Meet Your Practitioner
Dr. Darla Chenin, LAc, DAcHM, earned both her Master’s and Doctorate degrees from Five Branches University in Santa Cruz, California. During her graduate studies, she completed advanced training and specialization in Sports Medicine, further enhancing her expertise in treating active individuals and athletes.
Darla earned her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she graduated with the highest GPA in her department and received a Research Promise Award for her work in the Integrative Subsistence Laboratory under Dr. Amber VanDerwarker. During her time in the lab, she coauthored a paleoarchaeological comparative seed manual documenting traditional plant uses, the cultures that utilized them, and their geographic origins.
In addition to her anthropology background, Darla studied biomedicine at Santa Barbara City College, where she graduated with highest honors and earned an Associate Degree in Science and Mathematics. During this period, she also completed a 200-hour Yoga Alliance–certified yoga teacher training.
Darla has dedicated her life to the study of natural sciences and human health, with a deep respect for culture and tradition at the heart of her work. Her approach to healthcare is rooted in honoring ancestral wisdom, the rhythms of the seasons, the elements, and the natural world that connects them all.
Darla’s Approach
Dr. Darla Chenin, LAc, practices Traditional Chinese Medicine through its five core branches: acupuncture, herbal medicine, Chinese dietary therapy, energetics, and Tui Na massage. She also incorporates Gua Sha and cupping, offering a thoughtful, well-rounded approach to care that supports each patient’s individual needs.
Sports Medicine
Darla has received specialized training in sports medicine and is an athlete herself. Having experienced injuries firsthand, she brings a uniquely empathetic approach to treating pain and sports-related injuries. Her treatments may include acupuncture with electrical stimulation, stationary and moving cupping, Tui Na, Gua Sha, and herbal medicine, all thoughtfully used to support recovery and relief.
Internal Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine is rooted in addressing internal imbalances that contribute to disease. Darla takes a preventative and whole-system approach to care, focusing on common yet impactful concerns such as anxiety, fatigue, urinary and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as gynecological conditions including PMS, menstrual pain, and related hormonal imbalances. Her goal is to support long-term health by treating underlying patterns, not just symptoms.