In response to a crazy travel and work schedule, my body started rebelling with lower back pain, headaches and mood swings the fall of 2007. I started accupuncture with Dr. Rhoda a few months ago, and I finally feel more "balanced." It's hard to explain this sense of well-being unless you regularly practice yoga/meditation, receive accupuncture treatment and/or exercise.

Initially I had reservations about being poked with needles, but Dr. Rhoda is really gentle and she always spends time listening to your ailments or what's going on with your body before beginning each treatment.

If you're looking to try accupuncture for the first time or are shopping for a new practitioner, check out Dr. Rhoda at East Bay Pain Care.

P.S. - This organization just moved into a new building so things may be a little chaotic. However, it's a fantastic space.

Everyone should go see Lorenzo Puertas at East Bay Pain Care. He is amazing - very professional and knowledgeable and also just a kind and really fun person. I get both cupping and acupuncture for chronic back pain and the treatments help immensely (this is after being in and out of physical therapy and trying other massage therapists and acupuncturists). Lorenzo is a really good listener and I always feel completely cared for - its nothing like being rushed through a doctor's office. The entire staff is really great and provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere. They also have chiropractic and massage services and a room full of Chinese medicine and herbs as well as books and other resources. I have total faith in them and am sure that any staff member there would give top quality care.

The office is on 30th Street, off of Broadway in Oakland (right by the Summit Medical Center). There is metered street parking - otherwise its about a 10 minute walk from the 19th Street BART, or there is a free shuttle from MacArthur BART. And its worth the trek - even if you live elsewhere (I go there from SF). Their office number is 510-444-2772.

Making the decision to go to East Bay Pain Care was one of the best decisions I've ever made. For three excruciating months, I had experienced relentless back pain that shot from my lower back down to my heel. Walking, sitting, bending over, or just plain existing sent down white-hot bolts of jaw-dropping pain down my spine. I couldn't get into or out of a car without a) crying and/or b) grasping fitfully at the steering wheel and/or car door for support. Traditional physicians gave me medication that eased the pain, but had the extra added bonus of leaving me in a complete, drooling stupor.

Enter Dr. Errol Medel and the amazing team at East Bay Pain Care. From the moment I walked into the office, I felt validated, cared for, and listened to. Dr. Medel took the time to sit with me and truly understand how pain affected my life. After gently testing to see my range of movement (which was basically nonexistent), Dr. Medel proposed a plan of chiropractic care for me based on my particular symptoms. With each visit, Dr. Medel helped me achieve a greater range of motion, and build up strength in my spine and leg. He's more than just an "adjuster"-- he also proposes exercises and stretches to alleviate pain and strengthen muscles. Besides being willing to answer any question I had (complete with charts and models to illustrate how things work), Dr. Medel was consistently patient, thorough, kind, forthcoming, and gentle. And with a sparkling sense of humor to boot! He's especially good at helping his patients set goals for their treatment, and helping them to achieve those goals, step by step.

Today, after 3 months of treatment, I am dancing, working out at the Y, and doing yoga again: things I thought I'd literally never be able to do again. If you're at all considering chiropractic care, think of Dr. Medel and the East Bay Pain Care team. Thank you, Dr. Medel and everyone at East Bay Pain Care for helping me on my path to wellness!

I had a great experience here with one of the chiropractors, Dr. Aimee Porter. She is very kind and intelligent, and really took time to listen to me. Unfortunately all of these qualities are very rare in the doctors I've seen before.

She helped me a lot with my back pain and also recommended massage which is available at this clinic. That was also a very good experience. They have many acupuncturists but I didn't get to try that (yet).

Great clinic with lots of different specialists who seem to communicate and work together to take care of their patients. They won best of the bay a few times which is why I originally went. I have to agree that it is one of the best doctor-experiences I've had. Friendly and fun, not scary. I like it!

I went to EBPC because of the positive reviews. The acupuncturists (Maria and Lorenzo) are not only talented Eastern medicine doctors, but also qualified medical evaluators. Maria, my doctor, works with Western med. doctors, while providing effective holistic health care. She gave me a thorough initial evaluation, and then the most wonderful series of treatments--ever. The fees are reasonable for doctors of their reputation and caliber. Even though my insurance does not cover acupuncture, they are more than worth it. I even bypass the acupuncture clinic less than a block away from my home to get to EBPC, which is several cities away! Maria has helped me deal effectively with low energy, stomach problems, womens health issues, and pain. She is *extremely* thorough, knowledgeable, ferociously intelligent, kind and caring. The massage therapist, Anthony, is also fantastic. You leave the clinic feeling cared forthese are wonderful people and professionals.