AIMC Berkeley Acupuncture Clinic

Third visit, came the first time because my lady wanted me to. I am coming for the rest of my life because I LOVE what acupuncture does for my mind, body and soul. Lisa is my acupuncturist and I highly recommend her.

Treatments at AIMC Berkeley are always completely individualized and amazing. I get so much personal attention for the same cost as going to a community clinic! All their providers are extremely attentive, intuitive, and caring and I feel great walking out of my treatments.

It was fantastic! My session with Atsuko! She listened completely to my needs and at the end of the session she even explained the energy and meridian dynamics that were influencing my body! I am ecstatic to come back! She incorporated a massage-​type acupressure in the treatment – something I have never had before (I usually don’t see acupuncturists regularly). I was very appreciative of her expertise and energy.
There were two front desk receptionists – one was younger and she was not pleasant and was impatient with my questions. She was off-​standish, like my questions were an unnecessary irritant to her work. You are a receptionist – your role is to welcome clients!
I had actually wanted to take 1 star off because of her. However, the other receptionist was such a delight that I couldn’t!

This place has TOTALLY helped me with my allergies and asthma. For the first time in years I’ve been able to climb a really steep 3 mile inclined mountain without stopping. They are reasonable and care a lot about you and your health. Super happy with them and I will continue to go. Going here made me think that I may possibly want a career change. Helping people is their main focus and they are on point. Thank you!

I had Ear Seeds placed for free at a local senior center for free, for my Neck Pain, my outrageous Allergies and my aching Feet. This is no exaggeration the pain was gone within the hour. I was and still am truly amazed. I would highly recommend this facility to anyone, who wants a more holistic approach that actually works. I will be back… so much better then being drugged up on pain killers and allergy medications/​steroids :)

I’ve been coming here for several years on and off when I’ve had muscular issues. I like seeing the junior students because it’s only 20 bucks, but also because the teaching advisor comes into the room during the treatment. Additional needless can be put in if he thinks it’s necessary as you talk to him (her.)

It all depends on your selecting, through trial and error, or luck, the right intern to treat you, under the supervision of the right experienced licensed acupuncturist.
All the interns are caring. You do need, to fin those who at a given time are also the most skillful
But find the right intern, and this is the best medical care available per dollar spent – BY FAR! It’s amazing the range of the complaints they can heal, sometimes quickly.

I went to AIMC seeking relief from severe headaches caused by occipital neuralgia, but never returned after my first visit. I’ve had acupuncture from a number of practitioners, both before and after visiting AIMC, and this was the only place where I’ve ever had a truly bad experience.
To be fair, all of my other experiences have been with licensed practitioners, while I saw a group of level 3 interns at AIMC (because it would be less expensive than treatment by a licensed practitioner, and I am on a tight budget). I loved the interns as people & really enjoyed talking to them before my treatment, but the treatment itself was rather traumatic, and I felt disrespected by their instructor/​supervisor (a small, elderly, Asian woman who never bothered to tell me her name).
I had two major problems with my treatment at AIMC. The first was «bloodletting,» a practice not used by any of the other acupuncturists I’ve visited. They said this was going to be «a pin prick» to take «a couple drops of blood,» but it felt like the intern was trying to cut my toe off! Not only that, but she stabbed my toe twice, because she apparently didn’t do it correctly the first time. I started feeling faint after this, and so the teacher told her not to do the second toe they’d been planning to stab. Thank god. The wound where she cut my toe continued to hurt quite a bit for days afterward and took more than a week to heal.
Second, and more importantly, I’d been hoping for alternative medicine that could work in concert with my other treatments (especially since my situation is complicated by the fact that I have chronic kidney disease), but I felt that the instructor/​supervisor (and therefore this school?) showed no respect at all for western medicine. When discussing my overall health with me, the interns had been very respectful regarding my kidney concerns, but their «expert» teacher/​supervisor asked me about my CKD diagnosis, then dismissed it entirely. She asked me my creatinine number (a blood test result that measures kidney function), then dismissively waved a hand and said my kidneys are fine. No, lady, my kidneys are NOT fine, and I’m not letting you give me herbs that my nephrologist has strictly forbidden.
She told me to bring in my lab results and diagnosis information next time I came in, but I wasn’t sure which «diagnosis information» she meant, since every doctor I’ve seen (both general practice and nephrology experts) and all other information I’ve obtained have identified my creatinine numbers as within the CKD stage III range. Did I need to explain to this woman the *definition* of kidney disease?
As one might guess, based on this review, I did not return. I looked for other affordable acupuncture clinics and wound up at Berkeley Community Acupuncture, where I have been extremely happy with my frequent treatments over the past several months.

Awesome place! I was misdiagnosed for 2 years from western medicine before I discovered AIMC. I had heavy periods 2 times a month for a year and was anemic. Western medicine doctors told me nothing was wrong and for me to take iron pills. It turns out I was perimenopausal. AIMC straightened out my periods within a month. I saw them for 5 years and they helped me get through it. I highly recommend them!

neurotic New Yorker. so thankful I found this spot.
Update: if you have a nerve condition, make sure to ask for someone who knows threading. I love working with Molly. All of the students love going here for a reason.

Love coming here. I see a level 3 practitioner named Emiko. She’s wonderful and very professional.

I have been here a handful of times and it has exceeded my expectations each time. Some students are better than others. Once you find the one you like, you can keep seeing the same person. I have been here for pain and also sleep problems. It really does work!

I scheduled an appointment at the AIMC clinic knowing that it is an intern clinic and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by the care I received on my first visit; I was greeted warmly my intern, Merritt Jones, in the reception area. She then took me back to the treatment room and conducted a thorough intake interview, and then consulted with her staff supervisor before administering treatment. The process felt very professional, thoughtful, and comfortable.
I have since received treatment several times from Merritt and have been delighted by the care she has provided.
She is grounded and attentive, gentle with her needling technique, and thoughtful in answering my questions. The herbal formulas she prescribes seem to work well, and she doesn’t make me feel guilty when I admit I haven’t taken them as regularly as I should have. Her background in holistic nutrition is also very helpful, and she has provided me with great suggestions for making simple dietary changes that have been really effective.
I think that the AIMC student clinic is a fabulous Bay Area resource and I highly recommend it (and the intern clinicians there, like Merritt) to folks looking for high-​quality and affordable care.

Amazing, amazing, amazing.
My appointment was with a small team: Montserrat, Jill, and Patrick. Their supervisor Mike (I believe that was his name) came in to observe the acupuncture and talk me through it’s purpose, use, and points I was having the needles put in.
I came in to address pains in my hips and looking for techniques for relaxation, and I left with lots of clarity and feeling «balanced». It’s hard to explain so just keep an open mind.
This process is incredible, and like NO other physical/​check up I’ve ever had. The intake process is thorough. I highly recommend answering honestly and asking any/​all questions.
If you can take out the time and money (so affordable), go for it.

I love this place. I’ve been coming here for 15 years and it’s still the best deal in the East Bay for personalized, issue-​specific acupuncture.
I’ve had treatment in different settings here: small group clinics, from intermediate and advanced students and have always had great, professional treatment. The instructors are brilliant, with years of experience, and supervise closely the work that students do. (an instructor once took my pulse for a few moments and immediately targeted my specific health issue). Students take time to do a complete history and the acupuncture is specific to your personal needs. They don’t skimp on time or needles!
I’ve never had a bad experience at AIMC, and if it’s in the stars, will be coming back until I’m old and gray.

I went to the AIMC student clinic and I’m extremely impressed with the professionalism of the students that I’ve seen. In addition to acupuncture, I’ve also received herbal treatments, and cupping. Being very new to Asian medicine, I can honestly say they put me at ease, explained everything that they were doing and were genuinely interested in my well being. They have a variety of low-​cost options, the thing is you have to be willing to be worked on by a student. They have great students and staff. I recommend AIMC, especially if you are looking for drug free treatments for what ails you.

I was assured blood-​letting cupping on the phone before I arrived. 2 hours later, no cupping, still in pain. Save your money and time and go somewhere where people actually know what they’re doing.

I have been going to this clinic for about 8 or 9 years… when they were named Meiji. I get a new intern every 9 – 12 months and I’ve never been dissatisfied.
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine have helped me manage my chronic condition (myotonic muscular dystrophy) and I’ve gleaned a lot of helpful information for dietary/​nutritional needs too.
What more can I say? This is a great school and the price can’t be beat.

I have been on naproxen for months and it wasn’t helping at all. I decided to try acupuncture for my chronic pain. I had no clue where to begin and didn’t know anyone to ask for referrals. Reading the reviews on Unilocal helped me to decide.
The AIMC Berkeley was my choice (2010 — 2011). I saw 3 different students and selected one for the duration of my treatment. Some students may ask more questions or have a different approach to diagnosing. I think it’s a matter of fit.
The students are pleasant and take care about treating their patients. They are supervised by the instructors and the approach to treatment is discussed, carefully thought out and applied.
My chronic pain greatly improved and my level of energy increased. (I almost couldn’t believe what I was able to do — and I’m not complaining).
Note: I found myself reaching a plateau with my treatment (6 weeks). I reached a level of improvement and seemed to be stuck. They changed my treatment and I was back on track with improvement. (so stay with it!)

I like this place. The interns are very informative and helpful, checking the pulse and tongue at each appointment, asking questions at the start, noting progression and any changes to cater the service to the person’s current situations at the time of treatment. The service is catered to you, how you are, in the moment.
When seeing a level one intern ($ 15-​$ 20), you actually usually see three interns. Their supervisor comes in for a quick evaluation as well. So, you have four people attending to you. They do the assessment, then leave to discuss the details and concoct the optimal protocol for the session.
With level two and three interns ($ 25-​$ 30), you get a treatment from someone who has been in the program longer than the level ones. Usually just one person attends to you, and you will most likely not see the supervisor. Each situation is great.
I have enjoyed all of my sessions at AIMC, and I actually prefer level one interns, because there are more people doing the assessment. Everyone I have seen here seems very interested in my health and wellbeing, and very attentive to my needs. The facility is clean. The people are nice.
I recommend this clinic to friends. It is affordable and enjoyable.