Only words of praise for this wonderful oasis of good people and excellent health care. I go once a week for acupuncture with Thuy to treat anxiety and trouble sleeping. Today was my fourth week. Her acupuncture treatment and the herbs I have been taking are working. Today I start with some herb pills. I have always believed in this kind of medicine. It had been some years since I had had acupuncture. The person at the front desk, Daniel, is welcoming and very kind. Thank you BCA. I will keep going. read more

Andrea is incredible! I have only worked with Andrea (acupuncture), but have had an amazing experience. I attended a few sessions over the course of two months and have then scheduled a few occasionally as needed. It has been a wonderful experience. read more

Thank You, Daniel, for helping me clear up my bronchial infection so quickly! You (and the entire BAC Team) are Phenomenal healers. Excellent All Around Care!! read more

This place is amazing, you can feel the care that has gone into the space and acupuncture practice. The community room is cozy and peaceful, and there are Japanese screens thoughtfully placed between the comfy reclining chairs. I'm also really grateful that it is sliding scale and affordable. Would highly recommend. read more

Great acupuncture healing. Tui Na massage is amazing. Helps improve sleep and unblocks energy.

I've been seeing Twi for acupuncture for pain in different parts of my body for a while now. Its been very helpful. Each time I go there I feel great relief for a few weeks. Twi is very friendly, professional, a good listener and a caring practitioner. She along with office/masseur Daniel, are not only very welcoming and friendly but also always find a way to accommodate my schedule which is really help. They are a really good team! Judith read more

Had a great session here a few months ago to gain some relief for postherpetic neuralgia (post-shingles pain). I had never visited an accupuncturist, but they were professional and awesome and made me feel relaxed (I actually fell asleep during the session and honestly slept so well that night). When I explained my systems, they also worked on a localized massage and gave great recommendations for herbal care. Loved the sliding pay scale and will be back! read more

I had an excellent session with Daniel for my frozen shoulder. He used acupressure and massage, not acupuncture, and was able to reduce the pain and tension around the shoulder. He was a great listener, he was respectful, and he seemed to really know what he was talking about. I appreciated the sliding scale and the community care model. I will likely be back! read more

I hadn't had acupuncture done in about 15 years when my friend gave me a gift certificate to BCA for a one hour session. My friend highly recommended Elisa Kim (I do, too!) so I scheduled an appointment for a Thursday night during Community Acupuncture. They offer sliding scale prices that are affordable and make acupuncture accessible to folks who may not have such access otherwise. Elisa took the time to listen to me and my body, and never looked uncomfortable even when we discussed things I have trouble saying aloud even just to myself. She was honest and approachable and her warmth made me feel listened to and considered. When she actually needled me, I felt so incredibly at peace. I'm sure I hadn't experienced that kind of experience in so long that it was especially powerful but I think it'd be pretty healing for anybody. Okay, one last thing... So last night I go again and I've been having this ridiculous pain in my neck because I slept on it wrong at some point this past weekend. We're in the consultation room and Elisa says, "Well, before you lay down, I'm gonna do something to fix your neck so you can actually be comfortable." She tells me to make a loose fist and puts a needle in the left side of my left hand and almost instantly about 75% of the pain is gone. It was still painful in certain directions but the difference was so pronounced that I just sat there going, "No way... No way... That's insane..." for a good five minutes while Elisa patiently waited for me to stop marveling and go lay down. Today, the pain is practically nonexistent and I'm still really, really impressed. I would definitely recommend BCA to anyone interested in acupuncture. read more

Berkeley Community Acupuncture - Every tapestry better make you feel empowered like BCA's do. - Acupuncture Near Me - Berkeley, California

Everyone here are so nice. I have been doing acupuncture weekly for 3 weeks now, and I swear by it. Arthritis pain and hip pain, illuminated for a good 2 weeks. Modern medicine is scary and how quickly they want to shoot you up with cortisone. No thanks. I booked a massage with Daniel, and I am so excited. read more

In my first 30-minute abdominal massage (chi nei tsang) with Rosemary Kim, Rosemary: 1. Made me feel comfortable asking about something unrelated to our session: how I can clear energy in my very old home that would wake me up in the middle of the night. She referred me to the most affordable space clearing practitioner I've found that goes beyond things I've already tried (sage, incense, salt). 2. Knew that part of my belly was holding on to resentment, something no other practitioner verbalized and worked with me on. And I've tried a laundry list of modalities, each one often with different practitioners. read more

BERKELEY BEWARE! Some practitioners at this clinic are NOT VACCINATED! I expressed my concern about COVID and their protocols and my provider did not inform me that they were not vaccinated. I learned yesterday that they now tested positive for COVID and I had to call them three times to get this information. I am disappointed that a place I go to for my health are the people that put me in harms way. Be careful if you go here! Get vaccinated!!! read more

I loved my body work!!! I just had a C section and needed some TLC. I already booked another appointment

This place is my haven. I have been coming here for a couple years now and love it! Community acupuncture is an amazing concept. You meet privately to discuss your needs then move into the community room for treatment. The community may or may not have other patrons. Sliding scale is $25-40 but they offer private appointments and seasonal treatments as well. They are definitely here to serve the community. read more

Oh wow you have to come by for the "Awakin Circle," a free meditation event on the third Friday of every month. A powerful, hour-long silent unguided meditation is followed by some beautiful chanting and devotional singing -- what a great experience, everyone lifting their voices together, sending great vibes out into the universe -- and after that's all done, they serve a vegetarian dinner. WOW. read more

I'm so glad to be able to go back! Very thoughtful and safe. And awesome and very helpful acupuncture. I feel much more centered. Thank you!

I'm gona go again for this Tui-na massage. Today was my first and I certainly did feel pleasant while getting treated and after. Unlike deep tissue that's aggressive and aggravated my muscle tension. I highly recommend. read more

No 0 stars? Unwelcoming place. Went there 2x, first time eval and acu session. No explanation of what the treatment will be about, acupuncturist unsure (of herself?), not giving you confidence in what she will be doing (maybe bec u are paying cheap, why bother with explanations?). but gave it another chance. 2nd time I came, person in front desk, hardly lifted her eyes from her cellphone, repeating if i had paid, i nodded - but still not believing me. such a hostile unwelcoming place. very white bread berkeley, definitely not coming back. will pay a professional rather than getting a second rate service and treatment. read more

I love this place! Can't recommend it highly enough! I like it that you can have a conversation in private before going to the community room - most clinics don't offer that. All the staff are so knowledgable and I always feel better afterwards. The messages are great too! And there is an emphasis on community: they have groups, sliding scale/free days, days when their profits go to charity, and more! read more

I am so grateful for this community-based healing center. I feel so well taken care of every time I come. I love each practitioners' attention to detail and their focus on my integrative healing journey and wellbeing. The facilities are beautifully decorated and kept very clean, and I have felt perfectly safe the last 16 months with all the safety measures that have been implemented. An energy of compassion for all beings and the world permeates the whole space. I so appreciate the center's focus on social justice and serving underserved communities, as well. And I love reading the regular blog articles, full of wisdom from the soul and practical tips for each season on how to become more empowered as a sovereign being on my own healing journey. read more

Thuy is lovely to work with. I went for general well-being and the herbs she recommended made a different. I have also had Tui Na sessions with both practitioners with great results in terms of my generalized tension. read more

If you want or need acupuncture on a regular basis and can't afford it (like me, an acupuncture student), Berkeley Community Acupuncture is one of the only places around that gives treatments on a sliding scale, from $20 to $40 per treatment. They don't ask questions about your income, you decide what you can pay. It's all very non-judgmental. If you receive more than one treatment per week, you can pay as low as $15 for each treatment. You sit in a room with others, so if you're expecting a private experience, this may not be for you. But it's a silent room, no talking, and most people are reclined in their chairs with their eyes closed, so it doesn't feel intrusive at all -- and this is from a person who loves her privacy. The areas of the body that are treated are limited to the lower arms, lower legs, head, face, and ears, all easily reachable with your clothing still on, so there's no need to worry about being exposed in a room with others present. Thuy, the acupuncturist who treats me, is warm, friendly, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to about your health concerns. She's really committed to the idea of community acupuncture and making this form of medicine available to everyone, not just those who can afford $75 or more a session. As a stressed-out acupuncture student who really needs the support of this medicine right now, frequent, affordable treatments are a godsend. read more

I started coming here when I was having some semi-urgent health stuff and was staying in Oakland temporarily. Since then, I've moved to Oakland and I've continued coming here because it's just really lovely. One of my favorite things about community acupuncture is that there's always enough availability that you can schedule your appointments according to your need - just see whoever is treating at the time you're available - or you can schedule according to which practitioner you prefer. It's a convenient set-up. I've been treated by several people here, and they're all great, but I see Elena most regularly. She's got super mellow, calming energy, which I appreciate. I can honestly say that acupuncture is the single greatest contributor to my overall sense of wellness and Elena is such a great, nurturing, competent acupuncturist. read more

I suffer from MANY back, neck & hip pains due to an "on the job" injury and a slip & fall accident at my home. Acupuncture seems to be the only relief for my condition. I have truly exhausted my funds for this "pain relief effort". BCA has allowed me to continue my treatment without going hungry. This is a blessing and I applaud Thuy for her insight and providing this life altering experience. Example: I went for treatment last Thursday. Today is Thursday. My lower back is still pain free. Note: I had been sleeping on the floor for 3-days because of the pain. . . . . Can you imagine my how my life has changed: I can walk, sit, stand, sleep WITHOUT excruciating pain! Again! Thank You! read more

I've had a great experience at BCA over the past several months, dealing with my severe headaches (among other issues). I initially came because they have sliding scale and donation-based hours (currently on Saturdays, though this changes sometimes), but I've never felt that I was getting "bargain" treatment. The practitioners are all licensed acupuncturists, and I particularly like Elena, who has treated me weekly for the past several months and has helped me tremendously! She has even practiced some gua sha on my back, which I'd never experienced before, and it has been great. The environment at BCA is different from other places I've had acupuncture, as I've always gone to the Community Acupuncture, in which you're treated (fully clothed) in a room full of recliners with other people also full of needles. I like the homey feel to it, hanging out in a quiet, peaceful room with like-minded folks instead of isolated in a little room all by myself. And though I'm very sensitive to temperature and ventilation & initially worried about the small size of the community treatment room, I've always felt very comfortable there. My only issue with BCA (or, at least, with the Community Acupuncture, since I haven't done any private sessions) is that the recliners only allow you to lie on your back, and so treatments are all on your extremities (legs, feet, hands, arms) and the front/top of the head. I think I could have used some work on the back of my head and/or neck, for example, but my position on the recliner would not have allowed this. Still, it's a great place, and I love it, not just for the acupuncture itself but also for the real sense of community I feel there. They really care about making healing available to everyone. read more

Thuy is a miracle worker! She is Mother Theresa -- healing the sick with a calm and kind demeanor, counseling those who need it, and sensing exactly what you need with just a look and feel of your pulse. I really enjoy the comfortable zen vibe when you first enter the waiting area. It's only something you'll experience in Berkeley : ) The receptionists are staffed volunteers, and they are warm, friendly, and professional. As you sit in the waiting area, they chat with the regulars, who seem genuinely happy to be there! Relax with a cup of tea or a glass of cool water and await your turn in the community acupuncture room. Once you have your consultation with Thuy to "check-in" on your current state (prior to each session), she frees up one of the five recliners for you in the community room. She patiently "needles" you, and if anything feels uncomfortable, she adjusts it. After going to sessions for several months, I have learned to speak up (my initial sessions were uncomfortable, and it turned out that all I needed were the thinner needles, as the thicker needles were too robust for my countenance : ) I initially went there on the recommendation of a friend, for stress relief, which was a gradual process, but produced results! So I thought about also treating several recurring aches and pains that I also had. The severe migraines that I had been experiencing 3-4 times a day for the past year (can you imagine!!!) and was medicating with Excedrin Migraine, immediately disappeared! If that's not enough of an endorsement, I don't know what is!? Try BCA. Give it a few sessions. You won't be sorry. read more

I have been going to this place for the past 5 years and don't regret it. It is far better than going to Kaiser and you can feel the results right away. I can't thank enough Thuy, Ellen and Frederic (I haven't met the other doctors) for their healing skills. Also, I need to add that Min Thorne and Aline, Tui Na practitioners, work wonders every time I have back pain or stuck Chi. They are also very gentle and have this incredible ability to listen to your body. read more

Within walking distance from my Apartment and there's usually an appointment time that works for me. Been going there since 2018.

My weekly self care routine includes coffee, the beach and stopping by here on Mondays. I came here for the first time in 2011 and automatically felt taken care of. The acupuncturist was really attentive and in tune with the information I was giving her. She also explained things in depth since I was a first timer. Now 4 years later although different staff the attention still remains the same and the quality of care also. It's a comfortable setting and they offer herbs to help with your treatment. I love that it's a sliding scale which makes accessible to folks of different incomes. The location is convenient since its not far from BART and a couple of bus lines run past it. There's also always street parking around. If your looking for affordable acupuncture and Tui Na massages I definitely recommend BCA! read more

I highly, highly recommend BCA not just to receive affordable acupuncture, but as a regular spot. It's lovely, no-frills and extremely effective. I have been going here for almost three years. The practitioners here are caring, wonderful listeners, and so good at what they do! I'm a regular, and during some hard health times I will go regularly (every week, for 4-5 weeks). Along with cleaning up diet, and drinking herbal teas (that I prescribe for myself), I feel amazing and the acupuncture is critical to my regular health! I get a little chilly in their room because I probably have poor body heat/blood circulation, so I bring extra sweaters to lay on my body and lap to stay warm. They prefer to work on you without socks/tights, so the sweaters are necessary for me to bring since my feet are exposed! Love going here. Highly recommend their work. read more

About a year ago, at the urging of friends, I decided to give acupuncture a shot. I had just decided to make the leap into self employment, and then my boyfriend decided to end our relationship. I do many practices to take care of my mind, body, and spirit, but these two events increased my stress so greatly that I kept getting sick. I seemed to be contracting every virus I came in contact with for several months. After the third or fourth illness in a three month time period, I finally decided to give acupuncture a shot. I went to a clinic downtown that could see me immediately, and by the end of the day my sinuses were clearing and I felt a million times better. It was kind of a miracle. After that I decided to start seeing an acupuncturist regularly until I felt more balanced in life. I have Kaiser, and they don't cover acupuncture, rather they offer a list of providers in my area that will charge me a reduced fee. I wanted to see someone weekly, so it needed to be affordable, and low and behold I discovered BCA. I've been seeing Thuy every week for a year now, and - knock on wood - I have not contracted any illnesses during that time. My stress is much more under control, and my immune system seems to be back on track. Thuy is a healer in every sense of the word. She is a great listener, and before treatment we often discuss not only my physical state, but also my mental, since they are so closely connected. Highly recommend BCA and Thuy if you are looking for an affordable way to start seeing an acupuncturist regularly. read more

Three years ago, a therapist of mine suggested I try out acupuncture for stress relief. Needles?!! Ok... keeping an open mind. I researched the community acupuncture practices in the area by checking their yelp reviews and websites. Why'd I choose BCA? They were close to my therapist's office, I knew the area would have easy parking and would be a lot quieter than the other community acupuncture places in busy downtown areas, their website said they were the first community acupuncture clinic in the area, I didn't have to create an account to make an appointment online, and their yelp reviews. I wish the reasons were more meaningful, but three years later, I'm seeing a different therapist, live two cities over, and I'm still a patient at BCA for all of those reasons AND because the practitioners never rush me through my intake and session time, they are incredibly gentle and skilled, and the energy and environment is just sooo warm, light, calm, and easeful there. I've received treatments from Catie, Elisa, Eva, and Thuy. I expected to have a favorite, but I'm comfortable seeing any of them. It's like visiting very supportive, caring, and nonjudgemental friends when I come in for a treatment. I've tried another community acupuncture practice, but did not receive the same level treatment and care as I do at BCA. Not even close. Weird, cold, dark energy in the community room, the acupuncturist seemed frazzled and didn't know about my appointment, my intake was done in a disorganized computer office room, and there was no warm welcome or goodbye. Yes, this place was about 2/3 the price of a session at BCA, but certainly not worth it. read more

This place is magical. Every person who works here is amazing. They all have slightly different styles so I recommend checking them all out and seeing who you like most after getting treatments from them. However, I really enjoy rotating between them all. I've recently seen Thuy, I-Pei, and Rosemary and always feel wonderful after seeing them. Awesome people and place!! read more

What can I say about Thuy that wasn't already written? Her demeanor is part of the reason I recently chose to return to BCA after a 7 month break. This clinic is amazing at providing such wonderful services to the community. And at a sliding scale (so if money is tight, you can still take care of yourself)! Walking in you are usually greeted by a warm face at the receptionist's desk. Feel free to have a warm cup of tea as you wait. Once you've met for a consultation with Thuy, you are taken into the community room where there are several comfy chairs for you to lounge in. Sit back, relax and listen to the calming music playing in the room. I find most people are repectful and enjoy the calmness of the space as well. Never had an awkward moment sitting next to strangers here. I was prescribed some herbs in conjunction with my therapy and cannot wait to return for my next session. Thank you staff at BCA for your hard work and for making this service available in Berkeley! read more

I originally came to BCA on recommendation from a friend, bolstered by the superb yelp reviews. I was definitely nervous, as this was to be my first time receiving acupuncture. But I was having horrible hayfever and had tried everything in the book with little relief from my severe congestion, cough and fatigue. As a singer/songwriter and a voice teacher, this was severely limiting my ability to do what I do! It's now a year and a half since I first came to BCA, and I'm hooked. I've been seeing the clinic's founder, Thuy, every few weeks (and weekly during spring allergy season). I can't recommend BCA highly enough. With support from acupuncture and the herbs Thuy sometimes gives me (admittedly alongside my over-the-counter allopathic allergy meds), I've seen great results. The clinic is also very affordable for a self-employed musician like myself. One thing I also really appreciate about Chinese medicine in general and BCA's approach in particular is the holistic approach -- the practitioner asks not just about physical ailments, but about your emotional state, how you're sleeping, stress level etc to get a picture of your overall health and the kind of support your body needs. A final thing I appreciate about BCA is that they're located in a low-income, mostly African American neighborhood, right up the street from the Spiral Gardens Community Food Security Project. By locating themselves here, they're increasing access to healthcare in a community that often has decreased access to affordable, preventive care. read more

I love Thuy and Elisa! I have been coming to BCA for more than a year now and am super satisfied with the care. I am vastly improved in the areas of health for which I am going: women's stuff, intestines, getting off heavy meds... You can schedule appointments online and buy herbs there making it super convenient. They even have a cheaper price if you go more than once per week. My only complaints are sometimes the music is too loud, the room is too cold, the other patrons talk too loudly. I know, its communal right? But if they could only come up with a system that could alert your acupuncturist that you needed attention. Then it would get 5 stars... read more

The Berkeley Community Acupuncture clinic is a sanctuary for healing. Acupuncture addresses so many health issues beyond the capability of western medicine. This place is truly amazing. I have gone to many acupuncturists over the years, and the expense has always been a problematic consideration for my returning. I have tried other sliding scale acupuncturists, and was treated by persons that seemed less experienced, sometimes with negligible effect. At Berkeley Community Acupuncture, Thuy is wonderful. Her treatments are completely holistic and always make a vast improvement in my health and well being. She addresses problems in such a warm, kind, caring, dedicated, professional, yet light-hearted way. I love going here, and have referred many friends and family. My husband, sister, and I have each gone there feeling a total wreck- and each time left there, feeling amazing. They also have other practitioners, an acupuncturist, a massage therapist, and offer cupping, and other traditional modalities of Chinese healing. The sliding scale is still $20-$40 with an additional $10 just for the first consultation. Sometimes, Chinese patent remedy herbal formula pills are recommended. I've found the clinic sells them at no extra cost I would find them at the local herbalist. Truly I have found Thuy and the Berkeley Acupuncture Clinic an incredible community service. I was first turned on to the idea of sliding scale acupuncture by a friend attending acupuncture school. The practitioner consults with the client first, one-on-one, then treats the client in a soothing room. There are 6 easy chairs, where clients relax or nap for about 40 minutes while the needles are doing their healing work. Community clinics are a practical way to heal more people in an affordably. This place is a community jewel. read more

Community is right. The people (from the Practitioners to the Volunteers) at Berkeley Community Acupuncture truly care about wellness as it pertains to the whole through each individual. Their motto, "Heal yourself, heal the world." The ambiance is relaxed from the moment the door is open. Hot tea and books to read while waiting. It feels like a comfy living room in that space; NOT pretentious at all but clean and organized and warm and welcoming. The Practitioners work as efficiently as possible while still giving each person their best. It's on my self care regimen to frequent this space. I have always felt very held and heard. They have chinese herbal remedies available for purchase. I'm really very thankful for what they ALL do to help others heal and awaken (speaking of which, ask about their Awaken Circle which is a potluck style healing held for the community once a month!). read more

Eva did cupping and acupuncture on me, and it was intense but left me feeling like a new person afterwards! I didn't even feel the need to go to the chiropractor anymore. She was very caring and took her time being meticulous and caring for the problem places on my back. I will definitely be back regularly. read more

It was a great experience! I did cupping for the first time today and Elisa was very nice, knowledgeable, and made me feel comfortable. The cupping experience was different from any other type of thing I've done, but I would certainly recommend someone to try it at least once. read more