Michelle Graves, MS, L.Ac, FABORM

I have been seeing Michelle now for at least five years and cannot say enough great things about what she has done for me and who she is as a person. I have struggled with a few different illnesses and issues, and she has always been there for me. I consider my time getting acupuncture from Michelle to be the most relaxing 30 minutes of my week. I’ve also tried cupping with her and some herbal medicine and have found her to be an expert at any of these treatments. Michelle is really just one of my favorite people.

I have been seeing Michelle on-​and-​off for more than ten years now. She has been one of the most beneficial health practioners I have been seen by, including MD’s. An appointment with Michelle can help with so many medical and mental issues. I always feel better when I am walking out of her office than I did coming in.
Michelle was trained in both eastern an western medicine as an L. Ac and an RN, so she is able to understand, and clearly explain the answers to all of my questions.

I’ve been writing this review in my head for so long, but I need to finally share how amazing Michelle is.
Time and again, I heard about Michelle from GGMG (local mothers’ group). People said she was an absolute magician for everything from chronic pain to insomnia to fertility issues.
I’ve had chronic back pain for well over a decade and have tried lots of things. Surgery wouldn’t fix the disk issues I’ve got, but acupuncture with Michelle has made a huge and measurable change for me. The pain I have is markedly decreased already and has become more of a petty annoyance rather than an overarching theme in my day.
Michelle is generous and kind, a great listener, so intuitive, and just an incredible practitioner of Eastern medicine. She looks you straight in the eye and really hears you.
She does cupping as well as needles to strengthen my back and never makes me feel rushed in the slightest. I always leave feeling uplifted and buoyed by my sessions with her. Michelle is the kind of person you wish you could be friends with outside of her office – genuine, warm, and interested in and protective of other people.
Michelle even accepts insurance and submits claims to your insurer. That is virtually unheard of in the field of acupuncture (from what I understand) and so impressive.
I’m so grateful to have found Michelle and her magical healing powers!

I come from a family of Doctors. My dad is a doctor. His brothers are doctors. My grandfather was a doctor. His father was a doctor. His fathers father was a doctor. My mother was a nurse. Her sister is a nurse. My mothers father was a doctor. My little brother is in medical school to become a doctor. The list continues on… they are all inspiring and passionate about helping others through Western Medicine.
I grew up a Kaiser kid (thank you dad!) and was lucky to have good health. Regular check-​ins, shots, and appointments, I feel blessed to have had the resources to be and stay healthy. After moving to San Francisco, I was the age where I was no longer under my parents benefits and to pay for my own healthcare (tear). With so many health options I began to explore the Eastern side of things. Chinese medicine, acupuncture needles, and strange-​smelling herbs are completely unlike the medicine that I grew up experiencing. But I was curious to try it and see for myself if it really did live up to it’s reputation as being «life changing».
I started acupuncture treatments hoping for help with hormone balance, a nagging yoga hamstring injury, relaxation, and general wellbeing. Through the process I developed an incredibly beneficial and nurturing relationship with my acupuncturist, Michelle Graves. She always has my best interest at heart when treating me and over the course of our work together, she’s provided me various resources and made recommendations for teas, books, supplements, and a myriad of natural health related products, some of which I’ve adopted into my daily routine. I have found acupuncture to offer a more holistic and preventative perspective to health care. It’s medicine and lifestyle treatment that really does have powerful, potent results.
Michelle has been able to powerfully help me with almost any ache, pain, or problem. Its true: Acupuncture can relieve pain conditions, headaches, digestive issues, fertility problems, insomnia, and more. More acute conditions (like a pulled muscle) might only need a few treatments, but more serious conditions might require one — two treatments a week for several months, plus maintenance treatments. Because acupuncture is natural medicine, it takes longer. If you can couple your acupuncture treatments with an effective herbal formula or supplement regimen, it will be much faster. For example, I got great relief from my overstretched yoga hamstring injury from bi-​weekly treatments over 6 months that targeted ligament healing.
I went through several acupuncturists before finding my perfect fit with Michelle. Her downtown location is easy to get to (right off the 1 California bus line — WOO!) and her online scheduling makes booking simple and fast. Her treatment rooms are soothing and warm, it makes receiving acupuncture feel like a mini-​vacation. You didnt know going to the doctor could feel so good did you? Yea me neither! Ive found healing and powerful health change through working with Michelle. She has a real gift and has been a huge blessing in my life. Im SO grateful for her and am a patient for life now :)
Now that I know more about Chinese medicine and have seen it successfully work with me and my friends, I’m a huge fan. It’s a gentle, holistic, and effective approach to healthcare. And that’s not saying there’s something wrong with Western medicine — I think the best healthcare includes BOTH holistic and Western treatments. Theres a time and a place for everything, and Id like to continue to work with both my doctor and Michelle my acupuncturist in living a healthy, happy life.

As a full time working mother — I have no time for myself except for my time with Michelle. It’s soo worth it! My tendonitis has gotten better, my stress has gone down, and I get to relax for an hour! The cherry on top is that Michelle has a super personality and I enjoy catching up with her every time I visit. Michelle has made me a total believer in acupuncture!

One word to describe Michelle: AMAZING. =)

I had serious neck pain from whiplash sustained during a horseback riding accident, and after many months of the pain (and limited range of neck motion) persisting and really messing with my quality of life, I decided to try acupuncture as a «can’t hurt» option, since my insurance covered it. After one treatment with Michelle, literally on my walk back to the office from the appointment, I noticed a skywriter and without thinking I looked up – almost without pain!!! I could tilt my head up for the first time since the injury many months earlier. I am a born skeptic, so I was incredulous at the results. I continued treatment with continued improvement after every session, until I was pain free. She is a gifted practitioner, and also a really cool person. We in San Francisco are lucky to have her.

Michelle is a consummate professional. I’ve been to a few acupuncturists before her, but never have I met someone so passionate about their craft. She’s an incredible listener, which has led me to feel better than ever since seeing her. I never feel rushed or blindsided when I’m under her care. She’s attentive and explains her process each step of the way. Do yourself a favor and schedule an appointment with Michelle.

I found my initial consultation with Michelle to be more comprehensive and engaging than any visits with a licensed acupuncturist I’ve had in the past. She has done an excellent job finding the trigger points associated with key muscles and joints, and has increased circulation and flow throughout. The process, treatment and service is top notch!

Michelle truly is a healer. I was in a serious bike accident a few years back and as a result, found myself in constant pain. I’d tried physical therapy. I’d tried chiropractic work. I’d tried massage and while they all helped, the pain persisted. I’d never done acupuncture or cupping before, but a friend recommended it after seeing the depressed state I was in. I literally dreaded getting up every day because I knew I was going to spend the next 12 – 18 hrs thinking about how the pain in my back was never going away.
Enter Michelle. Her calm and welcoming spirit made me feel at ease as soon as we said hello. She explained her philosophy, how acupuncture worked and helped me set up a treatment plan. After just one session, my back felt slightly better for the first time since the accident. So, I continued seeing her and slowly but surely, the pain disappeared. As the months went on, we also added cupping to my sessions (for no extra charge), which I highly recommend. Just be warned, the cup marks stay on your back for a number of days, so don’t go cupping before prom ;)
Anyway, I’m now a little over a year and a half removed from my accident and am proud to say I’m pain free! The only downside is that I no longer get to see Michelle. Seriously, seeing her will be a highlight of your week. So, if you’re considering acupuncture or any of the services she offers, stop looking around. You’ve found your answer and she’s at 30 Hotaling Place.

I have been a patient of Michelle’s for the last two years. She helped me with my fertility struggle, and then during my pregnancy. Not only do I believe her treatments helped my body tremendously, but she was a priceless resource during this time. She often gave me a more thorough reading than my OB in regards to my body as a whole, and was definitely more caring. I had to remind myself numerous times that she is not a therapist because I felt like telling her everything that was going on with me during every visit. She is also part of FABORM which is really important if you are seeking out an acupuncturist to help with fertility. I wish I was not moving so that I could keep seeing her. I am so thankful to have been her patient.

Good service so far. Decide to stop service because I miss 2 appointment because of school and know I’m being. Charge for full service. Great person to bad it feels like her receptionist it looking at it at a 1 time fee visit. So I got charged $ 85 for a miss appointment that in the long run it cost them thousands of dollars.

I love Michelle! My review for her and her practice is many years overdue. She is simply amazing– I agree with all of the other reviewers. She is a warm, compassionate, understanding, authentic, easy-​going and just lovely person. She’s a terrific listener and incredibly talented– I trust her immensely and I just feel relaxed when I see her. It’s true– you always feel better after you’ve spent time with her.
Please read carefully– It’s fantastic that she offers insurance– this is incredibly important to understand– alot of practioners will not go through the trouble to offer this!!!
When you meet with her, you feel her care and attention and there’s a kinship that develops– at least for me. I will always be grateful for her help. She’s a rock star!

Michelle helped me get my body ready (and through) infertility treatments, and now she’ll help me through my pregnancy.
She’s warm, compassionate, thoughtful, and intelligent. I am always happy to see her and feel great when I leave.
She also operates an efficient business. Great online booking system. And Kelli, who manages the accounts, is great.
The only all-​5 Unilocal business I’ve ever seen. And I’m not surprised in the least.

Don’t even bother calling to make an appointment unless you have Anthem blue Cross insurance. Michelle won’t take you as a patient unless you have this insurance. I’ve never been discriminated based on my insurance.
Even when I offered to pay out of pocket at the insurance rate and fill out the paperwork myself, because I know my insurance will cover the service as out-​of-​network, she wouldn’t give me an appointment.
Disappointing and unprofessional!

If talented, smart and kind are on your list of requirements in an acupuncturist, look no further than Michelle.
I had been to acupuncture previously, but only after visiting Michelle did my expectations change. I always leave feeling refreshed and calm. Plus, you can tell that she truly cares about your well-​being and provides informed yet reasonable recommendations.

Just got back from my first acupuncture visit ever. Michelle was amazing, she assessed all my needs and made my visit pleasant and enjoyable. I left feeling extremely relaxed and ready for my next visit in two weeks. They take Blue Shield of California.
The office is in FiDi and is very nice inside. All staff greeted you right away, were helpful and nice. It felt more of a Spa than a Dr. Office.
I would recommend seeing Michelle as a great add on to your overall well-​being and health.
Seriously, so relaxed right now.

Read the reviews.
Enough can not be said about how great Michelle is.
I was lucky enough to get a high coveted back-​to-​back appointment
with Michelle following my initial with Dr.Schick. So, my muscles were
warmed up and the session with Michelle was the icing on the
cake. Such a warm and wonderful care provider. I really believe some
people are chosen to pursue certain paths. Michelle is MADE for acupuncture. She has such a gentle touch and a calming personality.
I was so relaxed and warmed by the heat lamps that I was able to melt away and take a refreshing nap. She also compounded a herbal supplement for a slight digestive issue.
I look forward to more session in the future.. .

I tried an acupuncturist in SF referred by a friend. I decided to give Michelle a shot because she was in-​network and at the chiro office I already went to.
Michelle turned out to be amazing and even better than my friend’s acupuncturist. I don’t know if it’s because she used Japanese needles but it never hurt when she did it. Michelle also has a great bedside manner. I would say I’ve never been disappointed in any of my sessions and my muscle spasms finally calmed down after trying a variety of other stuff.
The only downside is she’s hard to book because she’s so good. But she doesn’t give you any less attention when she is able to see you (unlike my experience the dentist and his Unilocal popularity). I think I’ve been seeing Michelle on and off for 2 – 3 years now.
I think I got lucky that I found Michelle and Laurie in my 2^nd try. And a testament to how good they are is that they see each other for acupuncture.

Honestly, Michelle is one of the best people I have ever met. She deserves 10 stars really. I have been seeing her for about 3 months now and every single time I visit, I am at peace. She is truly a healer, a great listener and very comfortable to be around. I feel comfortable telling her things I probably wouldn’t tell my closest girlfriends — she’s that great.
Sooo, I think the secret’s out about Michelle since she’s one busy lady and with all the great work she’s doing, I wouldn’t doubt it if she became famous one of these days.
If you need help destressing and want balance in your life, get in to see her. Just trust me on this — They don’t call me Elite for nothing!