I went to Dr Julia several times because I was in serious lower back pain. I had never tried acupuncture before, but I am a believer in her treatment because I am out of pain and able to move again. She seriously knows what she's doing, she has a great understanding of the human body, a great respect for it, a great table side demeanor, and really wants to see you succeed and get better. I would recommend her to anyone, and if you're in pain and needing to perform, go see her, she will improve your quality of life. Thank you so much, Dr Julia! read more

MARIEL is the bomb-diggity! So I went to acupuncture for the first time a few months ago. Like a lot of people I am DEATHLY afraid of needles, like to the point where I sometimes pass out because of it (LOL). She was so calm, and went really slow and made it a very comfortable situation. Let me tell you, you can barely feel the needle when it's inserted. She puts on relaxing music, a lavender eye pillow(by request). And ends with a nice neck massage. The more and more I go, I like to try new things. I've been doing "cupping". Which kind of hurts a little at first, but then is like a massage once you get over the pain. I'm obsessed with it! I've been having this dull pain in my SI joint, so we worked on that the last appointment, the pain is GONE! I love Mariel more than just My acupuncturist, she's a great friend and a wonderful spirit. read more

AcuLife - Cupping in progress - Acupuncture Near Me - San Diego, California

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Julia. Is. Incredible. I saw her for a knee issue a couple years ago and returned this year for another "tune up". I was a bit nervous at first, but Julia is super friendly and her sessions are so relaxing. I can't wait to be out of school and working so I can see her for appointments more regularly. Thank you Julia! You're the best. read more

For the past two years I have had off and on back pains. I live a very active lifestyle and some days I would wake up and my back felt like it belonged to an 80 year old man, not to a 27 year oId. I needed a new way to treat my back and a friend recommended acupuncture. After doing some research online I decided to give it a try. I came on Yelp to look for an acupuncture practitioner. Julia's page grabbed my attention because of the amount of high reviews she had. After reading all the positive feedback on her page I decided to set up an appointment with her. The day of the appointment Julia spent the first 10 minutes examining my back and getting some history about my back pain. She explained thoroughly what the treatment would consist of and always asked how my back felt throughout the session to make sure I wasn't in any pain. The treatment was awesome. I have never felt so relaxed in my life. I had a huge smile walking to my car because I couldn't believe how much my back felt better. After the session she told me to expect some soreness for a few days and she would follow up with me. After that session I knew that I would become a frequent patient of Julia for a few reasons. First, her treatment is wonderful. After my second treatment my back pain was gone. There were times that I couldn't stand up straight because my back was hurting so much. Now I am able to do things I couldn't do two years ago and I feel great. I look forward to going in and getting work done. It helps both physically and mentally. It is hard to find a doctor that views you as a patient and not a dollar sign. Julia follows up with you to make sure that you are doing ok. Before each session she takes the time to see how you are doing and if there are any new injuries. She recommends things that you can do to help ease the pain and when you come in to see her she follows up to see if you have been doing her recommendations. I've never felt pressured to come in and get work done. She never once told me that I had to come in and get treatment this many times. Her great customer service and treatment is why she has great reviews on here. Go see her, you won't regret it! read more

All my life, I could never have imagined getting acupuncture. I won a gift certificate for a treatment in February and never thought I'd use it. Then, in March, I injured my knee on a half marathon. After a month, physical therapy wasn't relieving the pain and my therapist suggested acupuncture. Desperate for relief, I pulled out the gift certificate and reluctantly called. When I arrived for my appointment, Julia spent a lot of time speaking with me to understand the reason for my visit, my concerns and also my general physical state. She explained the process and explained everything she did. She targeted my knee and also selected a few points for stress relief. After she left the room, I could feel everything in my body moving around, blood circulating, stomach grumbling, it was surreal; I couldn't believe how relaxed I was. After the treatment was complete, Julia did some gentle massage to the areas she treated. I was so relaxed I was actually a little light headed and didn't want to leave. As I left the building, I noticed my knee didn't hurt and thought my mind was playing tricks on me. Although I'm addicted to my iPhones (yes, that's plural) and my laptop, I went home and unplugged for an evening of bliss. I woke up the next morning and was still pain free in my knee. Although I wasn't magically back to running half marathons, I hadn't been able to bend my knee, wear high heels or use stairs without pain and I was able to do all of these things after just one treatment. I have become a regular client of Julia's and can not say enough good things about her. She continues to consult me on my knee recovery and is always interested in hearing what the doctors have to say. In reviewing my initial intake form, Julia noticed I wasn't taking any daily supplements and with zero pressure, suggested some supplements she thought would help me and I have definitely noticed the difference. She also suggested I try a chinese herbal blend for my allergies since I was taking claritin on a daily basis and, although they took about a month to set in, I haven't had an allergy attack in quite a while. Julia is not only a talented practitioner, but also an amazing person. I can't say enough good things about her and whether you are looking for an acupuncturist or are considering trying it for the first time, she is the BEST! read more

Julia!! You are the best. I have never felt so listened to and encouraged. I also despise needles... so this is quite a strange 5 star to give. But I am so happy to be in Julia's care. The place is pristine. She takes time to listen and her calm presence did help with my phobia :) she is a super gentle needler and it ended up going very smoothly. The office was a little hard for my navigationally challenged mind to find, but so worth the search. Get there a little early :) See you again soon, and thank you!! read more

I had never tried acupuncture before but needed some help for my sore back and shoulders so decided to give it a try. Usually I don't like needles, but the relaxed ambience in the treatment room along with Julia's professional and knowledgeable demeanor calmed my nerves immediately. The first few needles feel a little strange, but it is more of a deep tissue massage than a prick. I actually fell asleep while the needles were in and by the time I walked out my whole body felt relaxed and in some sort of natural high! I've been back a few times and would definitely recommend acupuncture for anyone who has never tried it. I also went to see Julia for a massage after running a half marathon and barely being able to walk the following day. Julia is stronger than she looks which is great because I prefer really firm massages. I had her focus entirely on my legs and felt so much better the following day. She also recommended a bath with Epsom salt that night which was totally relaxing. Check this place out for your holistic needs - you will find yourself going back for sure! read more

So, as far as customer service goes, I'm giving Julia 5-freakin stars. I was coming in from out of town (LA) for a wedding, so I emailed her via the 'contact us' page on the website. Within an hour (at 10pm) she emails me directly and tells me she won't be in town BUT does tell me the days and times she's available for the next week. Now THAT'S what I call customer service. I've never tried acupuncture, but I might actually have to drive down for a special trip to try out her services, based on the crazy good reviews here on Yelp. Stay tuned for the rest of my review (once I get the actual service :) I just had to let everyone know what great service Julia gives, especially since that's hard to come by these days. read more

I go to Mariel almost twice a month and she is an incredible acupuncturist. She is sweet, kind, and just an overall beautiful person/practitioner. Highly recommend her. On top of doing the traditional needle work she works with you and tells you about herbs, food, etc! She also does cupping! My EVERYTHING has gotten better after seeing her. My favorite part is the little massage with China gel you leave feeling like you're on a cloud :) read more

I came to Julia with severe neck pain, I literally could not turn my neck to the left even an inch. The treatment was incredibly relaxing, I immediately fell asleep (which I almost never do during acupuncture), however her style of needle placement promotes very deep relaxation. After 2 treatments my pain was so much better and I felt more calm and relaxed than I had in a long time. A bonus that she not only accepts insurance but the co-pay was very minimal - yeah! I can't recommend her highly enough, I'll be going back to treat insomnia which acupuncture is very effective for. read more

I'd recommend making this place part of your weekly routine. When you walk in you are greeted with a fantastic aroma and they have lemon water while you wait for your acupuncture or massage. I was a little nervous about trying acupuncture, not a needle guy, but I am a believer now! read more

I was pregnant, interested in prenatal acupuncture, and found Julia's information through Google. She was highly recommended and now I can pass the word on, too! I would recommend her to anybody! It was an amazing experience to feel the contractions during the acupuncture and I truly feel it helped me go into labor naturally. I did it twice. Julia went above and beyond to schedule me in (rearranging her schedule for me!) and even sent us a card once our little one was born. She is great, and I look forward to going back! read more

AcuLife will change your life! I've completed several sessions of acupuncture with Julia. After I finished my first treatment, I immediately had pain relief in my lower back and areas that I was experiencing numbness. I felt so relaxed and better circulation throughout my back & legs. Julia is simply amazing! She is very professional and is truly an expert in her field. There is a great positive vibe at AcuLife. I highly recommend AcuLife. read more

Thoroughly pleased with Julia! Very professional, thorough and kind. I have never experienced acupuncture prior to working with Julia. She made me feel very comfortable and explained everything prior to my first session. I was in a car accident last September and have herniated discs in my neck and back along with a bruised bone on my knee. After my 3rd or 4th visit I was very excited to tell her that "I really believe this is working!" I have complained less (you can ask my boyfriend and co-workers) about my neck and back and can even go up and down the stairs with my bad knee not holding the railing any more! My stars I've never expected anything like this. I thought I was bound for a pain filled remainder of my life. I completely intend on exploring other avenues of acupuncture, with Julia as my guide. Thank you so much I really appreciate your work. You are amazing Julia! read more

I started seeing Julia for acupuncture, after three weeks of intensive hand therapy brought mixed results for my tennis elbow. Julia is amazing! The relief I felt after the first visit alone was a minor miracle. I think the relief came maybe a day after treatment, but the difference in pain level or lack thereof was truly incredible. I have continued to see Julia once a week for treatment on the same area. I have found her to be compassionate, highly skilled, and truly gifted at what she does. And I love that she gives the area a mini massage after the needles are taken out. In addition to being excellent at what she does, Julia is a joy to be around. I will always be grateful to her for helping my body rid itself of tennis elbow and work through an emotional block or two. Seeing Julia also allowed me to avoid a painful and risky shot of cortisone. Bless you, Julia, for being such a compassionate instrument of healing! Five stars and then some :-) read more

Mariel is beyond amazing! I've been getting acupuncture from her for almost a year and I go religiously every Friday and it's truly made a huge difference in my wellbeing. Mariel is fun, kind & gentle yet her treatments are very powerful and healing. I look forward to seeing her smiling face every week as she assists me on my own journey of peace, healing & keeping everything balanced. We've added cupping a few months ago and wow that's been a life changer. I've noticed much more energy and vitality and my body has responded very well to our new treatments. I'm not a fan of needles but Mariel has such a gentle touch and I don't feel them going in. She also offers great essential oils that deepen the relaxation process while you lay there for about 20 min listening to tranquil music in the background. The icing on the cake is the complementary massage at the end of your session. Thank you Mariel for being a wonderful healer and an amazing soul!! I love & appreciate you dearly. Happily, Tony read more

I am grateful beyond words to have found a great fit with Aculife for acupuncture! What is even better is I have have had the privilege to have been seen for acupuncture by both Mariel and Julia! Both women are incredible at their practice and I am blessed to have been helped by them. I came to them with a severe lower back injury and both Mariel and Julia worked to get it under control. Now Mariel works to maintain it with new techniques that she is always bringing to the table! I look forward to going to Aculife as Mariel makes it simple to coordinate appointments and billing is a breeze. Julia and Mariel are running a well oiled, professional machine that is healing for the mind, body, and soul! It never disappoints! read more

Julia is AMAZING!! I started going to her last week and am starting to just feel better. She is very informative and very kind. I highly recommend her if you are looking for a great acupuncturist. read more

Best acupuncture I've had outside of China. I love how Julia incorporates massage into her acupuncture techniques. If you think about it, this compliments what the needles are doing. I would encourage you not to be afraid of needles. They're tiny and you don't feel them going in. And if you happen to get a twinge of pain, that means that the needles need to be there. Think of it like getting a knot out during a massage, which isn't super comfortable but it is necessary. Anyway, she's good at putting them in. I've had plenty of acupuncturists that are not. Julia also does facial acupuncture which is a natural substitute for botox. I can't wait to try it! read more

I don't know what I would do without Julia. I am a professional ballet dancer, and the acupuncture treatments I've received from her have made a massive difference in my body. There is no question that her treatments have given me a lot of relief from nerve pain, tightness, inflammation, and numerous other kinks that go along with my work. She puts you at ease, and I find my sessions with her so relaxing that I almost always fall asleep. Julia is also very skilled with cupping. She is the go to acupuncturist for the professional ballet company of which I am a member, and so many of us rely on her to keep us going. At least a few times a week, someone will cry out "I need Julia!" I'm so thankful I've found her! read more

I have had acupuncture treatments from Julia on numerous occasions. It is amazing how much better I feel after a treatment with Julia. She knows her stuff and is very intuitive...I would recommend my grandmother to Julia. read more

Julia is truly a gifted healer. She has helped me through some acute crisis situations as well as body/mind wellness maintenance which is where I am at currently. She knows how to make you comfortable even when you come in in pain. I was nervous about Acu and a little squeamish with needles before having my first treatment, but Julia is gentle and kind and always checks in to make sure you're comfortable. I cannot recommend her highly enough for anything from injuries to pain management to stress relief/relaxation. She has even helped me with some hormonal balancing with herbs. What a gem. I am so grateful to have found Julia/AcuLife. read more

Best treatment! Julia is the best acupuncturist and masseuse. I wish I have time to go every day!

Amazing! My first time doing acupuncture and Julia was so knowledgeable... plus she is VERY accommodating with insurance plans!

Julia is a professional person , very kind and her treatment has been very good . I recommend this center and especially Julia ( I' m sorry for my English I'm Italian ) read more

When I was deathly ill with the flu, a friend recommended that I try acupuncture. So I found Julia. She knocked my flu out in 24 hrs! Who knew? So I went back to her when I injured my shoulder in a rock climbing accident. She was able to speed up the healing process of my sports injury, too! Definitely try her out! read more

Julia is amazing! I have seen her for a variety of orthopedic injuries and she knows her stuff. She uses a combination of testing, acupuncture and massage to resolve the pain and strengthen the muscles She is nurturing but firm in her treatments! Highly recommend! read more

If you've never tried acupuncture....TRY IT! I found this place by accident via a Groupon and thought it'd be an interesting experience to try, just once. After my initial visit today...I'm officially a fan of needles in my face! Julia is fantastic....I was a bit nervous about getting stuck, but she walked me through the process, answered all my questions, and I could barely feel the needles as she inserted them in my ears, face, arms, legs, feet, etc. (Actually felt kinda good!) The best part was the euphoric feeling that I got once I had all the needles inside me, lavender eye cover, great music, and a good 10-20 minutes of silence just to chill...not to mention that it ended with a great massage on my arms, neck, and head...and Needless to say, I came out of this session feeling 10x better compared to how I felt when I got there. I highly recommend Julia. She is a skilled individual and you will not regret making an appointment with her. I'm going back again in a week! read more

I have been fortunate to find a wonderful acupuncture at AcuLife. I am absolutely revived, renewed and recharged each time i get a treatment. Julia combines deep tissue massage and acupuncture to target all that needs mending in my body. I am confident that the only reason i am not a walking ball of nerves is because i go to AcuLife to see Julia. Great experience and an absolutely safe, warm and healing environment. read more

I had been interested in acupuncture for quite some time when I discovered Aculife. One of my good friends recommended I see Julia when I told her I was dealing a bit of stress and anxiety. She said Julia was the best and she was correct. Julia took her time talking to me about my life and what was currently going on. She immediately made me feel relaxed and comfortable and assured me that I was in the right place. She spoke reassuringly to me every step of the way while she placed the needles in the correct spots. Then she left me in the room to relax and let them take affect. It was such a peaceful experience (music included). I completely went into a meditative state. Then after about 45 minutes, she came back in and removed the needles and proceeded to give me a wonderful shoulder massage. All and all it was a fantastic experienced and I will definitely continue to see her on a regular basis. I would highly recommend Julia and AcuLife for anyone that is looking for an alternative to western medicine to help heal any issues of pain, stress, or anxiety relating to the body. Acupuncture has changed my life thanks to Julia. It is not just the experience itself that relaxes you but the after effects. I have less stress in my life and have seen improvement in my mood levels, weight management, and pain management. Julia is a wonderful person and an excellent acupuncturist so what are you waiting for! read more

I had acupuncture from Julia and it was the most gentle and calming experience. I couldn't even feel needles going in. She really listened to my health concerns and gave me a treatment plan that left me feeling like gold. I highly recommend Julia for anyone hesitant to try acupuncture for the first time. Also, the office is located in downtown La Jolla in the most beautiful part of San Diego. read more

What a treasure... I found Julia Sanfilippo LAc through my medical insurance and she is absolutely top-notch. Great relaxing personal vibe, great bedside manner, great technique, and the back massage after is phenomenal. I'd give six stars if I could. read more

I have been interested in acupuncture for a while and decided to go see Julia, her rave reviews on yelp and the fact that she accepts my insurance was a huge plus. Once I met her I knew I found my new home for acupuncture. She spent a good amount of time going through my current health issues and what brought me in for acupuncture. Being 8 months pregnant I am pleased that she is so educated on prenatal acupuncture as well! My first session was great and she went above and beyond to recommend some herbal products to help my current situation the day after our session. I've already referred her to some of my friends and would definitely encourage anyone seeking acupuncture treatment to see her! read more

Clean, professional environment. Friendly staff and Julia did a fantastic job of helping my body and mind unwind, defragment and reset with her expert treatment. I have a constant feeling of jet lagged often because I have to work a lot of graveyard shifts and get bouts of insomnia at night, then sleepy during the day. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone for a long period. I haven't done acupuncture in a while, but each needle felt like it was placed dead center into each key node that anchored a network of musculoskeletal restriction. I don't mind using needles on others, and do often in my line of work, but admit that I get a little nervous when they're aimed at my body. So I think I initially tensed up a bit for the first couple, but surprisingly, most did not feel like a poking sensation at all, but more like a button being pushed followed by a gratifying softening of tissue nearly every time until my whole body just submitted into the relaxed stillness. Each seeming to feel more relaxing and pleasurable than the last. I was in such a loose and relaxed state towards the end and felt like I was on cloud 9 for a spell. Think I may have even microslept a little too, and when it was time to leave distinctly felt a slight sensation of feeling really light, like I was floating a little. I know I'll sleep just fine tonight. Yea so I'd say that it was quite good. haha Will definitely be coming back for follow up maintenance treatments. read more

I came to Julia with severe low back pain and nerve pain down my leg. The first session I could immediately feel it working. I have gone to acupuncture elsewhere and didn't find my body responding to the needles how they do when I see Julia. Ive gone from seeing her twice a week to once a week with no pain now. She always asks how you're body is which I feel is important and anything I have going on I tell her and she addresses it (shoulder,cramps or stress).I truly believe acupuncture is helping me now and I know I will stick with her for awhile. If you have been thinking about trying acupuncture I would definitely go to Julia. read more

Easy to make an appointment and feeling pretty damn good afterwards. Julia's work was spot on and I felt better within a few hours. Back and Neck pain seems like a Doctors and the Medical Establishment's area. But my health organization was too booked. I thought I'd go to yelp to find an acupuncturist for faster relief. I was right to do so. Yelp and Julia saved me from navigating through the baloney of the medical maze. read more

Dr. Gallet is awesome! She has made my experience with acupuncture fun and relaxing. Dr. Gallet is very easy to speak with and is engaging in conversation. She knows her ability very well and uses it effectively on your body to help with your aches and pains. I have been going to see her for a short while and have already noticed a difference in my pain relief. Dr. Gallet's work stations are comfortable and clean. I would highly recommend her practice to anybody who wants to try it out for the first time or has done acupuncture before. read more

I went to see Julia for migraine treatment. I had never had acupuncture before. I've been getting migraines for more than 20 years. After the treatment I got up from the table and the migraine was gone. If anyone suffers from these headaches, you know how horrible they are. The best thing Julia said to me "you don't have to live like this" - it was music to my ears! read more

I have to say that Aculife has been the best acupuncture experience I've ever had! Acupuncture is great for a number of reasons, but I usually go when I have any kind of injury, muscle soreness or back pain, and Julia is great when it comes to targeting the problem areas. Like other reviewers have mentioned, you barely feel the needles and the best part is the massage afterwards!! I always walk out of the room feeling so relaxed and by the second day Im 100% pain free. Hands down, better than any two hour massage! Thanks Julia! read more

Julia is an extremely talented acupuncturist! After a motor vehicle accident left me with extreme neck pain I tried multiple therapies hoping for relief. Physical therapy and chiropractic provided scant help, so a friend recommended I try acupuncture. I'm so glad that I did! After my first treatment with Julia I experienced enormous improvement, and have been steadily mending ever since. Between the acupuncture and massage I walk out feeling like a new person. Julia is not only a gifted healer, she's also an incredibly kind person. She accepts insurance and was amazingly patient while I sorted out several mistakes that my insurance had made. I feel very fortunate to have found Julia, if you're at all interested in optimizing your help I highly recommend that you seek out a treatment! read more