Joanna Shell, LAc

This review is for Joanna and Jen! They are both awesome! Wonderful and welcoming personalities and before each session they sit down, check pulse, your tongue and write down how you’re doing/​problems etc. The Office is clean and comfortable and I feel like they both are dedicated to helping with your issues. Not pushy regarding herbs and my treatments have helped with stress/​sleep/​pain. Treatment is reasonably priced and I believe I’m on my way to healing! I love the easy online appointments and only wish canceling online was also available.

Dang, Joanna is good. Limped into my first appointment with piercing hip pain that disappeared after the 30 minute appointment. I’ve been back twice for other issues, and each time she’s been warm, focused, and incredibly effective. Very highly recommended.

Aaaaaamazing! I went to Joanna the Friday before running my first half marathon. I wasn’t expecting much because I have had acupuncture before and didn’t end up with significant results. I initially said I was looking for «general relaxation,» as I hadn’t been able to sleep very well that week and was afraid that I wouldn’t sleep at all that night due to the anxiety of my half. As I filled out the paperwork, I remembered that I have some shoulder pain that I am also ready to be done with, so I put that down as a concern.
Joanna exudes compassion and made me feel extremely comfortable. After having me lie on the table and sticking me with some needles, she left the room. I was out like a light. I have no idea how long she was gone, but I went slept so deeply and snored so loudly that I startled myself TWICE. And when I got up, the shoulder pain I’d been experiencing x minutes earlier was no longer there. I felt great.
I had hoped the ability to sleep soundly would follow me into the night and it did. I felt well rested for my half the next day and was able to complete the course without the shoulder pain I had been expecting to feel. Thank you, Joanna!

The best ever!!! Along with the «fantabulous» personality is the professionalism with the perfect treatment!!! Don’t believe any negative comments. They’re just not telling the truth!!! I would give her 10 STARS if I could!!!

Joanna is very pleasant and personal, but if you are a science-​minded person who is skeptical of acupuncture, you are better off spending your time and money going to an MD for pregnancy issues first. Check with your insurance company about how services will be billed so that you don’t end up surprised months later with a hefty invoice. Acupuncture just didn’t produce any ‘real’ results for me; I went to Joanna for pregnancy issues. After 3 – 4 months of «hmm, I’m not sure why you’re not responding» and still an irregular menstrual cycle, I feel that I should have invested my time and money elsewhere first. Billing was incredibly stressful; I didn’t receive itemized invoices of services until after all treatments months later and I still have no idea what herbs I was taking. My 2-​star review is a minority among the 5-​star reviews for Joanna. I feel that I should caution other potentially new acupuncture patients from the false perception that acupuncture is the ‘cure’ for your ailments. Although Joanna was nice and friendly, the poor billing practices felt disorganized and poorly managed.

Joanna is magic! My husband and I had been trying for a year to get pregnant and we heard from a friend that acupuncture could help. I found Joanna on Unilocal and based on the great reviews decided to go to her. During my first ovulation cycle after seeing Joanna, I ended up getting pregnant! Joanna is a very sweet, genuine person who makes you feel completely comfortable. Go see her!

Magical! I’ve had acupuncture a few times and was beginning to think it was bogus. That is until I went to Joanna. I could feel the meridians opening up and haven’t felt this great in years! Highly recommend!!!

I cant explain how much I love Joanna!!! she has helped me with EVERYTHING!!! she is a needle Goddess!!! I feel so relaxed after I leave. Accupuncture works for me better than anything else, and Joanna is mostly the reason for that. If you have never tried it or are scared of needles JUST DO IT!!! no matter what you need help with, Joanna can help!

Joanna is amazing. She helped me before and during my pregnancy. I always felt totally relaxed after leaving her office. She is an amazing person and truly gifted at helping others through acupuncture.

Joanna was first my client when I photographed her wedding but then I quickly became hers when she insisted I see her to help with muscle aches and pains. I didn’t know anything of acupuncture but Joanna reassured me and what the hey, it couldn’t hurt-​literally and figuratively. She did make me feel better and it was amazing. Besides that what is better than kisses from the Pugs Lola and Miles when I leave!

I admit it, I was skeptical of acupuncture until I tried it. Joanna Shell’s office in Laurel Village is clean and the atmosphere relaxing. I was suffering from lower back pain sciatica. I decided that I was going to improve my situation by doing whatever it took and I threw my skepticism aside and visited Joanna. It took several visits before all of my pain was gone, but I noticed immediate improvement. Joanna’s professionalism and knowledge was clear and I recommend her whenever I am asked about acupuncture and it’s merit. What I also really appreciate about Joanna beyond her skill is her sense of humor. She simply knows how to make you feel comfortable when your body is anything but …

I’m just adding to my original review because I’ve now been going to Joanna for prenatal acupuncture treatment. And I love it! I think the baby does too! I’m feeling really great, and I definitely believe that going for treatment from Joanna every couple of weeks is a big part of that. I’ll be going to her right up to delivery day!

«I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day. When it’s cold outside, I’ve got the month of May.
I guess you’d say, what can make me feel this way ACUPUNCTURE, talkin bout Joanna»
Joanna is a goddess of the needles and cupping. She thanked me for «turning myself in» and I am grateful for it. I know I will be turning my health around. And my body feels so much better just after one treatment.
Bonus: She is funny, spunky, and charming.

Joanna is fantastic. And one of the things I find most refreshing about her is that she is exactly NOT what you’d expect in an accupuncturist — not at all kooky and weirdly blissed out — just a cool chick who knows her stuff.
I started seeing Joanna a few years ago on a recommendation from a friend for some neck/​shoulder/​headache issues — you know, the typical Bay Area afflictions. She solved those problems and more (even staved off a cold once).
Because my ailments disappeared, I stopped seeing her. But a couple of weeks ago, about 6 months into my pregnancy, I decided to see if there was anything she might be able to do about a lot of pressure I’m feeling from carrying the baby low. She was very honest with me and said she couldn’t make it go away entirely, but she could improve it.
Well, that’s been the result exactly. I feel a great deal of relief — no, it’s not like I don’t feel pregnant! But the improvement is well worth continuing to see her throughout the rest of the pregnancy.
Thank you, Joanna!

Joanna is a tremendous health care practicioner. She really knows her stuff!
Acupuncture can help with so many ailments. It can also help you maintain optimum health. It basically supports the body’s natural healing ability… gives it a kick in the pants, so to speak. The body WANTS to be healthy, however all too often, we ignore what our body is telling us, therefore our body becomes blocked and sick. Acupuncture helps to remove those blockages and therefore helps the body send help to where it is most needed.
Joanna has helped me with migraines and female stuff. She also treated a twisted ankle with… get ready for it… blood letting. I had no idea what to expect, so I was pleasantly surprised that it truly helped my ankle heal much faster than normal and it was not at all… bloody. Just like a tiny paper cut but it had big results.
Seeing her sooner rather than later will help you heal faster. It can’t hurt you and can only help you. And, it is soooooooooooo relaxing!

Then — «Acupuncture? What? Pay to have someone stick needles in me? What are you $%#&ing crazy?»
Now — «I can’t wait to get to my acupuncture appointment this evening.»
Yes, I have seen the light and now am a firm believer. A lot of people think it’s a bunch of malarkey but I tell you what, If you’ve got some aches, pains or other issues, come see Joanna.
I started seeing her as part of my broken leg rehab and after a few weeks of needles my Dr. and Physical Therapist were saying, «Wow you’re range of ankle motion is really coming along.» On top of that my sleep started becoming way more restful. The power of needles!
Joanna is great and isn’t all spacey and meditative about it, she’s just a nice person who knows where to stick the needles.
My favorite is the eyebrow one. It rocks. I like getting stuck with needles, yet I hate shots. Go figure!

Joanna Shell truly is the «Needle Master»! I decided to give acupuncture nearly two years ago as a complement to my treatment for shoulder pain. Within just a few treatments, I had regained full mobility in my shoulder and no longer had any tingling or numbness in my fingertips.
Once that issue was under control, it turned out that there wasn’t a single ailment that Joanna didn’t have a needle for. Digestive problems, migraines, cramps, stress/​anxiety, insomnia, allergies… in the past two years, she’s managed to eradicate, or greatly diminish, any problem life has thrown at me.
Plus, she’s just the sweetest, most compassionate person. She really gets to know her patients. She always takes the time to talk to you, she cares about what you’re going through, and she always seems to know the right thing to say, no matter how great the problem. She heals you from the inside out. Joanna Shell is definitely one of a kind!

My first experience with Acupuncture was yesterday. I went in with a little bit of hesitation, and actually might have said to her that I wasn’t sure if there was any hope for my symptoms. Well I was wrong.
Joanna is one of those people who makes you feel comfortable from the moment you meet her. She is very down to earth and explains things perfectly, makes you realize what the problems are and what the path to your solution will entail. I went in yesterday a ball of bad nerves, terribly negative mood and walked out feeling balanced and hopeful. I am going back next week.

I’ve tried acupuncture before and was always put off by the incense and the new-​agey hippy types.
Then I found Joanna!
She’s awesome — and you’ll feel so much better after a treatment. She’s helped with my sinus problems and insomnia. She’s friendly and unassuming and you’ll like her immediately :)

if you are tired of not getting the help you need from your doctor – it’s time to try the acupuncture of Joanna Shell. when i first entered her office, i was a stressed out, PMS-​ridden, anxiety filled *mess* of a girl. After regular weekly visits and her herbal recommendations, i feel much more balanced and healthy. keep in mind, she is not like a regular chinese acupuncturist. she’s a hip, saavy, intelligent young woman – with two adorable pugs by the way – all i can say is: just go for whatever is bothering you and you will feel better. visit her website now at
Update — September 26, 2007
I’ve been seeing Joanna regularly for the over two years now and wow I am still so stoked about what she does for me — today for example — I was fighting a cold wo she gave me needles in all my «cold points» and sent me home with some herbs and I’m feeling like a million now.
I just love Joanna — she’s awesome!