Guardian Acupuncture

I can’t say it better than Neema Y. and Anthony L., both of whom did a great job articulating the experience of being treated and cared for by Dr. Mao and his staff. I only wish I’d gone to him sooner. I could have saved myself many months of trial and error trying to find a way to get relief from pain in my upper back/​shoulder area — the result of years of intense computer work. When my arm started going numb, and muscle spasms woke me up throughout the night, I pulled up a post I’d filed from someone in our neighborhood Yahoo group, and called for an appointment. I knew from my neighbor’s post that there would be a bit of a language barrier, so I was prepared for that. The woman who was at the front desk when I arrived was actually quite fluent in English. She had me fill out paperwork — medical history, insurance info etc. When Dr. Mao came to talk to me and review what I’d written, it was obvious to me that while his spoken English was not fluent, his understanding was excellent.
He first asked if I would be comfortable drinking a green drink — an organic veggie drink that would help to relax my muscles. I was totally comfortable with that! He assessed my needs — noticed that not only did I have muscle/​neck problems, but also sciatica, not only on one side, which I was aware of, but on the other (just not as bad). He instructed his assistant to do massage before he came back and did some chiropractic adjustments, and then acupuncture. He had his office assistant explain what he had done, showing me diagrams. I was so impressed with his caring nature, and his extensive knowledge and skill. His rates are very reasonable, and he accepts many insurance plans. Oh… and that night I slept for the first time in months without being awakened by pain in my shoulder and hip!

It is with much hesitation that I write this review. That is because I am not willing to share the great Dr. Mao. Truly what a healer! Sometimes the husband and I joke about how doctor Mao will recommend juicing and needles. But that would be simplifying it too much.
If you have a chronic issue, if you are fed up of going for repeat treatments: either allopathic or complimentary or alternative, if you cannot lose weight, if you are trying to conceive, if you need a healing friend who truly cares, please go to Dr. Mao.
And don’t let the lack of English speaking skills of Dr. Mao fool you. In his own words, «my Chinese is better than your English». I laughed out loud then. But with that comment, I take him more seriously as a true-​blue TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioner and not just someone who has spent a few months learning acupuncture and opened shop. He is truly a wizard. Here is my story.
I suffered from heel spurs, (I call them hell-​spurs) for a couple of years before I found doctor Mao. Because of the acute pain and its onset from various physical activities, my fitness regimen dwindled down and I put on nearly 15 lbs of weight during that time. Between my visits to other acupuncturists, Chinese massage places, steriod shots (that left me utterly limp for two months), heel support slings, yoga therapy, supplements like Acid-​A-​Cal, NO ONE, and NOTHING was able to help me with this. In the four months or so of starting a treatment plan with Dr. Mao I am so relieved of that pain, that I have been able to claim back activities like running/​jogging, back from the forbidden closet!
What most people are unaware of is that Dr. Mao is also a great Chiropractor. He feels your body with swift feather touches and before you can blink, he’s cracked something. What follows the momentary shock of crack and pain is a wave of relief and enlightenment: ‘Oh! So THAT was the problem!!’ Magic!
He teams with the sweet compassionate Dr. Ling Chi, and among her other skills is her focus on women’s health. Then there is their masseuse the nimble angel Angela. With 12+ years of experience, she walks-​all-​over you — literally! And don’t let that scare you, she is taller and heavier than me but I have not busted a single thing in my body in the 10+ sessions I have had with her. It is not pleasant but it heals and to me anyway — that is what counts. I can no longer imagine going to a fancy spa for a massage and deriving any satisfaction from it.
Dr. Mao has a long history of healing behind him. The clinic does not indulge in Western marketing gimmicks and maybe that is its drawback? I simply cannot imagine a better place. My sister has taken her 11 month infant to him and is now considering moving to the Bay Area simply for Dr. Mao. The little guy had flat head because of vaccum suction birthing and a severely pulled neck muscle. We just thought he was border-​line colic, but one trip to Dr. Mao and gosh how that changed. He slept like an angel after we brought him home.
As far as pricing goes, I just do not understand some people. How can it be overcharge, when for around a $ 100, I get needles, adjustments, massage and sometimes even moxi and cupping?!
There is no other doctor in the world who’d say, ‘why don’t you and your family come over the weekend and we will all go for a walk over the hills?’ Dr. Mao did this just so that I felt supported in an activity I was not familiar with!!! On a weekend!!! Any one else have a doctor that can hold a candle to him!!!
Usually for nearly double the price, what one usually one gets is an uninterested, usually tardy, anti-​biotic pushing, smirking and condescending doctor at traditional hospitals. Where is the comparison? Maybe some people just like to wait in the large waiting area, just to be taken to another smaller waiting area, only to see a clueless haughty MD (with capitals) who solves nothing in the 10 minutes they see you, for nearly $ 250!!! Hey, each one to their own, right?
As far as his personality goes, I find hard not to cackle at his jokes whenever I meet him. He is goofy, unassuming and kindly, with the austerity of a Zen monk, go figure!

I used my groupon and yes it is not for the faint at heart they are knowledgeable about deep-​tissue massage I will go back again they are friendly and helpful.

This business is there for very long time. It is owned by an old couple. They speak primarily Chinese. But, they know the stuff. It is not a place for comfort massage. They know the art of deep-​tissue massage, about nerves and muscles and how to treat different issues related to pain and posture. If you have an ongoing pain or chronic pain issue. They know how to fix them.
The whole staff is very friendly and helping. I’ll go there again for my back pain.
Really, it is a hidden gem.

Great and friendly people. I had came in with the worst back strain ever. After the first session, the pain subsided a lot. With 5 sessions, majority of the pain was gone. I decided to hold off on the next session, and the minimal pain lingered. My regret was not doing the last session sooner.
They also promote a healthy style of living there. The principles are what you can expect from gurus such as Tony Robbins. You will can much insight as well as a new appreciation for healthier living.