OAKLAND ACUPUNCTURE - EST. 2010
Acupuncture & Dry Needling for Pain, Sports Injuries, TMJ & Stress in Oakland
With Dr. Kim Peirano, DACM, LAc, CHt, a California-licensed acupuncturist (#13833) and nationally board-certified Diplomate with 16+ years of practice focused on orthopedics, pain management, sports medicine, and stress relief.
Infused with Wisdom - Defined by Experience - Trusted since 2010.
Nearly Two Decades of Patient Centered Care & Experience
Lion's Heart Acupuncture & Wellness provides individualized acupuncture care for people dealing with musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries, TMJ dysfunction, jaw pain, headaches, and stress-related symptoms.
Led by Kim Peirano, DACM, LAc, our Oakland practice combines clinical assessment, specialized needling techniques, and evidence-informed treatment planning. We guide your care by your symptoms, functional goals, and health history, informed by the available evidence for your condition.
Whether you're an athlete managing an injury, someone dealing with persistent neck or back pain, or a person seeking support for jaw pain and recurring headaches, treatment starts with understanding your needs and determining whether acupuncture is an appropriate option.
Orthopedic Pain | Sports Injuries | Dry Needling | TMJ & Headaches | Stress Relief
WHAT WE TREAT.
Four areas of clinical focus.
One integrated practice.
Lion's Heart isn't a general wellness spa. We specialize in conditions with strong clinical evidence for acupuncture— built on 15 years of focused practice in Oakland. Lion’s Heart Acupuncture & Wellness in Oakland provides expert care in a calm and welcoming environment.
At Lion’s Heart Acupuncture & Wellness, we provide personalized care to support your health and well-being. Our Oakland acupuncture clinic offers integrative solutions tailored to your needs, with no up-sells or extra charges, everything you need is included in the treatment! Our comprehensive acupuncture treatments include your acupuncture treatment and any additional modalities Dr. Kim deems necessary to make your treatment as complete as possible.
Additional modalities include cupping, gua sha, manual therapy, rehabilitation exercise prescriptions, moxibustion, laser therapy, Celluma LED therapy, infrared therapy, NET, and coaching.
TREATMENT GOALS
Return to Function
You want to get back out there, whether it's an Iron Man Triathlon or being able to pick up your grandkids again. Improved function is key to recovery, not only pain.
Reduced Pain
You're likely here because you're experiencing pain of some variety. Acupuncture and dry needling are useful tools to manage and reduce pain, even emotional pain.
More Resilience
Acupuncture isn't just about reducing and improving deficits, it's also about increasing capacity. Emotional and physical resilience both benefit from treatment.
Realistic Expectations
We work based on treatment plans, not arbitrary guesswork. Our goal is to give you clear expectations for what may be possible, and we update and adjust goals along the way.
AS FEATURED IN
Sports Injuries & Dry Needling
Pain relief and a plan back to activity.
We provide individualized care for athletes, active adults, and teens managing sports-related pain, overuse symptoms, and musculoskeletal injuries. In addition to being an athlete herself and knowing firsthand what it's like to rehab sports injuries, Dr. Kim also has extensive sports and orthopedic training with Whitfield Reaves, OMD, LAc.
Treatments may include acupuncture, dry needling, trigger point and motor point needling, electroacupuncture, cupping, gua sha, manual therapy, and rehab exercise—all included in the visit fee.
What the Research Says
Dry needling: Reviews report short- to mid-term gains in pain and function for chronic neck pain and tennis elbow; for neck trigger points, it performs about as well as manual trigger point therapy — so we use both.
This 2024 systematic review compared dry needling or local acupuncture with injection treatments for musculoskeletal pain and disability across 26 studies. It found that outcomes varied by injection type and follow-up period: for some outcomes, dry needling generally produced results similar to corticosteroid, Botox, and platelet-rich plasma injections.
Acute injuries: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials found that acupuncture may reduce pain in people with acute ankle sprains, including when used alongside conventional care, although the evidence has methodological limitations. By potentially reducing pain and making movement more tolerable, acupuncture may support participation in rehabilitation, but direct evidence that it accelerates tissue healing remains insufficient.
Orthopedic Acupuncture for Muskuloskeletal & Chronic Pain
Care customized to comfort.
Chronic and degenerative pain conditions can be incredibly difficult to manage. At Lion's Heart, we consider ourselves one cog in your recovery and management machine. We offer acupuncture care for back, neck, shoulder, hip, and knee pain, as well as other musculoskeletal concerns.
As always, we tailor your treatment to your symptoms, functional limitations, goals, and comfort level in the treatment room. Treatment begins with an orthopedic assessment to help identify relevant contributing factors and determine whether acupuncture is an appropriate part of your care.
We tailor care to your symptoms, functional goals, and broader treatment plan.
What the Research Says
Chronic Pain: A large individual patient data meta-analysis of 39 randomized controlled trials involving 20,827 patients found that acupuncture improved pain outcomes for chronic musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, and chronic headaches compared with both sham acupuncture and no acupuncture. Benefits persisted at one-year follow-up, although the differences compared with sham acupuncture were smaller than those compared with no acupuncture.
Chronic Lower Back Pain: A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials involving 2,496 participants found that acupuncture may reduce pain and disability in people with chronic nonspecific low back pain, particularly when used alongside conventional treatment in some comparisons.
Head, Neck & Neurological Disorders
The Acupuncturist's Acupuncturist
One of the few Oakland acupuncturists with a deep clinical focus on TMJ dysfunction, tinnitus, ear fullness, Bell's palsy, facial pain, and cervicogenic headaches — conditions often undertreated elsewhere. Most Bay Area acupuncturists learned to treat these disorders directly from Dr. Kim!
Temporomandibular disorders can involve the jaw joints, chewing muscles, and other contributing factors. Assessment may include jaw movement, muscle tenderness, neck mobility, symptom patterns, and relevant medical history.
Depending on your presentation, treatment may incorporate acupuncture, targeted needling, manual techniques, and therapeutic exercises.
Dr. Kim Peirano also teaches continuing education in facial and ENT acupuncture for licensed practitioners, bringing relevant anatomical knowledge and specialized clinical training to her work with head and neck conditions.
What the Research Says
TMJ/TMD: A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials found that acupuncture may provide short-term relief for pain associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), particularly when the pain originates in the jaw muscles.
Tension Headache: A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies involving 2,795 participants found that acupuncture reduced the frequency of tension-type headaches compared with both sham acupuncture and no acupuncture.
Bell's Palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials involving 1,541 participants found that acupuncture was associated with a modestly higher rate of reported treatment response for Bell's palsy compared with control treatments.
Tinnitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 34 randomized controlled trials involving 3,086 participants found that acupuncture and moxibustion were associated with reduced tinnitus severity and improved quality-of-life measures compared with control treatments.
Stress, Anxiety & Mental Health
Healing the Body-Mind Connection
Modern neuroscience backs what Chinese medicine has known for centuries — stress is physical, not just psychological. Acupuncture directly regulates the autonomic nervous system, reducing cortisol, improving HRV, and breaking the stress-pain cycle.
Acupuncture is a supportive treatment option for people seeking help with stress-related symptoms. We tailor treatment to your needs and discuss realistic goals, potential benefits, and other appropriate care approaches, such as hypnosis, NET, and other mind-body therapies.
What the Research Says
Anxiety: This systematic review of 37 randomized controlled trials suggests that electroacupuncture may reduce anxiety by influencing physiological processes involved in the body’s stress response, potentially including endorphin signaling.
Stress Relief & Autonomic Nervous System: This 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials suggests acupuncture may help regulate the autonomic nervous system by increasing parasympathetic activity, which supports the body’s “rest and digest” response and helps counterbalance sympathetic “fight or flight” activity.
Depression: A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis of 43 randomized controlled trials examined acupuncture for major depressive disorder, including acupuncture alone, sham acupuncture, and acupuncture combined with antidepressants. The researchers found evidence that acupuncture was associated with reduced depressive symptoms, including when used alongside antidepressants, although further research is needed to confirm the size and reliability of the benefits.
"In our first meeting and thereafter, Kim thoroughly evaluated my health and I could see her assessing how various parts of my health picture were connected. Because she works holistically, my emotional and spiritual wellbeing were part of what she was evaluating and bringing into the healing process. She gave me a valuable piece of information in an early treatment that helped me become aware of an allergic reaction I was having, and this helped me figure out how to reduce contact with the allergen (this was immensely helpful)! "
Alissa B.
Dr. Kim Peirano, DACM, LAc, CHt
Owner, Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist & Medical Hypnotherapist
"My greatest joy is seeing my patients change and grow over time, through their illnesses or life's challenges. All it takes is one solid step to change the course, and I am forever grateful to be a part of that process."
Dr. Kim Peirano, DACM, LAc, has practiced acupuncture since 2010 and holds a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine degree. Her clinical work focuses on musculoskeletal pain, sports-related injuries, stress relief, and complex head and neck presentations, including TMJ dysfunction.
Her professional background includes postgraduate training in orthopedics and sports medicine, working as a continuing education instructor for licensed acupuncturists, and published writing on acupuncture and health. She's "the Acupuncturist's Acupuncturist," mentoring and teaching many of the Bay Area's Acupuncturists.
Professional background
-
Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
-
National Diplomate of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
-
Postgraduate training in orthopedics, sports medicine, and specialized needling techniques
-
Continuing education instructor in facial and ENT acupuncture
.
Her treatments aim to access the deep inner workings of the mind-body connection while being grounded in evidence-based care.
Read more about her HERE.
OUR APPROACH.
EVIDENCE-BASED. REALISTIC. GROUNDED.
Oakland has no shortage of wellness clinics. Lion's Heart is something different — thorough treatments, measurable outcomes, and honest communication with you and your other providers.
We're not going to pressure-sell you supplements, a detox program, or a year-long package on your first visit (or ever). We assess what's happening, tell you what we can actually help with, and build a plan with a clear endpoint.
01
Thorough intake & evaluation.
We want the full picture, for pain and orthopedic treatments, this includes range of motion, palpation, and functional assessment, ensuring your treatment targets the actual source.
02
Everything included, no upsells
Cupping, gua sha, electroacupuncture, rehab exercises, laser — included, not charged separately.
03
We work with your other providers
PT, orthopedic surgeon, psychiatry, primary care — Dr. Kim coordinates. Your care isn't siloed.
04
Honest timelines & expectations.
You'll get a realistic session count and expected outcomes before you commit to anything.
We work alongside your healthcare team.
Acupuncture at Lion's Heart is an adjunct to Western medicine, not a replacement. We believe that healthcare is a team sport, not a siloed experience. The winning combination is usually multiple modalities working synergistically together. We will never suggest you discontinue care with a medical provider in favor of acupuncture.
Dr. Kim regularly coordinates with:
-
Physical therapists & athletic trainers
-
Orthopedic surgeons & sports medicine MDs
-
Primary care physicians & internists
-
Psychiatrists & mental health therapists
-
Pediatricians & developmental specialists
-
Neurologists (Bell's palsy, tinnitus, headache)
-
ENT specialists (ear, TMJ, facial pain)
What to expect at your first visit.
1. Discuss your symptoms and goals
We'll review your health history, the concerns bringing you in, relevant previous treatments, and what you hope to accomplish.
2. Complete an appropriate assessment
For musculoskeletal and sports-related concerns, the assessment may include relevant movement, range-of-motion, and symptom assessments, depending on your presentation.
3. Discuss treatment options
We'll explain the approaches that may be appropriate, their potential benefits and limitations, and whether additional medical or rehabilitative evaluation may be indicated.
4. Review your response and next steps
Your treatment plan should reflect your goals and how you respond. We can reassess symptoms and function over time to help inform decisions about continuing or modifying care.
Acupuncture is not a substitute for indicated medical evaluation, emergency care, or rehabilitation.
First sessions are 75 minutes, follow-ups are 45 minutes, Sports Acupuncture sessions are 30 minutes, and focus on one problem area only.
Most acute cases improve meaningfully in 4–6 sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions do you treat with acupuncture in Oakland?
Lion's Heart focuses on orthopedic pain, sports-related musculoskeletal concerns, dry needling, TMJ dysfunction, jaw pain, headaches, and stress-related symptoms. In addition we see patients for Long-COVID, women's health issues, and hospice/palliative care. The appropriate treatment approach depends on your presentation and health history.
Does acupuncture help with sports injuries?
Research supports potential benefits for certain pain-related outcomes, but the evidence varies by condition and intervention. Acupuncture may be considered as part of a broader injury-management plan. It should not be represented as a proven way to accelerate tissue healing or prevent future injuries.
What is the difference between acupuncture and dry needling?
Both involve the use of fine needles, but the terminology, clinical frameworks, and techniques may differ. Dry needling is an acupuncture technique, and commonly refers to needling approaches directed at musculoskeletal structures such as myofascial trigger points. Research findings should be interpreted in the context of the specific technique and condition studied.
Can I get Dry Needling from my Physical Therapist, Chiropractor or Trainer?
In the state of California "dry needling" is protected as the practice of acupuncture. This means only a licensed acupuncturist or medical doctor with acupuncture specific training can legally provider acupuncture and/or dry needling treatment. If your practitioner is offering dry needling and is not a licensed acupuncturist please contact the California State Acupuncture Board to report the practice, which ensures safety for all patients.
Can acupuncture help with TMJ pain and headaches?
Research suggests acupuncture may help some people with particular TMJ-related pain presentations and headache disorders. The evidence and likely benefits differ by diagnosis. Persistent, severe, new, or changing headaches and jaw symptoms may require medical or dental evaluation.
Can acupuncture help with stress?
Acupuncture may be an option for people seeking support with certain stress-related symptoms. Evidence varies by outcome and technique, and acupuncture should not be presented as a guaranteed treatment for stress, anxiety, or other mental health conditions, rather an adjunctive and supportive modality in your stress-management protocol.
Do you work with other healthcare providers?
Acupuncture may complement appropriate medical, dental, physical therapy, and other healthcare services. Treatment decisions should take account of your broader care needs, and acupuncture should not replace indicated evaluation or treatment. We generally recommend that patients seek multi-modality care which includes acupuncture alongside other supportive integrative modalities and standard care for the best results.
Do you take my health insurance?
Our practice is cash-pay only. We are not in-network with any health insurance plans and do not accept or bill insurance directly. Payment is due in full at the time of service. We can provide a superbill, an itemized receipt you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement depends on your specific plan, and PPO plans are generally the most likely to offer this benefit. We recommend checking with your insurer before your appointment to confirm your coverage. We also accept HSA and FSA cards for eligible expenses and are open to workers’ compensation cases. Please contact us to discuss workers’ compensation coverage and billing arrangements before scheduling.
Is acupuncture safe?
When performed by a properly trained, licensed acupuncturist using sterile, single-use needles, acupuncture is considered a relatively safe treatment with a low risk of serious complications. The most common side effects are mild and temporary, including soreness or bruising at the needle site, minor bleeding, fatigue, or feeling lightheaded. A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis found that serious adverse events were rare, estimated at approximately 1 per 10,000 patients undergoing a course of treatment. As with any medical intervention, risks vary depending on individual health factors and the techniques used. Compared with many medications, acupuncture may offer a lower-risk option for certain conditions, although the risks and benefits depend on the specific treatment and medication being compared.
Where is Lion's Heart Acupuncture & Wellness located?
Lion's Heart Acupuncture & Wellness is located at 298 Grand Avenue, Suite 101, Oakland, California 94610. The practice serves Oakland and patients from surrounding East Bay communities.
Recent Musings from Our Blog
