Welcome To

Alchemy Acupuncture

San Francisco and Emeryville Acupuncture Clinic

Most Insurances Accepted

About Dr. Sarah Maiden, DACM, LAc

After graduating with a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, I volunteered for two months, running a rural health clinic in tribal Nepal, seeing over 600 patients. This experience gave me advanced training in treating orthopedic issues, a better grasp of both Eastern and Western differential diagnosis, and a healthy respect for the efficacy of frequent acupuncture treatments. I enjoy treating both the urgency of third world disease as well as the difficulty of first world issues. I have a depth of experience treating everything from ear infections to assessing concussions to ordinary back pain. The scope of acupuncture is wide and effective for many conditions.

I feel strongly that the energy medicine of acupuncture can move qi, invigorate the body, and shift perspective in ways that we do not fully comprehend. In addition, the Chinese apothecary is a time tested tool for many health conditions.

Deals

I offer discounted package deals for 5 & 10 treatments. I find that acupuncture is most effective after at least 5 weekly treatments.

 

 

 

Alchemy Acupuncture Services

Acupuncture

I have a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

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Acupuncture Facials

Acupuncture facials are renowned tools for achieving youthful, glowing skin.

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Cupping and Herbal Medicine

I also offer private combination acupuncture, massage, and cupping treatments.

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Conditions

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Pain and Musculoskeletal Issues

  • Arthritis
  • Back pain
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Disc issues (e.g., herniated disc)
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Headache
  • Knee pain
  • Migraine
  • Neuropathy
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Sciatica
  • Shoulder pain
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Reproductive and Gynecological Health

  • Breech baby positioning
  • Endometriosis
  • Fertility
  • Infertility
  • IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) support
  • Labor support
  • Pregnancy-related issues
  • Prenatal care
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Injuries and Rehabilitation

  • Accident injury
  • Spinal injury
  • Sports injury
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Mental and Emotional Well-being

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Insomnia
  • Mood issues
  • Stress
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Digestive System Disorders

  • Gastro-Intestinal Distress

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Skin and Cosmetic Issues

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Respiratory and Allergic Conditions

  • Allergies
  • Sinus issues
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Addiction and Habit Control

  • Alcoholism
  • Smoking Cessation
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Chronic and Neurological Conditions

  • Bell's Palsy
  • Cancer (often for symptom management)
  • Crohn's Disease
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke recovery
  • Thyroid disorders (e.g., hypoor hyperthyroidism)
  • Tinnitus

Reviews

  I've had such a healing and holding experience, Sarah has helped me greatly with feelings of anxiety through bodywork and acupuncture. I couldn't be more grateful. I highly recommend!

thumb Cinnamonwhispers S.
8/17/2022

  Sarah is amazing at what she does. She is attentive, asks helpful questions and is very informational. I was having TMJ issues that were also causing me to have headaches - through cupping and acupuncture she was able to help resolve the issue and the pain stopped. Definitely recommend he!

thumb Ajinder P.
6/16/2021

  I'm grateful to have been a patient at Alchemy Acupuncture for the last couple years. Sarah is personable, friendly, and very attuned to what my body might be needing. In particular, I benefit a lot from her craniosacral/energy work, in combination with acupuncture. She's helped me with joint instability around an old shoulder injury, as well as supporting a deep psychoemotional healing process. I've been receiving weekly or biweekly sessions for a while, and have felt big shifts in my energy and internal sense of energetic balance through her treatments. I'm glad to be able to endorse and recommend Alchemy Acupuncture without hesitation or reservation.

thumb Michael H.
3/23/2022

Conditions I Treat

Pain

Acupuncture is renowned for its effectiveness in managing various types of pain, including chronic pain conditions. By stimulating specific acupuncture points, it triggers the release of endorphins and activates the body’s natural pain-relieving mechanisms. This can be particularly beneficial for conditions like arthritis, back pain, neck pain, and headaches. Acupuncture helps alleviate pain by:

  • Enhancing circulation to promote tissue healing.
  • Reducing inflammation and swelling.
  • Modulating pain perception in the brain.
Fertility

Acupuncture is commonly used to support fertility and reproductive health by:

  • Regulating menstrual cycles and hormone levels.
  • Improving blood flow to the reproductive organs.
  • Reducing stress, which can impact fertility.
  • Enhancing the overall health of the reproductive system.
Injury

Acupuncture aids in injury recovery by promoting blood flow, reducing inflammation, and accelerating the body’s natural healing processes. It can be applied to sports injuries, strains, sprains, and even post-surgical recovery. The benefits include:

  • Reducing swelling and bruising.
  • Relaxing muscles and reducing tension.
  • Stimulating the body’s regenerative capacity.
Insomnia

Acupuncture offers a holistic approach to addressing insomnia by regulating the body’s internal balance. It can help improve sleep quality and duration by:

  • Calming the nervous system.
  • Reducing stress and anxiety.
  • Balancing hormonal fluctuations that affect sleep.
Mood

Acupuncture has a positive impact on mood by influencing neurotransmitters and hormonal balance. It can be used to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and mood swings by:

  • Promoting the release of “feel-good” neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.
  • Reducing cortisol levels (stress hormone).
  • Balancing the body’s energy flow to promote emotional well-being.
GI Distress

Acupuncture can help address gastrointestinal issues by regulating digestive function and promoting overall gut health. It is often used to manage symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, and nausea by:

  • Regulating digestive motility.
  • Reducing inflammation in the digestive tract.
  • Easing stress-related digestive disturbances.
Stress

Acupuncture is well-known for its ability to reduce stress and promote relaxation. It achieves this by:

  • Activating the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest response).
  • Modulating stress hormones.
  • Releasing tension in muscles and promoting a sense of calm.
Sciatica

Acupuncture can be an effective complementary treatment for sciatica, a condition characterized by radiating leg pain. It helps by:

  • Reducing inflammation and pressure on the sciatic nerve.
  • Relaxing muscles that may contribute to nerve compression.
  • Enhancing blood flow to the affected area for healing.

Insurance

Accepting most insurances including CIGNA, United, Anthem, etc.

Locations

Alchemy Acupuncture has two locations, so no matter which side of the Bay you are on, acupuncture is convenient! We are available at the Healing Arts Building in San Francisco all day Monday, Tuesday, Thursday afternoon,  plus Friday mornings and in Emeryville Wednesday and Thursday.

San Francisco

Healing Arts Building
1801 Bush St, Suite 107
San Francisco, CA 94109

Mon – 10:00 am – 08:00 pm
Tue – 10:00 am – 08:00 pm
Thu – 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Fri – 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Emeryville

1331 61st St STE G
Emeryville, CA 94608

Wed – 9:00 am–7:00  pm
Thu – Community 10:00 am- 2:00 pm
Thu – 2:00 pm–7:00  pm