Update to my original review: I was hoping to update my original review to add a positive twist. While I'm apologetically correcting how she referred to herself (see below), I can only add that Carolyn seems now to be practicing the fine art of "CYA". Backpedaling and claiming innocence. She has reached out to me via voicemail with a request to discuss supplement policy - NOT her profit making off of them. (GREED?) Overall, with her dismissive attitude, defensiveness regarding supplement profits, TREMENDOUS PUSHINESS to purchase supplements from her preferred provider (which would increase her bank account + lack of transparency) and questioning her associate's decisions in my presence, I would still 100%, encourage others to seek holistic healthcare elsewhere. ORIGINAL: I've read off a lot of great reviews regarding Carolyn's chiropractic care. But this is not that. Carolyn is a true business woman first; a functional medicine doctor on the side. Her bedside manner could use a good dose of polishing. She needs to keep in mind who is working for who and keep her ego in check. I sought a functional medicine doctor to address my gut and stress issues stemming from decades-old C-PTSD. From the moment we met, Carolyn went to work on treating these conditions. She provided me with supplement treatment and valuable suggestions, which I followed and began feeling better. Carolyn didn't stop there. She immediately showed interest in replacing specialists I've been working with for years, which was a red flag. I hadn't made these requests, and her interest was unnerving and aggressive. I told her not interested on a couple points yet she continued to push her agenda and added more unnecessary supplements to my treatment plan. Carolyn's website states an option to purchase supplements from other sources than those she prefers. That was appealing to me. What she does not disclose is that she receives a profit off her clients when they make purchases from her preferred supplement provider. Upon learning that Carolyn's preferred supplement provider allows practitioners to set their own price to charge clients, I questioned her about what percentage, if any, she profits. Her response, a DEFENSIVE; "I am not legally or ethically (clearly, MORALS don't count) required to provide a separate written disclosure regarding practitioner margins on supplements or lab tests. Because supplement purchases are optional and not tied to care, a commission disclosure is not mandated." Yet her website states: "Supplements prescribed by our practitioners as part of a personalized treatment plan are considered medical necessities." SO WHICH IS IT? OPTIONAL OR MEDICALLY NECESSARY? "I provide patients with a 10% discount through Fullscript, and the practitioner margin I receive is approximately 25%, which is well below the typical margin received by practitioners." (The other practitioners do use verbiage which disclose a profit.) "Recommendations are made based on clinical judgment and patient need, not financial incentive." So then WHY all the unnecessary additions, even after I told her NO? $$$ I did not purchase every supplement added to my plan In 3 months time, I did purchase $2,781.12 in supplements from which she unapologetically PROFITED. No transparency required. None provided. Icky. A huge turnoff, learning this from a third party. The last time I met with Carolyn, I reported several personal gains. Yay! The treatment was working! Each one of my gains was met by sadly dismissive remarks; followed by her admission of being "nitpicky". (Apologetically edited from original review.) During that same visit, she admonished the nutritionist she works with for recommending an OTC Collagen/Peptides for me. "I'll ask her; we we have a meeting tomorrow" and "you can buy that stuff anywhere". Followed by.....another supplement addition to my plan which she could profit from! The WHY is clearly because Carolyn wasn't making a profit on the OTC brand. By the way, the nutritionist, Magdalena, is lovely and down to earth. If you've read my review this far, I hope you will think very seriously about taking your health concerns to an honest, transparent naturopath with morals (they do exist). read more

I came to Dr. Finnegan with whole body dysregulation. I had fatty live disease, no gallbladder, 6 years of IVF medications, treatments and failures, extreme fatigue, brain fog, nausea, loss of appetite and weight loss, migraines, hormonal imbalances and unexplained chronic body pain that conventional doctors could not identify despite MRI's, CT scans and "normal" labs. It is through my work with her over the course of the past year that I identified several root cause issues for most of these symptoms and through healing my gut, liver, hormones and nervous system I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and feeling more and more like myself. I am grateful for her kind and compassionate approach to this journey I have found myself on and for answering all my questions with a wisdom and knowledge that you just can't find with a traditional practitioner. I am incredibly grateful I made my way to Dr. Finnegan's office and will continue to sing her praises as an incredible tool to have in your tool belt if you are navigating any issues that are not acute. Learning how to properly nourish your body and feed it the nutrients and minerals it needs to thrive is a gift I'm so grateful to have found with Dr. Finnegan and her team. She is a gem! read more

I've been working with Dr. Finnegan for the last year and a half for my ulcerative colitis. Her warmth and compassion immediately stood out. She shows up not only as a medical professional but also a coach; helping you understand what's going on and build sustainable habits step by step. Dr. Finnegan clearly has extensive knowledge and experience in functional medicine. And I felt like I could trust her to guide me through this journey from day one. I was in a bad flare up when I had my first consultation. It took about 3 months to see initial improvements and 6 months for major symptoms to resolve - slower than I hoped, but the results feel (hopefully) more sustainable. Because of the holistic approach, I not only see improvements to my gut health, but overall health and energy levels. I've also enjoyed working with Magdalena on the nutrition side of things. She's always encouraging and has a ton of knowledge to share. The investment is significant - while the initial package feels fairly priced, monthly supplements and additional consultations add up quickly. Despite the cost, however, I have no doubt it's been worthwhile for the long-term improvements to my health. read more

I began seeing Dr. Finnegan in December 2024 after two years of trying various doctors who could not help or even diagnose my health condition, and immediately on the free consultation call she knew what I had. So we got to work, and in only three months under her care I am feeling so much better, about half of my symptoms have completely gone away, I am happier and feeling more like myself again, and I know a lot more about both my health condition and health in general (even growing an interest in supplements and diet), and it truly is thanks to Dr. Finnegan and her hard work. I really can not recommend her enough, she truly has given me hope in a very dark moment in my life. read more

I have had digestive issues my entire life. Traditional doctor's helped with my acute symptoms and a diagnosis of IBS but nothing for the root causes of my condition. By the time I met with Dr. Caroline Finnegan in June of 2023 I was in a lot of pain, completely exhausted and unable to digest most foods. Functional medicine takes patience, dedication and a lot of trust to succeed but I can tell you that Dr. Finnegan and her nutritionist Magdalena Calabrese at Core Wellness Functional Medicine are wise women with a depth of knowledge, personal experience and a genuine desire to create a path for long term healing. The office manager Amanda Rulong rounds out the team by keeping things running smooth. I felt heard, seen and understood. The tests are expensive, the dietary requests are initially alarming, not all of the treatments bring immediate relief - it is a science and every body is different - but within a few months it was determined that I was not making digestive enzymes and that I was both gluten and lactose intolerant. By diligently following the treatment plans of supplements, diet and lifestyle changes I began to slowly heal. It has been two years now and I am feeling better than I have in years. Not only is IBS a part of my past, I also have way less anxiety and depression. Even though I thought I followed a sensible diet, the food I was eating was harming me and no traditional doctor was ever interested in helping me figure this out. read more

Had a deep tissue massage with Shannon today and it was wonderful! Definitely helped to relax me and work out some of the kinks in my back. Shannon was attentive and definitely catered to my needs. She found sore and tight spots I didn't even know that I had. For 55 minutes, she covered a lot of ground. I chose this place because the staff are all vaccinated. It's been a full year since I got a massage and I definitely miss them. The receptionist takes your temperature on arrival and they also ask you to wash your hands. read more

Dr. Kimberly Ma was more than superb during my visit. She first did a couple of examination to determine what needs to get adjusted and also listened to the pains that I have on my body. The adjustment was quick but smooth. I am definitely coming back and I highly recommend coming here to get your body feeling just right. read more

I've had two massages with Shanequa McCrimmon. She's probably the best massage therapist I've worked with - meets you where you're at, super responsive to feedback, gives thoughtful responses to questions and explains technical information in ways that are easy to understand. Definitely my go-to from now on. read more

Dr. Finnegan is simply excellent at what she does -- fixing folks up ! I've had lower back issues off and on over the years, and Carolyn has been instrumental in helping me understand why I've repeatedly injured the same section of my back. She's not just about treating what's going on for you when things have gone wrong, she genuinely wants to help you *not* get hurt in the first place ! Highest Recommendation ! read more

Worked with Carolyn Finnegan in 2020/2021 for gastrointestinal issues in which I did a holistic medicine program, and for plantar fasciitis. She was effective at treating both. I did spend thousands of dollars on the holistic medicine program, and I cannot say that estimated costs were transparently shared prior to the start of the program. I was required to purchase supplements from one particular website, despite being able to obtain better-priced supplements of the same quality from other sources. Carolyn was linked to the account, so this is likely a revenue stream. We "threw the kitchen sink" at the issue, and although expensive, it worked. The outcomes for both issues were highly positive, which ultimately is the goal. The experience throughout the holistic medicine process could have been better as I felt I was being talked down to at times. So, lack of total cost transparency for the holistic medicine program and "bedside manner" lead to a 4-star rating. All in all, if you have an issue that can be alleviated through chiropractic treatment, I'd recommend Carolyn. read more

Could not say enough great things about everyone at Core Wellness. They are experts of the body and how to heal them; plus they are the kindest group of people. I'm so thankful to have them helping me to get my spine and body back in good health. read more

Sent my 84 year old mother to Dr. Finnegan this week, this is the first time she has ever been to a chiropractor. No aches or pains, but thought it would be good for her to get checked out and see if anything could be improved. My mom was thrilled with the appointment and felt more mobility with the left side of her neck, not even realizing she didn't fave full motion. Unfortunately my Mom doesn't live in California, but was so impressed that she now would like to see a chiropractor just like Dr. Finnegan in her hometown in Oregon. Thanks! read more

I've now been to Core Wellness twice and I really enjoyed both visits. For my first visit, I made an appointment for Thursday and ended up calling them on Wednesday to move my appointment to an earlier time. They were able to change my appointment time with no issues. The office is clean and aesthetically pleasing. Dallas (front desk) was easy to talk to and friendly and Dr. Finnegan was so freaking amazing. I came in with right hip, knee and calf soreness from biking and weight lifting. During the visit she identified my left glute turning off, which in turn was affecting my right hip and knee. She helped me gain my range of motion back on my right side, including my neck. I also had hit my thumb a while back and was having soreness in my wrist and she was able to reduce the pain. In both appointments she was able to identify other points of tension and worked on those as well. Before leaving, she gave me tips on how to correct the posture and how to work on myself at home. I highly recommend Core Wellness as it feels like they are there to make sure you are feeling your best and not just trying to take your money. They also take insurance and will look into whether your insurance does cover chiropractic work! read more

I have gone to many chiropractors over the years and I can say that Dr. F's expertise and care are unmatched. She is not offering the basic 3-location tune-up that is so ubiquitous among chiropractors. She listens and offers truly customized care for what you need in the moment. I saw her once a week for severe neck pain. Now I'm there once every 3-4 weeks for maintenance. And I'm pain free. read more

I do not write reviews often but the customer service here is so bad by Dr Carolyn Finnegan I had to share my experience. I selected this chiropractic center because it was close to my home and had high reviews on Yelp. One of the selling points I was told my Dr Kimi at my first visit was that they do not accept insurance payments directly but they do offer complimentary insurance processing for reimbursement. Sounded good to me. I go to out of network doctors often. However fast forward 3 months later and over $1500+ into treatment and I did not have one chiro claim complete processing yet. Instead I kept receiving requests for proof of medical necessity. I dropped these papers off at one of my visits with Dr Kimi and she said she would submit the forms for processing with their insurance specialist. Another month passes and I receive these forms again - requesting proof of medical necessity for the visit with the ICD codes. I follow up again and receive an email from their office stating that my insurance does not cover out of network chiro visits. This is completely false. I called and spent an hour on the phone with my insurance co (Anthem Blue Cross PPO) and was told that was inaccurate and that the 3rd party processor they had engaged to process the claims was still waiting on the paperwork to finish processing the claims. I then called the front desk at Core Wellness and was told they would pass the message along and I could drop the paperwork off to be filled out. I drove over and Dr Carolyn Finnegan (presumably owner) stepped out to speak with me and told me that she would not ask her insurance claim specialist to fill out the paperwork I was sent to confirm medical necessity because they didn't have time for that. Instead all she said was that she could send the notes. I found this extremely unprofessional as this is not what I had been told previously and continued paying for services not realizing that I would not receive their cooperation towards my getting part of the treatments reimbursed through my PPO. Dr Finnegan was extremely rude, refused to even take the paperwork and told me that her insurance specialist in Iowa told her that my insurance was not covered as they were out of network. This is absolutely FALSE as I had just confirmed before I drove over that was not the case with my insurance company. At this facility the front desk has rotating staff and the left hand does not say the same thing as the right hand. While I feel Dr Kimi's treatment was beneficial, I will not return nor recommend this office to anyone else given the poor customer service and lack of support in filing insurance claims. I have never received this type of rudeness and lack of cooperation in dealing with my medical care and I have been going to out of network providers for many years. So based upon this experience, I recommend if you are depending upon them to file your insurance claims for your PPO reimbursement (or for you to do it yourself) know that if your insurance company requests additional information it will be an uphill battle to get any additional support from them. read more

I have been going to Corewellness for more than 2 years and got an amazing results I'd like to share. Dr. Finnegan fixed not only all my problems with back, knees, shoulders but also high blood pressure. I'm off medication now and feel younger and healthier than 2 years ago. If any of these problems sound familiar to you, call Dr. Finnegan and experience the same relief. read more

The doctors at this office are phenomenal and my day is always better after my treatment. I've been getting adjusted by Dr. Kimi and shes been helping me with my back pain so I can continue to stay active every weekend without discomfort. She's very thorough and specific with her adjustments. Highly recommend this place. read more

Just started seeing Dr. Finnegan last week and couldn't be more pleased! I've been receiving physical therapy from other providers around Oakland, but never felt like I was a priority. Just another patient to get in and out of the door. Needless to say... after working with Dr. Finnegan I am no longer with those providers. Dr. Finnegan was patient and thorough. She was able to accurately diagnose my pain and give me adjustments. On top of that, her office has a pleasant environment located by Lake Merrit. I would highly recommend her to friends and family! read more

I have now seen Dr. Finnegan over the past 11 months and I am very grateful for her. I saw that she has received Best of Oakland 5 times so figured I couldn't loose. My wrists, neck, upper back, hips, knees, elbows, you name it, have been causing issues for the last 5+ years. I noticed it was getting head aches when I wear heavier coats in fall and winter. I assumed something was going on with my neck. Dr. Finnegan adjusted my ribs which didn't hurt at all and now the headaches have stopped. She has really been able to provide pain relief and long term help. I have had minor injuries over the years that have shifted the alignment of my body, plus, I have a lot of repetitive stress that happens from work. Unless I change careers that will always follow me but I have found that adjustments have helped greatly. If you're scared of the Chiropractor, don't be. Dr. Finnegan literally has your back. She's very professional, compassionate, and you can just feel that she really wants to help you. THANK YOU DR. FINNEGAN! Your office is perfectly located and I love the mid-century modern thing you have going on. Jessica at the front desk is very helpful and patient. I really appreciate her always going the extra step. Great customer service! read more

I've been super-impressed with Dr. Finnegan's work! I've been in the health care field for many years, and as a life-long endurance athlete I have seen many practitioners -- chiropractic, massage, active release, physical therapy, acupuncture, MAT, and more. Dr. Finnegan has a depth of knowledge that I haven't experienced with nearly any other practitioner. First of all, she prioritizes hands-on work. I have been to many other practitioners who observe posture, poke around a little bit, and give a diagnosis. Not Dr. Finnegan -- she is constantly using muscle testing and palpating bones and soft tissue to understand how the system is working together. She immediately diagnosed a problem that I have been struggling with for years, that other practitioners either had no knowledge of or didn't manage to diagnose. With just two sessions I found greater range of motion than I've had in years. Another aspect of Dr. Finnegan's work is her emphasis on supportive care. Yes, she'll provide adjustments and do some manual and physical work with the soft tissues. But she'll also recommend other supportive therapies for you -- whether it's additional massage, other practitioners, or additional types of self-care that will help to ensure that her adjustments are maintained. There's a reason Dr. Finnegan has won the best chiropractor in the east bay award for so many years -- her depth of knowledge, as well as compassionate, earnest, and friendly care, is unsurpassed in my experience. Thank you Dr. Finnegan! read more

I was rear ended in December and Dr. Finnegan has helped me get back to 100+%! Her knowledge and experience shows in her outstanding care. So thankful to have found her! read more

If you're looking for deep tissue, Fernando is great. I was looking for a new massage therapist in the area and I have fairly high expectations for what I get out of my deep tissue massage. I don't like it when I just feel like the person is following a script, and prefer when they really work with finding my knots and help to release them to give me back mobility. Fernando did not disappoint. He found all the tight and painful spots and helped release them. And he really tailored the massage to what my muscles needed. I felt so much of the tension and stress taken away after. Would definitely recommend him. read more

My sports massage with Mark was truly the best massage I have ever had. I came to him with very sore legs due to running and cycling. He immediately assessed my body, where my strengths and weaknesses were, and where we should focus on. He was incredible!! I literally felt like I was floating when I walked out of the room. I will definitely make this a regular part of my training. The following day I felt much more limber and able to revisit my training routine with less pain. I cannot recommend Mark and Core Wellness more highly! read more

Dr Finnegan is fabulous ! She has magic well trained fingers and finds where things are out of place then gently and quickly guides them into place. She is also really sweet. read more

Dr. Finnegan and her curated staff continue to surpass expectations and provide expert care using many effective healing modalities. My husband and I visit Core regularly to maintain our healthy vibrant lifestyle as we are aging. When we come back to Oakland, Dr. Finnegan is among our first stops! read more

Just to start, EXCEPTIONAL front office reception; Jessica is the best! Tea, cozy seating in a spectacular and clean, well decorated waiting area. Bathrooms are spotless and...EASY PARKING; phew. ;) And, most crucially, for comprehensive CHIROPRACTIC CARE, Core Wellness is EXCELLENT...you will feel heard, genuinely cared for in a truly compassionate and authentic manner by a practitioner that knows what she is doing and does not rush through a thing. ...You're literally IN GOOD HANDS! ~Diane DuBois, LMFT read more

Receiving treatment from Dr. Finnegan has been one of the best things I have ever done for my physical health. I injured my neck in a car accident and had also injured my spine in an accident years ago. I had been living with chronic neck and back pain and headaches 3-5 times per week until I began getting adjustments from Dr. Finnegan. She is knowledgable, intuitive, gentle, and easy to talk to. After an adjustment, I always feel that Dr. Finnegan has taken to time to thoroughly assess my needs and I always feel exponentially better after an adjustment with her. The use of the decompression table and the massage therapy that are offered by Core Wellness have also eased my chronic pain significantly. Dr. Finnegan is a true gem and her care in of the absolute highest-quality! read more

Dr. Finnegan helped me discover the root of my chronic back pain and hip issues and led me on a path of healing. With patient care and true generosity I have experienced dramatic healing and relieve of pain that I didn't have to live with. I am infinitely grateful for Dr. Finnegan's knowledge of the body and for the tools provided in helping me be free of constant pain! The staff are amazing and always helpful! read more

I went to Dr. Finnegan multiple times for adjustment and traction. Her approach was comprehensive and thorough. We met for almost 90 minutes during my first visit. After that I had regular adjustments and traction. I'd highly recommend Core Wellness Chiropractic to anyone looking for a chiropractor. read more

I highly recommend working with Dr. Finnegan. I started seeing her last year after a car accident. She also has a disc decompression machine, which most chiropractic offices don't have. The combination of Dr. Finnegan's skill and thoughtful care and the decompression machine helped my body recover after the accident. Throughout my treatment, she also addressed other issues like a soreness in my hand, which she resolved immediately. One time, after I wore heels, my foot felt off on top, so she adjusted my toes and the pain was gone! If you are dealing with any aches and pains, I suggest you go see her. read more

It seemed like high time to write an updated review. I have been a patient of Dr. Finnegan for many many years. She is a true healer. There have been short periods of time over the years she has been unavailable and I have had to seek out care from other providers. I usually walk out thinking......"Meh" and find I am biding my time until Dr. Finnegan is available again. I have gone through a course of traction (chiropractic bio physics) that was really helpful in relieving my chronic pain. I feel like I have graduated and now I just go periodically for tune ups or if I did something stupid. I never feel like I am on the endless hamster wheel of follow up appointments. Dr. Finnegan also works with some amazing massage therapists which she communicates with to focus their work on the areas that need special attention. Highly, highly recommend. read more

I've been seeing Carolyn for a little over two months now and really enjoy our sessions. We're working on correcting some loss of curvature in my neck and low back, to see if it helps with my migraines. So far I haven't noticed any major improvement, but it's early. Carolyn is very professional, has a beautiful office, in a great location, and runs on time! That's a HUGE perk for me, as I tend to schedule my day pretty full and don't have time to wait around for those running late. I'd recommend anyone looking for a chiropractor to check her out. She's really great! read more

I've been to a lot of chiropractors--but Dr. Finnegan is the only one who has helped me to create lasting change. Change that I can see on an x-ray. Change that I can feel in my body. I am so grateful for her kindness, patience, and emotional support. There were several times when I lay on her table, and an adjustment brought a release of emotions. She nurtured me through it, assuring me that I wasn't the only one who'd cried in her office, and that it was a part of the healing process. She is an amazing healer. I appreciate her attention to the scientific research of what has worked--such as decompression, vibration, the denneroll--as well as the emotional and spiritual components of healing. I am feeling stronger, more flexible, more integrated, and more whole after a year in her care. Highly recommend! read more

The staff is friendly and very helpful, I was a valuated and they came up with a plan That include a different approaches, things that I would be doing at home as well as different machines in the office that helped me and of course seeing the chiropractor for adjustments read more

So grateful to Dr. Finnegan and her team. Was at an impasse with right arm pain and weakness and could not find improvement/relief until a trusted acupuncturist recommended that I check out Core Wellness! Sure enough the issues were coming from my neck and within several treatments, I was already seeing a difference. I'm not sure where I would be without the expertise I've experienced at Core Wellness. Don't think you can go wrong here. read more

Came here for a massage with Mark, amazing! He was very professional and helpful with my training/recovery. I will definitely come back!

Now I know why Dr. Finnegan is voted the best chiropractor in Oakland every year! I tend to avoid chiropractic because I don't want to have to go all of the time. Her sessions are quick and gentle, and she included some bodywork and cranial sacral work. She gave me sound advice to improve my posture, a home workout and stretching plan, and recommended supplements. And I always felt supported to listen to my body and trust myself on when to come in for follow-up appointments. read more

Dr. Finnegan is easily the most accessible chiropractor I have ever worked with; she is available when I need her and both remembers all my 'issues' and can diagnose and treat them with great success. She listens to my information (needs and requests) and applies treatment that matches what I want. Way more attentive then the typical 'crack-crack' see you next week. Highly recommend. read more

Working with Dr. Kimberly Ma is great during my visits. She understands what she is doing and is great at explaining it in ways that I can understand. She works well with my neck and my back pains, but also provides great tips on how to avoid experiencing the same issues. I highly recommend getting checked up by her! read more

Dr. Finnegan is so knowledgeable, so good at listening, so careful to explain her analysis, so gentle, and just so thorough in all that she does... I'd give her 10 stars if I could! I recommend her to everyone I know with any kind of physical discomfort. She's helped me with lower back, hip, and jaw issues. She's a gem and I'm happy to have found her! read more