Chinese Medicine & Wellness in San Francisco
Acupuncture, herbal medicine and gentle bodywork for fertility, pregnancy, stress, sleep, skin and more. Traditional Chinese Medicine care led by Suzanne Lange and Ali Hakimi at our Cow Hollow clinic.
Rated 5.0 on GoogleLicensed acupuncturists
More than sports. Care for the whole person.
Many people know us for sports acupuncture, but our practitioners are trained in the full tradition of Chinese medicine. A visit can look at your sleep, stress, digestion and cycle, because in Chinese medicine these are all connected.
Traditional Chinese Medicine includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion, bodywork, and advice on diet and daily habits. Each visit starts with a conversation and a classical assessment, including your pulse and tongue. The pace is calm and unhurried. New to needles? Here's what an acupuncture session involves.
This care partners with your doctor rather than replacing them. If something needs medical attention first, we'll say so, and we're glad to work alongside your physician, OB, midwife or therapist.
Wellness care in focus
What each treatment involves, who leads it, what the research says and what to expect at your visit.
Fertility
Support for natural conception and alongside IUI or IVF, with Suzanne.
Read about fertility acupuncture
Pregnancy & postpartum
Gentle care for nausea, aches, sleep and recovery, adapted for each stage.
Read about prenatal acupuncture
Cosmetic acupuncture
Facial rejuvenation with fine needles, from a practitioner with advanced training.
Read about cosmetic acupuncture
Anxiety, stress & sleep
Scalp and ear acupuncture to help a busy nervous system settle, with Ali.
Read about acupuncture for anxiety
Tinnitus
Acupuncture and moxibustion for ringing in the ears and the poor sleep it brings, with Ali.
Read about acupuncture for tinnitus
Chinese herbal medicine
Classical formulas chosen for your pattern, with careful checks for medications.
Read about herbal medicine
Craniosacral therapy
Very light, hands-on work that many people find deeply calming.
Read about craniosacral therapyChinese medicine techniques
Alongside acupuncture, these are the classic tools we use. Your practitioner picks the ones that suit what you need.
Electroacupuncture
Used mostly for pain and sports injuries. Small clips attach to a few of the acupuncture needles and send a gentle electrical pulse that makes the muscle contract and release. This helps a tight, guarded muscle let go, easing pain and swelling. It feels like a light tapping or buzzing, and we set the strength to what's comfortable.
Cupping
An ancient Chinese medicine remedy. The cups use gentle suction to lift the skin and muscle, moving stagnant blood out of tight areas and bringing fresh blood in to relieve pain and tension. It can leave round marks for a few days, which is normal. Read more about cupping therapy.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion uses the warming properties of the Chinese herb mugwort to heat acupuncture points, stimulating circulation and supporting healing. In Chinese medicine it's used to encourage the flow of blood and qi. Most people describe it as a gentle, spreading warmth.
Herbs and nutrition
Our practitioners can prescribe Chinese herbs, recommend supplements, and give nutrition and lifestyle advice that fits the treatment you're receiving. Read about Chinese herbal medicine.
Who leads our Chinese medicine care
Two California-licensed acupuncturists, each with their own focus.
Ali Hakimi, L.Ac
Ali is a seventh-generation practitioner of traditional medicine with a master's degree from the Academy of Chinese Culture & Health Sciences. He studied classical Chinese formulas with Dr. Huang Huang and classical diagnosis with Dr. Suzanne Robidoux.
He trained in scalp acupuncture for anxiety, stress, insomnia and PTSD, uses ear acupuncture, moxibustion and classical herbal medicine, and works with neurological conditions.
Suzanne Lange, DACM, L.Ac, CMT
Suzanne holds a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine and has more than 20 years of clinical experience. Her advanced study covers women's health, fertility, pregnancy and postpartum care, facial rejuvenation and microneedling.
She trained in Japanese-style acupuncture, including a clinical internship in the Ikeda Masakazu system, which uses fine needles and a light touch. A certified massage therapist trained in craniosacral therapy, she blends gentle bodywork with acupuncture.
What our patients say
5.0 on Google from 92 reviews
I was introduced to Andrew by a friend who dubbed him as nothing short of magical. After experiencing his expertise firsthand, I couldn't agree more. Andrew's mastery of the human body and its intricacies truly feels like a kind of magic. I've been to other specialists for my chronic upper back and neck pain, but Andrew is different. He focuses on treating the actual problem, not just masking the symptoms. For the first time, I walked out of an acupuncture session and went back to exercising without feeling any pain. It was a game-changer. I feel as if I've been given a brand new back. Honestly, I never thought a life without back pain was possible until now. While I was also working with Andew some other health issues came up that couldn’t be diagnosed by western medicine. His thoughtful and holistic approach immediately made me feel understood and valued. Throughout our sessions, he would patiently explain the various points he was working on or the sensations I was experiencing, shedding light on what was going on internally within my body. Thanks to him, I now have a deeper appreciation for how imbalances in one area can send ripples throughout the entire system. He was able to find the root cause, guiding me slowly but surely on the path to recovery. I feel blessed to have met Andrew, he really has changed my life and I’m grateful for that.
I would strongly (strongly!) recommend Acupuncture for Athletics for both athletes and non-athletes alike. Not only does Andrew help with injury recovery, pain management, and stress relief, but he creates a relaxing and positive environment that enhances the work that he does and leads you to feel better both physically and mentally after each visit. And beyond acupuncture and massage, Andrew goes the extra mile to provide guidance on how to address specific pain-points and injuries, or to simply ensure that you are feeling and performing your best. Again, I can't recommend Acupuncture for Athletics enough!
Andrew is amazing! Very caring and concerned about your health and well being. He genuinely is a very kind person.
Andrew is a cornerstone of my care team. He successfully unwinds my ills before they can become chronic problems.
I came to Andrew after nearly six excruciating months of not being able to run. I had a seemingly minor Achilles tendon injury that simply refused to heal, defying every modality I tried. I hoped Andrew, a specialist in sports injuries, could break the deadlock. The simple answer is that in three visits, I was running again, hardly able to believe my good fortune. The more complicated answer runs deeper. Andrew’s work doesn’t just address physical injury; he works on spiritual and emotional injury and stress too. I didn’t realize that my physical injury was bound up with emotional trauma, but he did, and he figured out how to disentangle them so the healing process could start. The process can be painful; emotional injuries that have lodged in your body have to work their way out through muscle and bone, like a physical illness. But it’s also both profound and unexpected. As another of Andrew’s clients said, he is a true healer.
As a professional dancer, I rely heavily on Andrew throughout the performance season to literally fix me in order to get me back onstage. I have chronic problems with my knee and my shoulder, and the combination of acupuncture with electric stimulation and heat has been tremendously helpful. Andrew only needs five minutes to find exactly where he needs to work, and the results are fantastic. His acupuncture work is also gentle, and doesn’t leave me sore the next day — in fact, it’s one of the only therapies I feel comfortable receiving right before a show. Andrew does great deep tissue work as well, and he is very responsive and attentive as a therapist. I’d highly recommend him to dancers, athletes and non-dancers alike.
I had a golfers elbow and my coach referred me to Andrew. He has been an amazing acupuncturist and worked on my right elbow, shoulder and arm for a couple of weeks. I have felt so much better just after the first session and going back really helps the blood flow so much better and my right arm, elbow and shoulder feels less tense and more relaxed. Definitely recommend this place, especially for athletes!
Andrew is the best. I’m a professional ballerina and his treatments helped me come back from a broken foot. When you see Andrew - you’re comforted by his knowledge, expertise, & strategy based treatment. Plus the clinic is so relaxing and warm. I have complete trust that he will help my aches and pains and keep me dancing for a long time.
There’s no one I trust more than Andrew to support my kids in their healing process if they’ve had a sports-related injury. As elite athletes, it’s so important that their knees, ankles and shoulders are well taken care of, and Andrew is our go-to for treatment of pain or injury and also guidance for best practices outside the treatment room to further help healing along. My daughter recently rolled her ankle and was ready for a painfully prolonged healing process when we took her into to see Andrew for a couple treatments before a tournament weekend. With his help, her recovery was amazing, allowing her to feel confident on her ankle. Thanks to Andrew, she was healthy enough to play without pain or exacerbating the injury. We are very grateful to have Andrew on speed dial when these types of injuries occur!
Andrew is fantastic! He is knowledgeable and provides specialized treatment for my chronic nerve pain. I highly recommend him.
Andrew is terrific. I saw him post shoulder surgery and it was very beneficial in getting pain free and full range of motion.
Andrew treated me over a period of about two years for hip and shoulder problems, and he was tremendously helpful. I was impressed with his knowledge and skill, not to mention wonderful “bedside manner” and especially his enthusiasm for staying current in his field.
Chinese medicine FAQ
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a system of health care developed over thousands of years. It includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion, bodywork such as massage and cupping, and guidance on diet and daily habits. Practitioners look at your symptoms as a connected pattern and treat the whole person rather than one complaint.
Do I have to be an athlete to come to your clinic?
Not at all. Sports care is a big part of what we do, but our practitioners also treat fertility and pregnancy concerns, stress, anxiety and sleep, tinnitus, skin and digestion, and support general wellbeing. Suzanne and Ali lead most of this care.
What happens at a first visit?
Plan on about an hour. We take a full health history, check your pulse and tongue, and talk about your goals. Treatment usually starts the same day, most often with acupuncture. How many sessions you'll need varies, and we'll give you an honest estimate after your assessment.
Is Chinese medicine safe alongside my regular medical care?
Acupuncture from a licensed acupuncturist is generally very safe and works well alongside conventional care. Herbal medicine needs more care, because some herbs can interact with medications. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, and tell us about your medications, any pregnancy, or if you're breastfeeding.
How much does it cost?
A 60-minute initial acupuncture and assessment is $225, and a 45-minute acupuncture follow-up is $195. Some wellness services may be priced differently, so please call us to ask. We don't bill insurance, but we provide a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement and accept HSA and FSA cards.
How do I choose between Suzanne and Ali?
Suzanne focuses on fertility, pregnancy, postpartum care, cosmetic acupuncture and gentle Japanese-style treatment. Ali focuses on anxiety, stress and sleep, tinnitus and neurological concerns, and classical herbal medicine. If you're not sure, call us at (415) 646-1862 and we'll help you choose.
Care that looks at the whole picture
Book a visit with Suzanne or Ali at our Cow Hollow clinic, or call us to talk it through first.
Visit us in Cow Hollow
2920 Webster Street, between Union and Filbert. A short walk from the Marina, Pacific Heights and the Presidio.
Address
Acupuncture for Athletics2920 Webster Street
San Francisco, CA 94123 Gate code: in your booking confirmation email
Hours
- Every day
- 7:30am – 9:00pm