Turtle Island Integrative Health

I first came upon Turtle Island Integrative Health via true word of mouth — a Berkeley business owner heard good things from a friend and passed along the recommendation when I mentioned I was looking for a good acupuncturist. I’m so glad that I did. John Kokko took the time to listen and understand my needs and made me feel completely at ease. It’s obvious that he approaches each client as an individual who needs their own specific time and attention. This was my first experience with Eastern Medicine and John was able to resolve the issue that my Kaiser doctor wanted to treat with pills, which was not my first choice. In between treatments, I ended up tweaking a muscle in my back and John noticed that I was carrying tension there immediately. By the time I left my session for that day, the pain was GONE! John is humble, unassuming, knowledgeable, and obviously very gifted at what he does.

My job requires me to sit all day and continous stress takes a big toll on my body especially my back. When I met John, I was in extreme pain. John not only helped me with body work and acupuncture, he gave me several supplements that helped me heal much faster. He is a master of his trade. If you are looking for someone who cares deeply about your health and well being, definitely call Turtle Island Integrative health and ask for John.

We don’t have to devolve into a swollen mess of pain as we age! Even if we have arthritis!!! John Kokko of Turtle Island is the best in the Bay Area for acupuncture, and may the best in the entire country. Kokko is attentive, generous, and humble – a real professional health genius. I have seen many different types in his waiting room — all different ages, genders, colors and socio-​economic backgrounds. First, the needles placed, then, a nice nap, topped off with an amazing therapeutic massage. He always has a student by his side (who gives the massage), which is a good thing since I hope there will be many with his level of expertise soon, in both the expert wielding of needles and level of knowledge of nutritional healing. Sliding scale. Easy to get to by public transportation.

This place, man. It was perfect. The tea Kokko brewed especially for me was great. Even the paperwork was great. After talking over the some parts of the paperwork, it was time to lay down.
Needles in meridians, specifically kidneys, and boom. Asleep.
After a short while, Kokko returned and removed these needles, and then began to deeply knead certain lengths of this kidney meridian. To make a long story short, the feelings following this were euphoric and greatly appreciated.
The overall experience was fantastic, the only qualm lying in the non frugal price.
A return visit will come to pass, but only when it’s really deserved!
But don’t hesitate to treat YOURSELF!

I have been to see Kokko a few times now. Every time I leave Turtle Island I feel 1000x better than when I walked in. The atmosphere is very calming, and it’s obvious that Kokko is a master healer– he always knows the places in my body that need healing attention. If you’re looking for an acupuncturist that is sliding scale and also does body work/​massage, I highly, highly recommend Turtle Island!

I have been to 4 other acupuncturists before coming here. John took a different route and not only performs acupuncture, but also knows the true meaning of holistic health. I went in due to acute sciatic pain and came out pain-​free with some herbal teas to drink & better knowledge of what my body needs. I’ll be going back shortly due to a stress injury on my foot. Can’t wait to heal!

Oh gosh. I’ve been here countless times. What more can I say?
Kokko’s office is simultaneously a peaceful resting place and also a hub of community activity. His clientele is extremely diverse, both in socioeconomic levels and race, and even in health status. He has many interesting patients. If you’re interested in complementary care, like massage or qigong or whatnot, chances are that Kokko knows just the right practitioner for you.
I started coming here for pre-​diabetes and extreme fatigue akin to CFIDS, and my health has improved at least 50%. Western medicine couldn’t even begin to try to fix me. Even more important than the acupuncture tune-​ups is Kokko’s attention to diet and lifestyle factors. For instance, did you know that *when* you sleep is just as important as how much you sleep? While hanging out at his office, I’ve learned a ton about how to be attuned to my health and personalize my own lifestyle factors to suit my particular constitution. The great thing about Eastern medicine is how it acknowledges that everybody’s body is different, and so needs different things. Western medicine’s cookie-​cutter way of saying, «everybody should avoid salt» or «everybody should eat plenty of whole grains» is just not true, and the health of the average American reflects the poor advice doled out by Western nutritional thought.
When I first started going there, I was clinically obese, but I was so sick that I didn’t even care about my weight — all I wanted was to feel better and be more functional. But as an added bonus… after a lifetime of yo-​yo dieting, Kokko’s acupuncture and lifestyle coaching allowed me to lose 35 pounds in less than two years. And it was practically effortless. Every month or two, I would just make a small adjustment to my diet or lifestyle or the herbs/​supplements I was taking, and the pounds just slowly melted off of me. Acupuncture does wonders for increasing a sluggish metabolism. When I first started seeing Kokko, I was so sick that having to climb one flight of stairs would make me dizzy and it would feel like poison was running through my veins. Twenty minutes of walking would require me to be housebound the whole next day. This is called «post-​exertional malaise». Today, though, I can walk a couple miles and actually feel good afterwards. This is a huge improvement and allows me to live a more normal lifestyle.
Kokko is also affordable. Sliding scale.
Kokko is a good person to have on your team when you’re recovering from a chronic illness.
I could say a lot more, but I think you should just try Kokko out and see for yourself!

John Kokko is amazing! I was referred to him from a trusted friend. I live in SF and had been to an acupuncturist and an herbalist before but decided to take a friend’s recommendation and venture out. this is what i needed, somebody who looks at the overall situation — mind, soul and body. Kokko commented on the state of my organs (kidney and liver systems) I’ve never had a doctor or herbalist before do that, I do credit my chiropractor for giving me awesome treatments too. Now along with my chiropractor, I have Kokko in my health treatment arsenal. Seriously, in the first appointment Kokko spent about 30 minutes just asking questions about my past and present in all aspects, then based on my answers, he checked my physical state and then performed the necessary acupuncture AND acupressure. Then at the end of the meeting provided me with the medicine to help in the healing. I kid you not, for ¹⁄₃ of the price I paid at an SF herbalist… I’d pay a few bucks to ride bart and get a much more thorough and personal treatment for way less money. i can go on, but if you are looking for a checkup or have an issue, check Kokko out in berkeley, right off the bart station too.

Having been blessed to travel the world, I’ve experienced healers from many traditions worldwide. and i must say, Dr. John Kokko provides the best care I’ve ever received — HANDS DOWN.
I’ve referred well over 20 loved ones to him in confidence, and everyone has been satisfied. Kokko is KING!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIS SERVICE!

John Kokko is an excellent acupunturist. He is not just technically capable, but also commands a depth of knowledge of holistic healing in general. A spiritually centered practioner.

Kokko Rocks!!! Super kind and sweet with a grounding laid back vibe, he is also an acupuncture master and master herbalist.
He teaches at the acupuncture school in Oakland so he definitely really knows what he’s doing.
Everyone loves Kokko. I highly recommend!!!

John Kokko is an acupuncturist and herbalist and he owns this business. I was referred to him last winter after I was diagnosed with some health issues. I am a very skeptical person and had never tried anything but western medicine. I now believe that eastern medicine is every bit as credible as western medicine and strongly believe that a combination of eastern and western medicine can work nicely together to improve health and quality of life. John Kokko, or Kokko as he is known to his patients, is such a healer. I go there with problems with my eyes and he helps — he gives me tips on Qi Gong exercises that will help and acupressure that I can do on my own. If my back hurts, he works on it and then I’m better by the time I leave the appointment. I once had a swollen gum above my right front tooth. It was very painful and had been there for 4 days. I went to the dentist who said I might loose the tooth. Horrified by the thought, I went to see Kokko, and as unbelievable as it might sound, by the time I left the appointment the large bump was gone and did not return. I’ve referred others to him and he’s helped them — helped with treating side effects of chemo, sleeping disorders and even depression. I believe it really makes a difference on who you see.

Dear community, I am humbled to call John Kokko, L.Ac., my healer, brother and friend. Over the past five years, I have been treated by countless acupuncturists, herbalists, and body therapists, and Kokko is by far the most skilled holistic doctor around. Since my first treatment with him in Feb., I have continued to receive his care as my primary care doctor. Kokko’s cutting edge diagnostic technologies, whole-​bodied assessments, and mastery of classical and modern techniques combine to create stellar treatments. Each treatment and consultation is thoughtfully tailored to ensure the maximum benefit. He has gifted me with reproductive, digestive, metabolic, and emotional health, from the inside out. Kokko’s embodiment of compassion and accessible philosophies on health lend levity to the complexities often faced during healing. I am in deep gratitude to have finally found a healer centered in compassion who serves unconditionally.

As a person who has been studying the body through many different disciplines, I have searched far and wide for an acupuncturist who is the real deal.
John Kokko is one of them. His passion and love for people comes through in his treatment of clients. But it’s his skill that has really impressed me. He just hits the spot with his pin point accuracy. I would highly recommend John Kokko to anybody and everybody!

I can’t tell you how much John Kokko has changed my life, He is the most intuitive healer I have worked with, and I have been to many. I have lost 30 pounds, I quit smoking, and have improved health and well being. I have my spirit back, my life back. I highly recommend him to anyone who is serious about changing their life to see him!!! DO IT!

I had a really great acupuncture treatment with John Kokko Lim and he definitely has a unique style. Not only did he treat my main complaint, he also took the time to treat core issues that I didn’t know I had. It was the best treatment I’ve had in a long long time. I feel 90% better after the treatment and my scapula pain I had for the last 10 years due to an accident is better after 1 treatment. I am definitely looking forward to my next treatment.
Karen