Acupuncture in Santa Cruz, CA

Solis care hero

Doctors Uzes and Emmert opened Solis Santa Cruz in 2011, with a vision of creating a dynamic, professional clinic, that could serve to bridge the gap between the multitude of healing modalities.  We love collaborating with a diversity of practitioners, such as physical therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, osteopathic physicians and MDs. 

We have, over the last 11 years, established Solis as a trusted resource for improving the health of members in our community.   We have a dream team of acupuncturists, each of whom has been in practice over ten years.  We are passionate practitioners and academics who are committed to helping our patients get results. 

Top 3 Reasons to Work for Us

  • 1

    Solis is built on a foundation of professional and personal support.

    Shoulder the burden of running a business so that our medical professionals can focus on what they do best.  We have cleaning, reception, and insurance billing staff to manage your practice so you can focus your energies on your diagnosis and treatment.  

  • 2

    Acupuncturists provide an essential medical service and should be paid accordingly.

    Solis proudly offers competitive salaries and commissions to all Bay Area team members. Unlike many other offices, we compensate acupuncturists hourly – regardless of the number of patients treated.  We also provide a comprehensive benefit package for our full time employees, including paid vacation, sick leave, medical and dental insurance coverage, and retirement options. 

  • 3

    Our original founders are acupuncturists themselves.

    The Solis practice isn’t run by a team of business minds with no experience, but rather by medical professionals who truly understand the industry. We know exactly what it takes to provide safe, high-quality patient care and staff support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Acupuncture is a method of healing that utilizes sterile, stainless steel, disposable needles to treat various disharmonies.  The main objectives of an acupuncture treatment are to:

  • Reduce pain and inflammation, release contracted muscle tissue, increase micro-circulation, support stem cell proliferation, affect neurotransmitter activity, and promote healing to damaged tissues.
  • Alleviate symptoms such as nausea, anxiety, or dizziness.
  • Strengthen the body’s immune system.
  • Balance the integral functions of the internal organs, making for a unified, integrated, healthy person.  

The World Health Organization recognizes that acupuncture can be used to effectively treat over 200 common clinical disorders, including- sports injury, chronic pain, arthritis, stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, indigestion, acid reflux, IBS, common cold cough, and flu, PMS, irregular or painful menstruation, menopause, sexual dysfunction, UTI, asthma, allergies, migraines, hypertension, hormonal imbalances, addiction, and post-traumatic stress.

Electro-acupuncture has become increasingly popular over the last 20 years. Although the effects of acupuncture are still not fully understood, research has made some significant headway. Research has shown a strong correlation between electro-acupuncture and anti-inflammatory effects, the increase of blood and lymphatic flow, and analgesic effects through the release of opioid endorphins and serotonin. It is suggested that electro-acupuncture may also be linked to the up-regulation of cell metabolism and tissue repair and facilitate neuro-muscular stimulation and re-education.

Dry Needling is a specific needling technique that is based on neuroanatomy and myofascial trigger point therapy that is used with thin filiform needles without the injection of a solution. Myofascial pain is often associated with trigger points that may present with a painful and fibrotic tight muscle band. In response to needling this trigger point, the patient may experience referred pain and/or a twitch response. There is strong scientific evidence of the effectiveness of using trigger point needling techniques to treat musculoskeletal pain and neuromuscular dysfunction.

When you have a treatment, your practitioner will spend some time doing an evaluation- either a musculoskeletal evaluation or a tongue and pulse evaluation.  They may then do some manual therapies such as cupping or gua sha. Then, you will relax on a treatment table, while the needles are inserted.  Once the needles are in, you will simply take a 30-minute rest.  Your visit to the acupuncturist should be an enjoyable experience, with noticeable benefits as a result.

What People Are Saying About Us

Danielle Uzes helped me with my pre-patellar bursitis. The orthopedic said it would take 4 to 6 months for the swelling to go down. After only 2 weeks, twice a week, and some very powerful herbs, that Danielle prescribed for me, my swelling went down, at least 90%!!! And not only that, Danielle discovered ankle issues as well! ( which made sense!) Very professional and caring and I always feel comfortable! Plus, they accept my insurance and make it very easy! Office staff is very friendly- overall, very good experience!

AB, Santa Cruz

I have been in chronic pain for years, 4 Back surgeries, 2 knee replacement, Rheumatoid Arthritis, nerve pain the list goes on. So many times friends have suggested Acupuncture as a therapy for my pain. I'm finally glad I listened to them and that I found Jessica at Solis. Jessica is very knowledgeable, she explains everything she is doing and she puts me at ease during my treatments. I'm a huge fan of cupping, it has made a big difference in my back spasms. If your looking for a noninvasive way to deal with pain, check out Solis....you will not regret it!

DH, Santa Cruz

Lishanna has really supported my healing process. Just a few months ago I could hardly stand or walk I was in so much pain. Working with Lishanna has helped me get out of pain and for Thanksgiving this year I decided to try and walk from the beach, down to the water and dip my feet in the ocean again. It had been over 3 years and really a decade since I was able to walk freely on the beach or support myself walking in the waves unaided.
It felt like a miracle. I walked down to the water, walked in the water and was able to walk the beach for 20 minutes and walk back over the sand to my car without any pain. Nor was I in any pain the next day. No swelling, just feet and ankles that worked painlessly. I feel renewed. I will be forever grateful to Lishanna for her confidence in my ability to heal my feet and ankles. I now have the confidence that comes with standing on my own 2 feet, moving forward in life more embodied and painfree.

I recommend her and the folks at her office whole heartedly.

TR, Santa Cruz