Kim Peirano
Acupuncturist
541 Athol Ave Oakland CA, 94606Rating
5/5
About
Dr. Kim Peirano, DACM, Dipl.OM, LAc, CHT, CPHPCA is a transformative healer dedicated to guiding her patients on their personal growth, healing and transformation journeys through the depth and power of East Asian Medicine, Acupuncture treatments, Jungian Life Coaching, medical hypnotherapy and more. Her own personal commitment to her unique path of growth and self development shines through in her treatments and interactions with patients, holding a safe, compassionate space for vulnerability, depth and transformation. With a multifaceted approach that encompasses ancient wisdom, multiple modalities, trauma-informed care, and Taoist theory, Dr. Kim harmoniously integrates the body, mind, and spirit to unlock the full potential of healing.
A practicing Acupuncturist since 2010, Dr. Kim graduated from The Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley and further received her Doctorate in Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine from the Pacific College of Health Sciences in 2018. Her expertise spans a wide range of issues and illnesses, with a particular focus on stress management, well-being, and the impact of illness or pain on overall health. She has successfully supported clients through major life transitions, chronic pain and illness, fertility concerns, pediatric patients, eating disorder recovery, spiritual growth, sports medicine, orthopedics, end-of-life support, and hospice care.
During a session with Dr. Kim, the profound connection between body, mind, and spirit is bridged. Her intuitive abilities, combined with her additional training as a Jungian Life Coach and Medical Hypnotherapist, Neuro-Emotional Technique, and other energetic healing modalities, work synergistically with acupuncture and herbal medicine. By integrating guided visualization and other techniques into the treatment room, Dr. Kim empowers her patients to access their inner knowing and truth, enabling them to experience deep healing beyond the physical realm.
As a member of the Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH), Dr. Kim embraces a Health At Every Size approach to healing. She also serves as a board member of the California State Oriental Medical Association (CSOMA) and is the Founder and Director of The Integrative Healing Institute, a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing spirit-mind-body education to health practitioners and the general public. Dr. Kim is a Certified Provider of Hospice and Palliative Care Acupuncture and a volunteer for the Living / Dying Project as a spiritual counselor for end of life patients. Dr. Kim is also a columnist for the industry publication Acupuncture Today and has been a peer-reviewed journal author in the Journal of Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine. She truly loves bringing this medicine, techniques and wisdom not only to her patients and clients but to the general public and other practitioners through the continuing education courses she offers, her writing and more.
In her free time Dr. Kim loves getting outdoors and is an avid powerlifter, open water rower and swimmer, enjoys hiking around the bay and spending quality time with her incredibly fluffy cat Marcus.
Education and Training
Acupuncture and Integrative Me MSOM 2010
Pacific College of Health Scie DAOM 2018
Board Certification
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Provider Details
Kim Peirano's Expert Contributions
7 Herbs and Supplements for Your Most Radiant Skin
Beautiful skin has always been envied; blemish-free, invisible pores, and a smooth complexion free of wrinkles. A multi-billion dollar industry was built from this. I always remind my patients that beauty starts on the inside, and this is true of our spirit and heart as well as the health of our...
These 6 Acupressure Points Can Help Cramps
Women today do everything, from CEO to Mom of the Year, best friend, nurse, and astronaut. For many women, once a month (give or take) menstrual cramps are the less than desirable icing on the cake. Having dull, achy pain that can go from a mild annoyance to debilitating has been felt by most women...
5 Ways Acupuncture Improves Athletic Performance
Acupuncture is a very useful tool for treating conditions involving pain; from sports injury to arthritis to headaches and everywhere in between. Beyond pain, can acupuncture actually improve sports performance? Whether you’re an avid gym-goer, amateur athlete, or professional athlete, acupuncture...
Acupuncture Effectively Treats Overactive Bladder without Surgery, Medication or Side Effects
I hear it often from my patients: ‘sometimes I pee a little when I laugh,’ ‘I wouldn’t dare try to do jumping jacks or it would be a mess,’ and ‘I just know that I have to use the bathroom before I leave to go anywhere or I might pee my pants.’ Overactive bladder, leakage, and...
5 Ways Acupuncture Improves Athletic Performance
Original Post on Lion's Heart Wellness Blog"Acupuncture is an incredibly useful tool to treat conditions involving pain; from sports injury to arthritis to headaches and everywhere in between, but beyond pain, can acupuncture actually help to improve sports performance? Whether you’re a novice...
Are there natural treatments for anxiety?
There are plenty of natural treatments for anxiety. I'll assume by 'natural' you mean non-pharmacological. There are plenty of routes to address anxiety, and addressing the mind-body interplay is essential in most cases. You might try therapy, somatic healing, journaling, learning self soothing and regulation techniques as a first step. Next you might try receiving treatments like acupuncture, massage, exercise, etc. And finally we might try herbs and supplements that can help calm the anxiety response. Some work as more in the moment treatments, others build over time. It's essential you work with someone to help you determine which are right for you because many can interact with other medications, supplement, herbs etc that you may also be taking. Also no one person's picture is the same. One person's anxiety might stem from unexpressed anger or feeling stuck in a situation they cannot change - in which case learning to discharge that anger is a great way to combat anxiety. Other anxiety is more like overwhelm which can be a symptom of ADHD or other reasons. Getting to the root of the anxiety can go a long way in helping you treat it for good instead of just slapping on a bandaid of a supplement (although sometimes we definitely need bandaids.) READ MORE
Can acupuncture be done on the neck?
Absolutely! There are actually over 15 acupuncture points located on the neck, front and back plus more motor points, trigger points and a'shi points. Acupuncturists have years of training plus qualifying licensing exams in order to practice acupuncture (depending on your location) which means they are very well trained in anatomy and physiology as well as chinese medicine. Needling the neck is safe when performed by a trained professional. READ MORE
Burning post acupuncture treatment?
Yes, it should subside although it can take a bit of time. Sometimes there is some mild nerve irritation from the needle which sounds like the case. This can take a few days-weeks to subside depending on the severity, likely more on the day's side of things. Keep moving it and give it time. READ MORE
Can you get acupuncture while sick?
Hello, The answer to this question will vary from acupuncturist to acupuncturist as helping keep our staff and selves safe is also a concern when treating sick patients. So, it will depend on what type of 'sick' you are. Acupuncture can be very beneficial in treating the symptoms of the common cold, flu, etc., however, it will depend on the practitioner whether they will see patients with active respiratory infections. If you are a COVID-19 positive patient, please do not seek out in-person treatments as this puts the clinic, staff, and patients at risk. Many practitioners now offer telehealth and Chinese herbal medicine is an excellent way to combat a cold, flu, and even COVID-19 (although it is no substitute for vaccination). For other non-communicable diseases, illness, etc., acupuncture is often a great adjunct treatment to support your allopathic care. Acupuncture has been shown to decrease pain, nausea, and improve quality of life scores in patients experiencing a variety of conditions and illnesses. Call the provider first or have a consultation to go over your case to make sure the practitioner is a good match and treats your specific illness. READ MORE
Can you get an infection from acupuncture?
Infection from acupuncture is quite rare. The needles used are all single use and sterile and the skin is normally swabbed with alcohol prior to needle insertion. After treatment, the needle "hole" is not open to the naked eye, although this "hole" is present for about 10 minutes. To get an infection from acupuncture, you would need either an unclean/not sterile needle, dirty skin, a compromised treatment room or dirty practitioner hands. All of this is mitigated using clean needle technique, which is a required course and skill to be a licensed Acupuncturist. This is a reason to see only licensed professionals, as non-licensed acupuncturists may not be aware of CNT. READ MORE
Is acupuncture for your neck safe?
Hello! Yes, acupuncture on the neck is safe. Acupuncturists are trained in specific needling techniques and styles in order to assure the safety of the treatment, this is why seeking out a trained and licensed acupuncturist is important, as other professions who do acupuncture 'on the side' like MDs and dry needling, in the case of physical therapists, have a very tiny fraction of the training of licensed acupuncturists. There are certainly risks in needling the neck from puncturing veins/arteries and even the brain, these risks are mitigated by proper training and needling technique, so you have nothing to worry about when seeing a properly trained acupuncturist. READ MORE
Can acupuncture help with aging skin?
Hello! Thanks for this great question. Yes, acupuncture can absolutely help with aging skin, and the issues of aging in general. It works in a multitude of ways. For cosmetic enhancement you would find Cosmetic Facial Acupuncture or Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture suitable to fit your needs, but acupuncture on its own actually provides some rejuvenating benefits. Cosmetic type acupuncture
How do you know if acupuncture is working?
Hello! Great question, which has a pretty variable answer. For back pain specifically, we are obviously looking for a reduction in pain levels to know if treatments are working, be it from acupuncture or other modalities. You may notice a reduction in pain or an increased ability to perform tasks that the pain prevented you from doing before, like picking up heavy objects or driving for example. Some patients may notice that they have fewer episodes of pain for types of pain that tend to come and go as opposed to being more constant. Your sleep may improve if pain was a reason sleep was difficult. Acupuncture may be working, but pain levels may seem the same when we notice we can do more or have an easier time with sleep or even our mood has improved, this is why your acupuncturist does a really thorough intake of your history and what's going on in the body, because while back pain may seem localized to the back it does have an effect on other systems in the body. The next level of this question is WHEN will these results happen, and this is very different from patient to patient. Some may notice results instantly, others it may take months of treatments before pain relief occurs, often this difference boils down to the type of pain: acute or chronic and the general health and commitment of the patient to make lifestyle adjustments as needed. It's easy to get frustrated if pain levels don't come down quickly, but it's also important to remember that acupuncture isn't unlike going to the gym - we might feel good after one session, but lasting changes occur with consistency and dedication. Thinking outside just the 'pain box' is also helpful to gauge results, because acupuncture helps the whole body heal, not just the part that's bothering us - we might notice improved sleep, improved mood, improved digestion, even skin clarity before we notice pain relief and that's simply because those areas of health needed to come into balance first. Thanks! Dr. Kim Peirano, DACM, LAC READ MORE
Does acupuncture work for anti-aging?
Hi! I am going to assume this question is in regard to cosmetic anti-aging? I am a specialist and educator in Cosmetic Facial Acupuncture
Is this normal after acupuncture?
Hello! Thanks for this question as it comes up a lot in practice. After receiving acupuncture patients may feel a variety of different sensations and feelings, from feeling energized to very drained/fatigue and what you mention as feeling like you've taken a muscle relaxer, some may liken it to feeling like they drank alcohol or smoked cannabis. This reaction is completely normal and it tends to be more significant and noticeable with a person's first few treatments then is less significant. This feeling is due to the dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins that the body releases during treatments, also the balancing of the energetic properties of the body, mind and spirit contribute to this feeling. As always, it's best to listen to your body and take it easy if need be (if you're able), and plan for a little recovery window if you notice this happens frequently for you. Drink plenty of water and enjoy the decrease in pain! Dr. Kim Peirano, DACM LAc READ MORE
How long does it take for acupuncture to work for anxiety?
Hello, The length of time it takes acupuncture to work for a patient for any ailment will be dependent on a number of variables. Since every person is different, has different constitutions and imbalances it's very hard to give a rough estimate on the time it will take to work. In general, if something has only been going on for a short amount of time (under 3 months) it may respond more quickly than something more chronic, if a patient is in relatively good health - no major illnesses, traumas, good diet, sleep and digestion working pretty well, this person may respond more quickly. As for anxiety, stress, depression and other mental health and emotional concerns, acupuncture will usually provide some relief immediately, but how long this relief may last will be dependent on factors above. Some patients may find the 24 hours after a session are great, then symptoms return, and after a few weekly sessions they may start to see a longer period where they hold the results of the treatment. Some may find the anxiety still remains but sleep improves a lot - which will eventually help the patient experience less anxiety. It's extremely variable from person to person. Overall, acupuncture will help your body experience alpha - theta brainwaves states, when we are thinking/concentrating/stressed we are in a beta state which doesn't allow the body to rejuvenate and replenish itself. Anxiety and stress can extend the time we are in this state and this can create a snowball type effect when it comes to symptoms. Experiencing the alpha-theta state during a treatment helps put your body back on track to be more capable of regulating itself and also giving you a break from anxiety, overthinking and stressors. A good expectation for treatment is to commit to 6+ weekly treatments, evaluate at the beginning the severity and frequency of symptoms then re-evaluate at the end of the 6 weeks. Changes can take some time, or may be subtle at first, but measured over time we find patients have a positive experience and relief with sessions. And of course, there is no substitution for using acupuncture in conjunction with other treatment methods like therapy, exercise and nutrition. READ MORE
What are the side effects of acupuncture?
Side effects of acupuncture are rare and minimal, occurring roughly 2% of the time and can include bruising at needle sites, soreness after needling and fainting are the most common. More serious side effects are extremely rare and are more likely to occur with a non-licensed Acupuncturist or person performing dry needling who is not a licensed Acupuncturist. Compared with prescription drugs acupuncture has significantly fewer and less severe side effects. Positive side effects are quite common and include improved sleep, improved digestion, regulated menstrual cycles, decrease in PMS symptoms, and many others. Good luck in your healing journey Dr. Kim Peirano, DACM LAc READ MORE
Is acupuncture a safe treatment for chronic pain?
Yes, acupuncture is actually one of the safest treatments for pain that is available. Adverse events with acupuncture occur at a rate of about 2%, the most common events include bruising at needle sites and fatigue or fainting after treatments, more severe adverse events are very rare. Most chronic pain medications have much higher rates of side effects and adverse events which often lead patients to discontinue treatment. A recent study found acupuncture to be more effective at pain relief than injected morphine, and of course without the side effects. It is a very safe and effective remedy for chronic pain. Here's a link to that study: https://www.ajemjournal.com/article/S0735-6757(16)30422-3/abstract READ MORE
Does acupuncture hurt the first time?
As an acupuncturist, I'm asked this question a lot, and I prefer to be honest about it. Of course it will hurt, but how much it hurts can be variable from nothing at all or very minimal feeling to occasionally more pain. Pain experienced during acupuncture will depend on the patient's disposition towards pain - some people are simply more sensitive than others, and factors like not being hydrated, having too much caffeine, or being ready to start your menstrual cycle can all increase sensitivity. Another big factor is the practitioner, every person is very very different in regard to needling technique, some may have a stronger approach while others are more gentle. Just let your acupuncturist know you're nervous about pain and ask them to take a more gentle approach. Each treatment will also feel different from the time before, one time some points may hurt a bit while the next time no pain, so whether it's your first time or 100th time there's no way we can predict how it will feel. Another thing to keep in mind for some peace of mind is that 30 acupuncture needles can fit into the hole in a needle you would have your blood drawn with! They're about twice the thickness of a strand of hair, and pain is usually quite minimal to non-existent. Sometimes receiving acupuncture can be more likely to feel strange or weird than painful, but in the end it's very likely to help you with your pain. READ MORE
How does acupuncture help relieve allergy symptoms?
Acupuncture works in a multitude of ways to help people with seasonal and environmental allergies. -We look at the overall picture and health of a patient to determine what unique pattern / cause is resulting in you experiencing allergies in order to address it. -Acupuncture helps improve the digestive system, which is one of the biggest sources of our immune system - faulty digestion = many issues, including allergies, so by improving the digestive system and protecting the tissues we can address the root cause of allergies. -Acupuncture also helps protect the liver and helps it to be more efficient and work effectively, this can also include improving the quality of bile in the liver / gall bladder system. The Liver is responsible for processing histamines (histamines are what make us feel allergy symptoms), so by benefitting the liver we improve its function and help allergies. -Acupuncture also helps boost the adrenal system and lessen the effects of stress on the body. Simply put, a stressed body (which is almost everyone in the modern age) isn't going to be working as well as it should, so supporting that system can help our body naturally process allergens without the symptoms. -Acupuncture also helps benefit the sinuses and nasal passages which are of course directly related to allergy symptoms, we can help relieve congestion and sometimes decrease sneezing, mucous etc. -Acupuncturists are also trained herbalist (depending where you're located) and there are plenty of herbal formulas and supplements that can also help allergies. Overall, acupuncture helps treat allergies by treating the underlying physical weaknesses or dysfunctions that contribute to our bodies poorly processing histamines. The sooner you get treatments (like before allergy season starts) the more effective the treatments will be, because it does take some time to get the body to make changes in that way. READ MORE
How often does acupuncture cause bacterial infections?
Bacterial infection due to acupuncture needling is very rare, especially in the US where re-usable needles are forbidden. Acupuncturists are trained in clean needle technique and use only disposable one time use needles to minimize infection risk as much as possible. There are a few studies quantifying adverse events from acupuncture and the results are extremely low, most events being fainting after sessions or dizziness. Having an open wound isn't a contraindication for treatment, but the area should be avoided. If you are an immunocompromised patient it would be advisable to wait for treatment to take all precautions necessary, but in a healthy individual risk of infection is still extremely low. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22936058 READ MORE
How long do the effects of acupuncture last?
For a condition like arthritis which is chronic, effects of acupuncture will be very variable depending on the specific patient's health and underlying constitution. Some may find relief for hours, others up to a week, and treatments need to be continued to keep relief going. Acupuncture tends to be a cumulative process, meaning one treatment may last 5 days but a subsequent treatment may last 7 and so on. Committing to a treatment plan of at least 6 weekly treatments and then re-assessing how things are going after those 6 weeks is a good course of action so that you can see how progress has been made (or not). With chronic conditions, and conditions like repetitive stress injury - where we are always using that part of our body (like the hands), getting 100% relief is unlikely without subsequent and diligent treatment, but with acupuncture being just as effective and without the side effects of pain mediations, for many it's a really great option. READ MORE
Which is better for back pain: acupuncturist or chiropractor?
Both! But it might depend on WHY your back is hurting. In many cases it's a combination of misalignment of structure (bones) and muscle / soft tissue involvement. The combination of chiro AND acupuncture together is a powerhouse for treatments! The chiropractor can help realign the spine and the acupuncture will help treat soft tissue - like muscle tension and nerve pain. In many cases acupuncture alone can help with back pain - especially if it's muscular or nerve related, but if there's a structural issue the chiropractor putting that into place is crucial. READ MORE
Does acupuncture hurt?
The answer is yes, but that pain is relative and it will vary from day to day and practitioner to practitioner. Some acupuncturists may use thicker needles and a more aggressive needling style which can be more painful, and others are more gentle. But no matter how gentle we are, sometimes you will feel some pain. The pain is usually minimal, although other odd sensations like tingling, aching or electricity feelings come up, but it's all part of moving energy and getting things to regulate again. I also think that remembering that the needles don't inject or take anything out of the body is comforting, and 20 acupuncture needles can fit in the hole of a needle used to draw blood! Overall it's a very relaxing process with minimal pain. READ MORE
Do you need a diagnosis to get acupuncture?
No you don't need a diagnosis to receive acupuncture. If you have an HMO insurance plan that covers acupuncture you may need a referral, but to pay out of pocket or to use a PPO plan you don't need a referral or a diagnosis. The acupuncturist will do a thorough intake and evaluation and give you a diagnosis based on Chinese or Japanese Medicine principles and treat you from that theory, so a western medical diagnosis is unnecessary. READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Clinical Faculty Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College - Berkeley 2020 - 2022
Awards
- Best Holistic Practitioner 2018 Pacific Sun Best of Marin
- Best Acupuncture 2016 Bay Area A List
Professional Memberships
- CSOMA
Kim Peirano's Practice location
Lion's Heart Acupuncture & Wellness, Inc
541 Athol Ave -Oakland, CA 94606Get Direction
Kim Peirano's reviews
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