If you want acupuncture for a specific symptom, you can see a licensed acupuncturist directly. If you need a broader medical review of symptoms, medicines and treatment options, an integrative medicine physician may be a better starting point. Acupuncture can be part of that plan, whether it happens in the same clinic or at Puzzle.
Dr Deb Ma, PhD, LAc, OMD · 1640 Valencia St, San Francisco
Integrative care brings conventional and complementary approaches together. The clinician's credentials and the services a practice actually provides matter more than the label.
| Acupuncture | Integrative medicine | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Fine needles placed at selected points. Dr Deb's Chinese medicine practice also includes herbs, cupping, heat and dietary advice when appropriate. | Conventional care combined with selected approaches such as nutrition, mind-body therapies and acupuncture. A physician-led practice can coordinate medical treatment and referrals across a team. |
| What it treats | At Puzzle, pain and symptoms involving sleep, digestion, mood and the menstrual cycle. Treatment goals and evidence differ by condition. | Depends on the clinician's specialty. Some focus on primary care; others on cancer care, mental health, women's health or another field. |
| How it decides | Reviews your symptoms, medical history and existing diagnoses, then uses examination and Chinese medicine pattern assessment to choose treatment. | Reviews your history, diagnoses, medicines and goals, then considers which medical and complementary treatments belong in the plan. Testing should answer a clinical question. |
| A visit | 75 minutes the first time at Puzzle: history, pulse and tongue, hands on the sore area, then needles. Follow-ups run 60 minutes. | Often a detailed consultation and review of records. Ask whether the practice offers ongoing primary care or consults alongside your regular physician, and which treatments happen on site. |
| Licence | A California licensed acupuncturist (LAc). Dr Deb also holds a PhD from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. | An integrative medicine physician holds an MD or DO and a medical licence. Some also hold integrative medicine board certification. Other members of an integrative team practise under their own professional credentials. |
Sources: NCCIH's definition of integrative health; California Acupuncture Board; ABOIM certification requirements.
New symptoms, several interacting conditions or questions about prescription medicines are reasons to start with a physician. That can be your usual doctor; you do not need an integrative label to receive a thorough assessment.
If your condition has been assessed and you want help with pain or another persistent symptom, an acupuncture consultation can focus on whether treatment is appropriate and how to judge its effect. Set a concrete goal, such as walking more comfortably or having fewer headache days, and agree when to review progress. Prescription changes stay with the prescribing clinician.
Ask what each treatment or test is expected to change, what evidence supports it for your condition and what it will cost. A broad plan is useful when someone coordinates it and follows up. The word "integrative" alone does not tell you whether a particular supplement, test or therapy is worthwhile.
Acupuncture training also varies within integrative practices: treatment may be delivered by a licensed acupuncturist or a physician with additional training. Ask who will treat you and about their experience with your condition, rather than assuming in-house acupuncture is basic or that a separate clinic is better.
In San Francisco, UCSF's Osher Center offers acupuncture alongside integrative medical consultations and other services. Seeing an acupuncturist separately can also work, provided the clinicians share the relevant information.
Dr Deb worked with medical and rehabilitation teams at Beijing United Family Hospital. At Puzzle, she reviews your existing care and can share notes with your physician with your permission. Bring a complete list of medicines, supplements and herbs so recommendations do not overlap or conflict.
| What is going on | Usual first stop | What the other adds | What to tell each clinician |
|---|---|---|---|
| Something new, unexplained: fatigue, brain fog, a digestive change | Your primary care clinician or an appropriate specialist, including an integrative physician. The assessment determines whether tests are needed. | Acupuncture may be considered for symptoms once the medical assessment has guided the plan. | When symptoms began, how they are changing and what has already been investigated. |
| An existing diagnosis being managed with diet, supplements and lifestyle change | Keep the clinician managing the condition involved. | A focused trial of acupuncture for a remaining symptom, with a goal and reassessment date. | Every medicine, supplement and herb, including doses and recent changes. |
| Already receiving acupuncture inside an integrative practice | Review progress with your current practitioner. If treatment is helping, another acupuncture provider may add little. | A second opinion if progress has stalled, the approach does not suit you or you want different expertise. | What treatment you received, how often and what changed. |
Yes. Share the plan with both clinicians, especially any new medicines, supplements or herbs. Dr Deb can coordinate acupuncture with your existing care; changes to prescription medicines stay with the prescriber.
No. Dr Deb is a California licensed acupuncturist with a PhD, not an MD or DO. She provides acupuncture and Chinese medicine care and collaborates with physicians when medical evaluation or prescription management is needed.
Yes. With your permission, Dr Deb can share her findings and treatment plan. Give both clinicians the names and doses of all medicines, supplements and herbs you take.
Less than people expect. You may feel a brief prick, an ache or heaviness. Tell Dr Deb if anything feels sharp or uncomfortable so she can adjust it. If you are worried about needles, discuss that before treatment starts.
Puzzle's consult is free. A new patient visit is $255 for 75 minutes and follow-ups are $205 for 60 minutes; current rates are on the pricing page. Integrative clinic fees and insurance coverage vary. Ask which visits, tests and treatments are covered and which you would pay for separately.
Two readings of the same problem are better than one.
The consult is free. Dr Deb will go through your history, what your physician has found or prescribed, and where acupuncture might fit alongside the plan.