Home/Acupuncture
Acupuncture
Working with your body’s own intelligence — one hair-thin needle at a time.
The practice
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture works by helping your brain and body work together. The process uses hair-thin needles that stimulate specific points — depending on your pain — letting your brain know exactly where it needs to work. With acute pain, like a sprain, you may heal within a few treatments.
Conditions like chronic pain or digestive disorders take more treatments. Because the condition has been there longer, it takes longer for acupuncture to release the stagnant energy from your body.
This ancient technique comes from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dating back thousands of years. Acupuncture balances the body’s energy system — known as Qi (chee) — and a balanced qi encourages your body to heal naturally.
Treatment methods
Six ways we restore balance
Acupuncture
Hair-thin sterile needles placed at precise points.
Electro Acupuncture
A gentle current amplifies stimulation at the point.
Acupressure
Firm, targeted pressure along the meridians.
Cupping
Suction therapy that releases tension and boosts circulation.
Herbs
Custom herbal formulas to support treatment from within.
Moxibustion
Warming therapy with mugwort to move qi and blood.
Conditions
What does acupuncture improve?
Not limited to — these are simply the areas we see most often.
- Chronic & difficult diseases
- Reproductive disorders
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Digestive disorders
- Bone & joint disorders
- Immune & autoimmune diseases
- Beauty & rejuvenation
- Visual disorders
What does acupuncture help?
Acupuncture is helpful for (but not limited to):
- Muscle pain
- Tendon pain
- Nerve problems
- Body function — e.g. hypertension, chronic headaches, digestion, and infertility
Is acupuncture safe?
Yes. In California, acupuncturists are required to undergo a rigorous 4-year master’s program, including about 1,000 clinical hours and about 2,000 didactic hours in Eastern and Western medicine.
Acupuncturists take extensive courses in anatomy and physiology and must complete training in Clean Needle Technique. California students must also pass the comprehensive California Licensing Examinations.
What are the side effects of acupuncture?
Normal side effects include:
- Light bleeding from the puncture site
- A small bump at the puncture site
- A bruise at or around the puncture site
These usually come from thin skin and fade soon after treatment. To learn what sensations to watch for, see “Feelings of acupuncture” below.
Feelings of acupuncture: good signs
During acupuncture you may feel many different sensations. Sensations that mean the nerves are being stimulated — these are good signs:
- Feeling heavy
- Warm
- Tingling
- Electric
- Pressure
- Burning
After treatment you may feel dizzy or temporarily sorer — that’s because the nerves have been working hard and were well stimulated.
Feelings of acupuncture: not-so-good signs
Sensations that mean your muscle is tight and the nerve can’t be fully stimulated — these are not good signs:
- Sharp
- Pinch
- Throbbing
Let your acupuncturist know if any of these occur. If the muscle still feels tight before your next visit, use a heating pad on the area.
How many sessions will I need?
Everyone is different. Some people feel better after 1–2 sessions; some need more than a month.
Chronic pain needs more time to treat — when pain has lived in an area for a long time, it takes longer to stimulate the nerves to work with your brain. Muscle problems are generally easier to treat than nerve or body-function problems (e.g. high blood pressure, chronic headaches, digestion, infertility).
How many needles will be used?
Everyone is different — the average is 8–10 needles. The number depends on the location of your pain and your specific condition.
Are the needles reused?
Never. We use single-use, sterile, stainless-steel needles to ensure your complete safety. Needles are responsibly disposed of in sharps containers after use.
Can I get a massage before or after treatment?
Yes — massage therapy complements acupuncture very well.
Can I exercise after treatment?
We suggest taking it easy after treatment, though light yoga or stretching is good. Your regular exercise plan is fine before treatment and the day after.
Which insurances do you accept?
Dr. Joe is a provider for most insurance plans, including health, auto, worker’s compensation, and veterans’ affairs, such as:
- AARP
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross
- BlueCross BlueShield
- Blue Shield of California
- Chirometrics
- Cigna
- Harrington
- HealthNet
- IEHP
- Kaiser
- Medrisk
- Nippon
- Sedgwick
- StateFund
- TriWest
- United Healthcare
How can I make an appointment?
Please call (951) 270-0036 — text messages are welcome too.
How long will my appointment take?
Your first session includes a consultation and treatment and usually takes about 60 minutes. Follow-up treatments for established patients typically last 30–45 minutes.
Auriculotherapy
Ear Seeds
Self-adhesive ear pellets — have you seen Hollywood celebrities wearing these?
These gold-plated Swarovski crystals are small and decorative, so no one will know they’re on your ear for treatment. They stick on, ready to go, and deliver long-lasting acupressure for 1–2 weeks at a time.
Worn up to 2 weeks, they help with:
- Weight control
- Menopause
- Depression / stress
- Memory loss
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Infertility
- Insomnia
- Back pain
- Allergies
Ask the staff for more info and get yours today!
Same-week appointments available
Ready to feel better?
Call or text us — we’ll find a time that works for you.