Kama'aina Acupuncture

"This place is excellent. I'm sure a lot of people come here because it's affordable and works on a sliding scale, where we can choose how much we pay ($20-45 range per treatment). But of course, the skills of the acupuncturists are as important as anything, and these practitioners are highly knowledgeable and competent. So far, I've been treated by Joe and by Patricia. Their individual approaches are a little different, and after receiving treatments by both, I came out of the sessions feeling better. Something that I really appreciate is the time they take to ask for and listen to information about my life circumstances, which they take into consideration when assessing how best to approach treatments. I feel that they have a holistic view of health and wellness; Joe and Patricia both have extensive experience of Chinese herbal medicine. When they offer suggestions, they also take into account various lifestyle factors and emotional health. Their sense of compassion comes across very clearly, to me. For those who worry about pain during treatments, I would say that I barely feel the needles enter my body, and the feeling itself is not unpleasant. The needles are extremely thin, not anything like the kind you'd use for sewing. Also, acupuncturists use plastic tubes to guide the entries of the needles, so each application takes a fraction of a second in which they tap the needle into the skin. (I believe this is generally the practice these days, because it was the same when I received acupuncture in Japan, where I lived for 21 years.) To me, it doesn't hurt at all. I feel less sensation from it than being pinched by someone's fingernails. Certainly, it's nothing like receiving an injection or giving blood. Acupuncture needles are so much thinner, and the time of entry so much quicker, that they are nothing like being pierced at a clinic or doctor's office. When I go to acupuncture, I lie in a recliner or on a massage table as they tap the needles into me, and then I sleep for a half hour or so. It's usually my most relaxing time of the week. Oftentimes, with Chinese (and other non-Western) medicine, it can be hard to quantify results, or to clearly define them. For example, if pain goes away after a treatment, many skeptics might wonder if the acupuncture was the cause, or if it had more to do with the mindset of the patient. In other words, do we feel better afterwards simply because we believe we do? Is there a sort of placebo effect taking place? I understand that perspective. In my experience with Kama'aina Acupuncture, I can recount two specific instances of tangible results. This may be more information than the reader wants, but one of my issues being treated has been acid reflux. Had it for the first time recently. Although it still recurs once in a while, my condition has been much better since I started my sessions at Kama'aina. I mean this along the lines of physical symptoms as well as feelings of discomfort (which can always be physical and/or psychological). In my situation, I would say that the physical symptoms noticeably lessened. The other example was Joe's treatment for one of my eyes. Over the last few years, every once in a while, capillaries in the whites of one of my eyes burst, and it becomes blood red. It doesn't hurt at all, and it doesn't affect my vision, but it can look pretty terrible. Usually takes a few weeks to clear up. After a session with Joe, most of the red was gone after two days. I was astonished. I'd never seen it disappear so quickly. I don't have evidence that it was because of Joe's treatment--I suppose acupuncture is like that, you don't have hard evidence of its effects--but I certainly don't think it was coincidental, and I credit his skills with the needles for my eye's return to quick normalcy. All in all, I'd say that Kama'aina Acupuncture has skilled practitioners who are honest and compassionate. The community aspect of it, where several people are treated in the same space, is comfortable for me because of the general atmosphere. It's a nice place."

"Joe is one of the most down to Earth people on island. He owns and operates 2 locations with his wife Patricia. Both of these heart centered people offer care the aloha way - with love. I just moved to Oahu from Maui. It's hard to find affordable treatment for holistic health care. I'm an herbalist and naturopathic health coach who invests my time and resources into self study, personal growth, and wellness. Joe offers a level of kindness, compassion, care, and presence that is so necessary for health care. I wish western doctors treated patients with this level of care. No matter what you are suffering from or if you are simply looking to release some trapped energy and relax please contact Joe, Patricia and their team. You will be treated with respect and aloha plus top notch Chinese medicine services which feel extremely authentic in TCM roots."

"Highly recommanded! I am going to Kama'aina for a while now and my health issues have been taken seriously from the beginning. The team is experianced and every single practitioner helped me so much. Herbs are available and to purchase for a fair price. On request Joe writes perscriptions for fresh herbs as well. Thank you all!!!"

"I had a great experience today. It was my first time getting acupuncture and I was pretty nervous but it was totally comfortable and helped. I’m sorry to the people relaxing with needles in them, I was the dude trying unsuccessfully not to snore. Besides the nice clean facility, it has tons of parking! Totally unexpected."