Acupuncture

At Essential Medicine, located in the coastal enclave of San Diego. We practice integrative emotionally-attuned acupuncture that merges tried and true ancient principles with modern evidence based biomedicine. Our patients get excellent results because we address their individual health concerns through a customized, carefully balanced and multi-faceted approach. We assess every holistic layer (body, mind, spirit) of each patient’s life. We practice slow intentional medicine with full presence, treating one patient at a time for up to two hours.

Good things take time, and we see your genuine healing journey as a very good thing indeed.

Compassionate communication between patient and practitioner, within our clinic sanctuary, is significant to establishing the optimal environment for you to heal to the root cause of your symptoms. We live by the ethos of leaving every patient feeling better than when they first walked in the door. We dive far beyond the discomfiting physical symptoms that may have brought you to us initially, to cultivate lasting internal shifts for the long-term wellness of your nervous system and emotional-energetic bodies. We specialize in utilizing the ancient Chinese medicine therapy of Acupuncture to help with the conditions listed below.

Chronic Pain Relief

Emotional Balance
& Trauma Release

Nervous System
Regulation

Anti-Inflammatory
for the Gut & Womb

And there is so much more that
Acupuncture is also here to help with…

  • Stress relief

  • Muscle tension

  • Spine & joint mobility

  • Sleep enhancement

  • Gastrointestinal (GI) upsets & pathologies

  • Inflammation anywhere in the body

  • Immune system boosting

  • Irregular & painful menstrual cycles

  • Fertility awareness & support

For FAQ’s and details on the mechanisms of
how Acupuncture works, simply click below.

  • Acupuncture Testimonials

    From our Happily Healing Patients

  • From Mary M.

    “Essential Medicine is such a rare gem in the healing world. It is truly a space that embody's wellness in all forms. The practitioners, the offerings, and the actual energy in the space allows for total healing to take place. Working with Acupuncture with Dr. Chris has opened my eyes to a whole new way of being. Over the last 6 months I feel like I have uncovered so much of what was getting in the way of transformation. I have so much less inflammation, my mental clarity has dramatically improved, and I have a way better connection to myself with a renewed feeling of confidence. Cannot recommend Dr. Chris enough!!”

  • From Crystal D.

    “Before Dr. Candelaria, I had worked with 5 different acupuncturists from 2014-2019 and had only had mediocre results. In 2019, I had a session with Dr. Candelaria and it was the most physically healing and transformative acupuncture experience I have ever had.

    To say that she is gifted is an understatement. Her work deserves more than five stars. I couldn’t believe how powerful of a treatment modality acupuncture can be. She was truly attentive to my physical and emotional deficits that needed support during our session, and I swear she tuned into something deep. She knew where in my body needed the acupuncture for my symptoms, and she has the most compassionate bedside manner I’ve experienced from a medical practitioner of any kind.

    She sets the bar quite high. I would recommend her to anyone.”

  • From Silvana V.

    “Chris is truly a "health care provider." I have had chronic low pain for about thirty years and have tried many different forms of therapy, including other acupuncturists. Chris is in a league of his own! His treatments have made a huge difference to my quality of life. My pain level was often a 10+ and I felt pretty hopeless. Now it is at a 4 or 5 most of the time and I am enjoying life again. The combination of acupuncture, cupping, and massage significantly relieves my pain. He has also created a lovely, relaxing clinic conducive to healing. I am so grateful for the work Chris does and his commitment to caring for/about his patients. I would give Essential Medicine 10 stars if I could!”

  • From Dulia C.

    “Dr. Jools, thank you for a wonderful time and for the natural healing of your needles to my aching shoulder blade. Your hypnotic voice put me to rest. Also your strong arms relaxed my muscle with your massage. My sauna experience afterward was incredible too! I'll do it again whenever I'm back in San Diego.”

  • From Emily W.

    “I have been going to essential medicine for over a year now for acupuncture and I would recommend to anyone! New or familiar! Everyone is so nice, welcoming, and I always leave feeling relaxed and genuinely cared for.”