Frequently Asked Questions

  • Darla’s approach to Traditional Chinese Medicine is shaped by her connection to nature, culture, and traditional knowledge. Her background in paleoethnobotany informs her perspective on the relationship between people and plants, and their role in food, medicine, and daily life.

    She also earned the Sports Medicine Specialization from Five Branches University. Living and surfing along the cold ocean and redwood forests of Santa Cruz, Darla understands the ways environment and lifestyle shape the body, and brings both clinical training and lived experience to her work with pain and injury.

    Darla stands out as a California and nationally board certified acupuncturist. Her national recognition reflects her expertise in the foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine, her knowledge of Western biomedicine, and her ability to diagnose patterns and provide personalized acupuncture and herbal treatments. Darla is a Diplomate of Acupuncture with the National Certification Board of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM)™.

  • Dr. Darla Chenin, LAc, DAcHM, is currently out-of-network for all insurance providers. If you have out-of-network acupuncture benefits, she’s happy to provide a superbill so you can submit it to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

  • Booking is easy and can be done online. New patients should schedule an Initial Visit, either in person (acupuncture & herbs) or remotely with Telehealth (herbs only), to begin an acupuncture or herbal treatment plan.

    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.

  • 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.

  • Electro-acupuncture, often called E-Stim for short, is a gentle way to enhance traditional acupuncture by applying a mild, controlled electrical stimulation to certain acupuncture points. It helps stimulate points in a way that hand manipulation alone cannot.

    It’s often used for:

    • Pain relief

    • Sports medicine and muscle recovery

    • Urinary incontinence and bladder issues (e.g., via tibial nerve stimulation)

    • Other conditions where extra stimulation may be helpful

    Electro-acupuncture can be added to a session: the first set is an extra $15, and additional sets or points are $40 each. It is included in the Sports Acu Visits!

    Who should not use Electro-Acupuncture?

    Electro-acupuncture is not recommended for everyone. It is generally safe, but it should not be used for:

    • Those with a cardiac pacemaker or other implanted electronic device (pump, oxygen generator, or monitoring device)

    • Patients who are pregnant when treatment would be over the abdomen, pelvis, lower back, or trunk

    • Those with an infection, open wound, or area with impaired sensation

    • Patients with a bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia

    Patients who are unsure whether electro-acupuncture is appropriate for them are encouraged to ask questions during their visit to ensure safety and effectiveness.

  • 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.

  • Herbal medicine is a fundamental part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, supporting the deeper, nutritive aspects of the body. 

    Traditional Chinese herbal medicine uses classical, time-tested formulas, or combinations of herbs, to support the body’s natural balance. Rather than targeting a single symptom, formulas are designed to address the underlying patterns of imbalance in the body.

    Formulas are chosen based on your individual diagnosis and selected from both classical and modern options.

    Herbs may be recommended in a variety of forms, including tinctures, capsules, tea pills, and granules, depending on what best fits your needs and lifestyle. While most formulas are plant-based, some traditional formulas may include mineral or animal-derived substances when appropriate.

    Both acupuncture and herbal approaches complement one another and can be used together or on their own.

  • 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.

  • Many treatment plans include guidance on food, herbs, and supplements to support the effects of acupuncture and help the body maintain balance between sessions.

    TCM Dietary Therapy - Food Energetics

    In Traditional Chinese Medicine, food is viewed as an important tool for maintaining balance and supporting the body’s natural healing processes. Rather than focusing only on nutrients, TCM looks at the energetic qualities of foods and how they interact with the body, the seasons, and your individual constitution.

    For example, cooling foods like cucumber or melon may help clear excess heat, while warming foods such as ginger, cinnamon, or turmeric may support circulation and help the body when there is cold or stagnation. Small shifts in daily eating habits can often make a meaningful difference in digestion, energy levels, and overall balance.

    Guidance on TCM dietary therapy is often incorporated into acupuncture visits when appropriate to help support the body between treatments.

    Modern Nutritional Support

    In addition to traditional dietary guidance, care may also include recommendations for nutritional supplements and Western herbal products based on a patient’s symptoms, health goals, and overall constitutional picture.

    These supportive therapies may be used on their own or alongside acupuncture and are selected thoughtfully to help restore balance, support recovery, and promote long-term wellness. When supplements or herbal products are recommended, professional-grade options are available through the clinic to ensure quality, safety, and effectiveness.

    If a recommended product is not available in the clinic, prescriptions can also be sent through Fullscript, allowing patients to conveniently order professional-grade supplements online and have them delivered directly to their door.

    Darla utilizes her full training, combining both Eastern dietary wisdom and Western nutrition principles, to create personalized treatment plans that give each patient the best possible outcomes for balance, healing, and long-term wellness.