Why We "Support Patients" and Don’t “Treat” Chronic Illness at Lion’s Heart Wellness Oakland — And Why That Matters

Chronic Illness Support in Oakland with Integrity, Compassion, and Evidence-Based Tools

At Lion’s Heart Wellness in Oakland, CA, we specialize in chronic illness support through acupuncture and medical hypnotherapy—but we don’t use words like “treat," "reverse," or "cure" to describe our practice. That’s intentional.

We know how loaded that word is—especially for people living with chronic illnesses like long COVID, fibromyalgia, MCAS, ME/CFS, POTS, Ehlers-Danlos, PCOS, or endometriosis. You’ve probably seen countless practitioners claim they can “fix” you. Maybe you’ve tried a few. Maybe you’ve been hurt.

And maybe what you really need isn’t another promise. 

Maybe what you need is support that’s grounded, ethical, and real.

The Problem with “Cure Culture” in Wellness

One of the biggest red flags in the wellness industry is when a practitioner claims they can cure your chronic illness—especially after Western medicine hasn’t worked for you. These promises often come from a place of ego, not evidence. At worst, they exploit people in vulnerable health situations, leading to financial, emotional, and even physical harm.

That’s why we don’t promise to treat or cure you at Lion’s Heart Wellness. Instead, we work alongside you, supporting your body and mind as you live with and navigate chronic illness.

Our ethical stance is clear: You deserve honest care that doesn’t sell false hope.

What We Do Offer: Chronic Illness Support in Oakland That Respects Your Experience

While we’re honest about what we don’t do, we also want to be clear about what we can do—and that’s a lot.

Our work focuses on supporting you in your experience of illness, helping you manage symptoms, reduce stress, improve sleep, regulate pain, and restore a sense of agency in your life.

Some examples of how acupuncture and hypnotherapy can support you include:

• Reducing chronic pain Studies have shown acupuncture can significantly reduce chronic pain and improve quality of life (Vickers et al., 2018).

• Managing chemotherapy side effects Acupuncture has been found effective in reducing nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients (Ezzo et al., 2006).

• Improving sleep Hypnotherapy can support better sleep patterns and reduce insomnia symptoms (Lam et al., 2015).

• Soothing nervous system dysregulation Chronic illness often coexists with trauma and nervous system dysfunction. Hypnosis and acupuncture both support parasympathetic activation, giving your body a break from chronic stress responses.

• Helping you navigate flare-ups We teach mind-body tools to manage flareups with less fear and more self-regulation—so you're not left scrambling each time things spike.
  

We don’t offer gimmicks or push upsells. You’ll never be pressured to buy a supplement protocol or $900 worth of testing kits. If we recommend something, it’s because there’s strong clinical evidence behind it, and it fits your values and needs—not our bottom line.

You Deserve Practitioners Who Know Their Scope—And Stick to It

As a doctorally trained acupuncturist and certified medical hypnotherapist with 15+ years of experience in integrative health, I understand both the power and the limits of these modalities. I’m not here to override your medical care—I’m here to support you holistically, not replace what your body may need from conventional medicine.

I work with people who have been through the wringer—clients with rare and misunderstood illnesses, invisible disabilities, and deep trauma from years of not being believed. Our sessions provide not just relief, but a sense of being witnessed, respected, and held with integrity.

Most Acupuncturists Don’t Make It Past 5 Years—Here’s Why That Matters

Nearly 50% of acupuncturists leave the profession within five years. It’s a tough field with a steep learning curve, and many newer practitioners haven’t yet built the clinical discernment or emotional grounding needed to work with complex cases like chronic illness.

At Lion’s Heart Wellness, I’ve weathered the storms. I’ve moved practices, stayed the course, and deepened my work. I’ve seen enough to know that true support means respecting where you are, not rushing you toward where someone else thinks you should be.

Healing Isn’t Always About “Getting Better”

Here, we embrace a different definition of healing—one that doesn’t rely on being cured.

Healing might mean:

• Learning to pace and manage your energy

• Feeling less alone in your experience

• Releasing shame about your condition

• Finding tools to help you regulate emotions during flares

• Improving quality of life, even if your symptoms remain

Healing might just mean having a practitioner who listens—really listens—and validates your experience without trying to fix or spiritual-bypass it.

Our Practice Values at Lion’s Heart Wellness

At Lion’s Heart Wellness in Oakland, we believe that ethical, effective care starts with integrity, compassion, and grounded expertise. Our values shape how we show up for every client and how we offer care that is supportive—not prescriptive, coercive, or fear-based.

Evidence-Based, Trauma-Informed Care

We integrate current research and clinical evidence into our approach, while also honoring each client’s lived experience. We know what acupuncture and hypnotherapy can do—and what they can’t—and we’re honest about both. Our care is always within scope, trauma-informed, and rooted in realism, not false promises.

All Foods Fit & Anti-Diet Philosophy

We reject restrictive and shame-based food dogma. We believe in nourishment, not punishment. Food is not a moral issue—it’s a personal and cultural one. We work from an All Foods Fit and Anti-Diet approach that respects individual needs, choices, and access.

Health at Every Size® (HAES)

We support body diversity, challenge weight stigma, and provide care that is respectful and inclusive, regardless of your size. Your health is not defined by a number on a scale, and we will never center weight loss as a goal unless you choose to. And even then, we will hold that gently and without pressure.

Mind-Body Inclusivity

We honor the whole self—body, mind, emotions, and spirit—and understand how systemic oppression, trauma, and chronic illness shape health outcomes. Healing doesn’t have to mean getting “better.” Sometimes it means finding more tools, more space, and more dignity in how we live.

Patient Autonomy & Collaborative Care

We don’t upsell, over-promise, or pathologize your experience. We work with you—not on you. Your care plan is a collaboration, and your goals, pace, and consent are central to everything we do.

Integrity Over Ego

We don’t claim to cure the incurable. We don’t chase miracle results. We provide steady, skilled support that honors the complex nature of chronic illness and healing. If something is out of our scope, we’ll tell you. If there’s another modality or provider who’s a better fit, we’ll help you find them.

We’re Here to Support Your Chronic Illness Journey in Oakland (and Online) When You're Ready

If you’re in Oakland or the East Bay and looking for chronic illness support that’s trauma-informed, experienced, and rooted in both evidence and ethics, Lion’s Heart Wellness is here for you.

We serve clients with:

• Long COVID

• Fibromyalgia

• POTS & Ehlers-Danlos

• Chronic fatigue / ME/CFS

• Endometriosis and PCOS

• MCAS

• Autoimmune conditions

• Chronic pain

• Medically complex or mysterious symptoms

...and those who are just tired of being sold false hope.

Book a Free Consultation

Let’s see if we’re a good fit. You can schedule a free 15-minute consultation to learn more about how we can support you on your healing journey. Whether you're looking for acupuncture, hypnotherapy, or just someone who won’t gaslight you, I’m here.

Schedule Your Time Now