Your questions, answered

Internal medicine acupuncture, orthopedic acupuncture and dry needling, Chinese herbal medicine, cosmetic acupuncture facials, lymphatic gua sha facials, SkinPen® microneedling, cupping therapy, body gua sha, and ear seeds. Each session is customized to your needs.

977 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94110, in the Mission District. Easily accessible by BART, Muni, bike, and car.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 9am to 5pm. Thursday 9am to 7pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm. Closed Mondays. We also offer pop-up events and home visits in San Francisco. Current availability is on our online booking page.

Online any time at akaraintegrative.janeapp.com, or text or call us at (415) 754-9442. If you are not sure which service is right, email hello@akaraintegrative.com and we will help you figure out the right starting point.

We are currently contracted with a few insurance providers offering coverage for out-of-network acupuncture services. Coverage varies. We charge a small fee to verify benefits. We also accept HSA and FSA funds. See more on the fees page.

All practitioners are licensed acupuncturists with graduate-level training and thousands of clinical hours, certified by the California Acupuncture Board. Read full bios on our Meet the Team page.

Acupuncture is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and uses thin, sterile needles inserted into specific points to activate your body’s natural healing processes. From a Western lens, it stimulates the nervous system, improves circulation, regulates inflammation, and influences hormonal pathways. From a Chinese medicine lens, it enhances the flow of Qi through meridians.

We use high-quality Japanese needles that are about the width of a human hair, much finer than medical needles. Most patients feel a subtle sensation like warmth, tingling, or a gentle heaviness, and many fall asleep on the table.

A detailed consultation to understand your health history, concerns, and wellness goals, followed by a personalized treatment. You leave with a clear, customized care plan with recommended treatment frequency and next steps.

Eat a light meal one to two hours before, stay hydrated, wear loose clothing that rolls up to the elbows and knees, and arrive a few minutes early.

Depends on your condition and goals. Acute issues may resolve within a few sessions. Chronic concerns typically require ongoing treatment. We build a personalized plan and adjust as you respond.

Acupuncture is generally very safe. Some people experience mild side effects like slight bruising, lightheadedness, or temporary soreness at the needle site. Most clients feel relaxed and rejuvenated after treatment.

Yes. For children, we use gentle techniques and shorter sessions. For pregnancy, we focus on supporting nausea, pain, sleep, anxiety, and labor preparation, tailored to each trimester.

Yes. Acupuncture works alongside Western medical care, physical therapy, mental health treatment, and most medications. We regularly co-manage care with OBGYNs, PCPs, oncologists, physical therapists, and psychiatrists.

Sleep issues, digestive disorders, hormonal imbalance, anxiety, headaches, autoimmune conditions, chronic inflammation, immunity, energy and fatigue, and side effects of cancer treatment. Full page on internal medicine acupuncture.

We treat patterns of imbalance rather than isolated symptoms. Two people with the same symptom may receive completely different treatment plans. Acupuncture, herbal medicine, lifestyle guidance, and functional testing all support root-cause work.

Some clients feel improvement after the first session, especially for stress, tension, and sleep. Chronic issues may see gradual improvements over several weeks.

When appropriate. Functional testing helps us tailor herbal and lifestyle support more precisely. We use it as a complement to clinical assessment.

A focused style of acupuncture targeting musculoskeletal pain, injury recovery, and movement dysfunction. Treatments include needling of trigger points, motor points, and meridian channels, plus cupping, electroacupuncture, and movement assessment. Full page on orthopedic acupuncture.

The use of fine acupuncture needles to release tight muscle bands (knots) that refer pain to other areas. The needle creates a brief involuntary twitch, which resets the muscle. Highly effective for stubborn neck, shoulder, back, hip, and limb pain.

Licensed acupuncturists in California complete a master’s-level program with thousands of supervised clinical hours and pass a national board exam. Dry needling performed by physical therapists or chiropractors in some states is a much shorter weekend or short-course training. At AKARA, all dry needling is performed by California-licensed acupuncturists.

Some patients feel a deep-massage-like soreness for 24 to 48 hours after a trigger point release. Hydration and gentle movement help the muscles recover faster.

Yes. We work with runners, cyclists, lifters, dancers, and patients training with Equinox, Barry’s, BODYROK, and other partners around the city.

A system of plant, mineral, and food-based formulas used for centuries to address patterns of imbalance. We select or modify formulas based on your full presentation. Full page on herbal medicine.

Yes. We use professional-grade formulas tested for safety, purity, and consistency, and screen for potential interactions with prescription medications and existing conditions before prescribing.

We take a conservative approach and typically avoid prescribing herbal formulas during pregnancy and breastfeeding. We focus on acupuncture instead. If herbal support may be appropriate, we assess case by case.

No. Some patients use herbs short-term for an acute concern. Others benefit from periodic ongoing support. Formulas are reassessed and adjusted as your body changes.

Most formulas are taken as granules dissolved in hot water or as capsules.

Fine lines and wrinkles, skin elasticity, texture and hydration, dullness and uneven tone, jaw tension, puffiness, and inflammation. Because skin reflects internal health, we also address stress, sleep, digestion, and hormonal balance. Full page on cosmetic acupuncture.

Non-injectable and works with your body’s healing mechanisms. Supports long-term skin health rather than short-term cosmetic correction. Many patients use it on its own. Some pair it with their existing aesthetic care.

Most patients notice improvements after the first few sessions. For more visible changes, a series over several weeks is typical, with maintenance every four to six weeks.

Essentially none. Occasionally a small bruise may appear at a needle site and resolve quickly.

A medical-grade microneedling device (the first FDA-cleared one) that creates very small, controlled channels in the skin. The micro-injuries trigger collagen and elastin production for improved texture, firmness, scarring, and tone. Full page on SkinPen®.

Fine lines, acne scars, enlarged pores, uneven texture, mild laxity, and dull skin. Can be used on neck and other body areas.

A topical numbing cream is applied first. Most patients describe it as a light, prickly sensation rather than pain.

Skin is typically pink for 24 to 48 hours, similar to mild sunburn. Most return to normal activities the next day.

Not recommended during active acne breakouts, certain skin infections, active rosacea flares, pregnancy, or on specific medications like isotretinoin.

A traditional Chinese technique using a smooth tool (jade or stone) to gently stroke the skin in specific patterns. Releases muscular tension, encourages circulation, and supports lymphatic flow.

A focused facial treatment combining gua sha with manual lymphatic drainage. Reduces puffiness, sculpts the face, supports detoxification, and leaves the skin glowing. Full page on lymphatic gua sha facials.

Muscular tension, knots, restricted range of motion, headaches from neck and shoulders, and stagnant circulation. Often combined with acupuncture. Full page on body gua sha.

Body gua sha can produce small red or purple marks called sha in stagnant areas. Not bruises. Resolves in a few days. Facial gua sha is gentler and does not produce marks.

Yes, when performed by a trained practitioner. We avoid certain areas and adjust pressure based on your sensitivity and any medications.

Cups create gentle suction on the skin to lift fascia, increase circulation, and release deep muscular tension. Sometimes called a reverse massage. Full page on cupping therapy.

Back, neck, and shoulder tension, tight hips, sports recovery, post-workout soreness, headaches, and respiratory congestion.

The discoloration is not bruising. It is stagnant blood and fluid drawn to the surface. Marks fade in days to a week. Darker marks indicate greater stagnation. They become lighter with regular treatment.

Most describe it as a deep stretching sensation rather than pain. Pressure can be adjusted.

Tiny seeds (vaccaria) or metal beads placed on specific points of the outer ear with adhesive. Pressing on them stimulates the points without needles. Common for stress, anxiety, sleep, cravings, and pain.

Fine needles in specific points on the ear that support the nervous system, mood, sleep, and addiction recovery. The ear is mapped to reflect the entire body.

Three to five days typically. They can come off in the shower or while sleeping. Press them gently a few times a day to activate the point.

Yes. Specific points (Shen Men, Sympathetic, Heart) are well known for calming the nervous system.

Yes. Acupuncture improves blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, balances hormones, regulates cycles, and reduces stress. Helpful for natural conception and for those working with IUI or IVF.

Yes. We tailor treatment to each phase of your cycle, including stimulation, retrieval, transfer, and the two-week wait.

Many practitioners recommend beginning three to four months before trying to conceive, since that is roughly how long it takes for a follicle to mature. We can support you wherever you are in your timeline.

Yes, when performed by a licensed acupuncturist trained in pregnancy care. We tailor treatments to each trimester.

Yes. Acupuncture and herbal support are very effective for hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, anxiety, mood changes, and hormonal shifts.

24 hours notice required to cancel or reschedule. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours notice will be charged the full appointment fee.

Please arrive a few minutes early. If running late, text us at (415) 754-9442 so we can hold the room. Treatment time may be shortened to accommodate the next patient.

Yes. Gift cards can be purchased online and used toward any service or product.

Yes. We host pop-up events with our partners (Equinox, Barry’s, BODYROK, Alchemy Springs) and offer select home visits in San Francisco. Email hello@akaraintegrative.com for availability.

Happy to answer anything else by phone, text, or email. Reach us at (415) 754-9442 or hello@akaraintegrative.com.