Acupuncture & Integrative Wellness
by Kristen 'tank' Conner – CMT, MSOM, LAc

405 Kains Avenue, Suite 204, Albany CA 94706
Near El Cerrito Plaza BART, AC Transit bus lines 71, 72, 72M & 72R, and the Ohlone Bikeway

Monday - Friday appointment start times: 9 am - 6 pm
To book an appointment, email or call 510-558-8062.

Discounted Initial Visit $65
Return Visit $80
4-Session Package $288

Accepting cash, check, and Visa/MC/Amex/Discover
As of October 1, 2012, I am referring all massage-only clients to my husband, Taylor Shogren.

If pain, stress, or other health problems are interfering with your ability to sleep, perform work or leisure activities, or enjoy life to its fullest, I can help. Working together, we will explore your concerns and develop a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs to achieve optimal results.
 

What Sets You Apart As A Practitioner?

Like many practitioners, I can effectively relieve pain and other symptoms. The big difference is that I don't stop there. By careful observation, listening, and palpation, I can often determine what underlying behaviors may be causing the problem and make simple, practical recommendations to help prevent it from reoccurring, making a lasting difference in your ability to get and stay well.
 

What Is the Difference Between What You Offer and What I Can Get With Community Acupuncture?

Community-style acupuncture has become very popular locally and can be used to treat certain types of conditions successfully. It is, however, limited by what areas of the body can be accessed and what types of therapies can be administered, and it is therefore incomplete as a treatment for many conditions. By coming in for private sessions, you are assured the kind of individual, unhurried, confidential and complete attention that ensures your ability to make progress as rapidly as possible. You simply will not find the level of careful questioning, listening, and observation in a community clinic that I offer in my practice; a volume-driven model does not allow time for it. Additionally, unlike in many busy community clinic settings shared by multiple practitioners, you can be assured that I personally account for ALL used sharps to reduce your risk of sitting or stepping on a dirty needle.
 

What Are Your Specialties?

I am a general practitioner, meaning that you can bring me any type of problem you are having and I will either treat you or refer you to other practitioners as appropriate. However, I do have special interests in treating patients with acute and chronic pain, neuropathies, poor digestion and elimination, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and menstrual and pre-menstrual conditions. My favorite patients are those willing to take on active roles in their own healing process as it makes the experience that much more effective and enjoyable.
 

Education:	Master of Science, Oriental Medicine, AIMC, Berkeley CA (2009) Massage Therapist & Health Educator, National Holistic Institute, Emeryville CA (2004) Bachelor of Science, Plant Biology, University of California, Davis (1998)
Certifications:	Licensed Acupuncturist, California Acupuncture Board (Since 2010) Certified Massage Therapist, California Massage Therapy Council (Since 2010) National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (Since 2005)
Professional Organizations:	California State Oriental Medical Association (Since 2010) American Massage Therapy Association (2004-2013)
Recommendations:	See what people are saying about my massage and acupuncture.

		About Me I have an intimate relationship with injury and chronic pain due to a genetic condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Hypermobility Type. I came to my studies in massage and acupuncture because Western Medicine's offerings of NSAIDs, narcotics, and cortisone injections frequently caused more problems for me than they resolved. I have a professional background in bookkeeping and administration, and artistic interests in lost wax casting and clay. Most of my free time is spent cooking and gardening in what has become our small urban farm, as well as listening to music, NPR and KQED, and enjoying the company of my husband and our cats. I am an ardent animal rights and welfare supporter, and I am active in local efforts to humanely reduce cat overpopulation via TNR (trap, spay/neuter, and return) with organizations such as Fix Our Ferals. I am also an advocate and activist on behalf of cats in Contra Costa County's animal shelters. Photo: First sculpture (wax), The Crucible, Berkeley, 2001

Why Don't You Offer Night and Weekend Appointments?

In keeping with Traditional Chinese Medicine principles, I do not offer night and weekend appointments unless a critical care situation arises; it is just as important for me to have rest and leisure time as it is for my patients! When considering this, my weekday hours already run pretty late as a 6:00 PM appointment may not see me leaving the office until 8:00 PM.

Website design by me — because I'm a DIY kind of gal.