Personalized Care for Pain, Injury Recovery & Better Movement
At Santa Cruz Acupuncture Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic, we provide individualized treatment for pain, sports injuries, orthopedic conditions, and movement-related problems.
Our approach combines traditional acupuncture with contemporary orthopedic and sports medicine techniques to help reduce pain, restore mobility, support recovery, and help you return to the activities that matter most to you.
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing persistent pain, or trying to stay active and perform at your best, treatment is tailored to your condition, goals, and lifestyle.
Our Treatment Approach
Our goals are to:
Reduce pain and improve comfort
Restore mobility, strength, and function
Address factors contributing to recurring symptoms
Support recovery from sports and orthopedic injuries
Help reduce the risk of re-injury
Provide practical exercise, movement, lifestyle, and ergonomic guidance
Coordinate with physicians, physical therapists, and other healthcare providers when appropriate
You don’t need to know exactly which treatment you need before your first visit. Your practitioner will evaluate your symptoms and determine which therapies are most appropriate for you.
Services We Offer
Orthopedic & Sports Acupuncture
Orthopedic acupuncture combines traditional acupuncture with modern knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, and sports medicine.
Treatment is designed to address musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction involving muscles, tendons, joints, nerves, and connective tissue.
Common reasons patients seek orthopedic acupuncture include:
Sports injuries
Back and neck pain
Shoulder and rotator cuff pain
Knee and hip pain
Tendon and overuse injuries
Sciatica and nerve-related pain
Muscle strains and sprains
Repetitive strain injuries
Chronic musculoskeletal pain
Our goal is not simply to reduce symptoms, but to help restore comfortable, confident movement.
Acupuncture & Electroacupuncture
Traditional acupuncture uses fine, sterile needles placed at carefully selected points based on your symptoms and clinical findings.
Electroacupuncture adds gentle electrical stimulation between acupuncture needles. It may be incorporated into treatment when appropriate for pain, muscle dysfunction, nerve irritation, or injury rehabilitation.
Treatment is always adjusted to your comfort level and individual needs.
Trigger Point & Myofascial Needling
Muscles can develop sensitive, tight areas commonly referred to as trigger points. These may contribute to localized pain, stiffness, restricted movement, or pain that travels to another area.
Targeted needling techniques may be used to address these areas and improve muscle function as part of a broader treatment plan.
Cupping Therapy
Cupping uses gentle or moderate suction applied to the skin and underlying soft tissues.
It may be used to help address:
Muscle tightness
Restricted soft tissue mobility
Areas of muscular tension
Post-exercise soreness
Myofascial discomfort
Cupping is often combined with acupuncture or manual therapy during the same visit.
Gua Sha
Gua sha is a traditional manual therapy that uses a smooth instrument to apply controlled pressure and friction to the skin and superficial tissues to treat myofascial trigger points and reduce myofascial adhesions. Similar to the Western myofascial release technique called Grastin.
It may be used to improve tissue mobility and address areas of muscular tightness or restriction.
Sports Massage & Tui Na
Manual therapy may be incorporated into treatment to help reduce muscular tension, improve mobility, and support recovery.
Techniques may include:
Acupressure
Sports massage
Tui na
Myofascial techniques
Assisted stretching
Gentle joint mobilization
The specific techniques used depend on your injury, symptoms, and treatment goals.
Exercise & Movement Therapy
Recovery doesn’t end when you leave the treatment room.
When appropriate, your practitioner may recommend targeted exercises to support:
Mobility
Strength
Flexibility
Posture
Movement mechanics
Injury prevention
Return to sport or activity
We aim to give patients practical tools they can use between visits to support lasting improvement.
Herbal & Nutritional Support
Chinese herbal medicine and nutritional guidance may be recommended when appropriate as part of an individualized treatment plan.
Recommendations are based on your overall health, current medications, medical history, and treatment goals.
Herbal and nutritional products are never a substitute for necessary medical care, and we encourage coordination with your physician when appropriate.
Patient-Centered Care
Every patient arrives with a different history, body, lifestyle, and set of goals.
We believe effective care begins with listening.
Your treatment plan is built around your individual needs and may change as your symptoms, function, and activity levels improve.
We also recognize when acupuncture may not be the appropriate first step. When necessary, we will recommend evaluation or treatment from another healthcare professional.
Our goal is to provide thoughtful, collaborative care that helps you make informed decisions about your health.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your initial appointment includes time to discuss your health history, current symptoms, previous injuries, and treatment goals.
Depending on your condition, the visit may also include:
Orthopedic and movement assessment
Acupuncture
Electroacupuncture
Manual therapy
Cupping or guasha
Exercise recommendations
Home-care guidance
You are encouraged to bring relevant imaging, medical reports, or information from other healthcare providers when available.
Get Back to What You Love
On the trail.
In the water.
On the field.
Or wherever you love to move.
Schedule your appointment today.
Call us at: Phone: 831-459-6762