Five Branches University Health Center

After a long series of wonderful and effective
treatments by an experienced acupuncturist,
I had the misfortune to visit this clinic; where students presumably
intern and learn.
In a word, it is very unpleasant to be treated by
an inexperienced acupuncturist.

I love this place. I went to the San Jose Campus a few times when I was going to a different school in a building right next door and it was great. The Santa Cruz clinic, maybe because it’s closer to home, but I’ve had fantastic experiences here. I’ve seen three different interns here, one of which I’m sad graduated, but also really excited she is going out into the world to share what she does. Thank you Clara! I’ve also seem Jasmin and Jessica who are also great and hopefully I’ll see again. I continuously saw improvements in reducing my chronic migraines and improving my sleep. I’ve only met three of the instructors who work with the students and they were phenomenal people to meet and seems as all the instructors are highly spoken of.

I’ve had wonderful, life-​changing visits with the staff at Five Branches. Following intestinal surgery for cancer in 2012, I started going initially for grief. The treatments were incredibly healing for my soul, and of course the soul and body are connected :) So, the interns started focusing on helping me with digestion and pain.
By choice, I’ve had only interns, with the supervision of licensed practitioners working with me. A supervisor and a licensed practitioner, Maria Mitchell (a GENIUS!) has been especially helpful. These sessions are $ 27 and last more than an hour. Try getting that at a traditional doctor’s office!
The sessions are very thorough… lots of questions to find out how I’m doing and about my body’s good and bad indicators. To be left in the room with needles in place, quiet and in the dark as is my preference, is transformational.
Three years out, I feel so much better about my body’s ability and capacity to heal, all with the guidance of these wise young interns and their supervisors. My weekly visit is such a wonderful treat to myself. I consider it part of my regimen, just as I exercise and eat right, to keep my body healthy.
The front desk staff is helpful and friendly, the interns are knowledgeable and intuitive, and the entire experience is positive. I highly recommend Five Branches!

I not only had my first experience with 5 Branches; but with acupuncture as well.
The staff was polite and professional, and Leslie, who did my treatment was thorough, knowledgeable and compassionate.
I have never felt comfortable with needles and she made me feel relaxed and confident that I would be able to see progress in the treatment.
I will be back. Thanks Leslie.

I was hesitant to go having only had acupuncture treatment elsewhere. My daughter ended up in the hospital with back spasms, they gave her a muscle relaxant and pain killers. She was still in excruciating pain. Went to Five Branches the next day and was feeling better instantly! I therefore went to see Tentcho for my issue too. Amazing results! Treatment for my whole being with herbs, needles, cupping, etc. My wrist isn’t the only part of me that needs help! I’m happy to have him on my team to a better, healthier me!

As a patient who attend the free clinic for Veteran’s on Wednesday afternoons. It has helped so much with my chronic pain in my back. I recently missed a weeks visit after being out off the area and by the time I went this week my pain level was very high. Since my treatment yesterday it’s back down to a nice low level … Highly recommend them

Aggressive and unprofessional: that is the impression I got of this clinic. I limped in to the front office twenty minutes early for my first appointment — with a senior practitioner who was to do both massage and acupuncture — only to be told that the fellow I was scheduled with was not «in» that day. When I expressed my surprise because no one had phoned me to cancel, and pointed out that I had been by the phone all morning, the woman at the front desk rudely insisted she had indeed phoned («at 10:45,» she barked at me… for a 1:30 appointment!). I was offered no apology, but was told that another practitioner could do just the acupuncture. When I asked whether that person was senior-​level, I was told she was «almost» so. «Almost» senior-​level wasn’t what I had scheduled for, so I declined. The aggressive receptionist continued to insist, childishly, that she had phoned me – she didn’t — and was unmoved when I told her I’d driven in from the edge of the county. So I left, untreated and still in pain, and lost more than two hours of my day.
While it does happen that people don’t show up for work, especially in the Santa Cruz area, this is not the way to handle it. What the receptionist should have done is apologize and offer some accommodation — a discount on a future appointment would be appropriate. But above all she should have apologized and acted with kindness. Instead, she wanted to fight. Why would I trust anyone in that kind of environment to put needles into my body? This experience has not only turned me off of Five Branches, it’s made me question the credentials of the many acupuncture practitioners I’ve gone to over the years — all of them Five Branches graduates. If the school allows such unprofessional conduct at its clinic, what does that say for the practitioners who learned their craft there?

I’m somewhat of a skeptic when it comes to alternative medicine but recently hurt my lower back and was in a lot of pain with no medical insurance. I work as a hearing aid practitioner and one of my patients recommended I try out Five Branches for pain relief. I have never had acupuncture before.
I went to what was called a «theatre» appointment, cost was $ 27. It is not for someone who is shy or self-​conscience. I was seen by a senior student, Magali, in front of a classroom of maybe 12 people. So basically I sat at the front of the class with Magali as she questioned me regarding my medical history and all the problems I had recently been having with my back.
I then disrobed in the restroom and they had me wear a hospital gown (I left my underwear on). Then back into the classroom and on the table. I then met the teacher and went through more questions and started the acupuncture treatment. I had 2 — 3 people poking, prodding and rubbing me. Again, this is not the appointment you want to have if you are at all shy or self-​conscience. I was neither but it was still very slightly uncomfortable having that many eyes on me. By the time I got onto my back they did pull down my undies to expose my rear end in order to do what they needed to do. So, yes, the whole class got an eyeful, I feel bad for them haha. Despite all that, the acupuncture was great. I felt like I was in a very professional environment and the teacher and students that worked on me did an excellent job.
Earlier in the day I literally could not stand up straight and walk without intense pain. I had to limp and hunch over in order to walk. By the time they finished the acupuncture treatment and the cupping I felt like a new man! I stood up and was able to walk standing straight and felt no pain. Even throughout the next day the pain is 95% gone. They didn’t completely cure me of my problem and I’m sure I will probably throw my back out again but they did eliminate the pain and gave me great suggestions on how I can eventually correct my problems so that it doesn’t happen again.
I would highly recommend someone going here if they have pain or other medical issues that are difficult to deal with. If you are shy and don’t want 12 — 15 people around you in that environment then just schedule a private session with them, it may cost a little bit more but you will be more comfortable. Their methods and procedures truly worked for me!

Do you have pain? No money but heard acupuncture would help you? Call Five Branches and ask for an intern. The training for them is great and its around $ 27 for a treatment, lasts about an hour or more. I have seen about 5 different interns and really like one of the «teachers» Maria! Everyone seems to really care and I always feel better when I leave. Plus my schedule is crazy and they usually always have last minute appointments which is great for me! I highly recommend.

Great Great place.
I have had sinus issues for years. Antibiotics don’t help and I’m not allergic to anything! so the ear nose and throat doctor and the allergy doctor say «here take these antibiotics» like they’re candy!
UGH!
Someone said to try acupuncture… so I did.
I’ve gone three times and they have helped me with my sinus problems and energy levels!
Amazing students– very detailed and caring!
I leave feeling like a million bucks! hahah

The school (now it is called a University) is a win win for patients receiving compassionate, in depth treatment and students close to graduation getting to treat patients.
Because it is a school, the treatment is very different from the quick acupuncture treatments at many low cost clinics. The main difference being the in depth talk before treatment.
5 Branches was my sole source of non emergency medical care for years. It was very interesting to experience the different personal style of students, and I always felt comfortable asking for certain treatments here.

Best deal in town for acupuncture.
Excellent school and awesome staff

helped the pain and made me feel great. I have only had acupuncture twice before, but a long time ago and dont recall those experiences much at all. I went in for a blunt trauma injury to my shoulder and found the experience to be great. The fact that those doing the treatment are students made no difference, i was happy to add to there learning experience considering the fact that there was a professor/​Acupunturist (Ponin) with them the entire time who also consulted the treatment, had ample experience, made his own suggestions and treatment options through out. It felt as if there was 4 people adding to the overall treatment, and for $ 27, an hour n 15 minute treatment was more than worth it… did i mention it helped the pain and made me feel great. Go check it out for yourself

I pride myself on being able to find a good deal, and this place definitely can’t be beat! Quality service in a clean, friendly, and non-​judgmental environment.
Recently, I introduced my friend to the Aveda School in SF for amazing hair cuts. In return, she introduced me to Five Branches in Santa Cruz (they also have a clinic in San Jose offering the same services), and I could not have been happier with my appointment. After explaining to her that I had trouble sleeping sometimes, and felt stressed out, she said that there were low cost, but high quality acupuncture treatments available at this place.
After a little convincing on her part, I agreed to call for an appointment. The friendly front desk staff explained the services offered, and gave me the breakdown on each setting (e.g. the difference between Intern Rounds and Senior Internship). I decided on Intern Rounds, and it definitely surpassed my expectations. So affordable that I can go regularly, these overall tune-​up treatments and the herbs I’ve received have helped me to de-​stress and sleep like a baby!

In December of 2010, I had a strained muscle in my upper arm and went to Five Branches for help.
I was lucky enough to find MARY LYELL. Wow. It took just a few sessions for me to realize she’s a wise woman who works on many levels. I can’t say enough about Mary. She’s respectful, gentle, deep and sees very clearly. She teaches the students there and they are lucky.
I used to be an acupressure therapist and have been receiving weekly bodywork of various kinds for 30 years. So I know what I’m talking about.
There are several ways to get what you need at Five Branches. I wanted to see Mary individually, but she was not free when I am – we work the same days. I chose to see her for «rounds» where the teacher has some students she’s instructing about your case. The teacher diagnoses you, and inserts the needles herself.
Mary has a nearby office and I would see her there if I could. Call her at 831−325−8656. Now.

When I started coming to Five Branches I must admit I was very skeptical. I have a background as a paramedic and have worked on the western medicine side of health care for quite a while. Wasn’t too sure on how I felt about herbs VS modern medicine and acupuncture VS western diagnoses. I was pleasantly surprised.
Not Only did the treatments received by the student interns help out my check book (only $ 27 per tx), but they helped manage my stress level/​sleep issues/​and anxiety on a regular basis. I was given herbs to help regulate my sleep patterns after working many years of graveyard shifts and they WORKED! Very noninvasive yet very helpful.
I also was experiencing some womens health issues. Now I am NOT saying that you should completely ditch your regular OB/​GYN… HOWEVER, I was in the position where I did not want to take the pill anymore and address my issues on a more holistic level of medicine. It has worked for me, I have been very happy with my results, and I was able to stay away from hormones and painful procedures to address the problems I had.
They offer a little bit of everything at Five Branches from Tuina massage (not for the ultra sensitive or faint of heart), Herbology, teaching clinics, Private appointments, and classroom settings. They range from $ 27 dollar appointments to $ 75 dollar appointments for facial rejuvenating acupuncture.

If you are experiencing any sort of neck pain, back pain, extreme shoulder pain or breathing problems, I have three words that will change your life:
ALEX WEI JIANG!!!
Although I recently left a super stressful, mentally and physically draining job for a better (and calmer) opportunity, the stress was refusing to leave my body… that is until stress got punched in the face by Dr. Alex Wei Jiang’s tuina massage!
He was able to completely get rid of all the tension I have been carrying in my shoulders, back, neck and head for the past year! While I prefer a gentler massage, whatever discomfort I experienced was the «good professional kind» where I could feel severe knots leaving my body completely. Any previous soreness in my shoulder/​arm muscles were tuina-​ed into submission!
It was simply wonderful… there were parts in the massage where I felt like crying because I could breath again — not just in the massage room, but sustainable breathing throughout the rest of the day. I seriously think he increased my lung capacity. At other points I giggled because as Dr. Alex gently shook my shoulders it kinda of tickled and I felt joyful.
While I personally loved tuina massage, I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone because there are some parts where you feel significant pressure to get you back in order. Read the description for yourself though and decide what your body needs:
Also since it’s not a «spa» per say so you do not disrobe. Perfect for modest folks on a budget but if you want a fru-​fru spa experience, you might want to look at other options.

Experienced serious pain in my right shoulder after straining it while lifting at my work. This pain continued for many months despite treatments with cortisone shots and other «therapy» from my regular doctor.
Was recommended to try acupuncture therapy and found it to be very successful in relieving my pain.
I visited Five Branches and met with Feng Ling Li. After the first visit with acupuncture and a brief massage, my pain was maybe 90% gone. With a second visit after 2 weeks, things are excellent now.
Actually it‘s amazingly effective in my case…
I much appreciate their good work and will return again to Five Branches.

My acupuncturist at my health plan also recommended this place… as I had a limited number of visits I could get with doctors approval (she teaches at UC Med Center)… I like George, Mary and Sally as instructors with students watching… or helping. I also then get an idea of which students I feel comfortable with and see them for internships. The massage on Saturdays is great… parking a little nuts with the beach crowd, but tell them you are going to the clinic. The rest of the week parking is fine. I have been going to acupuncturists for over 6 years… only started going here 2 years ago… like any clinic you find great & not so great… but definitely worth checking out. I also like the hour to hour and half appts… current interns I like are Shannon and Tiffany.

As a school of Traditional Chinese Medicine, FBU is a great place to go. It might be the most diversified and friendly community among TCM schools. When you consider a school, please look at its core curricula which are Acupuncture, Herbology, and Clinical Science such as Pediatrics, Gynecology, Orthopedics and so on. By the way, FBU is the only (the very first) school in the nation that offers Integrative Sports Medicine Certificate Program, which has really helped graduates to be great practitioners and land a job on Medical Groups and even hospital staff.
You can’t go wrong if you stick to FBU. That’s why I have never considered teaching somewhere else. (I am not currently teaching at this campus but will go back someday) If you are considering a career in TCM, then Go TO FBU.
As a teaching clinic (hospital someday), FBU medical center has been serving the community wholeheartedly for almost 30 years. The friendly and professional front desk people and medical team have never turned down anyone who needed help.
If your budget is limited or willing to participate in a learning session, then see FBU interns/​Rounds/​Theatre. Pleas ask front desk recommend someone well-​groomed or simply Sports Medicine/​Orthopedic interns/​faculty. You will have better chance for a better experience. Simply tell them that you’d like to participate in the discussion or just act as an «audience».
If you prefer to be treated privately by a faculty practitioner, then you need to ask for the right specialty and right person who speaks your language (if that is a concern as I mentioned earlier FBU is very diversified). There is really no difference in terms of quality when you see someone privately except the environment, atmosphere, and your perception…
I trust FBU can meet your individual need, be it educational or medical.