OUR CLINIC

A space for whole‑person healing, grounded in expertise, compassion, and evidence‑based Chinese medicine.

Our Philosophy

We believe every person has the capacity to feel better, heal deeply, and live with more ease — not because health is guaranteed, but because the body is designed to adapt, repair, and find balance when given the right support.
Healing isn’t a straight line. Life brings stress, change, and seasons of imbalance. Our work is to help you reconnect with your body’s natural rhythms so you can meet those moments with resilience, steadiness, and confidence.
We don’t promise perfection. We help you build a relationship with your health that is sustainable, compassionate, and rooted in self‑respect — not pressure or unrealistic expectations.

What Makes Our Clinic Different

25+ years of clinical experience
Dr. Michele Arnold has been in practice since 2000, with advanced training in:
• internal medicine
• pediatrics
• gynecology
• cardiology
• herbal pharmacy
• Tui‑Na medical massage
• acupuncture (needle and non‑needle techniques)
Her post‑graduate training includes clinical rounds at Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Jinan, China.

Expertise in digestive health & emotional well‑being

We specialize in:
• IBS, IBD, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis
• gut‑brain axis balance
• stress, anxiety, and emotional regulation
• Classical Five‑Element spirit‑level acupuncture
• AromaTune (aromatherapy + tuning fork vibrational therapy)

Gentle, effective, whole‑body care

We offer:
• traditional acupuncture
• non‑needle acupuncture
• facial rejuvenation with or without needles
• herbal medicine
• nutritional therapy
• stress‑reduction programs
• private treatment rooms
• customized herbal formulas
• pharmaceutical‑grade herbal granules

Quality over volume

We are intentionally out‑of‑network with most insurance plans so we can provide the level of care you deserve without restrictions.

Training, Credentials & Professional Standards

Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine (D.A.C.M.)
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (now Pacific College of Health & Science), 2016.
Master of Traditional Oriental Medicine (M.T.O.M.)
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, 1999.
Bachelor of Science, Biology
San Diego State University, 1993.
Diplomate of Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine (Dipl. AHM)
National Certification Board for Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM). Formerly NCCAOM Diplomate of Acupuncture + Diplomate of Chinese Herbology.
This combined credential reflects national standards for safe, competent practice in both acupuncture and herbal medicine.

California Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.)

California was the first state to recognize acupuncturists as primary health care providers (1979).
To become licensed, practitioners must complete:
• 3,000+ hours of graduate‑level education
• 450+ hours of herbal medicine training
• clinical internships
• a comprehensive state board exam
• ongoing continuing education every 2 years
California acupuncturists are the only licensed professionals in the state required to be trained and tested in herbal medicine.

Education & Safety: What Patients Should Know

• Herbal medicine is powerful and safe when prescribed by a trained professional.
• Over‑the‑counter herbs can vary in purity, strength, and safety.
• Always tell your acupuncturist and physician about all herbs, supplements, and medications you take.
• Our clinic uses pharmaceutical‑grade herbal granules for safety and consistency.
• We tailor every formula to your unique constitutional pattern.

Our Approach to Care

We are trained as primary care doctors within the scope of Chinese medicine. Our tools include:
• acupuncture & dry needling
• herbal medicine
• nutritional therapy
• lifestyle guidance
• mind‑body practices

We collaborate with Western medical providers when needed and refer out for emergencies or specialized testing.

We do not require a Western diagnosis to begin treatment —
• Chinese medicine evaluates constitutional patterns, not disease labels.
• At the same time, for musculoskeletal pain we also use orthopedic and neurofunctional assessment, including Exstore testing, to identify which muscles are inhibited or not firing correctly.

By locating dysfunctional motor points and releasing trigger points, we help reset the muscle, restore proper activation, and calm the parasympathetic nervous system.

This reduces tight bands, improves movement, and relieves both acute and chronic pain syndromes.
Most pain does not require an MRI or surgery.

Much of it comes from soft‑tissue dysfunction — inhibited muscles, fascial adhesions, nerve irritation, or compensation patterns — all of which respond exceptionally well to acupuncture, motor point therapy, and targeted manual techniques.