Academy Of Chinese Culture And Health Sciences

Love, Love, Love this place! I have been going here for years, and love their new location. The students are very enthusiastic, and always seem to really care about your overall health and treatment. The staff is wonderful and the night time receptionist is amazing!

I went in for my first ever acupuncture treatment in my life. What I got was a guy who barely spoke English, one receptionist that obviously was from China and dint understand English either. After my treatment, I started feeling worse. It passed the next day. I called this morning before my appointment to see if my reaction was normal and they hung up on me! yes! They bloody hung up on me! I didn’t even get asked if I could hold! This terrible customer service guarantees that I’ll never go back. And unless you speak what I assume was Mandarin you shouldn’t go

As an acupuncture newbie, I had no idea what to expect when I walked into ACCHS. What I found were both students and doctors who listened to my symptoms and asked questions for 30 – 45 minutes, and then developed action plans for how to treat the diagnosis made. Compared to a GI doctor at Kaiser who listened to me for 1 minute, told me I should count my calories, and «Good luck with all that stomach stuff,» I was thankful for healers who seemed to have faith they could help.
A few notes if you’re going to go:
1. Visits take awhile (especially your first one) so plan in advance. They almost always run on time, so these aren’t long visits for no reason — an intern or doctor is with you for awhile. They’re going to ask you a bunch of questions — about every body function you can imagine.
2. Feel free to ask questions — doctors and interns have been really good about explaining eastern medicine to me, and what their diagnosis means.
3. Some interns do other alternative healing, which I’ve found incredibly helpful. If one of them asks, «Hey, want to try this thing…» say «Yes!»
4. Once the needles are in, the acupuncture part only lasts 20 minutes or so. I’ve been told other places leave them in longer, but I’ve found this amount of time to be beneficial.
5. Oh right, the needles. They actually don’t hurt going in, unless your pressure point is reallllllly sensitive. And even then, the pain is far better than stubbing your toe or touching a hot pan.
Highly recommend to anyone with health issues that western medicine can’t seem to diagnose or help. If nothing else, seeing doctors who care is pretty empowering. (One doctor actually came out to the waiting area one day when I wasn’t seeing him, and asked me how I was doing. It was amazing.)

I’ve been very happy with my experiences at ACA. I’ve been going on a regular basis for over a year to deal with several issues and have received complete relief from my symptoms with one condition and pain management with the other condition. The doctors are all excellent and I’ve seen 4 students over the course of the year that have all been excellent as well. It’s a good value and worth a try if you’re open to trying an alternative to western drug based medicine and treatment.

This is a great way to receive acupuncture treatments or massage at a very affordable price. College students also receive an additional discount.
I have found the clinic appointments to run on time and every once in awhile they’re even able to get me in early. Visits usually last about 50 – 90 minutes which includes both the discussions and treatment. I have never felt rushed or hurried, however, I am able to schedule my appointments during the daytime, and things may be a bit busier during the evening.
The interns personality varies with each intern, but I’ve found them to all be very diligent and very caring about my health needs. I have had the opportunity to be treated by three different interns so far. I feel that the supervising doctors do an outstanding job of directing the quality and consistency of my treatments.
I also wanted to remind everyone that the clinic is very conveniently located in easy walking distance between the BART stations in Oakland city center.
Lastly, I was happy to find a little Deli right next door with a wide variety of healthy snack food and drink items.

CLINIC IS A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT!!! I didn’t even get to have my treatment because this place was so disorganized.
Here is a quick summary:
1. Called in & made Appt. for 1:00 p.m. — I arrived @ 12:55, checked in at the front desk, was told to have a seat and someone who come get me.
2. 15 min. later I checked in at the desk (with a different receptionist) who told me I was supposed to check in down the hall.
3. Went down the hall & found nowhere to check into.
4. Found some woman who worked there. She took me back to the front desk and then was told I was supposed to be in the 1^st room
5. Asked the instructor if I was in the right spot and was told his session was starting at 1:30 p.m.
5. Went back to the front desk and was told I was actually supposed to check in on the 2^nd floor.
6. Went to the 2^nd floor and was told I was supposed to check in on the 1^st floor
7. Found some guy to walk with me back to the first floor, back down the hallway to the same room and was told I was scheduled for 1:15 p.m.
Then they showed me the schedule and my name wasn’t even on it!

I love this place!
In fact, I go to the ACCHS before I even consider going to a Western medicine physician because Western Medicine just covers up a health problem (giving you meds) instead of Chinese Medicine getting to the root of the medical problem.
I started using acupuncture, way back in 1998 when a feral cat bit me and I developed health problems. Went the normal route, to Kaiser and what did they do? They told me to keep my leg in a bucket of water… Yeah right… and what happened? I developed a form of «cat scratch fever». Stiff, in alot of pain, didn’t want to go back to a hospital who didn’t want to «take care» of the situation, so a friend who is into acupuncture convinced me to at least try it. So, I did, and the private acupuncturist near Grand Ave in Oakland at that time healed me and I became an accupuncturist convert. Thankfully, while at a thrift store, I overheard a woman talking about this «magic accupuncturist», Graham Guigley, a senior intern at ACCHS.
Since I was dealing again with a different medical problem, I contacted ACCHS to get an appointment with Magic Graham… I love being in a teaching school environment… not only are they being taught, but the interns also teach me, about my body! I love it! So Graham and his Chinese knowledge and magic fingers has cured me of Varicose veins, and Sciatica, on both hips (I walked in hunched over like an old lady with a walker, and walked out standing straight up.) and lord knows what else… Too many to think.
Unfortunately, Graham has graduated, so I elected to try Teaching Model Clinic which is held on Wednesdays, with Dr. Fitzgerald. Cost is $ 35 for about an hour and a half. Discussion is with you and the physician, asking questions. There are about 15 students in the room and sometimes they will ask you questions too. The physician applies the needles on you with the students around you observing. And most important, since I’m a patient, I get to have a 45 minute TuNa massage for only $ 20! Woohoo!
I’m never going anywhere else for my Chinese Medicine therapies. BTW — after being in the same location for 25 years, the school got the notice that the building owner was not going to renew their lease. They will be moving to the 1900 Broadway area.

I went to the community style acupuncture clinics for years, and they have their place for things like pain relief and the common cold. For anything more tricky, ACCHS is completely worthwhile. Most of the doctors there are excellent specialists of some kind or another that have incredible healing skills. You should ask for which doctor specializes in your concern, and go that day or night, also stay with the student of your choice. The students will do the intake form, then discuss it with the doctors. The student come up with a treatment plan, but the doctor makes the final plan.
This can take about 2 hours at times, but it is interesting, and way more thorough than community acupuncture. I have gotten needles, bodywork, and dietary recommendations for $ 26. The people are kind, caring and humanistic. I enjoy the international feeling I get when I am treated there and pay a fair price. A unique opportunity in this country.

Great teaching clinic to get affordable Chinese healthcare — acupuncture and herbs.
If you go, ask for Kathy and Dr. Ye — Kathy is one of the interns, and she is the only intern I will vouch for. I’ve heard otherwise about a couple of the interns, though I’m sure most of them are just fine.
First, make an appointment on the phone. You may have to try a few times, since the front desk clerk can be a little difficult. You go to the clinic to the 3^rd floor and sign in at the front. If you are a student, it’s $ 15, but regularly, it’s $ 25. They lead you in a room, where you stay fully clothed, and they do a very thorough patient intake.
Be prepared for a long visit. Since it’s super thorough, which I personally prefer to the cold, brisk Western medicine expereince, diagnosis can take a long time. They ask you all kinds of questions about your sleep, appetite, digestion, pains, etc. then ask you which of your health issues you want them to deal with.
Then, they decide what to prescribe you — whether it’s herbs + acupuncture or just acupuncture.
My advice: be vocal about how you’re feeling, and keep an open mind.

I just went there July 08, 2009 ! Was helped by a young woman that took me to a room and ask me everything you can imagine, took notes, etc, then came the teacher and he is a very nice person with a very good energy. I had a very good time with them, i really enjoy, and i am very demanding person. I love the acupuncture with Buff, she was great, a little pinch with the needles but that was it, i could not even move my arms because i was so relaxed. If you are looking for a fancy place with big fat screen tv’s and etc, this is not the place for you. Very simple, but i like the fact that they give their all because they are learning. My suggestion is if you don’t have $ 70,00 or $ 125,00 for acupuncture, go there! The location is not the best but close your eyes, save some quarters for the meter, be aware that some take your $ but they are broken, it just happen to me yesterday. If you are loaded with cash this is not the place for you. You get what you pay for. i would recommend a sliding scale with a professional acupuncturist.

My pain melted away after getting a treatment here. I had random pain in both my neck and shoulders. Could hardly move without receiving sharp stabbing pain. I went to my conventional doctor. There wasn’t much they could do but prescribe me ibuprofen and give me a doctor’s note to take a few days off (which helped a lot by the way). Both student and doctor at the academy work with you and are very thorough. You really see how everything is related – mind, body, spirit. It’s affordable and conveniently located in downtown Oakland. Good results everytime I go there.

I know I’m gonna hate myself for sharing this on Unilocal.I hate waiting in a cue, and will be grouchy if I can’t get a weekly massage.
yes, you can too can have a weekly massage from $ 15 to $ 25 per 45 mins. This is NOT a relaxing massage, this is healing and maintainence Tuina. You are fully clothed and they use acupressure points which can make you cringe. So, if you have joint or tendon strain or pulls this is the place for you. I had Tennis elbow and after 5 visits I don’t have a problem. I’ve also met several people with chronic RA and pain coming for treatment.
I found this place after meeting a Tuina master therapist who enlighted me to using massage as part of my health maintenance.
Students cost $ ¹⁵⁄₄₅ mins and need their hours (specific days)
Graduates cost $ ²⁵⁄₄₅ mins (Mon and Wed nites)
Teacher cost $ ⁴⁵⁄₄₅ mins (make appt at office)
I went to the teacher first and then at the student clinics he instructed how to deal with my arm. Outstanding, (even if I couldn’t understand most of the time in Cantonese).
Don’t know anything about the acupuncture clinic, sorry.

Well it is a student teaching clinic. Pros/​Cons: you get a lot of attention for very cheap. The clinic supervisors (teachers) are some of the best in the world: ie. Shaohua Li, Lac. for Fertility and John Nieters, L.Ac. for autoimmune disorders, however most of the faculty don’t speak english as a first language but most of the students do. Downside is the students are doing the needling. As previous reviewer said that can sometimes be a less than enjoyable experience. Most of the faculty have private clinical practices, so if you are on a budget, it makes sense to go see them privately first and then follow up in the teaching clinic.

Based on initial visit, may be revised.
Came here for the first time this weekend at the recommendation of a woman from my yoga class. This is a teaching clinic that offers a variety of Chinese treatments, including acupuncture, acupressure, herbs, cupping therapy, etc. at significantly reduced fees.
The cons:
–Came for an initial diagnosis and acupuncture session. The diagnosis takes a LOOOOOOOONG time as the diagnoser leaves room for students to ask additional questions, etc., and explains the significance, etc. of certain symptoms. There were at least 5 other hodgepodge of students in the room with you as you disclose pertinent, somewhat embarassing info., like «What color is your menstrual blood?» and «Do you discharge between periods? And if so, what color is your discharge?» Luckily, my shame level was low that day, so I answered readily, ever the helpful overachiever. Just remember the diagnosis takes a LOOOOOONG time, probably 1.5 hours or so.
–The actual acupuncture was different than I had expected. I’ve had acupuncture performed before for my back problems and loved it, because it instantly relieved my pain and sent endorphins or whatever the appropriate neurotransmitter is coursing through my afflicted areas. At that time, every turn of the needle, was helpful and relieving. In contrast, here, the actual piercing with the needles was painful, as was the turning of them. Moreover, my right hand was bruised after and my left foot had a kink in it immediately after the session. Note also that the actual acupuncture session is rather quick, perhaps 30 mins. or so.
–Also, sketch neighborhood.
The Pros:
–The cupping therapy felt nice. Not sure yet if it’s actually helped. So I’m going to schedule another session just to see.
–Also the staff seem intent on helping you.
–CHEAP: $ 20 for diagnosis and treatment.
Undecided:
–The acupuncturist recommended I take some herbs regularly. I said, OK. But now I’m thinking probably not. Holy Be-​Jesus, I can’t even take my one-​a-​day once a day.