Living Tree Acupuncture
Root Deeply, Grow Strong.

Acupuncture & Massage Therapy
by Kristen 'tank' Conner – CMT, MSOM, LAc

405 Kains Avenue, Suite 204, Albany CA 94706
Near EC Plaza BART, bus lines & the Ohlone Greenway.

M/Tu/W/Th appt. times: 9 am - 6 pm
Friday appt. times: 3 pm - 6 pm
Weekend appointments available for critical care
Email or call 510-558-8062 to book

Acupuncture: Sliding scale, $65-100/session
Massage: $75 / 60m ; $90 / 75m ; $110 / 90m
Accepting cash, check, and Visa/MC/AE/Discover

Start Feeling Better NOW.

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 recommendations to help prevent it from reoccurring. These can include things like regular stretching, strengthening, making small, practical shifts in diet and lifestyle, and incorporating behavioral changes that are often as simple as using better ergonomics, sleeping on a more appropriate pillow, or wearing better shoes. These simple things — things that most practitioners either do not recognize or do not take the time to uncover — can make a huge and lasting difference in your ability to get and stay well. While not all problems can be resolved so easily, it is my experience that most have simple solutions if we are willing to actively look for and incorporate them.
 

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, PTSD, and menstrual and pre-menstrual conditions. I also have a particular interest in working with vegetarian and vegan patients, as well as those with known or suspected food sensitivities, to achieve optimum nutritional health within their dietary boundaries. Since I started out as a massage therapist in 2004, my work has drawn a disproportionately large number of musicians, and I have enjoyed working with them to reduce pain and reach new heights in their performance. 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.
 

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 often incomplete as a therapy for many conditions. By coming in for private sessions, you are assured the kind of individual, unhurried, unrestricted attention that ensures your ability to make progress as rapidly as possible.
 

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 (Since 2004)
 
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 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 release) with organizations such as Fix Our Ferals.

I am a queer–, trans–, poly– and kink-friendly practitioner.

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 regular night and weekend appointments; 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.

What Constitutes Critical Care?

Acute pain that significantly interferes with your ability to perform basic tasks, early-stage cold or flu, recent physical or emotional trauma, prolonged but non-life-threatening bleeding, and risk of miscarriage are examples of critical conditions.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening medical or psychiatric emergency, call 911!

What Is A Sliding Scale?

Sliding scale refers to paying whatever you feel you can afford within the specified range.

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