I wasn't ... skeptical about acupuncture. But I wasn't necessarily expecting the profound results I had working with Serina. Five stars may say enough. But if you are skeptical. Or if you know about acupuncture and are looking for someone to work with in Santa Cruz, read on and I will share the reason I give five stars. After enough years of living an adventurous lifestyle and the accumulation of injuries you earn and things that simply hurt. I shared the story and traumas of my body, current injuries and the injuries that never healed properly -- Knees that had seen three surgeries, hips that ache, but in particular I had a separated, shoulder from skydiving and a chronically sore Achilles tendon. Long story short, between acupuncture and physical therapy, my shoulder is good as new. And I have forgotten to think about my ankle. But that is only where the healing begins. With each session, Serina asked how I was, how my various aches and pains were doing. And along the way, as one who actively and empathetically listens, my divorce from two years ago came up. It had been very traumatic, and I had been through tons of therapy and was dating. All good! But I realized that there was energy work that needed to be done for me to be fully able to be vulnerable again. Serina guided me through this. I've learned an appreciation for what acupuncture can do. And I am so thankful for Serina's patient guidance along the way. read more

Amazing experience! This was my first time getting acupuncture on my face and a Gua Sha facial with face cupping. I couldn't have been in better hands than with Serina! My skin looks phenomenal! The entire experience felt luxurious and so relaxing. read more

Receiving accuglow facial treatments from Serina has been a wonderful experience. After the treatment, I look more youthful and my skin glows. It feels so luxurious to receive her hands on care and then come out of it looking radiant. I would highly recommend for anyone who wants to look and feel brighter or could use some pampering. Our regular acupuncture sessions have also been excellent for optimal functioning of my body and I feel the tension dissipate in my body during the session. Highly recommend! read more

I've seen Serina over the last 6 years for various reasons, and have been so pleased with her caring and expert treatments. I initially saw her for post-partum support after my first child, and then to help me get ready to conceive baby #2 and with that second post-partum period. Her care helped me stay energized, aligned and strong through what are some exhausting years for a new mama! Over the years, we also treated various things like wrist pain and stress and sadness. Her treatments were super effective. She was key in helping me navigate these tender years feeling grounded and healthy. She's warm and truly cares about her patients. I highly recommend her. read more

I've been seeing Serina for years, now, and working with her has been pivotal in my wellness journey. I can palpably feel her genuine care, love and excitement for her craft and for me as a client. The treatments I receive feel deeply nourishing, life affirming, and very affective in feeling more balance, ease, and flow in my body and system. I tend to be very sensitive, and she is able to set needles with such gentleness and precision- I never feel tension or a feeling of "too much" with her treatments. My experience is she is not simply following a protocol, but listening attentively to what my system needs in that present moment, each time I see her. She is especially amazing for all things women's health. What a gift! 100% recommend! read more

Serina is one of those rare practitioners who holds a lot of knowledge AND is constantly learning. I have concluded through a rigorous scientific process that I sleep better when regularly seeing Serina than I do without. Of the many acupuncturists I have seen in the past twenty years and two locations I can honestly say Serina is the best! read more

Wow! I've never experienced such incredible results from acupuncture as I have at Blossom Acupuncture! Serina is both grounded and highly experienced. I feel incredibly fortunate to have access to such an amazing practitioner who helps me address both physical and emotional needs. I highly recommend her! read more

I've been seeing Serina since 2016 when I was completely overwhelmed by menopause. She was invaluable in getting me through those years which were sooo hard. I appreciate her calm, skillful and compassionate approach. When I go to see her I feel heard and confidant that I will get the help I need. I have been to other practitioners but Serina is the best by far. read more

shes sweet ,kind ,listens, very gentle . There is no pain with the needles the results are subtle .She does japanese accpunture different from the chinese style but it does work .She does accupunture facials which i want to try next. read more

I have been seeing Serina for facial Accupuncture for over a year now, and highly recommend!!!! Leaving the office, I feel so bright and refreshed on the inside and out. I appreciate how she takes a holistic approach, even though I leave with my face feeling great, it's really a full body healing experience. She bridges a spa experience with a deep expertise in eastern medicine. I'm excited for my next appointment :) read more

Serina is an amazing Acupuncturist. I have been seeing Serina off and on for many years. She is always thoughtful, gentle, thorough and very knowledgeable. Recently I started seeing her for cosmetic acupuncture. I started a combination of Microneedling and AcuGlow Facials and the results are amazing. My skin looks the best it has looked in years! I have an amazing glow. Also, the AcuGlow Facials are so relaxing. It is my favorite self care right now! read more

I am 56 was having horrible hot flashes multiple times an hour which also woke me up every night. Menopause was really making my life miserable. One treatment and hens from Serina and they were gone!!! One year later ( last month) they returned and again, one treatment later ( with herbs) and I have not had a hot flash since. I cannot recommend her highly enough. read more

Truthfully I didn't know what to expect when I started acupuncture, but I have always been interested, and Blossom acupuncture is my perfect fit! It has been a fantastic experience from the very beginning, and I enjoy every appointment. The environment is warm, soothing, and welcoming and Serina is outstanding and so so friendly. She always gets right to the perfect spot that I need support with the very first try, and I leave my appointments feeling centered, relieved, and renewed. Whenever anyones asks about my appointments or how acupuncture has helped me, I have nothing but wonderful feedback to offer as my experience has been phenomenal since my very first visit. Now I am continuing visits and support through my pregnancy, and am still happily enjoying sessions. 5 stars all around, I am very happy with services. read more

I have been seeing Serina for a year and a half with no plans to stop. She is incredible. Having struggled with infertility, I began seeing her to help with conceiving. Together, along with doctors and infertility specialists, she made a plan to help support my body and mind on this journey. From infertility, conception, pregnancy, and now postpartum, Serina has helped with ovulation, back pain, breast health to stress and anxiety. She is a natural healer and an empathetic provider. I cannot recommend enough. read more

I have been seeing Serina regularly for a number of years. Her expertise as a practitioner, as a healer, are really remarkable. While caring for me through a number of injuries as well as multiple knee and back surgeries, she has helped me understand and manage my pain. Her caring and joyful manner set the perfect tone for every visit. read more

Serina is a wonderful and skilled practitioner. I can only highly recommend seeing her for any healing you may need. Her needles are gently set without pain and therefore comforting and relaxing to receive. I have seen her several times and eac h times I left in an elevated well-being state of mind. read more

I started going to Serena to help me quit smoking. She made it possible for me to quit after over 30 years of being a smoker!! I had tried everything in the past and Serena's treatments were the only thing that worked. I am smoke free over two years and continue to see her regularly and she is a GEM! Serena is patient kind and knows her stuff. I cannot recommend her enough. read more

sustanable healthy life.Serina is a deeply experienced and knowledgeable practitioner. She really cares of people and listen what her client's body needs for healing. After my first session, I was deeply rested and my body needed it. After a day or two, I noticed some more healing affects. I am grateful to knew her and look forward to more regular treatments for progressing my sustanable healthy life. read more

Serina gives you quarters for the meter. Wow, my initial stress walking into the clinic was that I didn't have enough change for the meter, and she just handed me a couple of quarters, and viola! The stress just rolled off of me! So, let me tell you, that was just the start! She took inventory of my symptoms, felt my pulses, and analyzed my tongue and then talked me through her recommended plan. It seemed comprehensive and clear, so we went with it. I was gently poked by healing needles, coddled with blankies and an eye mask, and was left to rest in peace and comfort. It was a wonderful experience that had the rest of my stress pooled at my feet, harmless. I highly recommend Serina. I really appreciated being talked "with", and not "at", and having my full body being taken into account, not just a singular body part. She is nurturing and intuitive, which is the exact necessary balance, according to me, for her apparent intelligence! You will not be disappointed! read more

I was suffering from excruciating leg/knee pain, insomnia, hot flashes, and feelings of complete imbalance and inability to cope with my high stress job in the medical field. I felt old and run down. My primary doc was at a loss and just prescribed drugs to attempt to treat these symptoms. Within 4 months of acupuncture and chinese herbs carefully administrated by Serina my symptoms are virtually gone. Hot flashes - gone! Pain - gone! Insomnia - gone! I feel balanced and rejuvenated. Thanks Serina! This is the best thing I've done for myself, EVER! read more

Serina and Blossom Acupuncture took me from a miserable painful place and brought me to a tolerable happier place. I was diagnosed with a level 3 herniated l4 and l5 with a medial bulge. My pain was the worse I'd ever experienced. Serina took her time, asked me questions, listened to what i had to say and followed through with her treatment. My most pleasurable days through my miserable experience were the days after she treated me. I knew she wouldn't magically make my herniation go away but she aided in my healing which also aided in my pain management and my overall attitude. My trust and appreciation will always be with her. If you are seeking acupuncture, I insist you contact Serina and Blossom Acupuncture. Thank You Serina! read more

This was my very first acupuncture experience. I feel blessed to have found such a knowledgeable and professional practioner. I have suffered from neck, back, and shoulder pain for several years. I was beyond amazed by the pain reduction of my first visit. I experienced immediate relief and a sense of balance / wellbeing all over. I've continued to see Serina for the past 3 months and have had life changing results! read more

I really enjoy Serina's acupuncture treatments. I have see her for chronic neck/back pain as well as for an acute case of bronchitis. After all of the treatments I've had with her I leave feeling healthier, more relaxed, and symptom free. She is very skilled with acupuncture needles - she has a way of inserting the needles that is absolutely painless. She has also used cupping and gua sha with me which I really enjoy. I highly recommend Serina! read more

Went to see Serina, almost as a last resort for my back pain and sciatica. Done surgery, epidural steroids, and still in pain. Serina has an excellent bed side manner. Listens to you, and thoughtfully decides on how to proceed. After only two sessions my pain has been greatly reduced, the pain in my hip has actually gone! Mind blowing. Wish I'd come a year ago instead of waiting. Thrilled that Serina is also considering my health as a whole. I think it's so easy to be consumed with pain that you don't realize what's going on with the rest of your body. Coming to Serina has helped me identify all my problem areas, and even after only two sessions, I'm feeling the benefit. Feeling hopeful and excited about a pain free future! Thanks! read more

Serina Marichiba falls into the category of "How in the world did I get so fortunate to have this gifted and wise practitioner of Chinese Medicine right here in Santa Cruz?" A friend told me about her surprisingly quick recovery after an injury, having had only one or two acupuncture sessions with Serina at Blossom, so I was hopeful. I presented Serina with my array of small concerns -- allergies, some arthritis -- things I hoped would not become chronic as time goes on. And I described my albatross, digestive issues, a long term problem. With each treatment (I've had about six) the minor things improved and now I rarely experience them. My digestion took longer and Serina added other therapies including moxibustion and herbal remedies. Everything -- the needles, Moxa, and herbs -- was comfortable and soothing. I always leave a session feeling refreshed and uplifted. And my body responded well. Today I can happily say that my long term troubles have gone away. Of course I intend to continue on with Serina. I can see she will help ease my passage into old age, helping me when things come up. And they always do! It is a rare pleasure to work with a medical practitioner who is both grounded and confident in her knowledge and abilities and modest about her accomplishments. I am grateful. read more

I've been going to Serina for two years, she was recommended to me by a friend. As a woman in her mid 40's, I was desperate for something to help with my changing hormones - I had dizziness, nausea, severe cramps and fatigue. Acupuncture from Serina has brought stability back to my life. My PMS is now manageable. During this time I also had shoulder surgery and acupuncture brought immense relief from the pain of rehab and "reset" the pain threshold. I've been to other acupuncturists with varying styles. Serina is the real deal. She takes the time to listen, answer my questions and get to the root of whatever is going on. read more

I also highly recommend Serina! I read over the other reviews and agree with many of the comments made. She is warm, knowledgeable, professional, and present. Yes, present. You feel as though she is there for you and only you while you are with her. She took the time to explain to me her diagnosis and thoughts on how best to treat my symptoms. After only a relatively short amount of time, I started to feel better. I had never experienced acupuncture, and I'm very glad my doctor referred me to Serina. It is like magic, as one of the reviewers said. I felt that way too. Serina was able to locate the different areas of pain with such ease. It was incredible. If you're considering acupuncture, don't hesitate. Call Serina now! read more