Darla provides comprehensive Traditional Chinese Medicine care, including sports medicine–focused acupuncture. Treatments are rooted in Chinese medicine’s unique diagnostic system, which evaluates the body as an interconnected whole and allows care to be tailored to each individual—not just their symptoms.

Acupuncture sessions may incorporate additional modalities such as herbal medicine, cupping and Gua Sha, and personalized lifestyle and dietary guidance when appropriate.

Telehealth consultations are also available for Chinese herbology, dietary counseling, and Chinese astrology, allowing patients across California to receive care.

Services and treatment options include:

• Traditional acupuncture

• Sports medicine–focused acupuncture for musculoskeletal conditions, pain, and injury recovery

• Cupping and Gua Sha, including express treatments available for established patients

• Custom Chinese herbal formulas tailored to each patient’s individual constitution and diagnosis

• Ready-made patent herbal medicines when appropriate

• Prescription of vitamins and nutritional supplements as part of an integrative treatment approach

• Dietary and lifestyle counseling rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine

• Telehealth consultations for Chinese herbal medicine, dietary guidance, and Chinese astrology

Darla brings a one-of-a-kind perspective to Traditional Chinese Medicine, combining advanced training, personal experience, and a deep connection to nature and culture. She holds a specialization in sports medicine and, as an athlete who has experienced injuries herself, offers empathy and insight into the recovery process. Her undergraduate research with plants and traditional knowledge informs her use of herbal medicine, supporting both practical healing and respect for cultural practices. Living and surfing in the cold waters of Santa Cruz, California, Darla has firsthand experience with the physical demands and common ailments faced by surfers, giving her a unique approach to treating musculoskeletal and lifestyle-related concerns.

Acupuncture is a medical practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and has been used for thousands of years. Today, modern research helps explain how acupuncture works using Western medical science, allowing us to understand its effects from both perspectives.

The Eastern Perspective

In TCM, health depends on the smooth flow of Qi through pathways in the body called meridians. These meridians connect organs and systems, helping the body function as a whole.

Pain or illness can occur when Qi becomes blocked, deficient, or out of balance. Acupuncture uses very fine, sterile needles placed at specific points along these meridians to help restore balance, support the free flow of Qi, and activate the body’s natural healing processes.

The Western Perspective

From a biomedical point of view, acupuncture stimulates the nervous system and affects multiple body systems. Research shows that acupuncture can:

• Activate nerves that send signals to the brain and spinal cord

• Encourage the release of natural pain-relieving and mood-regulating chemicals such as endorphins and serotonin

• Improve circulation and reduce inflammation

• Relax muscles and regulate the autonomic nervous system, helping the body shift out of stress and into a healing state

Brain imaging studies also show that acupuncture can influence areas involved in pain perception, stress, and emotional regulation.

Bringing Both Perspectives Together

While Eastern medicine explains acupuncture through Qi and meridians, and Western medicine describes it through nerves, chemicals, and circulation, both perspectives point to the same result: the body is guided back toward balance and self-regulation. Acupuncture doesn’t just address symptoms—it supports the whole person, helping the body heal more effectively and maintain long-term well-being.

Cupping is a therapeutic technique used alongside acupuncture to enhance circulation and support the body’s natural healing processes. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, cupping is used to move Qi and blood, helping to release stagnation, relieve muscle tension, and support recovery.

There are a few common cupping methods:

• Fire cupping

  • Fire cupping uses a small flame inside the cup to create suction before the cup is placed on the skin. This method is traditionally used to pull stagnation outward, warm the area, and strengthen the flow of Qi and blood.

• Suction cupping

  • Suction cupping uses a pump to create suction instead of heat. It offers more controlled pressure and can be adjusted for sensitivity or specific treatment goals. Like fire cupping, it supports the movement of Qi and blood, reduces stagnation, and encourages circulation.

• Running cups

  • Running cups are used when oil is applied to the skin and the cup is moved up and down the area. This method helps increase circulation, release muscle tension, and support deeper tissue relaxation.

All methods may create temporary redness or “Sha,” which reflects increased circulation and the body’s healing response. This process helps bring oxygen and nutrients to the tissues while supporting removal of metabolic waste.

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine uses combinations of plant, mineral, and sometimes animal-based ingredients to support the body’s natural balance. Instead of targeting a single symptom, herbal formulas are designed to address the underlying pattern of imbalance in the body—such as Qi stagnation, blood deficiency, heat, dampness, or other patterns described in Chinese medicine.

Herbal formulas are usually customized based on a patient’s unique diagnosis and can be made specifically for you, or offered as ready-made options using classical and modern formulas for easier daily use.

Herbal medicine can be used alongside acupuncture or as a standalone treatment. It is often helpful for supporting long-term wellness, recovery, and ongoing symptom management.

Yes. In some cases, care may include the prescription of vitamins or other nutritional supplements based on a patient’s symptoms, goals, and overall health picture. These supplements may be used on their own or alongside acupuncture, and are chosen thoughtfully to support balance, recovery, and long-term wellness. This integrative approach allows both Eastern and Western tools to be used in a way that feels practical, personalized, and supportive.

Gua Sha is a therapeutic technique that involves gently scraping the skin with a smooth tool to stimulate circulation and support the body’s natural healing process. The scraping motion helps release muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote metabolic activity in the treated area.

Gua Sha is commonly used for:

• Muscle pain, tightness, and tension (especially in the neck, shoulders, and back)

• Respiratory support, such as congestion, cough, and seasonal illnesses

• Asthma and breathing issues, where it can help support lung function and clear stagnation in the upper body

• Facial rejuvenation, where gentle techniques help improve circulation, reduce tension, and support a healthy glow

Temporary redness or “Sha” is a normal response and reflects increased circulation and the body’s healing response. This process helps bring oxygen and nutrients to the tissues while supporting the removal of metabolic waste.

Tui Na is a therapeutic form of Chinese bodywork that uses hands-on techniques to help release muscle tension, improve circulation, and support the body’s natural healing process. It can involve gentle to deeper pressure, stretching, and specific movements designed to move Qi and blood through the body’s channels. Tui Na is often used for pain, tightness, and injury recovery, and it pairs well with acupuncture to enhance overall treatment results.

Moxibustion is a warming therapy often used alongside acupuncture to support circulation and enhance the body’s natural healing processes. It involves gently burning a dried herb called mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) near or on specific acupuncture points or body areas to deliver soothing heat. This warmth helps to relax tight muscles, improve local blood flow, and support the body’s ability to restore balance and tonify deficiency. Moxibustion is typically comfortable and deeply relaxing, and any mild warmth or gentle redness that occurs afterward reflects increased circulation and the body’s healing response. Moxibustion is generally safe, but should be avoided or used with caution by people with respiratory sensitivity (such as asthma), skin irritation or open wounds, or those who are pregnant or have heat-related conditions.

Booking is easy and can be done online. New patients should schedule a New Patient Consultation, either in person or via telehealth, to begin an acupuncture or herbal treatment plan. Once established, patients can book follow-up appointments for acupuncture, sports medicine acupuncture, cupping, Gua Sha, or telehealth consultations for herbal medicine. This flexible approach allows patients to continue working toward their health goals in the way that best fits their needs.

If there are no available appointment times that fit your schedule, please reach out by phone or email so an appointment can be scheduled as soon as possible. For questions or additional support with online booking, contact the office directly through email or by phone.

Phone: (831) 216-6539

Email: admin@drdarlacheninlac.com

Address: 550 Palm St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Walk-ins are not accepted in order to give each patient full attention and the highest quality care during their scheduled appointment.