Octagon North Oakland Community Acupuncture

I’ve had a couple experiences with this clinic.
I met Ananda Emily Reese when she was graduating from her acupuncture program in Oakland. After a visit that blew away any other student experience I had had at the school I decided to follow her to her new community clinic.
I have always had great experiences with her. I did have to stop going for a while for money issues, even though it’s cheap.
I now have had to return because my jobs toll on my body and I can afford it again.
Upon my first visit I was helped by Jorge Nunez and had a pretty magical experience with him when I literally felt 3 men in robes (who weren’t there) holding my leg and examining it. When I told him about the experience, upon my next visit, he said that that gave him chills because the points he did on me are called the three emperors. I thought it was kinda cool like I was in a spirit E.R. The calming music helped.
I’ve had good and interesting experiences with others though there was a real incident where I said no cupping and while I was laying face down I got cupped. Though it did help in the end and might have been the right thing it is the one time I was really annoyed here, my body my choice.
This is the real deal, there are different people there that will give you light needles but, I like to feel them. I have been in some clinics where the needles have literally fallen out they were so lightly placed and I felt like it did nothing. But, please remember you can always ask people to go light and tell them you are very sensitive, you do have to ask for the care you want anywhere.

Feels great, noticing a difference in my overall well being. Can’t wait to see what’s in store after a couple more sessions.

I’ve got mixed experience here.
The first time I went I saw Kimberly for sleeping issues and it was great, great session, didn’t felt the needle and she prescribing me some herbs to fall asleep faster which works great.
Then, I came back and saw another person (Jorge), gosh it was painful and unpleasant. not sure if others people may like it, I didn’t.
And for my last trip, I’ve ask for more of the herb, but had to pay premium because I didn’t do any acupuncture and the receipe was different and didn’t work at all. keep me awake instead.

This review is log overdue. In fact, I created this Unilocal account with the express purpose of sharing my healing journey at Octagon.
I recently moved to the Bay Area completely depleted: my adrenals were fried, my digestion was slow, and my pulse was weak. The front desk attendant, Jason, was incredibly welcoming and warm when I checked in. The treatment was affordable and based on a sliding scale. Michelle did a thorough intake with me and graciously answered my laundry list of medical questions. I was initially a bit nervous that the needles would be painful, but she assured me that they used the thinest needles on the market. She took me to an open room with several recliners and massage tables and made sure I was warm and comfortable. I found the atmosphere very clean and calming, the needles were not painful, and I was able to deeply meditate for the entirety of my session.
I cannot say enough good things about Michelle. She has a vast working knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is willing to take the time to answer all of my questions and concerns. I credit her treatments and diet and lifestyle recommendations for the immense turnaround I have experienced over this past month. If only all of my healthcare providers delivered this type of quality care! Just went in for my 4^th visit and my pulse is stronger, my digestion is still erratic but on the mend, and my adrenals are coming back online.
Thank you Michelle and Octagon. I am deeply grateful for your services.

Eastern Medicine for the win!
I’ve been sluggish and experiencing dizziness and headaches in the morning
Kaiser doctor recommended group therapy. Blood tests revealed no clues.
Acupuncturist looked at my tongue, felt my pulse and after some questioning was able to determine my ‘textbook’ condition. Octagon recommended some herbs. Today I woke up feeling myself again.

Octagon is amazing. I first went in several years ago to help with the healing process after a bad bicycle accident. Joe’s treatments helped alleviate the pain and swelling, and my doctors were amazed at how quick I healed. I recently had a bad fall and broke my wrist, so I’ve been back to Octagon again. Its amazing how much its been helping. Less swelling, less pain, better energy levels, they’ve even helped me with some sore muscles caused by my sling.
Everyone here is super friendly and you can’t beat the price. There’s no reason to not work a regular visit into your schedule. We’re blessed to have these folks in our community!

I just had my first ever acupuncture experience with Octagon. I’m suffering from piriformis syndrome and really tight shoulders and neck, and i had been seeing a chiropractor but it wasn’t helping much. I made an appointment w/​Octagon, and after the intake, I got seated in a nice reclining chair with just 2 other people in the room. I put ear plugs in, closed my eyes (can’t watch the needles going in) and then I fell asleep for an hour and a half. It was SO relaxing. I felt so refreshed, rejuvenated and amazing after I left. I called my boyfriend and he could tell by the tone of my voice how great I felt. I can’t tell you whether acupuncture has helped with my pains yet, but I do plan on going back and continuing treatment, even if its just for mental health alone. Great place.

I went to see Hannah for a few weeks for severe lower back pain. I felt like the acupuncture helped but Hannah also recommended a chiropractor which has really opened me up. Octagon is clean, friendly, and affordable. I want to send specific praise to Hannah – she was so nice, caring, patient and you could tell she REALLY knew what she was doing — -she is a pro – not just with me, I could tell she was that way with all patients – even when they were super busy! I’ve only been to one other acupuncturist who was so expensive I could only go once. Hannah spent 4 times the amount of time with me to really understand why I was there compared to the other person. I would highly recommend Hannah and Octagon. I made appointments and never once had a problem. Obviously your first visit is longer, but they say that online (in regards to previous reviews). GREAT PLACE!

Love this place. The doctors are knowledgeable and take the time to explain what is happening. And I respect them so much for making Traditional Chinese Medicine available to all.

Octagon has become a lifeline for me. I started coming in last fall for weekly treatments, as someone with a variety of complicated health issues, poor eating habitats and in grad school, it is the only thing keeping me going. With the support and encouragement from these excellent practitioners I have made great improvements in my eating habitats and taking control of my own health.
I am incredibly grateful for this wonderful community clinic that has gotten me through so many things. It is amazing what can be done in a community clinic setting. I am thoroughly inspired by this clinic as a Chinese Medicine student.
Thank You!

I have gone to Octagon since it opened, first at their 35^th Ave. location, and then to the North Oakland center, which is much closer to where I live. The acupuncturists are superb! Michelle is the acupuncturist that works with me and she is perfect. I could hardly walk when I first went to her, Actually, I had to have my friend escort me so that I could hold on to him and not fall. Within a month I was walking on my own and felt vitality starting to surge. After many kind and energizing treatments, I was able to resume my normal life and participate in it at a level that I had not been able to for years. I attribute all of the progress to the acupunture treatments I received.
The beauty of this place is that it is run by a group of licensed acupunturists and professors of acupunture who are socially inclined. They understand that there is a great need for this type of treatment, but that many people can’t afford it. They offer a sliding scale that is really affordable, so a person can go as often as they need to. The place is beautiful and tranquil, stocked with chinese herbs if you need them, and the patients are comfortably seated and watched over. The acupunturists are the best.
They also offer tui na massage in the back room at a very low cost and have started tai chi and chi kung classes too. It is a great place

Finding Octagon changed my life! I first came in with a nerve injury on my left foot, which was healed fast. Then a flash cold that went away in a day! 3 weeks ago, I twisted my ankle and have been going to Octagon, mostly seeing Ananda Emily, and every time I go there I feel so much better!
Clean and relaxing environment, 6 chairs, therefore It’s pretty much certain you can walk in and will be accommodated, but online schedule is also super easy.
With a $ 20-​$ 40 sliding scale fee, there is no excuse to not get a treatment!

An exceptional practice. I’ve had several experiences with acupuncture but my best, most refreshing and therapeutically-​effective treatments BY FAR have been at Octagon Community Acupuncture. I’ve been going there for 7 weeks now, and am completely converted– my energy levels have risen, my body is functioning in different ways. Because I suffer from a chronic condition requiring regular blood testing, the effects of my treatments have been verified by my doctors. This medicine works.
I go see Michelle Hirsch, who is a joy to work with. Her energy and faith in what she does are infectious, and her needle skills are expert. Her treatments have been intense and I feel their effects very quickly, but the overall experience is always deeply restorative. I’m able to fall asleep in that communal room like I never did in my private room at other practices. So don’t let the community aspect throw you off– it’s a clean, comfortable and tranquil space with great lazboys.
I also love the sliding scale structure ($ 20-​$ 40) which makes it affordable for me to go guilt-​free on a weekly basis. This is an amazing operation with its heart, Qi and needles in all the right place (s). I can’t recommend it highly enough.

THis place is great and is a consistent favorite of mine when my knee troubles from running start acting up. I used to go to their other location but I tried this location for the first time today and was not disappointed. Joseph was great, very professional, caring and attentive. My knees troubles were much relieved right after the session and even though I live in the city I made a follow up appointment for tomorrow for more treatment. All in all a great experience.

Great online system! Saw their awesome flyer and took it home for pure aesthetic enjoyment, and was SO pleased to find an easy appt system and good emails too! I’m going in tomorrow. Yay.

Impressive, High quality, Professional and Affordable, I don’t know how you do it, keep it up… I Love You Guys!

When I walked in to Octagon in July, I was hobbled by a painful left knee with strained ligaments (I was in constant pain).
When the injury happened, I first planned to go to a surgeon because I had the same issue with my right knee and elected to have it fixed surgically. Beginning with the initial consultation; then three sessions for three weeks; then back to two per week for the remainder of the treatment, my knee is at 90%. I can practice yoga again, take walks and build up the muscles around the knee again.
Today, I am just about pain free. The three practitioners who treated me (Joe (usually), Jorge, Michelle and one other lady (sorry I forgot your name) were all caring and wanted to see me progress. All were willing to listen (a rare quality) and actually DISCUSS my treatment.
I am glad that I was encouraged to try this before surgery. I’m planning to continue a weekly visit. And Mamie C — you are so right — I usually get a quality, restful, deep nap almost every time I go.
Don’t let cost hold you back; they want you to be well!
This clinic was recommended to me by a friend and now I recommend Octagon to everyone.
Thank you for being there!
Celestine

It’s not often i give a 5-​star rating, but I’m giving one to Octagon. As a new patient of «community-​style acupuncture» i was a little hesitant to sit in a room with strangers, but it turned out to be very relaxing and didn’t impede my ability to RELAX completely and sink into the bliss of acupuncture.
I was so relaxed that what i thought was 20 minutes in the chair, turned out to be more like an hour! If you’ve ever had acupuncture, than you know this means extremely deep quality rest. I was literally floating out the door.
Very professional and clean. Friendly and sincere atmosphere. You can feel their intention of kindness and healing. Extremely affordable sliding scale means that literally anyone can afford to take care of their health. This makes me very sad when i think of other acupuncturists I’ve visited who charged triple what Octagon does, and they didn’t even check my pulses or tongue! At Octagon, I received a gentle, thorough and quality treatment for a price that will keep me coming back a long time — which is their whole point, I believe.

This place rocks! Sliding scale acupuncture, skilled practitioners, comfy reclining chairs and heat lamps= my ideal needle experience. Ananda and Joe, in particular, I find to be great.

Awesome practitioners of varying experience, comfortable space that is soothing, massage and even a tai qi/​qi gong room so you can go to class year-​round. Octagon is a real community resource!