Sandra McKay, LAc

I am a San Diego native, moved out of North County to Downtown and I found Sandra while looking for acupuncture near my apartment. I went to Sandra for back pain and left with less stress, much better sleep and a treasure trove of helpful recommendations from important supplements to wonderful books. As a practitioner, Sandra is knowledgeable, precise and yet extremely warm, approachable, funny and caring. I look forward to every appointment now and my body seems to be in a continuous state of improvement.
I will document my acupuncture experiences here so others can get a first-​hand idea of what to expect.
April 8, 2015
Acupuncture Results: I’ve been doing acupuncture for over a month now. I’ve noticed improvements in my back pain, allergies and mental calmness. However, in addition to the acupuncture I’ve also been doing other helpful non-​acupuncture things like exercise, chiropractic adjustments, rolfing and mindfulness. Overall, my body is functioning as well or better than it ever has and I believe acupuncture has been an integral part of the overall improvements.
The Acupuncture Experience: Perhaps my favorite part of acupuncture is how relaxing it is to lay down comfortably while someone works on improving my body’s energetic system. Also, I’m the type of person that can’t talk to someone I don’t find interesting for extended periods of time. Surprisingly, one of my favorite parts of acupuncture is talking to Sandra because I learn so much about a variety of health and wellness related topics.
Acupuncture Costs: My insurance covers acupuncture so I only pay $ 20 out of pocket for an hour session! I was really surprised to learn that a) insurance companies cover acupuncture and b) that a really good practitioner actually accepts insurance. I can go to 8 acupuncture appointments for the price of one massage.
Acupuncture downsides: I haven’t found any yet. The time investment could be one if you’re super busy but in my opinion it’s time well spent. The cupping produces a little redness on my back but I don’t mind it and it’s a sign to me that things are moving as they’re supposed to. Overall, I wouldn’t say I’ve noticed any major drawbacks to acupuncture yet. More updated to come!

Sandra, did an excellent job, made me feel completely comfortable and very professional. highly recommend.

anyone who is connected with me on facebook knows the excruciating process i went through to get acupuncture covered by my insurance. hoops upon hoops were jumped, and months were spent getting it worked out. lets face it, western medicine and insurance companies are still a bit behind the times and reluctant to encourage and approve acupuncture as a form of treatment. but where there is a will, there is a heather. i dont back down when I want something.
and damnit, i wanted a bunch of tiny needles stuck in my body!!! …and only pay my $ 25 copay.
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As an already active client in the jean claude studio, I was given the referral to Sandra by trusted friends. I got the opportunity to speak to her between her appts. and discuss my issues of concern and desire to be treated by someone with experience in those specific areas. i appreciated how approachable, very easy-​going, and upfront and honest she was with me. best of all, she accepted Kaiser insurance and was very familiar with how they operated and approved acupuncture treatment.
ive been curious of acupuncture for a while and as i began to be at a loss with western medicine’s approach, I wanted to give it a go. i kept hearing such great things about it and was beginning to get concerned with all the prescription drugs I suddenly had in my drawer (and werent really solving my issues). well, after 5 sessions im hear to tell you: do it. if you are dealing with muscle pain, migraines, cramps, insomnia… things that are interfering with your life and well being, and you are only getting *temporary relief* with painkillers and other drugs, you really should consider trying this out. its not scary, its not painful… if anything, its extremely relaxing and you may nod off during a session.
Sandra’s space is warm and inviting, beautifully decorated, and comfortable. as you are being treated she gives you the option to have a heater on you, which I always took up and added to the comfort and relaxation. i recommend coming with headphones and music on your phone or ipod as you sit and let the needles do their magic.
one instance i have continued to share about my experience with acupuncture and its legitimacy involved this weird sudden pinched nerve of shooting pain in my upper left back one day. it started early, and continued all through work. thankfully it was a day of one of my appointments. after telling her about it and indicating the exact point of pain (every session I would tell her the areas I needed treatment — or general «maintenance.»), she put a needle directly into that area. as i lay there on the massage table i literally felt the sharp pain become lesser and lesser with each pulse. it was as if the needle and the pinched nerve were having a battle and the needle continued to forced the pain to its knees and finally surrender.
i left that session with no more pain in that area… and havent experienced it since. needle-​1, stupid pinched nerve-​0.
…and so, with 5 weekly sessions, a few needles, and other lifestyle changes recommended to me, I have abandoned the meds I was fearing dependency on… and im back to my old self. i am so thankful for sandra and this ancient form of treatment, and actually amazed at how quickly i found resolution. always keep an open mind!

I am finally getting around to leaving a review after my very first acupuncture treatment! I was really nervous, but when my hairstylist recommended Sandra. I took the leap after checking her reviews. The treatment room I was in was pretty cool, it was relaxing and smelled sooooo good! She put on lavender essential oils in a diffuser, placed the needles from head to toe and then it was relax time! I will be back, I am really excited to start the herb treatment as well! Sandra is incredibly knowledgable and put my mind at ease with little effort, I appreciate her positive energy and will recommend her to everyone I know who is interested!

As an avid runner, I’ve had my share of aches, pains, and injuries. In mid-​September I began training for the Long Beach Marathon but stopped shortly thereafter when I developed severe muscle pain and tightness in my calves. Despite resting, icing, and stretching my legs, the pain persevered and spread to my Achilles and arches. Around this time I saw a Korean acupuncturist/​licensed physician in Orange County whose style I found more painful than effective. In conjunction with acupuncture the doctor would administer skin scraping which resulted in massive bruises all over my legs. I endured three sessions before deciding to seek a second opinion.
Last Monday, I hobbled inside Elite Performance Institute to see Sandra McKay, a licensed acupuncturist, who also practices at Whole Family Wellness Center in Hillcrest. Prior to scheduling an appointment with Sandra I scoured Unilocal for highly recommended acupuncturists near my work. In the end I chose Sandra based on the five-​star reviews across the board and because her profile mentions her specialties in pain management, sports injuries, and stress. I was definitely in pain, injured, and stressed!
My initial visit to Sandra began with questions about my health and lifestyle. After checking my pulse she administered acupuncture treatment. The visit ended with her recommending some herbs and suggesting I bathe in Epsom salt and use a foam roller to relieve muscle tension and soreness.
Sandra McKay is the best acupuncturist I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. She is the epitome of professional. Also she is kind, caring, and very compassionate about helping others. I’ve had five treatment sessions with Sandra and while I haven’t pounded the pavement yet I do feel like I’m on the road to recovery.
Thank you, Sandra!

Sandra has a great energy which passes through her and into her amazing ability as an accupuncturist. I too was nervous about accupuncture for all the usual reasons and have been completely swayed the other way now because of Sandra’s wonderful approach which has led to amazing results; definitely top-​notch!

I tried acupuncture for the first time with Sandra, and I’m very impressed. It truly didn’t hurt at all (I was prepared for it to hurt a tiny bit, but it didn’t) and I’m jogging again because my knee feels much better. The evening hours are really convenient, too!

Sandra is AMAZING! She can help you with whatever is ailing you! She is very compassionate and takes the time to really listen to her patients. Her passion for acupuncture and healing is contagious!