I am so grateful to Sarana and the acupuncturists there. Their support was instrumental in my ability to navigate the most painful and stressful time in my life, while I was dealing with multiple family crises and personal health issues at once. Pam and Tatyana especially bolstered my inner strength and clarity throughout that difficult time. Now, they are putting such care into ensuring the clinic is COVID-safe. And always their attention to being environmentally and socially conscious and conscientious is such a welcome respite. Sarana is an island of peace and profound care and attention in a challenging, distracted, and sometimes cold world. Thanks, Sarana! read more

I had a really bad experience here. Like it was so bad it took me all this time to acknowledge this. The woman was unprofessional rude and intimidating. I wouldn't recommend this place to neither the poorest or richest person in the bay area. read more

In early 2023, I returned to Sarana for acupuncture after a long absence. Years ago, I was treated there for IBS and headaches. In 2023, I tested positive for Lyme disease, Bartonella, mast cell activation syndrome, molds, and immune system problems. Acupuncture helps me tolerate my strong medications and supplements and helps reduce my chronic pain. I've had treatments with Ollie, Katie, Julia, and Emery. All are wonderful, caring practitioners who are highly skilled and make my health conditions so much more bearable. For several months now, I have been seeing Emery. Emery is very kind, he has calm energy and is very caring. He is gentle with the needles which is very important to my sensitivities. He asks how I'm feeling after the treatment and is happy to learn when it has helped me. read more

I have had acupuncture off and on since the 80's. I've had fabulous practitioners and not so great. Before Sarana I had a pretty good practitioner but she was quite expensive and there were times I could not afford the sessions...She also would use Chinese needles and they often hurt. By happenstance I discovered Sarana and have been quite impressed. It is a relaxing environment and they are very respectful of my needle phobia. I had no previous knowledge that there were different types of needles. I do not feel rushed and listen to my iPod & and have actually fallen asleep. I have seen Pam, Julia & Ollie and they all have been good. I caught the dreaded COVID earlier this year, lost my taste & smell and after 2 sessions they slowly began to return. I have no doubt the sessions helped facilitate a faster recovery. I am hugely appreciative that they have a sliding scale as it allows me to go when I am unwell. I wish all health care used Sarana's model and I cannot express my gratitude enough. read more

Excellent care. Caring practitioner Julia calm and relaxing and healing. Welcoming. Comfortable.

A great place to experience serenity. The Sarana team is friendly, kind and understanding.

Great atmosphere, kind people, perfect acupunture experience. It is a healing environment! I am glad they are there.

I first came to Sarana because it is open on Sundays. From time to time, I was helped by different practitioners, and felt positive effects from other treatments (massage and cupping). Appointments are easily made online, and cancellations are simple if done 24 hours ahead of time. The clinic is very calm, unpretentious, and trustworthy. If there are no volunteers at the front desk, patients leave the payment or donation in a box. Also, I like how environmentally conscious the doctors and staff are, and their attitude of making acupuncture affordable and a strong community building tool. read more

See all

I love coming here and am glad that my coworker talked me into it. I was stressed and had a hard time coming. My previous experiences were at acupuncture schools in both Oakland and Berkeley, and I enjoyed it but the appointments were very, very long. Very, very long. I mean, did I say that they were long. Talking to the students, the consult with the teacher, the needling, aack. But here the appt is 10-20 min and is affordable. $20-40 an appointment. Before I paid $75-90 for the appointment and was only able to sleep for about 20 min before being awoken. But the best part is the sleep at the end. I wake up when I want to. The level and quality of rest is unreal. And I feel so different when I come out. Not only am I a huge fan, but I tell everyone I know about this place because it really, helps to make treatment more affordable. Last week I was sick for three days and was able to get back to back treatments. I was grateful that I could do so, and really appreciated being able to do so for a grand total of $40. Score! Personally, at a time when affordable healthcare for all is a dubious proposition, I think that this can provide an affordable option to take care of ourselves. read more

Great prices, super healing energy, piped-in birdsong, and free herbal tea. I love this place so much I come in once a week. One of these days I hope I fall asleep during my treatment! read more

The best. Sometimes I get Katie for both acupuncture and cupping, sometimes I get Amy for acupuncture. They are so gentle and they make you relax as they treat you. They check on you after the treatment, I appreciate you all. . Namaste. read more

Great calming atmosphere to relax while you are being gently treated with great staff. Not rushed & are given ample time to recover & enjoy the treatment time. Great results. Great way & natural way to stay healthy, prevention methods not offered in modern medicine. With no side effects. read more

I have loved Sarana Community Acupuncture and the care my husband and I have received there periodically. I especially liked the community orientation and personal attentiveness. For example, I liked the fact that Sarana could be accessible to folks who would have difficulty paying since they could exchange work at the reception desk for treatment time. Another thing I liked was the way clients were treated individually with respect to time. My husband had excruciating pain one time that kept him from sleeping for three weeks. When he went to Sarana they helped him to sleep right in his chair. And, mercifully, he slept for three hours there. Then each night thereafter he was able to sleep fairly well. We will be forever grateful. I referred a friend to Sarana recently and she said that some policies I liked appear to have changed. If so, I will be very sorry to see it lose it's uniqueness in what is otherwise an impersonal medical world, but I'll try to understand any standardization Sarana requires if that is necessary for it to survive. read more

This place is magical! Absolutely relaxing. The practitioners have made a very positive, tangible impact on my health over the past 4-5 years I've been going. I like that it's community acupuncture, so I don't feel guilty staying a long time and taking up space ;) Peaceful and healing, easy to book online, I highly recommend Sarana! read more

Updated review- the co- Owner contacted me to apologize for the mistake and said they are now training the front desk staff to be more informed about the various types of massages their staff specializes in. She also offered me a free 30 minute massage with one of the therapists who do a deep tissue massage which is what I requested initially. It sure is nice to have a business care enough about their customers feedback to make changes in the business to be more customer focused! read more

I have been a patient at Sarana for many years & have referred many people to get their acupuncture there who are local . I am so grateful for every person who works there . They are all professional caring giving & healing people . They have saved my life and brought me out of pain and stress and anxiety over the years and have helped me to live a better life . I depend on Sarana as my community Acupuncture clinic and I always look forward to my sessions . They are all very kind and lovely people . Choose Sarana clinic for all your Acupuncture needs . They also have Massage , sound healing , cupping and it is a lovey serene & peaceful space to heal read more

UPDATE: OWNER tried to make it right, hence the update to 4 stars. ____________________________________________________________________________ Some of the acupuncturists (I wouldn't name names) have a bedside manner that I find incredibly uncomfortable and unhelpful. When I list out my health issues to you-the issues I want to address today in acupuncture, please don't pity me or offer me sympathy. Yes, I know I'm fairly young to be dealing with a laundry list of health issues. But you pitying me or making a big deal out of it makes things a million times worse. I've stopped going to Sarana because dealing with this acupuncturist has caused my health issues to be worse due to the anxiety and stress of having to deal with this person. If you only going to sarana for stress and things like that, you should be fine. If you have sensitive (read embarrassing) health issues and/or are really genuinely sick with multiple health issues, please don't go here read more

The owner told me forgetting needles in a patents body is common. Hours after leaving from my first treatment my left foot was hurting so bad that I couldn't walk on it. After getting home that night I discovered a three inch needle still lodged in my foot and another needle stuck to the inside of my shoe. The next day I still had trouble walking so I called the owner to report the negligence. She was quick to dismiss my concerns and stated -- Every few weeks someone forgets to take out a needle, but we usually catch it before the person leaves the building... I'm surprised you didn't catch it sooner. -- I felt like she was implying it was my fault I didn't properly check my body for broken/disregarded needles. She offered to make it up to me by giving me a free treatment if I came back in within a week. However, after speaking with several licensed acupuncturists in the area they recommended not going back to a place that excuses and accepts malpractice. read more

My favorite community acupuncture location. Raves for Pam Chang. Tatiana is good too. Comfortable and affordable. Make a reservation online. Grab blankets and pick your recliner. read more

Sarana has only been around since Spring 2008. I have been going there since summer of this year. The idea of "community" acupuncture began in Portiand, Oregon. In order to make acupuncture more affordable clients are given treatments in a group room, rather than a private room. At Sarana there are two small rooms with a total of 6 chairs (2 overstuffed comfy chairs, 4 comfy padded reclining chairs and 2 beds). The atmosphere is comfy and relaxing. There is very soft music and/or relaxing wave sounds in the background. Pamela and Tatyana, are very kind and gentle, and really know their stuff. They both have had a lot of experience. My treatments have been very beneficial to me. My mental and spiritual health have improved as my physical pains have been under control. They have a sliding scale of $20-$40 dollars (no proof of income needed). The fees are lower if you receive multiple treatments in a week. They are located in the U-shaped mall that has the Round Table Pizza at one end and Happy Donut on the other. They are located in the corner near Alpha Pet Store. I must admit to being a bit irreverant. Although I have had acupuncture before I still think of myself as an insect in some Gary Larson cartoon strip being poked with pins for a collection. The pins do not hurt and aren't in permanently so I guess I'll have to gain notoriety in a Gary Larson cartoon strip another way. 8) read more

Nice, quiet place recommended by my wonderful Yoga instructor, Nicole Becker. I went there for a few allergy treatments and enjoyed the peaceful, relaxed setting. They are stuffed into a tight corner of an old plaza, but you don't really get that feeling once you're in. You just go in, leave payment at the front, shut off your cell phone and take one of the many reclining chairs until they free up to work on you. Stay as long as you feel you need to. I have never been able to stay awake, even with a bunch of needles in my arms, face and legs. Lying back in total silence is a sure recipe for me to doze. You can also ask them to wake you up at a specified time, if you really must. (start playing tiniest violin in the world) When I was the tender age of 16 and going through an entire box of tissue in my locker in a day during allergy season, I was convinced by my mother to go and get acupuncture. The guy I went to was apparently the "Doctor to the stars". He was this large, loud Chinese guy with no bedside manner whatsoever, and he'd just come in and jam needles somewhat carelessly into my skin. I would always have tears rolling down my cheeks when he put them on my face, but he really couldn't care less. Every 15 or 20 minutes, he'd return to give the needles a twist. I don't know which of the insertion or the twist hurt more, but I had definitely hoped to not have this experience again. (end violin) Sarana is definitely NOT my teenage experience. I had Pam for my treatments, and she was always careful and precise. She would always check my face as she put the needles in to see if I was cringing in pain. But most of the time I barely felt a thing. They're great, and I am also considering having them treat me for back problems. It's good to have them so nearby and convenient. read more

I dont recommend this place for numerous reasons, least of which at least on two occasions I got home and found needles left in my body. When I reported it to them they tried to blow me off by saying its no big deal and a common occurrence. Sorry, I dont buy that, its BS, count how many go in and count how many come out, its that simple. Their low lights hide a lot of dirt. read more

This community Accupuncuture place has line of great doctors . I was not sure about white doc if they really know Accupuncutures but I was very wrong I been receiving treatment Doc. Pam she is of course great and treat me well just I didn't able to much her scadules and mine I started received Doc. Sean. He look like some kind of Asian God , his treatment is great I felt change same day just because I still not take easy on my problem arm and shoulder pain is still there. I appreciate these doctors work so hard saving us and treating our pain. You can find any community Accupuncuture places but I prefer come here! Also appreciated these price they have very good for some one don't have normal income and Insurence like me! read more

Sarana Community Acupuncture - Acupuncture Near Me - Albany, California

I found the staff at Sarana to be very friendly & helpful. It;s a very comfortable and quiet atmosphere. Treatment was so relaxing and I felt 10 times better after. Better yet was the great price for such a great service. The facilites are very clean & it's quiet. They have tea & water available as well as a little snack while you're waiting. First timers must arrive 20 min. early to fill out papers. read more

Superb community service and much needed affordable fees for outstanding acupuncture treatment. I have received acupuncture treatment for almost 30 years so I know when I find a competent professional and every acupuncturist at Sarana have been excellent. Thanks for your dedication and open heart to help others in need. read more

Two and a half years ago, I came down with Reactive Arthritis after a bout with food poisoning. The little hypochondriac in me had always thought it would be really cool to have a rare disease, but that little hypochondriac could not have been more wrong. Being crippled sucks. And Western medicine offered me nothing but a big pile of expensive pills that were making me sick and depressed. After a year of suffering I was ready to DO something about my pathetic body, and my research into arthritis indicated that acupuncture might be my best bet. Although I could never afford $150 treatments on a regular basis, I knew that of all the communities in the whole world, the Bay Area just had to offer some sort of affordable option for a barely-insured non-profiteer like myself. But I never expected to find the level of care and dedication that I have experienced at Sarana Community Acupuncture. I don't remember exactly how I discovered Sarana, but at the time it was just starting out at 7th Heaven Yoga in West Berkeley. I loved going there; everything about 7th Heaven is warm, from the golden walls to the cork floor. But it wasn't a permanent home, and one night a week was not enough to serve all of the clinics devotees. So I followed Tatyana to People's Acupuncture on Sacramento, where the clinic expanded to Wednesday nights, and then to the current location in Albany, next to the lesbian-owned pet shop. The clinic is now housed in a medium-sized, comfortably warm storefront filled with reclining chairs that are typically occupied by happy customers. The community atmosphere is just that - communal. Yes, you can hear other people and occasionally smell them, but you're all there to be part of a healing experience. The level of actual contact with other clients is kind of like you would have at a nail salon; you're not interacting, you're just having the same sort of services done in the same space. The atmosphere is totally serene and people are generally very conscientious of others, but you do have to be accepting of the occasional snorer. I think the main reason Sarana gets 5 stars is that I completely love Tatyana. She is gentle yet confident, and I have totally trusted her to take care of me from the second I met her. She took my health more seriously than any doctor I'd been to, and her work did more to help me than anything I had tried. I haven't been to acupuncture in several months because I now work close to home in Oakland and the clinic is no longer halfway through my commute. But they have Saturday hours, now. So please go support this wonderful place, but save a spot for me! read more

Wonderful place. I have been coming here for 3 weeks already (2-3 times a week) & definitely feel improvement. Not only my frequent visits seem to relieve my chronic pain, I am also feeling more relaxed & less stressed afterwords. I had several different practitioners doing my sessions. They are all wonderful. Tatyana is great. She did my intake & the first session. Pam did several of my last sessions & she is just unbelievable! Last week I had a bad headache when I came for my appointment. She asked me to show her the area where it hurt. She did some magic with her needles & 2 minutes later my headache was completely gone. I always look forward to my next appointment & to Pam's wonderful knowledge & care. ***a tip -always pick up a pair of ear plugs at the reception area :) read more

Pam is WONDERFUL at what she does. Knows exactly where to put the needles and is very graceful with the insertion so you don't feel much of anything. Karen, at the front desk, is always happy to see you and is a wonderful energy to the place, too! read more

Sarana Community Acupuncture has literally been a life saver for me during a very difficult time; I honestly don't know what I would have done without the excellent acupuncture treatment I have received over the past few months. I was dealing with a few chronic conditions, including: terrible PMS and hormonal issues, depression and severe anxiety. After just three treatments, I starting feeling a noticeable improvement in my mood and the depression and anxiety lifted..now, I'm much more calm, happy, focused and feeling healthier every day! My hormonal issues seem to be improving as well and I definitely have much more energy than I did before treatment. I have seen three different acupuncturists, and they are all very skilled, caring and provide excellent service. I highly recommend this clinic to anyone who has chronic health issues that need to be addressed, as well as to those who just need to keep stress levels in check and their body balanced, especially with the upcoming flu and stressful holiday season upon us. I will be telling all of my friends about this wonderful place! It feels incredible to be part of such a nurturing community who actually care about the health and well being of others...soon, I will be volunteering at the clinic so I can contribute more! Highly recommended! read more

What a cool place! I've been seeing acupuncturists for decades but never went to a community acupuncture. What brought me here is that my usual acupuncturists weren't available. The place is a flashback to another era. Oriental area rugs on the floor, tapestry print throws hung on the walls and ceiling, free tea and nuts. Low tech, pay what you can. It's a breath of fresh air from today's modern, fast-paced, expensive healthcare office. read more

I love this place! The atmosphere is very soothing. I've mostly seen Pam and think she's amazing. She is a great listener and healer. I've seen Ollie once and also really liked her. I highly recommend! read more

Fantastic! I went to Sarana for the first time today, and it is everything that other reviewers say it is. Tatyana is an excellent acupuncturist, as well as a genuinely down-to-earth, nice person who makes you feel totally at ease. In one session my back pain was noticeably reduced. Because of their sliding scale, I can afford to go every week. This is a great service to the community (don't let the strip mall location fool you!) read more

Community acupuncture is such an amazing gift. You can come here and get quick, affordable acupuncture, which is awesome because the best benefit from acupuncture takes place over time, multiple sessions a week. The environment is chill, relaxing and serene. There is one large room full of mis-matched recliner chairs and some massage tables. Upon entering this room, you choose your relaxing space of choice, remove your socks and shoes, roll up the sleeves of your shirt and the bottoms of your pants, take a few deep breaths and await the needles which are placed along various points on the skin to open up the energy channels of the body and help the body heal and rejuvenate. Pay is based on a sliding scale, starting at $20. If you're into acupuncture, or even if you've never tried it, come check out this place. But only come if you're comfy relaxing in a room with a bunch of other people. I love it. read more

Sarana Community Acupuncture - Inside the acupuncture sanctuary - Acupuncture Near Me - Albany, California

This is a good place. The acupuncturists are caring, and the atmosphere is nice. I am able to relax when I am here. And the prices are really reasonable so that almost anyone can come here. Thank you, Sarana! read more

Love this place of healing. Very dedicated, compassionate and skilled healers. I've been going for years. Appreciate the warm comfy setting and lazyboy chairs arranged so you can feel the healing energy of others without feeling a lack of privacy. read more

I highly recommend Sarana Community Acupuncture Clinic. Join POCA for additional savings which make your care even more affordable. It is extremely simple to book appointments online. Everyone in their office (mostly volunteer) conveys a wonderfully positive, calming and healing energy during their interactions with patients. Over the last few months, I have had treatments from Pam, Sean, Tatiana, and Jennifer --- and overall my symptoms have lessened dramatically and my sleep has been less interrupted....even my sanity has been restored! read more

Wonderful people. If you're a hippie like me, you'll immediately be comfortable in this homey environment. The practitioners are outstanding and it's a wonderful place to take a nap surrounded by a handful of other snoring clients. Feels very communal and safe. There are a few bargains in the health world but this is one. read more

This place is a treasure -- caring, affordable, relaxing, and healing. That's a rare combo in this day and age. With every visit, my ailment gets better, my mind clearer, my breathing fuller. I can't recommend this place more. read more

So glad to have found this clinic! I have a regular acupuncturist that I see for a chronic condition, but today, I needed to recover from a weekend of debauchery, so I crossed my fingers that I'd be able to find a community acupuncture clinic that was open on Sundays. I needed help detoxing and getting my digestion back to normal. Lucky for me, I found Sarana with a quick google search. The owners of the clinic have obviously put a lot of thought into the kind of environment they wanted to provide, from the cozy homey decor to the selection of teas and healthy snacks, and, especially, the orientation they provide, not only online, but upon your first visit, as well. The clinic was far from noisy, but I still appreciated the earplugs. I'm a big fan of earplugs. Blankets, different kinds of pillows, white noise machines... everything planned to the last detail. Pam Chang served me with the utmost care. She was grounded and skillful, even though she was the only person on staff that day, with no receptionist. I very much appreciated her style, but at one point, I was really struck with the detailed level of care that she gave. I had a little cough residual from last week's cold... every time I coughed, she peeked in to make sure I wasn't trying to get her attention. Upon my third coughing spell, I realized I should probably get some water, so I flagged her down and she brought me a cup of water... It surprised me that the cup of water was only 1/2 full, but then I realized that since I was in a reclining chair, I would have spilled on myself, had the cup been full. So thoughtful! She also brought a Ricola cough drop and pulled up a stool for me to set the cup down. Nothing earth-shattering, but all the little details added up to a great experience. Anyways, I am so grateful to have found this *affordable* and caring clinic today. I've already scheduled my second appointment. Added bonuses for me: The clinic is on the 72 bus line, and it's next door to Alpha, one of my favorite pet supply stores. read more

Peaceful, quiet, lovely healing space. Pam Chang is an incredible, knowledable, experienced acupuncturist with a gentle, caring, light touch. My go-to place for self care. Love drifting off to the sound of birds. Affordable. Excellent value. Highly recommend. read more