I'm lucky that over the years Dr Ara has always had her office near places Ive either lived or…read moreclose to family so I can pop in during a visit. Over the last 12 years I've followed her from pasadena, to SF, and now see her every chance I get when I visit family in Santa Barbara. She knows exactly what to do whether my neck hurts, my hormones are whacky, or I want a little microneedling. Highly recommend

No Yelp Elite member reviews yet? Hmm, okay, let me take a stab at it…read more I had bought a Groupon for Dawna Ara and it was soon to expire. So I tried calling but I didn't get a response. In the voicemail, she prompted to book via the website. You check the website and the only date that was available was the day after the Groupon's expiration date. Hmm...Plan B. Decides to email her directly and email Groupon just in case I can't use it. Groupon responsed and said they would give me credit in Groupon money if I never used the deal. Dawna also responded and after exchanging a few emails, we had settled on a date. So if you have problem getting through her, I would say email is the way to go. The date arrived and finding this place wasn't too difficult via GPS. However, it's a residential building and does not have any company name posted. Look for the house with the little white fence. I walked in and just saw candles lit and chairs with literature on the table. I also saw an Iphone but I figured that was hers. I was finally greeted by Dawna after what looks like the owner of the building came in and shut the door. Dawna does everything herself. So there's a bit of a wait before, during, and after the session. This was my first time at acupuncture and I actually did feel something working immediately after I finished the treatment. I came in for multiple ailments but she concentrated on the main aspect of my problem. BTW, the treatment was relaxing since I was lying down for 30 minutes but the actual treatment was a little bit shorter than I expected compare to the other reviewers. Also the massage was a bit shorter than I expected. Nevertheless, this place should be tranquil enough after she updates it with some furnishings since it is really bare at the moment. Thus, not bad for the Groupon rate. Note to add, if you ever check out the bathroom, it feels a bit slanted.

Caroline is more than just a professional with excellent expertise and knowledge on acupuncture -…read moreshe is a true healer. I have been seeing her weekly for a year and my quality of life has greatly improved seeing her weekly. If a take a break for a week I notice a difference. She is also so kind, attentive, and her quality of care is exceptional.

Caroline has resolved issues I was having with my eyes and ankle; my trigger finger is nearly…read morecorrected. She is so gentle in her treatments. I look forward to seeing her because of her calming way and visits with her completely erase the stress of my day. Caroline is so knowledgeable, and I appreciate her holistic thinking. - KM

I just love having a place where whatever is going on in me Mariko will work her magic! She…read morelistens, asks questions, feels your pulses and knows exactly where to place the needles. The office staff is so gracious and makes me feel so welcome every time and her newer space is beautiful. Having the herbs to take home if needed adds to a sense of full care. My daughter has gone to her as well. Highly recommend her!

Working with Dr. Mariko on pain relieve through acupuncture has been a wonderful experience and…read morevery helpful. I appreciate her wealth of knowledge, gentle touch with the needles, and overall professionalism and the positive demeanor she projects. The positivity extends to her assistant Yoselin who's warmth and friendliness is extraordinary. I appreciate their flexibility to fit me in, often at the last minute. I haven't yet extended my use of the practice into Chinese herbs, but am confident that if I do, I am in the right place.

Genuine, authentic health care. I wont go to anyone else! They listen and treat with care and…read morepatience. After months of issues with digestion and headaches my Dr's gave up- Mark cured my problems in Just two visits! Fees area quite reasonable and on Wednesday morning and Friday afternoon sliding scale fees are available.

I can't believe it has taken me so long to write this review!…read more I briefly shared an office with Mark and Nikki and saw Nikki for treatment as well; both while sharing office space and after. My experience in both sharing space and as a patient was always of the utmost professionalism, compassion and quality of care that I have experienced.

First time seeing Dr Kar, for acupuncture. Great front desk experience. Office space was beautiful…read moreand relaxing. He was not only gentle but knowledgeable, making me feel at ease throughout the session. It was easy to talk to him and I felt well cared for. I'm definitely looking forward to returning for future treatments!

Dr Kar won SB Independent's "best acupuncturist" in 2015 after being first runner-up for years…read more I am just in town for a year and asked my chiropractor, Dr Neal Barry, for a referral. He sent me to Dr Kar. My family friend at the Cape, related by marriage to the former director of Music Academy of the West, asked her for a referral (not knowing I was already set) and she too recommended Dr Kar. When I walked in, I remembered I'd come in 2000 during a time of such turmoil I didn't even recall having gone in for a session. (I have a Marilu Henner-ish memory, which really speaks to my state of mind at the time.) In college, I struggled with digestive issues. Then I was fine 25 years till menopause and it's been touch and go the past few years. Dr Kar is truly the best. He's incredibly intuitive and comes from a family of Chinese medicine practitioners. My doctor in New York is fantastic but after the session, I felt as though I had had 20 mg of Valium. Just remarkable. He prescribed herbs (I'm a skeptic but he kindly waived the new patient consult up charge so I acquiesced). They worked but I need to reduce the dose (3 pills 3x a day was too much). I'm here to write a difficult book and will probably go twice a month, but to start, I'm going two consecutive weeks. Pay cash if you can to avoid the 2.7% credit card fee. Parking is easy on State Street, especially in a pandemic, where for no reason this New Yorker and rational individual can fathom, people are still paranoid. Absurd. Every few weeks I look at the death toll for the county (423,000) and shake my head. For a YEAR, it's what New York had on a semi-good day. And by New York, I mean the city, not the Fingerlakes or God knows what upstate place that city people never go unless they own a house or know someone with a country seat.

Mary Tingaud, has been giving me thermography which I really like as a way to alternately screen…read morefor abnormalities. She's gentle and knowledgeable. I'd recommend her any day.

Mary is wonderful! I postponed the idea of acupuncture for along time, and now I love it! Mary is…read moreattentive to what I need and very knowledgeable.

On rare occasions one is fortunate enough to receive treatments from a practitioner who is not only…read morehighly skilled in their trade, but also proceeds with a deep and genuine level of empathy. My experience with Matt Pesendian exceeded previous levels of skill and empathy received from other acupuncturists. It is a relief and deeply nurturing to be in Matt's compassionate care.

Matt is a fantastic healer. My shoulder hurt so much lying down that I could no longer read in…read morebed. One acupuncture treatment from him was all it took and I can now read in bed. I now go in occasionally for a tune up or for various aches and pains. Matt's acupuncture treatment is more effective and soothing than a massage. I enjoy my time with him because he is professional, experienced, and caring. I cannot recommend him highly enough.

I was fortunate enough to snag an appointment today with Kristen for my first session of…read moreacupuncture. And what an incredible experience it was. At the start of the appointment I asked her if it would be possible to include Reiki in our session. Thankfully she was able to accommodate. First of all, the acupuncture itself was very pleasant and not painful (I just assumed it would be). She placed the needles in places that are known to enhance overall wellness as well as my scalp (still dealing with postpartum hair loss). Once all the needles were placed she stared on the reiki and I could feel it instantly. If you have never had reiki and are curious, I highly recommend it. Overall, I had such a great experience with Kristen. She was very accommodating with my appointment time and fit me in day of. She also had a crystal embedded heating mat on the massage table, which was a total delight. Highly recommend seeing Kristen if you are in Santa Barbara.

Kristen was my first acupuncture experience. I didn't know what to expect but I was having a…read more"weird" issue with numbness on part of my leg and I wanted to give it a try. She was easy to contact, appointment was easy to make and very accommodating for a first-timer. I ended up seeing her several times, continuing until my original problem was resolved. She was also good about following up to make sure that I had what I needed. Would definitely see again and recommend.

Elisa is incredible!…read more I first reached out to her after I was given a medical diagnosis that was delivered in a pretty disturbing manner, so I was dealing with the medical condition, with the triggering and inconsiderate way I was given the news, and with the fact that the disease runs in my family and it's something I'd been monitoring in the past. From the first time I met with her and in every subsequent appointment, Elisa has offered me a wonderfully affirming space, as well as a deeply intelligent and mindful approach to supporting my wellness goals. Each time I've met with her for an appointment, I leave her office feeling stronger and more present in my own Self (body, spirit, mind), and the work that takes place in iur appointments continues to carry over and benefit many areas of my life. I can genuinely say that I am able to navigate life's challenges with more confidence and trust thanks to the work that she has done to support me. I highly, highly recommend her!

I came to Elisa after suffering from severe gut inflammation that had me in the hospital for nearly…read morea week. The doctors I worked with were unable to give me answers, nor were they able to treat my symptoms well. I was simply given pain and nausea medication and sent home. I was unable to eat, barely able to move or walk, and was completely debilitated by a lack of energy, pain, and stress. Elisa's work was nothing short of transformative. Not only did she help me directly address many of the symptoms of my condition (particularly the incredible pain and nausea), but she also helped me target the underlying triggers, especially the stress. I entered her office weak, in pain, and without much hope for my condition. I left without pain, with more energy, and free from an incredible amount of stress that I had built up in recent weeks. The visit was not only cathartic, but it set me on a course to recovery. I was able to eat a real meal for the first time in nearly a week, and my energy levels returned enough to allow me to go for a morning walk and even a run a few days later. My condition continued to improve over the next few days, and things became even better after my second visit. I cannot thank Elisa enough for her incredible work. My visit with her truly marked a turning point in my condition and has been the main catalyst for my healing. Further, Elisa is an incredibly empathetic and intuitive person. She made me feel comfortable, open to achieving my objectives, and hopeful about the work we were doing. Working with her was a pleasure and a fantastic learning experience. I cannot recommend her services enough.

I called and texted as it said in her voicemail multiple times and never received a call back. I…read morewish I could have actually used her and wrote a great review, as it seems like she does great work.

I started seeing Jennifer about one month after suffering a severe herniated disc in my lumbar…read morespine. I forwent surgical options because I was hopeful my body could repair itself. Sure enough, with the help of Jennifer, it did. After a few weeks of steady treatment, my health improved by leaps and bounds. I've gone from crawling to the bathroom and taking short, painful showers to living my full life again. Now, with my back feeling better, I continue my visits for preventative maintenance. I have a traumatic history with needles (nausea, fainting), so Jennifer slowly worked up from conservative treatments to more aggressive treatments. Within the first few minutes of my first visit, this fear became a non-issue. The needles (more like filaments) are painless, and more often than not I would fall asleep shortly into the session. Jennifer's east-meets-west approach to acupuncture is a welcomed perspective in 2017. Her office is clean and peaceful. Her attitude is always positive and upbeat. She has never failed to treat me with patience and respect. Jennifer never fails to deliver the most relaxing two hours of my work week, and I look forward to working with her for years to come.