It’s time for me to serve my local community in Alameda, where I moved in 2007. I’m starting to build a practice here on Mondays and Wednesdays, in central Alameda near the Crosstown coffee house and the hardware store. For Oaklanders, it’s just a few minutes off the 23rd Avenue exit. I welcome all of my neighbors in the east bay to come in for a rejuvenating treatment to start your summer in balance and good health!
I’m waiving all first-visit-fees for the first few months as I build my practice, and starting with a discounted rate for anyone who joins my practice this summer. Feel free to call or email me for details!
As my practice builds, I will have more days available in my practice…so tell a friend…

The new space is ready to go for April. I’ll be shifting to the beautiful Spiral Muse House in the sunny Mission district, a space complete with stained glass windows, a top of the line massage table for your comfort, herbal tea in the waiting room, beautiful lighting, and an essential oil diffuser for those wishing to complement their treatments with aromatherapy. My new hours are all in the afternoons—Wednesdays and Thursdays after 3 PM.

Spring is the season of the wood element. This element is the domain of the liver, the organ which regulates the qi and blood as they travel in the body, and it is an element of growth and change. These principles are holding true for Heavenly Stems Acupuncture, now going into its third year. My stay at Soothe Spa has been delightful, but it is drawing to a close due to renovations, and next month I will find myself in a new home, which I am in the process of seeking out. Keep posted for updates!
Also, I have just added custom mixed herbal concentrated granules to my menu of herbal offerings. I can now mix a tailor-made formula of KPC powders with one to two weeks notice. These granules are much more effective than the pills, especially since the formula can be customized, and much easier to prepare than bulk herbs—they are simply stirred in warm water.

Growth and change are underway at Heavenly Stems this spring! As the plants and blossoms bloom, new ideas are being hatched in the treatment room!

My new hours are Tuesday and Thursdays instead of Mondays and Fridays, making it easier for you to enjoy the sunshine with long weekend excursions!

I now have use of a towel warmer, so I am closing treatments with a soothing foot rub with a warm towel and your choice of essential oils. Delicious!

Finally, I am working on a menu to offer treatments for the needle-phobic. In the near future, expect:

– Acupressure and cupping sessions

– Moxabustion sessions. I have a high quality moxa box and loose moxabustion. For warmth, relaxation, pain, and relief of menstrual cramps.

– Sound healing with tuning forks. This system stimulates the meridians and points with
the tuning forks to relieve stress and pain and stimulate your subtle body.

– Needle-free electrostimulation with TENS. For sore shoulders and neck or other muscle stiffness.

Or any combinations of the above!

If interested, simply inquire. A full menu with prices will be added to the website soon.

Thanks to all my lovely clients for your support!

Spring is just about to be sprung! Temperatures rise, the birds and bees will buzz, the flowers will bloom, and the spring winds will begin to blow. The qi is most concentrated in the Liver during the spring, the organ which regulates qi and blood. Thus, the quiet of winter transforms into activity, and tempers may begin to flare up. Take care to exercise your body to keep the qi flowing smoothly in the meridians so it does not become stagnant in the liver and flare up as wind. Liver qi congestion can cause irritability, mood swings, and muscle spasms or cramping. Liver wind can manifest as shaking or tremors. And when the heat in the Liver becomes too full and rises, it can cause headaches and dizziness. Soothing and cooling foods can counteract these tendencies, as can teas made with mint or chrysanthemum.

The season of the year is autumn. When the earth’s energies shift, so does the energy of our bodies. The internal qi mainly concentrates itself in the metal element, corresponding to the organs of the lung and large intestine. Colds and flus abound, so it’s useful to have some Gan Mao Ling or Yin Qiao San patent medicines on the shelf. Yin Qiao San is the formula of choice if there is a more pronounced fever, sore throat, and more yellow color of mucus. The lung organ is prone to dryness, which can weaken it, so it is good to check that the air does not get too dry from heating systems. Wearing a scarf to protect the meridians in the neck can also help prevent colds or flus from attacking by protecting the wei qi, which is pretty much equivalent to the immune system.
It’s good to eat warming foods such as soups and congees to start to nourish the yang qi of the body in preparation for the upcoming winter.

In addition to my acupuncture practice, I am also giving therapeutic massages in tandem with Russell Gonzaga, a very skilled and strong masseur of many talents. His style comes from training in Shiatsu and Swedish methods, while mine focuses on techniques of Tui Na and acupressure. During the massage, we work together to deeply stretch the muscles and joints, and the client can relax very deeply as the upper and lower parts of the body are massaged simultaneously. We charge $100 per hour for this service (1 hour minimum), and appointments can be scheduled at 415 570 1084. We are available 7 days per week and work from Russell’s treatment space in the Mission district.

Heavenly Stems Acupuncture is now on the world wide web! We are also opening our doors in the beautiful new location of Braindrops Healing, just north of Haight street near Golden Gate Park. Our opening party was a great success, and the place was decorated to the hilt with beautiful flower arrangements. We are offering 15% off of our services during the month of December, so don’t miss this opportunity to sample the many offerings of the space! There are cosmetic services such as waxing as well as therapeutic massage and facials. There is also a beautiful line of organic skin care products exclusive to Braindrops Healing.
In line with moving to the new space, I have upgraded the services I offer. I have stocked an extensive array of the highest quality of Chinese herbal supplements available in pill form. I have also purchased a top of the line electrostimulation unit with capacity for needle stimulation as well as attachments for TENS pads which are applied on top of the skin. This can be a very useful tool for alleviating the aches and pains which occur with the seasonal chill.
All are welcome to stop by for a visit, or drop an e-mail!