centuries ago, CM formulas have been used to treat a wide range of health problems in Asia for thousands of years. Modern doctors of CM use herbal formulas which were created, recorded, and effectively used thousands of years ago and today.

In our office we use a combination of Chinese herbs, herbs from the U.S., and elsewhere, and Nutritional Supplements such as vitamins and minerals that are taken daily to improve your body's function. We suggest and sell many supplements here from reputable companies.