Blossom Acupuncture Santa Cruz loves to hear good news from our patients! Feel free to contact us or review us on Yelp. (We use testimonials only with permission.)

"Though I was sick with a cold, I really enjoyed my acupuncture treatment with Serina at Blossom Acupuncture.  She is friendly, comforting, and really listened to what I had to say.  With her help I was back to my regular self in no time.  Great technique and very knowledgeable about herbs as well."

~Lisa C.

Blossom Acupuncture Santa Cruz loves to hear good news from our patients! Feel free to contact us or review us on Yelp. (We use testimonials only with permission.) 

"In the past I had gone to Serina for acupuncture treatment for back pain and I found this to be an effective alternative to high doses of over-the-counter analgesics.  But during the past year my lifestyle had grown increasingly stressful and I was feeling chronically lethargic and anxious.  My skin appeared dull and overall I looked very tired no matter how much sleep I managed to get.  I decided to do the Mei Zen treatment because I felt that I was really in need of some intense therapy for my overall health as well as a cosmetic pick me up.  After 3 weeks of treatment I noticed a big improvement in the texture of my skin and my feelings of anxiety gradually diminished as well.  Serina recommended several herbal formulas which I took and within 2 months I noticed a remarkable improvement in my hormonal cycles which I believe was a direct result of the treatment.  I highly recommend Mei Zen to anyone who wants to look and feel refreshed and well balanced. Its good for the body and spirit!"

~L.M. 

Blossom Acupuncture Santa Cruz loves to hear good news from our patients! Feel free to contact us or review us on Yelp. (We publish testimonials only with permission.)

"Serina Marichiba gave me an acupuncture treatment that left me relaxed and uplifted.  I enjoyed how painless the needles were and the suction cupping on my back was just plain exhilerating.  It was the perfect preparation for the fifty mile bike ride I did soon after.  Thank you, Serina!"

~Ken Foster

Blossom Acupuncture Santa Cruz loves to hear good news from our patients! Feel free to contact us or review us on Yelp. (We use testimonials only with permission.)

"For many years I suffered with a runny nose and aggravating lung condition.  I always carried a handkerchief, and by the end of the day it was sticky and gross.  I had a chronic cough day and night, and when I woke up in the morning I had to cough and spit to clear my lungs.   It was embarrassing and uncomfortable.  Thinking I had some kind of allergy, I went to doctors, but could get no relief.  Claritin didn't help.  When I mentioned this problem to Serina Marichiba of Blossom Acupuncture, she gave me an acupuncture treatment that cleared up my nose overnight!  The next week she treated my lungs and they dried right up.  The relief has lasted too.  She is calm, clean, and professional and skilled with her needles.  I am very happy to have been referred to her.  The treatments were not painful, but very relaxing.  I am sure that the benefits of her techniques are not limited to what she did for my lungs.  She's been helpful in my efforts to recover from a stroke as well, and people can't believe how well I am doing!  If you have a health problem, I would encourage you to use her services."
~Steven Toms

Link to Article: More Bay Area women trying acupuncture to help them have children - San Jose Mercury News
Reading this recent article renewed my commitment to patients who see me for fertility and hormonal balancing. These days many couples are waiting until they are older to try to have children. They often experience difficultly in conceiving or early-term or recurrent miscarriages. Blossom Acupuncture offers a holistic approach to fertility enhancement through  acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutritional and lifestyle recommendations. I work with couples who are using ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) as well as those who choose to use Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine alone.

Acupuncture for fertility is usually done weekly, and treatments focus on increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, balancing hormones, regulating the menstrual cycle, and decreasing stress.  I prescribe herbal formulas to balance a patient's constitutional pattern, custom-tailored to increase fertility.  Nutritional recommendations help 'clean up' your diet, and I offer lifestyle recommendations as needed.

Do you wish you had more consistent energy? Are you feeling tired or sluggish? Do you have chronic sinus congestion, allergies, digestive complaints or irritable moods?  If so, it could be that you are in need of a cleanse.  One way to do this is an elimination diet.  You can discover if you have any food sensitivities which may be causing unpleasant symptoms such as headaches, sinus congestion, digestive disturbances, etc.  I recommend doing it every spring as a 'spring cleaning' for your body, regardless of whether or not you have food sensitivities.  You are loving your body by taking the time to nourish it with healthy food.
 
What is an elimination diet?
An elimination diet is a three week period in which you eliminate common allergenic foods and stimulants like caffeine and sugar.  By giving your body a break from potentially offending foods, you allow your body and liver to detox and decrease inflammation in the body. After the first three weeks, you 'challenge' your body by reintroducing the foods you cut out, one at a time.  If you get a reaction, such as headaches, tiredness, sinus congestion, or digestive disturbances, take note! It may be that you are sensitive to that food and want avoid it in the future. 
 
It's a diet, but you won't starve. What you can eat is lots of organic vegetables, fruits, soups, salads, gluten-free grains, some fish and certain meats. Although it may feel hard at first to take a total break from refined sugar or coffee, people who cleanse typically find that they feel better overall, have more consistent energy, and experience clearer thinking.  Your adrenals will thank you for the caffeine break, your pancreas will thank you for the sugar break, and your liver will be happier processing the hormones in your body better.
 
I support my patients with information about this cleanse, and I offer weekly acupuncture treatments and herbal recommendations.  During these visits I am available to discuss your health goals, answer any questions, and offer shopping lists and recipes.  A number of energy-boosting herbal supplements can help while you take a break from caffeine.  I also recommend a protein powder which is full of vitamins and minerals to give you energy, support liver detox, and help reduce inflammation.
 
A spring cleanse is not only an opportunity to cleanse the body, but also to re-focus the mind and spirit by developing consistent, healthy habits. It's a good time to recommit to other health goals, such as increasing exercise, getting enough sleep, and relaxation or meditation.
 
My husband and I have done a one-month spring cleanse for several years now, and every year we enjoy not only the health benefits, but also the positive side effects that come with renewing a commitment to our health and being fully conscious of the foods we eat. Sound good? I am happy to talk with you about how a cleanse can work in your lifestyle.