Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine at Sage
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At Sage we offer acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine within a holistic, integrative care model. Sessions are provided by a licensed acupuncturist in a calm, welcoming space at our South Berkeley office, with treatments tailored to support mental-emotional health, physical symptom relief, and long-term healing.
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Why Acupuncture at Sage?
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Caring & experienced practitionersAll of our acupuncturists are licensed Doctors of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine — the highest level of training in the field, representing over 2,000 hours of clinical study and practice. They bring genuine passion for integrative care and are committed to creating a professional, comfortable experience for every patient at our Berkeley practice. - Healing & therapeutic environmentOur clinic is designed to offer a safe, healing, & supportive environment for your treatment. We offer one-on-one acupuncture appointments in a private environment at our office in South Berkeley, allowing for greater relaxation and tranquility during your session. This format allows for our acupuncturist to focus on each patient's needs and progress in a comprehensive way.
- Acupuncture for Mental Health & Emotional WellbeingChinese medicine views the body, mind, and spirit as an integrated whole, making acupuncture a deeply complementary and holistic treatment for mental health and emotional wellbeing. At Sage, treatments are tailored to address the root causes of mental or emotional distress, rather than just surface presentation; supporting emotional regulation, nervous system balance, and mental-emotional wellbeing. Treatment plans are individualized and designed to evolve with each patient over the course of their care, in collaboration with your therapist, psychiatrist, or integrative wellness team.
- Support for psychedelic preparation & integrationAcupuncture can be a powerful complement to Ketamine-Assisted Therapy, as well as Psychedelic Preparation and Integration. Sage acupuncture treatments are tailored to help ground, resource, and open energetic pathways before a session, and to support nervous system regulation and deeper processing in the days and weeks that follow. Our acupuncturists work collaboratively with our clinical team to coordinate care, ensuring that acupuncture is thoughtfully integrated into each patient's broader healing journey.
What to expect?
The first step in beginning acupuncture involves a short intake - our Sage team will reach out to gather pre-appointment information via phone or email that will help your acupuncturist prepare for your session. At your intake appointment at our center, your acupuncturist will meet with you to conduct a thorough health exam, gather your health history, discuss any symptoms or concerns you may have, and go over your treatment goals. From there you'll have your first acupuncture session. Your acupuncture specialist will develop a treatment plan and recommend follow up visits, herbal formulas, and diet and lifestyle support as needed.
After our acupuncturist completes a holistic evaluation and determines what kind of treatment is appropriate that day, you will get into a comfortable position on the acupuncture table.
Our acupuncturist will then insert typically between 5 and 20 small acupuncture needles into specific points on the head, arms, hands, legs, feet, or back. The needles are very thin and our acupuncturists are skilled in their technique, so this is a generally painless process. The needles will stay in for typically 15-30 minutes, depending on the treatment goals. Research has shown that acupuncture increases endorphins in the brain and most patients report feeling very relaxed during the duration of the session; many people even fall asleep! The practitioner will then carefully remove and dispose of the needles at the end of the session.
Many patients describe feelings of tranquility and subtle improvements in their energy and mood immediately following their sessions. Patients frequently report symptom improvement in the days and weeks following each acupuncture treatment.
Our acupuncturist will then insert typically between 5 and 20 small acupuncture needles into specific points on the head, arms, hands, legs, feet, or back. The needles are very thin and our acupuncturists are skilled in their technique, so this is a generally painless process. The needles will stay in for typically 15-30 minutes, depending on the treatment goals. Research has shown that acupuncture increases endorphins in the brain and most patients report feeling very relaxed during the duration of the session; many people even fall asleep! The practitioner will then carefully remove and dispose of the needles at the end of the session.
Many patients describe feelings of tranquility and subtle improvements in their energy and mood immediately following their sessions. Patients frequently report symptom improvement in the days and weeks following each acupuncture treatment.
- Most people are good candidates for acupuncture treatment as it has been shown to be beneficial for a wide range of symptoms and concerns. There is substantial evidence supporting acupuncture for the treatment of pain, including neck pain, back pain, joint pain, chronic pain, and even dental pain. Many people find that acupuncture is an effective supportive therapy for mental health and wellness and provides symptom relief for anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and body tension. Our acupuncturists at Sage specializes in integrative mental health, offering treatments around integrative psychiatry, psycho-spiritual growth, and psychedelic integration. Acupuncture has been shown to be an excellent treatment for women's health concerns as well, including labor pain & pregnancy support, fertility support, & menopause symptom relief. Additionally, acupuncture has shown to be effective in the treatment of chronic headaches, migraines, allergies, chemotherapy-induced nausea & vomiting, and allergies.
- Whether you're experiencing any of the symptoms above or are simply seeking stress relief or support for your healing process, acupuncture could be a great fit for you. Our acupuncturist can provide additional information during the intake process on whether acupuncture may be beneficial for you
- Acupuncture can be an incredible ally for those participating in ketamine assisted therapy (KAT), increasing the effectiveness and augmenting the experience of the ketamine treatment. Acupuncture can support people in relaxing, calming their nervous systems, and entering into an open and receptive space prior to a KAT session. It can be effective in reducing/preventing nausea for those who struggle with this side effect of ketamine. People have found acupuncture to be helpful immediately after a ketamine assisted therapy session as well, to support them in grounding and coming back into their bodies, while amplifying and extending the relaxation cultivated in the KAT session.
Acupuncture is a modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which foundationally views illness and disease as an imbalance of the energetic systems of the body. Acupuncture helps to cultivate the smooth flow of energy through the body by unblocking stagnation, dispersing toxins, and helping rebuild strength. This is done through the insertion of small needles into specific points throughout the body along energetic pathways called "meridians," allowing for the rebalancing of energy and signalling the body to "turn on" mechanisms for self-healing. Research has shown that the needle insertions help promote blood circulation, increase immune responses, and release endorphins in the brain. This results in a healing response for a wide range of ailments ranging from lower back pain to anxiety.
For some patients where needles may not be appropriate or possible, an approach known as acupressure may be a similarly effective therapeutic modality. Instead of inserting needles, our Acupuncturist may use pressure from their hands or stimulation to unlock key points and allow the body to rebalance and heal in a similar way. Acupressure can also be offered via telemedicine for patients who wish to seek treatment from the privacy of their own homes.
For some patients where needles may not be appropriate or possible, an approach known as acupressure may be a similarly effective therapeutic modality. Instead of inserting needles, our Acupuncturist may use pressure from their hands or stimulation to unlock key points and allow the body to rebalance and heal in a similar way. Acupressure can also be offered via telemedicine for patients who wish to seek treatment from the privacy of their own homes.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an approach to medicine that has evolved over thousands of years, originating and traditionally practiced in China. TCM practitioners use multiple mind and body practices as well as herbal medicine to address health problems. In addition to offering relaxing acupuncture sessions, TCM treatment also involves an in-depth evaluation and comprehensive treatment plans tailored to the needs of each individual.
Our acupuncturists at Sage specialize in integrative medicine, meaning they are skilled at blending together both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western approaches to healing. These can include other modalities like cupping & massage, herbal medicine formulas, supplements, dietary protocols, spiritual practices, and lifestyle recommendations.
Our acupuncturists at Sage specialize in integrative medicine, meaning they are skilled at blending together both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western approaches to healing. These can include other modalities like cupping & massage, herbal medicine formulas, supplements, dietary protocols, spiritual practices, and lifestyle recommendations.
Meet Our Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine Providers:
- Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
