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AIMC Berkeley Community Acupuncture Clinic
Categories: Health and Medical Acupuncture Education Colleges & Universities Acupuncture, Colleges & Universities [Edit]
2550 Shattuck Ave(between Blake St & Parker St)
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 666-8234
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 9 am - 9 pm
Fri 9 am - 5:30 pm
Sat 9 am - 5 pm
- By Appointment Only:
- No
About This Business:
Specialties include women's health, infertility, and orthopedics for pain management. Back pain, allergies, common cold/flu and digestive issues are… read more »
18 reviews for AIMC Berkeley Community Acupuncture Clinic
18 reviews in English
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Review from One S.
Oakland, CA
1/10/2012
I have been on naproxen for months and it wasn't helping at all. I decided to try acupuncture for my chronic pain. I had no clue where to begin and didn't know anyone to ask for referrals. Reading the reviews on Yelp helped me to decide.
The AIMC Berkeley was my choice ( 2010 - 2011). I saw 3 different students and selected one for the duration of my treatment. Some students may ask more questions or have a different approach to diagnosing. I think it's a matter of fit.
The students are pleasant and take care about treating their patients. They are supervised by the instructors and the approach to treatment is discussed, carefully thought out and applied.
My chronic pain greatly improved and my level of energy increased. (I almost couldn't believe what I was able to do - and I'm not complaining).
Note: I found myself reaching a plateau with my treatment (6 weeks). I reached a level of improvement and seemed to be stuck. They changed my treatment and I was back on track with improvement. (so stay with it!) -
Review from Ariel G.
Concord, CA
1/4/2012
I was skeptical at first when a friend told me about this place...I mean really, you're volunteering for students to stick pins and needles in you. There's a reason they're not professionals yet! But I went because I was tired of my breathing problems and met with a fabulous Level 3 intern. He took the time to get to know me, he was fun to chat with, and with one prick in my ear I was breathing better than I had in years! He was very diligent to check in at each appointment on how I progressed, tried new things, made sure I was getting the full treatment with every pin prick.
Considering pros charge $50 and up for a session, I was happy to pay the top level 3 price of $30, but there are also Level 2 interns for $20 and the group sessions/Level 1 for $10-15 (the latter two I haven't tried). There's plenty of parking right out front but street/metered parking is also available if it's full. The lobby area is modern looking and always tidy, receptionists are always friendly.
If it weren't for this place I wouldn't be breathing as well as I am today. I'd love to go more often so long as finances allow. -
Review from GAYA G.
Berkeley, CA
3/8/2011
I like this place. The interns are very informative and helpful, checking the pulse and tongue at each appointment, asking questions at the start, noting progression and any changes to cater the service to the person's current situations at the time of treatment. The service is catered to you, how you are, in the moment.
When seeing a level one intern ($15-$20), you actually usually see three interns. Their supervisor comes in for a quick evaluation as well. So, you have four people attending to you. They do the assessment, then leave to discuss the details and concoct the optimal protocol for the session.
With level two and three interns ($25-$30), you get a treatment from someone who has been in the program longer than the level ones. Usually just one person attends to you, and you will most likely not see the supervisor. Each situation is great.
I have enjoyed all of my sessions at AIMC, and I actually prefer level one interns, because there are more people doing the assessment. Everyone I have seen here seems very interested in my health and wellbeing, and very attentive to my needs. The facility is clean. The people are nice.
I recommend this clinic to friends. It is affordable and enjoyable. -
Review from Jessica K.
San Francisco, CA
1/10/2011
Student Perspective:
As a student I give this school 4.5 stars. I love my teachers and have learned soooo soooo soooo much from them. The administration was very flexible when I first started and it was easy to get the classes you needed, however as the school has grown it's difficult to accommodate everyone. As a solution they are putting out the next terms schedule in advance so you can better schedule your life.
I also work in the library for work-study, and it has a lot of great resources! Not only does AIMC have a great location in the heart of Berkeley, but it's progressive and open minded.
In clinic there have been days where I had fewer patients, and now I am always full scheduled. That's how it will be in your own practices, you need to market yourself and work hard to retain patients. Luckily, if you have no patients while in school, you can take that time to really pick your supervisor's brain and learn even more!
Patient Perspective:
You are being worked on by students - some are nervous, some are naturally better at first. But they all want to be here, this is not a profession our parents forced onto us....every student I have met has chosen to be here. We love this medicine. We are eager and excited to help you. Each student has their own style and don't be afraid to try out different students. Costs are low and the quality of care is great. There are 10 treatment rooms - the walls are a bit thin, usually you cant hear actual words of the person in the next room but you will hear noise - bring ear plugs or music.
This is a great place to get introduced to acupuncture, the treatments are cheap (community style starting at $10, professionals ~$85) and the students have the time and are excited to explain and introduce you to the methods and medicine! -
Review from Maria D.
San Francisco, CA
7/1/2010
Acupuncture is awesome, but has been classified into some boutique, hippie treatment by the U.S., so it's typically out of my price range, especially since you really have to do a series of treatments for it to truly work.
So, this place is truly a godsend. They have a variety of low-cost options, the only catch is you have to be willing to work with a student. Maybe I am too trusting (and I am not scared of needles) but I was willing to get sticked just to get the acupuncture high. Oh yeah, and work on my horrible lower back pain. But the high! The high you get after walking out of an acupuncture session is unlike anything else.
I'm EXTREMELY weary of most alternative medicine practices, but acupuncture rules, and totally works. -
Review from Erica H.
Sweden, ME
4/5/2007
I woke up this morning to severe sciatica pain in my right leg. Walking seems to help a wee bit and I live down the road from AIMC so I put on sneakers and a jacket and walked there in my pajamas (they don't look real pajama-like). They took me in right after filling out six-thousand forms. Then a student did an intake and went to consult with her teacher. He came back with her and examined me too. Then she had me lay on the treatment table and she put in some needles. Within a few moments, the pain level went from 9 out of 10 to 7 out of 10. After about 20 minutes I almost fell asleep I was so relaxed.
When I got up I asked the student for dinosaur eggs. "Y'know, the little round balls with tape that you put on the acupuncture points?" I tried to clarify. "Oh, ear seeds," she said and proceeded to put a few in my ear. If you look at my ear you might think I'm a martian or a spy, but I just have ear seeds that will hopefully keep the pain away.
The acupuncture here is no joke. There's some serious mojo goin' on at AIMC. I'm very grateful to them for taking me in off the street!Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Mark B.
San Francisco, CA
2/11/2009
This place is just 5 blocks from my house. If Acupuncture works for you but you can't afford to go on a regular basis then this place is for you.
I arrived and filled out the usual forms and waited for what I thought would be an old Chinese person that would look like a kung-fu master. Instead a beautiful blond that couldn't have been more than 23 walks in and starts asking me very personal questions. How often do you have sex? Do you have problems maintaining an erection? Please describe your stool and bowel movements.... "Ummm, Errr....Hee-Hee,....Ahhhh...." Was really all I could manage.
Then she proceeds to feel my stomach and tounge with some very cold hands. Yikes!
Finally the 5 foot kung-fu master arrives and my blushing blubbering ass is distracted enough to stop giggling like a school boy.
The doctor and beautiful girl start poking me with needles. I must have gotten 30-40 needles all over me. They didn't hurt, they actually felt like small electrical generators just under the skin. It wasn't entirely unpleasant.
I was covered with a blanket and a small heater was turned on. I instantly fell asleep and was gently woken up 30 mins later by my barbie therapist and her Sifu.
All this for $20! -
Review from Shirley M. J.
CA
1/16/2008 1 photo
Ahhh . . . relief-finally! My shoulder has been giving me a Richter Scale of 8.5 lately, so I make an acupuncture appointment to relieve the left shoulder pressure and pain I have been experiencing the last two weeks. Before visiting the clinic, I visited my Western-American medical doctor who determined medically I have bursitis and prescribed me Naprosin pills to mask the pain rather than cure the problem!
I was very unhappy waiting over two hours to see my regular doctor and get my pills for my shoulder pain. Extremely unacceptable side affects from the pain pills my doctor prescribed me. Unhappy and uncomfortable with my pain level, I decide to do an Internet search of acupuncture clinics near my home.
I make my appointment via one phone call, go to my scheduled appointment, and my treatment in one and half hours later . . . hey! Where's that shoulder pain, Dr. Kim? Where did the acute pain go? Wow! The pain diminshed by 50 per cent! I have another appointment tonight.
Dr. Kim is a student acupuncturist, so I paid $30.00 for my scheduled visit. Awesome! -
Review from Azzia Z.
Berkeley, CA
5/24/2006
Conveniently located near downtown Berkeley, and you can see a student acupuncturist for $26. Herbs are about $10 and they *work*. The students are friendly and awesome, just be prepared to have your tongue looked at by a few different people if you come in the late morning. I had a blast, they cured my cold and I ran into several friends in the program.
If you're not comfy seeing a student, you can also see a professional although it costs a bit more. In my experience the students are great!Listed in: Health and Body
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Review from Jennifer C.
Berkeley, CA
12/12/2010
On Saturday afternoon, I was super sick and made a last minute appointment. They were booked solid aside from the one opening I got!!! The woman at the front desk was lovely to interact with and I saw Kaleb, a third-year acupuncture student. His bedside manner was relaxed and professional. And the treatment was very affordable, only $30!!!
Because the students must have the head doctors look over each treatment they give I feel it's a very good set up for good, affordable care.
Highly recommend it!
The only thing that could be better is the decor and feel of the treatment rooms. -
Review from Ryan T.
Mountain View, CA
2/10/2007 4 Check-ins Here
I have had regular treatment at the AIMC Clinic for no less than five years now (actually even before the school and clinic had the AIMC name), and am very pleased with the work the student interns do. Nice to be able to support the professional training of the students, as well as work on long-standing health issues I have that allopathic medicine has not been able to address sufficiently.
AIMC comes highly recommended for anyone open to treatments outside conventional medicine.Listed in: LGBT friendly
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Review from Holly B.
San Francisco, CA
3/7/2007
Feels strange to be the first to review my acupuncture school. Once known as Meiji College of Oriental Medicine, AIMC has gone through some changes since I graduated.
I certainly graduated with a strong knowledge of my field. I would recommend this school, but be sure to check out a few - they are all very different, and it's important to find a good fit. It's a long haul through the program. -
Review from Michael B.
Berkeley, CA
5/15/2008
Affordable, consistent and highly organized clinic
I love going to get treated here. They have an amazingly diverse collection of practitioners/students/staff. -
Review from Jossie M.
Emeryville, CA
1/12/2011
This is my first acupuncture experience and I love it - Everyone who works there is really nice and professional with the enthusiasm of students. The prices are reasonable, and the palce is down home and clean.
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Review from Amanda N.
Alameda, CA
8/18/2010
Great service to the community.
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Review from Lauren R.
Oakland, CA
11/28/2010
very friendly staff. cheap. SO RELAXING. i never have to wait more than 5 min, and i always leave feeling great.
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Review from Jennifer C.
Silicon Valley, CA
12/8/2009
Sam was my acupuncturist and he was great--painless and effective. I felt really comfortable, and even though the treatment room is "communal", it was quiet and peaceful. Highly recommended!
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Review from Amanda H.
Northern, CA
8/4/2011 5 Check-ins Here
You can't go wrong with the student acupuncture clinic at AIMC Berkeley.
