Erica Stark, L.Ac

I have been meaning to post this for a while now. I got much more than I expected from my acupuncture sessions with Erica last year. Erica was very thorough and asked many questions to determine how to best tailor the treatment to me. It was my first experience with acupuncture, as well as some cupping and herbal remedies. I was very relaxed when I went to bed after my session and felt unusually invigorated the next day at work. It wasn’t necessarily a black and white feeling of everything suddenly being better, but it was noticeable.

I have been seeing Erica for about two months now and could not be happier that my doctor referred me to her!
She is professional, knowledgeable, and a joy to be around.
Due to multiple car accidents, the most recent just over a year ago, I have chronic back and neck pain. When I first started seeing Erica I was under an intense treatment plan to manage my pain. I was having to get a 90 minute deep tissue massage twice a week as well as see my doctor (D.O.) for adjustments twice a week just to be able to function and continue working full time.
Almost immediately after my first treatment I was able to start stretching out my other treatments. We slowly stretched them out and I am currently only doing one two hour deep tissue massage and one adjustment with my D.O. every two weeks! Now I realize that this might sound like it is still a lot a treatment, but what’s important is that it is truly a lot of progress. I have even been able to slowly start working back into doing some of my fun hobbies!
Acupuncture with Erica is the only treatment option that I have tried that has actually allowed me to cut back on my other treatments, and believe me I’ve tried a lot over the last year!
Her abilities reach far beyond just pain issues too. I have literally walked into her office with a migraine and walked out without even a headache. I have been shocked by how many different ailments Erica is able to help with.
Erica has not only improved my chronic pain condition, but she has improved my quality of life and enabled me to start having fun again. As a patient with a lot of experience in dealing with chronic pain and doctor’s offices, I highly recommend seeing Erica!

I had recently started infertility meds and had to cancel my first attempt at IUI due to ovarian hyperstimulation. After my cancelled cycle, I started seeing Erica. After seeing Erica for ~8 weeks, I have seen an improvement in the regularity of my periods and was able to try my first IUI (fingers crossed I’ll get a BFP!!)
Throughout my treatment, Erica was extremely positive (for those of you who have are dealing with infertility know what an emotional roller coaster it can be) and attentive. She definitely cares about her patients and takes the time to listen to you and to explain the various treatments. I would highly recommend Erica to anyone interested in trying acupuncture or any acupuncture veterans. Erica is awesome!

Erica is friendly, knowledgeable and professional. I went to see her for chronic lower back pain and received multiple acupuncture treatments. She did not make any unrealistic promises, but basically promised that it would alleviate the pain and complement other lifestyle changes that I was making. I did indeed see immediate relief of the pain in my back after even the first treatment. The affect is not permanent, but it did enable me to do the exercises necessary to get my back healthy. The acupuncture itself is nearly painless, sometimes I feel a small poke, but mostly I don’t really know when she is sticking me. She is very easy to talk to and knowledgeably answered all the questions I had. The office is peaceful and very clean, which helps me relax going in. My back is significantly improved now, but I still like to go in just to get a tune up now and then.

I HATE NEEDLES…
I never thought I would allow someone to stick needles into me, the thought of going to the doctor to get a shot is on my top 10 list of things that I never want to know.
That is why I find it amazing writing a review about acupuncture.
I turned 30 and I had developed a wheat allergy, every time that I ate anything with wheat I would pay for it the next day doubled over in pain, it was not worth it. I had talked to my doctor and was referred to GI doctors but none of them could help me.
That is when a friend of mine said I should try acupuncture. I almost lost it right then and there, thinking about being stuck just freaked me out.
But I really wanted to eat wheat again and I was desperate to go back to eating tasty cookies and fluffy pancakes. I booked an appointment with Erica Stark, naturally I was hesitant about going, I almost didn’t even show up to my first appointment!
My Experience:
The Office — Located in Kearny Mesa in the medical center across the street from the Home Depot, I took the elevator up to the 4^th floor and walked into the nicely decorated office. The room was dimmed and a small fountain was along the wall. The office had a pleasant smell, not sure what to call it but it was calming, I needed calming.
Erica — I was greeted by the acupuncturist, she was sweet and understanding of my fear. She assured me that the process was painless and that my fears were normal. She knew what she was talking about, and while I know very little about eastern approaches to medical care her confidence put me at instant ease.
The Treatment — I was surprised to find myself sitting on a regular treatment table just like my doctors office. Erica interviewed me asking about my health history, why I was seeking treatment and documented it all like a regular doctor.
She took my wrists in her hands and felt my pulse, somehow she could feel that I was indeed having troubles with my stomach and then she asked me about my headache. I was startled, I didn’t tell her about the mild headache that I was feeling, it was just background noise from earlier in the day, but she could tell by my pulse, that was cool.
Erica asked me to lay down on the table, my moment of dread was fast approaching. She showed me the needles, I was stupefied, they were SO TINY. The needles didn’t even look like needles, the diameter was about the width of my hair, not much at all!
I laid back, and she started.
I couldn’t watch, she placed this little tube against a point on my wrist and I felt pressure. I was wondering when she was going to put the needle in and she asks how was it. I blinked, was it in? It was! I didn’t feel a stab, not even a poke. I looked at it, the needle was in, and it didn’t even go deep, I could barely feel it.
Erica proceeded to place more needles in other points, none of them hurt. She told me to lay still and relax, 10 minutes later she removed the needles and I was done. There was no blood, I could not even tell where the needles went in.
I have now seen Erica 5 times, and while I am not cured of my wheat intolerance, I am no longer a victim of cross contamination. I have also realized that when I go to a session I just feel better for days. I am not sure of why it works but it sure does.
tldr; being treated by Erica has been one of the best decisions that I have ever made, and the needles don’t even hurt.

Please go see Erica Stark for acupuncture!
I have been to see her twice now and each time she has been amazing. She is professional, knowledgeable, easy to talk to about your health, and has a genuine concern for her patients.
I have sought her for acupuncture treatment 2 times for my digestive disorders, which I have struggled with my entire life. After each of her treatments I have felt 100% better. Relief from my chronic pain is not easy to come by, so I am so thankful for Erica’s help.
Her prices are reasonable, her location is convenient, and it’s never a problem to get a last minute appointment.
You will truly be happy you chose her for your health!