Life can be stressful here in the south bay, with unemployment at 11.2% and the political turmoil of the recent election. One relaxing method of stress relief is acupuncture. A hidden gem behind Santana Row is the Five Branches University – it is a graduate school of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that offers a teaching clinic at discounted rates. And your first visit to the teaching clinic is free!
A typical faculty-in-rounds acupuncture session starts with a brief intake by a faculty practitioner in which you discuss your goals for the session and your overall health. You then lay down fully clothed on a massage table while the practitioner and up to five students take your pulse and look at your tongue. The pulse and tongue readings are important diagnostic tools in the TCM system.
The practitioner then will insert 10 – 20 thin, sterile needles in your body, typically on your head, wrists, and ankles. The needles pinch a little bit upon insertion but the pain should dissipate. The students will put a heat lamp on your legs and any other exposed parts and let you relax with the needles for 30 minutes. During this time you will probably feel very relaxed and may even fall asleep. Afterwards the practitioner removes the needles and offers you Chinese herbs for your condition.
The most common reasons that clients seek acupuncture at the Five Branches clinic are pain management, insomnia, digestive disorders, allergies, common cold, cancer support, skin problems, anxiety, and depression, clinic supervisor Shu Xian told me. Xian noted, “I think it is a good experience for people who haven’t had acupuncture before because it is a teaching clinic… you will understand [how acupuncture works] better and have more faith in it.”
Five Branches University Medical Center
3031 Tisch Way, Suite 5PW
San Jose, CA 95128
408-260-8868
Hours: 9 AM – 9 PM Tuesday – Friday, 9 AM – 6 PM Monday and Saturday
Teaching clinic prices:
· The first visit in the teaching clinic is free.
· Faculty in rounds (faculty practitioner treats you with a small group of students observing): $40
· Faculty in theater (faculty practitioner treats you with a class of students observing): $30
· Senior intern (senior intern treats you supervised by a faculty practitioner): $27
· Internship rounds (a small group of intern assistants treats you supervised by a faculty practitioner): $27
· Private clinic acupuncture with faculty acupuncturist: $65
