Prenatal Acupuncture in San Francisco
Gentle acupuncture for pregnancy and the months after birth. Suzanne Lange, DACM, L.Ac, has advanced training in pregnancy and postpartum care, and treats you lying comfortably on your side, propped with pillows, alongside your OB or midwife's care.
Rated 5.0 on GoogleLicensed acupuncturists
What our patients say
5.0 on Google from 92 reviews
I loved coming to Andrew. He was a lifesaver in helping me through some back issues when I was pregnant with my first child. A lovely, warm place and Andrew is amazing!!!!
Andrew’s massage and acupuncture techniques have seen me successfully through back-to-back marathons seven weeks apart, plus two active pregnancies and a record-breaking racing season in between. He is a veritable genius in his field — a true healer.
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 a cornerstone of my care team. He successfully unwinds my ills before they can become chronic problems.
Andrew is fantastic! He is knowledgeable and provides specialized treatment for my chronic nerve pain. I highly recommend him.
Andrew is amazing! Very caring and concerned about your health and well being. He genuinely is a very kind person.
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.
Andrew is a fantastic alternative and addition to physical therapy. He quickly understands your condition and treats it effectively.
Andrew introduced me to a form of healing which, after years of competitive long distance running and many injuries, I am more than thankful to have discovered! My latest injury, a small tear in my left hamstring, sidelined me for a number of months. After trying rest, physical therapy and anti-inflammatories with little results, I finally met Andrew. His approach from the very beginning was completely methodical, precise and extremely professional. Right away the pain eased, and I felt my body finally respond to treatment. Andrew was instrumental in healing my hamstring, and I trust that his acupuncture/massage techniques will keep me healthy and, importantly, keep me running for many decades and miles.
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.
I’ve always wanted to be able to demonstrate clearly to professional dancers when giving them corrections or setting ballets. However, without the level of daily physical preparation that my body was used to when I danced, my body now has moments of rebellion that, however careful I am, need the assistance of experts to ensure I can do my job fully. Andrew’s combination of acupuncture and soft tissue work always made a significant difference to my mobility, helping me undertake my role in the studio at a level of physicality such that I’m not confined to the minimum level of demonstration. With his level of experience with dancers it was always easy to discuss problematic muscles and joints, and reassuring that he ‘got’ what was going on and what was required to improve the situation efficiently and effectively.
Pregnancy care with Suzanne
Your body changes quickly in pregnancy, and so do the aches, the sleep and the worries that come with it. Suzanne Lange holds a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, has more than 20 years of clinical experience, and has made women's health, pregnancy and postpartum care a focus of her advanced training.
She started her career as a massage therapist, so her sessions mix gentle hands-on work with acupuncture. Her care often runs from fertility support through pregnancy and into the newborn months.
Every pregnancy and every family is different. Tell us what you need, and we'll shape each visit around how you feel that day. You can read Suzanne's full background on our team page.
How prenatal acupuncture may help
Many everyday remedies are off the table in pregnancy, so gentle, drug-free options matter.
If any of these sound familiar, we'll talk it through at your first visit and agree on a plan together.
- Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy
- Low back pain, pelvic girdle pain or pain at the pubic bone
- Hip pain or sciatica as your posture shifts
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Stress, worry or feeling overwhelmed
- Preparing body and mind in the final weeks
- Recovering after birth
Acupuncture for morning sickness
Nausea and vomiting are often the hardest part of the first trimester, and many of the usual remedies aren't an option in pregnancy. Acupuncture is a gentle, drug-free way to help. We use a small number of fine needles, often including a point on the inner wrist (PC6) that's traditionally used for nausea, along with points that help you feel calmer and more settled.
The research is encouraging: a 2024 review of 24 trials found that acupuncture added to medical care eased nausea and vomiting more than medical care alone. Many people come weekly while nausea is at its worst, then less often as it settles. Results vary from person to person.
If you can't keep fluids down, are losing weight or feel faint, call your OB or midwife first, because severe vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum) needs medical treatment. Acupuncture works alongside that care.
Morning sickness visits
- Fewer points and a light touch, with no needles on the belly or low back
- Lie on your side or recline, whatever feels best
- Come as early in pregnancy as you like
- Open 7:30am to 9pm, seven days a week
Prenatal acupuncture near you in San Francisco
Our clinic is at 2920 Webster Street in Cow Hollow, between Union and Filbert, a short walk from the Marina, Pacific Heights and the Presidio. People come to us for prenatal acupuncture from across the city, including Presidio Heights, Russian Hill, North Beach, the Mission, SoMa and the Inner Sunset near UCSF, as well as from Marin and the East Bay.
We're open 7:30am to 9pm, seven days a week, so early-morning and evening visits can fit around work and prenatal appointments. Metered parking on Union Street is one block away, the Union Laguna Garage is at 1910 Union Street, and the 45 bus stops on Union Street. The building is gated, and your gate code is in your booking confirmation email. See directions and parking.
Suzanne leads our prenatal care. Andrew and Ali also treat pregnant patients, so if you'd prefer one of them or need a different time, book with whoever suits you, or call (415) 646-1862.
Care through each trimester
What you need in week 8 is very different from week 38. Here's roughly how care changes as your pregnancy grows.
First trimester
Nausea, tiredness and worry often lead the way. We use fewer points, a lighter touch and no points on the belly or low back.
You're welcome to come as soon as you know you're pregnant, or to wait until after your first scan if that feels better.
Second trimester
For many people this is the easiest stretch. We focus on back and pelvic pain, sleep and stress as your bump grows.
You'll lie on your side or sit semi-reclined, supported by pillows, so you never have to lie flat on your back or front.
Third trimester
Pelvic and hip pain, sciatica in late pregnancy, broken sleep and swelling are common now.
From around 36 weeks, some people come weekly to rest and prepare for birth. If your baby is breech, talk to your provider about all your options.
What the research says
The strongest evidence is for pelvic girdle pain. A 2005 BMJ trial of 386 pregnant women found that adding acupuncture to standard care eased pelvic girdle pain more than standard care alone. A 2015 Cochrane review found moderate-quality evidence, from individual trials, that acupuncture or craniosacral therapy improved pregnancy-related pelvic pain more than usual prenatal care alone.
For nausea, a 2024 review of 24 trials found that acupuncture added to medical care eased nausea and vomiting more than medical care alone.
Later in pregnancy, a 2017 Cochrane review of 22 trials found acupuncture may help the cervix get ready for labor. For breech babies, a 2023 Cochrane review found that moxibustion (warming a point on the little toe with a smoldering herb) may slightly lower the chance of a baby still being breech at birth.
In short
- Strongest research for pelvic girdle pain
- May ease morning sickness alongside medical care
- May help the cervix get ready for labor
- Moxibustion may help some breech babies turn
- Always alongside your prenatal care, never instead
Safety in pregnancy
Done properly, acupuncture in pregnancy has a good safety record. A 2014 review of 105 studies found side effects in under 2% of patients, all mild or moderate, most often brief needle soreness. A large Korean study of more than 20,000 pregnancies found no difference in preterm birth or stillbirth between people who had acupuncture and those who didn't.
Please tell your OB or midwife you're having acupuncture, and tell us how many weeks along you are, about any complications, and every medication you take. If your pregnancy is high risk, for example with placenta previa, preeclampsia, bleeding or a history of preterm labor, we'll want your provider's OK first, and we may adjust treatment or wait.
Some techniques from our sports work, such as dry needling, cupping, cold laser and electrical stimulation, are set aside during pregnancy.
Points we avoid
- Points on the lower belly and the sacrum (the base of the spine)
- Points traditionally thought to stimulate the uterus, such as LI4 on the hand, SP6 above the inner ankle, BL60 and BL67 on the foot, and GB21 on the shoulder
- We avoid these until full term, and use them then only with your provider's knowledge
Call your OB or midwife, or 911, right away if you have
- Vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking
- Your baby moving less, or stopping moving
- Regular contractions before 37 weeks, or severe belly pain that doesn't go away
- A headache that won't go away, changes in your vision, or sudden swelling of your face or hands
- Severe vomiting, or being unable to keep fluids down
- A fever of 100.4°F or higher, trouble breathing or chest pain
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
What a visit is like
Plan on about an hour for your first visit. How many sessions you'll want varies, and Suzanne will suggest a plan after your assessment.
Book
When you book, tell us you're pregnant and how many weeks along you are, so we can plan your visit with Suzanne.
Talk
We go over your pregnancy so far, your health history, what's bothering you and what your OB or midwife has said.
Rest
You lie on your side or semi-reclined with pillows under your bump, knees and head. Needles are very fine, and many people fall asleep.
Afterwards
Most people feel calm and a little drowsy. Have a snack, drink some water and take it easy for the rest of the day if you can.
After your baby arrives
The weeks after birth are often called the fourth trimester. You're healing, feeding around the clock and running on very little sleep. Chinese medicine has long treated this as a time to rest and rebuild, and many people return to see Suzanne once they feel ready to leave the house.
Postpartum visits focus on recovery and energy, sleep when you can get it, and the neck, back and wrist strain that comes with feeding and carrying a baby. After a cesarean, we keep well away from the incision while it heals. Results vary from person to person, and Suzanne will talk you through what to expect.
Low mood and anxiety after birth are common and treatable. Acupuncture can be one source of support, alongside your doctor's care, and our page on acupuncture for anxiety and stress explains how we approach it.
Postpartum care may help with
- Recovery and energy after birth
- Rest and sleep, even in short stretches
- Neck, upper back and wrist pain from feeding
- Low back and pelvic aches
- Stress and mood, alongside your doctor
Pricing and booking
Prenatal and postpartum acupuncture happen within a standard visit, so there's no special package to buy. Curious about acupuncture in general first? Read what an acupuncture session involves.
We don't bill insurance, but we provide a superbill you can submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement. We accept HSA and FSA cards and all credit cards. Gift certificates make a thoughtful present for a friend who's expecting.
Appointments
- 60-min initial acupuncture & assessment
- $225
- 45-min acupuncture follow-up
- $195
- 60-min acupuncture/massage combo
- $225
- 75-min acupuncture/massage combo
- $265
- 90-min acupuncture/massage combo
- $300
Prenatal acupuncture FAQ
Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy?
When it's done by a licensed acupuncturist trained in pregnancy care, acupuncture has a good safety record. A 2014 review of 105 studies found side effects in under 2% of patients, all mild or moderate. We avoid certain points, adjust your position and ask you to keep your OB or midwife informed.
Can I have acupuncture in the first trimester?
Yes. Many people come in the first trimester for nausea, tiredness and worry. We use fewer points and a gentle touch, and avoid the belly and low back. If you'd rather wait until after your first scan, that's completely fine too.
Which acupuncture points are avoided in pregnancy?
We avoid points on the lower belly and sacrum, and points traditionally thought to stimulate the uterus, such as LI4 on the hand, SP6 above the inner ankle, BL60 and BL67 on the foot, and GB21 on the shoulder. We hold off on these until full term, and then use them only with your provider's knowledge.
Can acupuncture help morning sickness?
It may. A 2024 review of 24 trials found acupuncture added to medical care eased nausea and vomiting more than medical care alone, and results vary from person to person. If you can't keep fluids down, call your OB or midwife, because severe vomiting needs medical treatment.
Can acupuncture induce labor?
We don't promise that. A 2017 Cochrane review of 22 trials found acupuncture may help the cervix get ready for labor, and many people find late-pregnancy sessions relaxing as they prepare for birth. Any decision about induction belongs with you and your provider.
Can acupuncture or moxibustion turn a breech baby?
A 2023 Cochrane review found moxibustion may slightly lower the chance of a baby still being breech at birth. If your baby is breech after about 34 weeks, talk to your OB or midwife about all of your options before trying anything.
How will I lie on the table?
You'll lie on your side or sit semi-reclined, with pillows supporting your bump, knees and head. Later in pregnancy we avoid long stretches flat on your back, and you can change position or take a break whenever you need to.
When can I come in after giving birth?
Whenever you feel ready and your provider is happy for you to go out. Many people wait a few weeks. After a cesarean, we keep well away from the incision while it heals, and we'll shape each visit around your recovery and sleep.
Do I need my OB or midwife's permission?
You don't need a referral to book. We do ask you to tell your OB or midwife that you're having acupuncture, and if your pregnancy is high risk, we'll want their OK before we start.
Is there a pregnancy acupuncturist in Cow Hollow or the Marina?
Yes. Suzanne Lange, DACM, L.Ac, treats pregnancy and postpartum patients at 2920 Webster Street, between Union and Filbert, on the Cow Hollow side of the Marina. She has advanced training in pregnancy and postpartum care, and she treats you lying comfortably on your side, alongside your OB or midwife's care.
Where can I park when I'm pregnant?
Metered parking on Union Street puts you one block from our gate, and the Union Laguna Garage is at 1910 Union Street. Residential streets nearby limit visitor parking, so check the signs. If a partner is driving, they can drop you at the gate on Webster Street (code from your booking confirmation email) and then park.
References
- Elden H, et al. Effects of acupuncture and stabilising exercises as adjunct to standard treatment in pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain: randomised single blind controlled trial. BMJ. 2005.
- Liddle SD, et al. Interventions for preventing and treating low-back and pelvic pain during pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015.
- Jin B, et al. Acupuncture for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2024.
- Smith CA, et al. Acupuncture or acupressure for induction of labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2017.
- Coyle ME, et al. Cephalic version by moxibustion for breech presentation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2023.
- Park J, et al. The safety of acupuncture during pregnancy: a systematic review. Acupuncture in Medicine. 2014.
- Moon HY, et al. Safety of acupuncture during pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study in Korea. BJOG. 2020.
Ready for a little more comfort?
Book a visit with Suzanne 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