All acupuncturists are not created equally. If you’re looking for someone with deep knowledge and an empathetic, intuitive touch, look no further than Xiaojing Wang at Bitter Melon Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine. Not only did she grow up in a family steeped in traditional Chinese medicine concepts, she also earned a masters of science in traditional Chinese medicine from the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Oakland. Wang takes time with her clients, examining their pulse and tongue, getting a thorough sense of their health, and then recommending the best course of action — whether through Chinese herbs or acupuncture or both. She treats a wide variety of conditions, including pain, gastrointestinal problems, and autoimmune disorders, but be warned — the treatment she prescribes, including diet recommendations, can be subtly potent. No wonder she’s often booked weeks in advance.
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story misspelled Xiaojing’s name.