Acupuncture

At Truspine, acupuncture is used to treat a wide range of conditions including chronic pain, neck and shoulder tension, lower back pain, sciatica, headaches and migraines, stress and anxiety, sleep issues, digestive problems, menstrual pain, and neuropathy. Our acupuncturists also work alongside chiropractic and dry needling treatments as part of a combined care plan.

Most patients feel little to no pain during acupuncture. The needles used are extremely thin, much finer than a hypodermic needle, and most people describe the sensation as a mild pressure, tingling, or warmth at the insertion point. Many patients actually fall asleep during their session.

It depends on your condition and goals. Acute issues like a muscle strain may resolve in 4 to 6 a series of sessions. Chronic conditions such as long-standing back pain, neuropathy, or migraines typically require 10 to 12 more sessions before lasting improvement is achieved. Your Truspine provider will give you a personalized treatment plan after your initial evaluation.

Truspine takes a multi-disciplinary approach, meaning acupuncture is not offered in isolation. Our practitioners integrate it with chiropractic care, dry needling, spinal decompression, and other therapies based on your specific condition. This means you are not just getting needles; you are getting a coordinated treatment plan designed to address the root cause of your pain or health issue.

Some insurance plans do cover acupuncture, including many PPO plans. We recommend calling our office at (415) 421-1115 or visiting our Patient Information page to verify your benefits before your first appointment. We also offer payment plans for patients without coverage.

Both use thin needles, but they come from different traditions and target different things. Acupuncture is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and works along meridian pathways to restore energy flow and whole-body balance. Dry needling is a Western technique focused specifically on releasing tight muscle knots to reduce localized pain and improve muscle function. Truspine offers both, and in many cases patients benefit from a combination of the two.

Yes, and this is one of the most common reasons patients seek acupuncture at Truspine. Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system in ways that reduce cortisol levels and promote the release of endorphins, creating a calming effect. Many patients report significant improvement in sleep quality and mood after just a few sessions.

Acupuncture at Truspine is performed by licensed acupuncturists. Dr. Philip Reh and Dr. Jennifer Drake are both experienced practitioners who work with patients across a wide range of conditions, from sports injuries and chronic pain to stress management and vertigo. Both are available at our San Francisco locations.

Truspine has two San Francisco locations that offer services: 50 Francisco Street, Suite 257 in the North Waterfront neighborhood, and 150 Lombard Street, Suite 2 in Telegraph Hill/North Beach. Acupuncture is offered at the second location. You can book online or call (415) 421-1115.

Absolutely, and this is one of Truspine’s key strengths. Many of our patients schedule acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments back-to-back in the same visit. The two therapies complement each other well: chiropractic addresses structural alignment while acupuncture supports nervous system regulation and soft tissue healing.

Yes. Acupuncture is widely recognized as safe when performed by a licensed practitioner using sterile, single-use needles, which is always the case at Truspine. Side effects are rare and typically limited to minor bruising or temporary soreness at the needle site.

Truspine takes an integrative, root-cause approach to head pain and migraines. Our practitioners—such as Dr. Jennifer Drake, DACM, L.Ac., who specializes in orthopedic acupuncture and dry needling, and Philip Reh, who utilizes advanced techniques like the Richard Tan Balance Method and Master Tung acupuncture—target muscle imbalances surrounding the head and neck to deliver fast, targeted relief. Combined with trigger point therapy and electronic stimulation (ESTIM), Truspine helps reduce both the frequency and intensity of migraines.

Yes. Truspine is widely recognized in San Francisco for specialized myofascial pain relief. Our team bridges modern orthopedic testing with Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat neck, shoulder, back, hip, sciatica, and knee pain. By blending dry needling, electronic stimulation (ESTIM), and Active Release Technique (ART) bodywork, our licensed practitioners stimulate natural neuropeptides and endorphins to promote deep, long-term healing without relying on medications.

With a 5-star rating based on over 270 patient reviews, Truspine is a premier choice for stress and anxiety relief in North Beach and Telegraph Hill. Acupuncture helps down-regulate the nervous system, lower limbic system activity, and regulate the HPA (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal) axis to restore hormonal balance. Treatments trigger an immediate release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, GABA, and dopamine, helping calm the body and mind.

Absolutely. We view every patient through a whole-person lens, evaluating habits across four key pillars of health: nutrition, sleep, digestion, and stress. Depending on your goals, our practitioners craft customized care plans that combine acupuncture with complementary therapies such as Chinese herbal medicine, dry needling, cupping, soft tissue therapy, and corrective exercises.

Yes. Sleep issues are frequently linked to stress, anxiety, and hormonal imbalances. Truspine’s acupuncture treatments ease nervous system tension, encourage relaxation, and stimulate the production of natural hormones that regulate healthy sleep cycles. Many patients report experiencing deeper, more restorative sleep after initiating care.

Yes, our clinic is staffed by highly trained, licensed experts: Dr. Jennifer Drake, LAc, DACM: Holds a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM). She is licensed by the California Acupuncture Board, nationally certified by NCCAOM, and has advanced mentorship training in Functional Medicine, sports medicine, and dry needling. Philip Reh: Earned his doctorate degree from Five Branches University and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emperor’s College. He brings extensive expertise in Master Tung acupuncture, the Balance Method, manual muscle testing (MMT), and trigger point dry needling with electronic stimulation (ESTIM).