Dawna Ara, LAc

I had regular acupuncture sessions with Dawna for about a year and I only have positive things to say. She is a kind and calming person who treats her patients with care and like a friend. She takes the time to talk with her clients and answer all of their questions to best understand their needs. I looked forward to my sessions with Dawna as a time I could relax. I highly recommend Dawna for anyone seeking acupuncture treatment-​she really is wonderful!

Horrible service… mainly because you can’t get any service here. They have a phone number and an email address on their website. The phone is obviously someone’s cell phone and not an actual office phone. When you call it, they don’t answer, but instead, send you to a voicemail that directs you to either make an appointment online or send an email if you have questions. So you can’t actual speak to a live person unless you go in to their office. And good luck waiting for a response to your email. They don’t reply to those either. Way to run a business. they may be successful with their current way of operating but I guarantee they would be MUCH more successful if they provided some kind of customer service. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has looked elsewhere for acupuncture due to the fact that you cant get in touch with Dawna. So glad I found another acupuncturist in the area!

Dawna is a true healer. She takes the time before every appointment to sit down with you and talk, so she has a better understanding of what your body needs. She has a gentle touch when inserting the needles, which is a huge plus. I would highly recommend Dawna to anyone interesting in Acupuncture.

Needles can be freaking scary, but Dawna with her down to earth energy, sense of humor, and gentle hands makes sticking needles all over feel great. I went in when I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and she’s made my thyroid life transition as easy and comfy as possible.
She’s competitively priced, helps you use your insurance, and has ample parking right off the freeway in a quiet neighborhood. Go see her and feel better!

I’m an extremely skeptical person. Acupuncture definitely helps with muscular aches and pains, but I wasn’t sure it would help me achieve my pregnancy goal.
I started seeing Dawna in September 2012 for fertility. She told me that for women with no physical issues preventing pregnancy, usually her patients get pregnant within about 3 cycles of treatment. I decided to try it before resorting to clomid or spend a ton of money needlessly on IVF. For the first month, I went every week, then after that every other week (but obviously the recommended course is going to be different for everyone). We worked on my general health and any aches and pains that may arise and bother me during that time. I started to look forward to seeing her because she is such a caring person that I felt like I was going to see a friend. Towards the end of the third month (around Christmas time), I started to get discouraged and decided to make an appointment in January to consult with my ob/​gyn for clomid when lo and behold, I was pregnant after trying without success on my own for almost a year! After I found out the good news, I converted my January Dr appointment to the first prenatal appt. I continued to see Dawna throughout my first trimester to help with nausea and balancing the chi in my body.
I was still skeptical (maybe it was just a matter of time and I could have gotten pregnant on my own), but then I referred a friend to Dawna, and my friend got pregnant after 1 month’s treatment. I think I’m starting to become a believer now.

My appointments with Dawna are soothing, stress/​anxiety relievers and my mental health is in order when I leave. Her passion for acupuncture and helping people is obvious. Conversation with Dawna is very casual but important because she’s trying to determine what concerns you have and how she’s going to treat you. I often refer to her as my miracle worker because afterward, I feel whole again and so refreshed that I cant wait for my next appointment.
I would recommend Dawna (and I have to friends) to anyone who is looking for an alternative approach to their situation/​condition. Plus she’s sweet, nice and positive — which makes for a well rounded visit for sure!

Dawna is amazing. I got pregnant the first full cycle of acupuncture. I went every week during first trimester and experienced little to no nausea.
She really listens to your questions and concerns and is also a great massage therapist. I look forward to all my visits with her!

I’ve gotten a couple of private messages from Unilocalers asking if I’ve experienced benefits from acupuncture. The short answer is YES! The long answer is that you have to be devoted to a way of life (and it’s a simple way, so don’t freak out or get a lazy). When I don’t go or take the herbs (which are WAY better than the 1000’s of mgs of ibuprofen I was taking) then my «issue» comes back. When I get regular acupuncture and take my herbs, it’s literally like freakin’ magic. Dawna has been able to fix what my very good gyno could not.
Eat well, go see your «doctor» (Dawna) and take your herbs.

I have never done Acupuncture before, and I did not know what to expect. Dawna made the whole process so easy. She made me so comfortable that I barely noticed anything at all.
I can also tell that she is a very honest person, she recommended that I follow up with another person who can help me with my knee hip and foot pain, do some Yoga and see a podiatrist.
My knee, foot and hip pain feel better today than yesterday. Thanks Dawna. I really enjoyed our conversation yesterday. I wish more people were like you.

I have recurring discomfort in my shoulder and upper back, which had grown to a horrible, throbbing pain. Dawna was able to get me in right away. She felt the knots in my shoulder and back, then put the acupuncture needles in.
After relaxing for about 30 minutes, she came in, removed the needles and gave me the best deep tissue massage I’ve ever received. I will definitely be going back to see her soon!

I’ve blabbed all over town about how awesome Dawna is. I can’t believe I’ve neglected to do so on Unilocal.Time to fix that!
Dawna has helped me with everything from garden variety stress to bizarre ailments that defied reason. Without a doubt, she’s the best acupuncturist I know.
Need more convincing? Try going to her when you have a headache. I did so last week and after placing only *one* needle, it was gone. If that doesn’t sell you, then nothing will.

Dawna is hands down one of the nicest practitioners you will ever meet. She truly cares about her patients and is an excellent listener.
I enjoyed going to see her, even though my problem was not getting better. And she was honest and told me that since it was not improving, she recommended stopping treatment for the time being. But she tried everything within her power to help me before terminating the treatment.
The herbs that I bought from her were very reasonable in price — $ 10 to $ 25. The treatments themselves were also very reasonable. Oh, and there was no pain involved!
I would highly recommend Dawna to anyone and would trust her with any of my family members!

I have had upper back pain for years now, and after trying different massage therapies, I finally decided to give acupuncture a try. I read the great reviews on Unilocal for Dawna and decided to book my first appointment about a month ago. I am happy to report after 4 sessions, I have noticed a significant reduction and improvement in my back pain.
I look forward to my weekly sessions, where to my surprise and delight, I am so relaxed with the needles on my back, that Dawna has to gently nudge me to wake up!
Dawna has a very serene aura about her, when I first met her, I was surprise since she was so down to earth… I was not sure what to expect .
The location is also perfect. A restored older house that’s as unpretentious as she is.

I’ve only had several sessions with Dawna. I went to other acu’s prior to Dawna and although their styles are different, Dawna’s healing was amazing. Pain in my back and shoulder went away and she significantly reduced my anxiety and stress. She’s reasonably priced for those that do not have acu covered through insurance and she can help with people who have FSA accounts. You can purchase bulk sessions in advance so that you don’t have to deal with billing each time.
Heads up: You’ll need to book your appts WAY in advance. She’s one busy lady
Parking is easy and she’s located in a cute little house so that you don’t feel like you’re going into a clinic — makes it easier to decompress.

No Unilocal Elite member reviews yet? Hmm, okay, let me take a stab at it.
I had bought a Groupon for Dawna Ara and it was soon to expire. So I tried calling but I didn’t get a response. In the voicemail, she prompted to book via the website. You check the website and the only date that was available was the day after the Groupon’s expiration date.
Hmm…Plan B.
Decides to email her directly and email Groupon just in case I can’t use it. Groupon responsed and said they would give me credit in Groupon money if I never used the deal. Dawna also responded and after exchanging a few emails, we had settled on a date. So if you have problem getting through her, I would say email is the way to go.
The date arrived and finding this place wasn’t too difficult via GPS. However, it’s a residential building and does not have any company name posted. Look for the house with the little white fence. I walked in and just saw candles lit and chairs with literature on the table. I also saw an Iphone but I figured that was hers. I was finally greeted by Dawna after what looks like the owner of the building came in and shut the door.
Dawna does everything herself. So there’s a bit of a wait before, during, and after the session. This was my first time at acupuncture and I actually did feel something working immediately after I finished the treatment. I came in for multiple ailments but she concentrated on the main aspect of my problem. BTW, the treatment was relaxing since I was lying down for 30 minutes but the actual treatment was a little bit shorter than I expected compare to the other reviewers. Also the massage was a bit shorter than I expected. Nevertheless, this place should be tranquil enough after she updates it with some furnishings since it is really bare at the moment. Thus, not bad for the Groupon rate. Note to add, if you ever check out the bathroom, it feels a bit slanted.

Here is my wife’s review:
«I went to Dawna for pain in both of my feet. This happened after my pregnancy. I have never had trouble with my feet. Both of my feet were sore and had shooting pains in the heels. After 3 sessions of acupuncture and an awesome foot massage, my feet felt 100% better. Dawna is really impressive as well. She is very familiar with medical conditions and informed me that my legs still had swelling and gave me suggestions about my diet. When I arrive, she always asks about my feet and energy. I have never had acupuncture before and I am hooked. Dawna really knows her stuff and I have not been disappointed with her services. I would recommend her services without a doubt!»

I am a huge believer of acupuncture, and easily found acupuncturist in Honolulu and Boston when I lived in each place. I have gone to an acupuncturist weekly for over five years. But couldn’t seem to find a good one in Los Angeles for over a decade. Though I had gone to both Chinese and Western acupuncturists for awhile, but after a couple of treatments, none of them seem to fit.
Then I found Dawna. And really it was like that, I knew after one treatment that it was just right. Finding an acupuncturist like Dawna is like having the luck to find a needle in a haystack.
She is an amazing healer. Its not just that she is attentive, a good listener, and has a soft touch but she really knows what she’s doing. I had a knot along my spine for ages that I was just living with it, that made my breath thready. I tried everything cranial sacral, rolfing, other acupuncturists you name it, I tried it — I also have a meditation and yoga practice, but I just couldn’t beat it. Two treatments with Dawna and it was gone. Looking back it scares me that I lived with it for so long. It was completely unnecessary!
So long story short, if you are ready to fix your ailments and you really want to heal, go see Dawna. She’s the real deal.

I have received acupuncture from several doctors, and I must say that Dr. Ara (though she insists that you call her Dawna) is amazing. She is completely professional, and yet so warm and nurturing at the same time. I can tell that she really cares about her patients, and goes above and beyond the call of duty to take care of them. I feel completely at ease on her table. She uses a gentle touch to put in the needles; sometimes I cannot even feel them going in! During my last treatment, she also went out of her way to massage out some of the tension in my neck and shoulders that was contributing to some of the physical problems I have been having. No other acupuncturist has ever done that!
Most importantly, Dawna takes a holistic approach, thinking of mind, body & spirit while she is treating her patients. I know this because she has done bodywork on me, used needles, lent me books on health and nutrition and also spoken to me about my anxiety and how I can learn to relax. She has researched certain ailments for me on her own time and sent me information to help me — like I said, going above and beyond. I highly recommend her to anyone!

I hadn’t had acupuncture in several years at least so it was with great pleasure that I experienced a return to it under the skilled hands of Dawna. I actually asked for a hybrid treatment of both acupuncture and trigger point massage as I really needed some tension worked out as well and the combo was a great success.
Her knowledge of herbal remedies was also a great addition and have been enjoying a new-​found energy level, reduced tension and greater alertness since just the first session.
I visited her for the first time this past week and immediately booked a session for this coming week. I’d recommend her to anyone looking for a tune-​up or more serious health concerns.

I have a serious fear of needles, so I’ve never done acupuncture, but I’m pregnant and the kiddo was breech, and all sorts of legitimate-​sounding people said to try moxibustion to turn the baby. So I turned to Unilocal to find someone who could help me.
Dawna had high ratings, a June special on pricing, and I knew how to get there, so I emailed her for an appointment. She was super fast to get back to me, even though it was after hours. When I went in, she was incredibly professional without being cold, and not at all the flaky sort of chanting-​type I’d kind of envisioned in my head. She explained everything to me really well and was very personable and nice the whole time.
And it didn’t hurt! At all! Honestly, I’m not sure if she used needles or not, because you can do it at home without them, but I’m pretty sure she did because I saw something sticking out of my toes. But I couldn’t tell you if it was needles or post-​it note glue — that’s how little I felt. She gave me some moxibustion sticks to take home, and joyously, it worked! The kiddo is now turned around and in the right position. I’m not sure if he would have turned on his own or not, so I say, full credit Dawna! If I ever need acupuncture or any other services again, I’m not going to bother looking on Unilocal a second time — Dawna’s my gal.