Business Details
Your Trusted Acupuncture & Wellness Partner in Oakland
As a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, I specialize in Japanese-style acupuncture rooted in over 2,000 years of Eastern medicine. My practice focuses on treating chronic pain, acute injuries, and systemic imbalances by addressing root causes through personalized treatment plans. I integrate acupuncture with herbal supplements, cupping, moxibustion, and food-as-medicine counseling to support holistic healing. With a commitment to accessibility, I serve LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and immigrant communities, offering bilingual services in Mandarin and English.My approach emphasizes patient education, empowering individuals to make informed health choices through tailored nutritional advice and lifestyle guidance. I hold a 4th-degree black belt and incorporate martial arts principles into self-defense instruction, reflecting my dedication to mind-body wellness.
Services
Acupuncture
Herbal Supplements
Cupping
Food as Medicine Counseling
Moxa Therapy
Highlights and features
- Licensed acupuncturist with specialized training in Japanese techniques
- Bilingual services in Mandarin and English for immigrant communities
- Personalized treatment plans addressing root causes of health imbalances
- Commitment to LGBTQ+ and BIPOC patient care
- Integrated approach combining acupuncture with nutrition and lifestyle coaching
What people say
Gentle, patient, non-judgmental
Acute pain subsided
Recommend her
Migraine relief
Effective broken clavicle treatment
Services
Acupuncture
Japanese-style acupuncture uses ultra-fine needles to stimulate healing pathways for chronic pain, migraines, and systemic imbalances. Sessions incorporate pulse diagnosis and meridian assessment to create personalized treatment plans addressing both symptoms and root causes through the body's innate healing capacity.
Herbal Supplements
Custom herbal formulas complement acupuncture treatments by supporting organ function and restoring physiological balance. Based on traditional Eastern pharmacology, these plant-based remedies target specific conditions like digestive issues, immune weakness, and stress-related disorders with minimal side effects.
Food as Medicine Counseling
Individualized dietary guidance translates Eastern medicine principles into practical eating strategies. Patients receive recipe recommendations and grocery-shopping tips to address conditions like low energy and hormonal imbalances through everyday whole foods rather than restrictive diets.
Cupping Therapy
Cupping creates localized suction to increase blood flow and release muscle tension. This therapy effectively treats neck/shoulder tightness, sports injuries, and chronic pain by breaking up fascial adhesions while promoting relaxation through parasympathetic nervous system activation.
Moxa Therapy
Moxibustion applies heat from burning mugwort to specific acupuncture points. This warming therapy enhances treatment outcomes for cold-related conditions, menstrual irregularities, and immune deficiency by stimulating qi circulation and strengthening constitutional vitality.
People
Mamie Chow
Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist
A queer woman of color and child of first-generation immigrants, Mamie combines 20+ years of acupuncture expertise with martial arts discipline. She teaches self-defense and food-as-medicine workshops while maintaining a clinical practice focused on trauma-informed care for marginalized communities.
Questions
What conditions do you treat most effectively?
Chronic pain, migraines, digestive issues, stress-related disorders, and post-injury recovery show best results through our integrated acupuncture and lifestyle modification approach.
Do you accept insurance?
While we don't bill insurance directly, we provide superbill documentation for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Check with your provider about acupuncture coverage.
What should I expect during my first visit?
Initial consultations include detailed health history review, pulse diagnosis, and treatment planning. Plan for 60-80 minutes to discuss goals and receive your first acupuncture session with personalized wellness recommendations.
Are virtual consultations available?
We offer phone/video consultations for recipe reviews and lifestyle coaching, though hands-on treatments require in-person visits at our Oakland clinic.
How does food-as-medicine counseling work?
We translate Eastern dietary principles into practical meal plans addressing your specific health concerns, with recipe demonstrations and grocery selection guidance tailored to your condition and preferences.
Videos
Reviews (5)
Hana Y.
Apr 03, 2018
Report
Mamie is an extremely caring and compassionate doctor of Chinese medicine. I injured my rotator cuff from the physically taxing, receptive motions of being a full time barista for the last few years. While I was in the process of figuring out how to treat my injury, I knew acupuncture couldn't fix my shoulder but might at least help.
Mamie was able to accommodate me same day, which was incredible. She allows for texting to schedule an appointment which was awesome, as I was busy at work. We talked extensively about my health, diet, sleep patterns, etc. She treated me with a combination of
Mamie was able to accommodate me same day, which was incredible. She allows for texting to schedule an appointment which was awesome, as I was busy at work. We talked extensively about my health, diet, sleep patterns, etc. She treated me with a combination of
Fei M.
Feb 08, 2018
Report
Mamie was really great! Asked a lot of good questions to assess the situation holistically. The best part of her approach was to look at everything as a system, not just addressing the pain in terms of the needles, but also looking at what I was eating/drinking, daily habits, exercise, and sleep, which all contribute to the body's health. And of course on top of that, she's got great bedside manner and is committed to helping patients do well. Definitely recommend!
Lindsey O.
Mar 30, 2017
Report
Mamie has a lovely grace about her that immediately puts me at ease. She's a great listener and I feel as though I get very personalized care. It's the perfect reprieve from my hectic schedule and I leave feeling nurtured and relaxed. I highly recommend!
Charlotte C.
Jun 23, 2015
Report
I have a huge fear/dislike of needles. I've been to see a few different acupuncturists in my lifetime. I can honestly say that Mamie's touch is feather-light and 95% of the time, I don't feel the needles. Unlike other acupuncturists who might like to poke the needle in all directions and really get you to feel stabbing pain, Mamie's philosophy is different but it accomplishes the same results.
I've been very stressed recently and had tight knots in my shoulder. With a couple of needles, they were gone! As a bonus, I was given her bone marrow broth recipe which I freeze
I've been very stressed recently and had tight knots in my shoulder. With a couple of needles, they were gone! As a bonus, I was given her bone marrow broth recipe which I freeze
Mama A.
Jun 09, 2015
Report
Mamie has the hands, heart and spirit of a healer.
i've been seeing her for ongoing high stress (due to work) which results in insomnia, migraines, back pain and skin conditions. she treats my symptoms as well as the root cause through acupuncture, massage, nutrition advice, and overall lifestyle recommendations.
she is gentle, patient and completely nonjudgmental. her touch is so light i never feel the needles going in, and can always count on a good nap during each appointment.
she is very flexible and has squeezed me in several times to treat a migraine as it's developing (and
i've been seeing her for ongoing high stress (due to work) which results in insomnia, migraines, back pain and skin conditions. she treats my symptoms as well as the root cause through acupuncture, massage, nutrition advice, and overall lifestyle recommendations.
she is gentle, patient and completely nonjudgmental. her touch is so light i never feel the needles going in, and can always count on a good nap during each appointment.
she is very flexible and has squeezed me in several times to treat a migraine as it's developing (and
