Immune Enhancement Project

This is an amazing place to treat the arthritic pain I have been having lately. Anti-​inflammation pills, stretching and massages don’t work. I decided to try acupuncture on Thursdays and was amazed on how my pain has virtually disappeared. Thank you Debbie and Tina, I truly believe getting poked by these thin needles is better than getting poked with a long needle and excruciating painful cortisone shot. I’m sold. I know that I can go in there and get treatment for free, but I give what I can because I truly appreciate the service they give at IEP. Kudos to Kai as well He is very helpful and friendly.
Tito

Holistic medicine at it’s best! Sliding scale fee, this non profit delivers quality care to the community that rivals any for profit I know. Amazing staff, led by Debi, the Queen Bee of Acupuncture treatments!

Awesome place for acupuncture treatment! Can’t remember the name of the lady but I felt fantastic afterward. Definitely recommend giving this place a try especially if it’s your first time.

This is an amazing organization. I go regularly for acupuncture and massage treatments. I have to say that I always walk away feeling incredibly grateful to receive such high quality acupuncture and massage at an affordable price. A good acupuncturist is hard to find and one that is highly skilled and affordable is even harder. They can also prescribe chinese herbs that can be purchased at the clinic, once again very affordable. One thing I also appreciate about their method of care is that you have private one-​on-​one treatments, unlike many acupuncture clinics in the city which make all their patients share one big room. I personally feel the communal type of treatment is no where near as effective as one-​on-​one care.
If you want high quality individualized care, a good selection of acupuncturists and massage therapists, this is your go to clinic.

I’ve been receiving fabulous healing treatments of all modalities at IEP since 1995. It was where I first experienced the wonders of Reiki, and participate in the Reiki clinic that rents IEP one or two Tuesdays each month.
The acupuncturists on staff right now — Debbie, Vadan, Patrick — have all treated me recently with much-​needed session, some with e-​stim, for an episode of Bell’s palsy I“m dealing with for three weeks now. Many thanks to them for speedier restoration of my paralyzed nerves and facial muscles on the right side.
They have a drop-​in clinic on Thursdays starting at 1 pm, pay what you can, and I try to take advantage of the services.
Just walking into the IEP space is calming, welcoming and nurturing from all the years of healing care administered to so many good people.

IEP is a great acupuncture and massage clinic. I’ve been visiting IEP for over five years; once in a while I have to wait an extra 15 min for my appointment, but that’s ok, because everyone at IEP has a heart of gold, from the volunteers to the practitioners to the Executive Director, Shane Convery. If you are in pain, whatever kind of pain, this is the place to get help. They also help with addiction (great if your trying to quit smoking or any other addictive behavior). They are always very gentle and treat you first as a human being before seeing you as a «patient.» IEP is one of the best eastern health clinics in San Francisco (it’s great because it’s centrally located, and easy to get to by taking Muni #22 or the J (Muni) Bus. I highly encourage anyone considering an alternative to western medicine to give acupuncture and massage at IEP a try! I promise you you won’t regret it! You may, however, discover pain relief without taking 10 or more painkilling medications, giving your kidney’s a break and a chance to do what their supposed to do, eliminate toxins from your blood. That right there is a great way to get you on your way to better health and less health issues. If your there on Thursday late afternoons, say Hello to Ronney! That’s me! I love IEP so much I volunteer AT IEP once or twice a week!

They aren’t very receptive at returning your call. However, once your in their «system» its alright. Getting into their «system» takes a lot of work, you have to call and recall, to me it isn’t worth it, despite being only 2 blocks from my house. There is too much work on my end trying to be a «client.»
Hope the IEP is reading this, you guys need to do better in your customer service— Being a not for profit organization, I am a little shocked that your customer service skills isn’t focused more—

I was recommended this place by a massage therapist who also works here. I trudged down from the bart, a really long walk om monday for their community clinic only to be told that they decided to not hold the community clinic. There had been no notice on their website and they do not always answer the phone. I had arranged my day (wasted it) so I could attend the clinic. I was so overwhelmed that I just left. I had no words to express myself.

I started going for acupuncture for allergy relief a few years ago. Now, I no longer take daily allergy drugs or allergy shots.
IEP also has helped me overcome repetitive strain injury, back pain, and to get over cold and flu. Plus, after a treatment I just feel great.
Every acupuncturist I’ve worked with is very attentive, listens to my needs, and is friendly

I’ve been going to IEP off and on for many years for massage. Luckily, my insurance covers massage therapy, so I love that they take insurance (so that I don’t have to hassle around with getting reimbursed). The desk staff is super nice and while each massage therapist is different, I’ve always had a good experience (though, to be fair, I’m not that picky as I just go for relaxation, not miracle-​working). It’s not a fancy spa experience, but the facilities are clean, comfortable, and relaxing.

I love IEP. I have been going here on and off for years. I can’t even remember who recommended IEP to me, but I am grateful to whoever did. I have received acupuncture and massage here and every time it has helped me get better. Damien is the best massage therapist I have ever had hands down. He is Gold Jerry, Gold! In addition, IEP members do outreach work in the community :) Wonderful people work here. Highly recommend to anyone seeking treatment.

IEP rocks.
Debi rocks.
What are you waiting for?
I was introduced to acupuncture through one of IEP’s free ear acupuncture clinics. After about a year of weekly (sometimes biweekly) ear acupuncture and herbs, I noticed my immune system was definitely stronger. I used to get every cold that came through town, and they would drag on for weeks. Now I get sick much less, and when I do the herbs help clear it up asap.
Meanwhile, the treatments were also helping reduce my stress and balance my mood and energy. Eventually, Debi began to do deeper, more profound treatments with me. Did you know acupuncture can help resolve childhood trauma? Neither did I. I learned that it can help change deeply held patterns and contribute to my personal growth. It’s been a great support to the hypnotherapy and energy work I was getting at the time.
In the last year or so we’ve been working on seemingly minor things that most people (and doctors) would overlook that actually contribute to long term health. If unchecked, the effects from these minor things add up over the years into health problems down the line. I feel so empowered to be laying the groundwork for healthy aging later in life.
I’m a holistic practitioner myself, have experienced the work of some half a dozen acupuncturists, and constantly recommend Debi’s work to my friends and clients. Debi’s style is deft, laser focused, highly intuitive, very caring yet no-​nonsense. She will tell it exactly like it is. She always inspires me to take better care of myself. And her emphasis is on comfortable acupuncture; she doesn’t think it has to hurt to be effective. Her specialties include digestion, emotional balance, and spiritual issues. She’s also a skilled herbalist.
IEP is a comfortable place with an important history in our community. The folks there have always been friendly to me, they show a lot of well known local artist Richard Bolingbroke’s work on the walls, and they have some very affordable drop-​in clinics.
You don’t have to keep putting up with stuff that bothers you, or settle for just not feeling bad. Life should feel good, really good. Life always feels better to me when I’m getting regular acupuncture. Here’s to your health and well being.

I have been to IEP 4 times now, 3 times for acupuncture and once for a cranial sacral massage. I love the place. The guys who work there are friendly and professional and the acupuncturists are among the best I’ve ever visited. I really like Michael — he talks to you about his diagnosis and explains what he is doing. As a patient, I feel very empowered knowing why he is putting needles in specific points. He is very attentive and caring. I’ve been to several acupuncture clinics in the city over the years, but IEP is by far my favorite.

Update
IEP, keep up the great work! My energy levels have improved dramatically and progress has been noted by my medical doctors. I feel great again.

I would give this place 5 stars if that was the correct phone # to call AND/​OR someone picked up the phone here. Is there another # guys?
Thanks!

I was officially diagnosed with endometriosis in 2002, after years of suffering (since my childhood), and no GYNs taking me seriously. My experience of endometriosis at that time was very painful and chronic. For example, I could not sit much without being in utter pain. Eventually it became unbearable and I landed in the emergency room several times. I finally got «lucky» when the ER doc insisted on doing a pelvic exam. He thought I had endometrial cancer, but it turned out to be endometriosis. It wasn’t until I finally discovered IEP that I began experiencing some relief with Debbi Shargel, now the Exec. Director and practitioner. By that point I had been told to have a historectomy, had a useless laparoscopic surgery, multiple painful and disturbing hormonal treatments. Once under the care of IEP, I was accepted in their low-​income program, and religiously went 2x a week, for several months, until I was much improved. I remember my first time there: the pain actually went away for a brief while, it was amazing!
I then moved out of state, really missing my acupuncture treatments :-) and the reassurance I felt of having «mother’s arms» awaiting when I needed it.
Fortunately I have moved back and recently began treatments again.
Everyone there is so kind, gracious and generous, as well as talented!
My hope is that IEP receives the support they need through these challenging economic times.
Thank you IEP and supporters!

Right across the street from my apartment, so I thought I would check them out… a few months later, I am hooked. I went to them initally for relaxing massages, and now I am a regular client of nishanga, who is amazing. She’s very knowledgable and has a fantastic bedside manner. Her acupuncture is even more relaxing than a massage. what a fantastic neighborhood resource.

In 2006, I went in to receive my first acupuncture treatments from one of the practitioners (Moira I think her name was) — and not only did she help to relieve my symptoms, she transformed my relationship with needles and converted me to an acupuncture advocate. I was pleased by my whole experience and have since recommended IEP as a wonderful community resource.
So I was additionally disappointed with my last experience at IEP. On Feb 6, 2009 I went in for a cranio sacral session with Simone. I was 8 months pregnant at the time and had told this to the receptionist when making the appointment. When I arrived, Simone was unprepared that I was pregnant and once in the room, told me that cranio can not be done on pregnant women. I told her when I had made the appointment I had told the receptionist and her response was «Oh they don’t know what we can and can’t do.» She spent the next 10 minutes getting all kinds of pillows and assuring me that she had taken several pre-​natal massage trainings. She spoke for most of the session, which turned out to be some sort of side-​lying acupressure massage. She ended and when I looked at the clock it had only been 35 minutes since she started. When I left to pay, the young man at the counter was distant and barely looked at me as he charged my credit card. I left feeling as though the $ 75 I had just paid was a total waste.
I realize IEP does not specialize in pregnancy massage, I can appreciate that. I have however gotten enough bodywork to know good work from poor work and this session with Simone was poor. I have since learned that cranio sacral work is actually recommended during pregnancy and can be done side-​lying or in a incline lying position.
I agree with what someone said in an earlier review — I would rather pay a bit more for a much better experience.

IEP does so much for our community outside of their office –often for free. I have been to so many different Western and Eastern practitioners for many years now, due to some chronic ailments that I have to deal with. I do NOT recommend health practitioners lightly! .That said, IEP is one of the greatest places for healing that I know of. They are more concerned with helping people than they are with making a buck. Help first. Money second.
The people who work there are kind to each other and of course, the patrons. It is places like IEP that give me faith in the people of our community again. …Wonderful place!

IEP is a great and, perhaps, overlooked resource in the Castro. I’ve had good results working with acupuncturist Nishanga Bliss. She really takes the time to listen and probe to get at underlying emotional and physical issues that will inform your treatment. Treatment often includes herbs that you take between acupuncture visits.
I’ve also received deep tissue massage from Randy — who really rocks. He is one of the most knowledgeable and skilled massage therapists I know.
I ding them one star for physical space (commented on in other reviews here) and the occasional office confusion over appointments, insurance co-​pays, etc.
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Update ¹¹⁄₀₉: In the interest of full disclosure, I now work as a massage therapist at IEP.