About

Kara Katko holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English & American Literature from UC Santa Cruz and a Masters degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (MTCM) from Five Branches Institute in Santa Cruz, CA.  She is licensed to practice acupuncture and herbal medicine by the California Acupuncture Board and the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

She has been studying and practicing the application of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory since 1993.  A California native, she completed her Certified Massage Practitioner training at Twin Lakes College in Santa Cruz, CA specializing in Shiatsu massage.  Living in Taiwan for nearly three years, she continued her study of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture at Tzu Chi medical school in Hualien City.  Upon returning to the States, she began working towards her MTCM degree, a four year medical program integrating studies in both classical TCM practices and Western diagnostics.

Kara specializes in women's health with particular emphasis on hormone imbalances, stress & anxiety and digestive complaints.  She has a special interest in endocrine imbalances, especially those related to female infertility, adrenal, thyroid and blood sugar issues.  Her treatments focus on personalized care through the use of acupuncture, dietary modifications, herbs and whole food nutrition.  Lab tests are employed as well to ensure detailed accuracy in tailoring protocols to best serve each patient individually.

In order to provide the best possible care for her patients, Kara stays current with new advancements in Functional Endocrinology and the application of TCM principles and treatments for gynecological and infertility issues by continuing education with specialists in those fields.

Kara brings to her practice warmth and compassion for her patients, a commitment to spending the quality time necessary to best assist them with their health challenges and a firm belief in the human body to mend itself when given the necessary support.

Kara is a member of the American Pregnancy Association and the American Acupuncture Council.

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Due to an ice skating accident, I experienced a pretty bad concussion.  Although the initial pain, nausea and dizziness improved in about a week, I developed fairly severe positional vertigo that persisted for months.  I visited several specialists (ENT, neurology) at Stanford Hospital, but none of the treatments helped.  Every time I would lie down or turn my body in bed, the world would spin.  It was scary and very uncomfortable.  And it was definitely affecting my every day life and activities. Now, after about 5 weeks of acupuncture and herbal therapy with Kara, my vertigo is basically gone.  I hardly ever get dizzy and only experience mild, brief vertigo when my head is tilted very far backward (such as a back-bend in yoga class).   I can go to exercise class, play rough & tumble with my young kids, and generally do anything I want without any dizziness or problems. As a great "side effect," a large and unsightly ganglion cyst on my wrist has shrunk to less than half it's original size.  Kara says that's due to the improved circulation and digestion from the treatments.  I'm thrilled at the improvement since I had been informed by a hand specialist that I would need to have surgery to remove it -- and now it's going away steadily and comfortably.  And Kara's acupuncture treatments are phenomenally relaxing and have definitely helped me handle my stress.  I feel like my whole body and psyche are getting "tuned up"!

Caroline K, Portola Valley

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I  highly recommend Kara Katko. She has proven to be a very ethical, talented and dedicated practitioner. I have been her patient for four years. Along with being a brilliant acupuncturist, Kara has extensive knowledge about herbs and supplements.  Kara has treated me for anxiety and depression. I used to take medication that made me feel artificially happy and disconnected from myself. I am now taking herbs and vitamins and no medication and I feel and look much better. I am 60 years old and I am now able to ride my bike 5 miles every other day and a bonus has been that I lost 45 pounds. Most importantly, I now have the energy to work and also to enjoy my husband and 17 year old son.  I am very grateful for Kara's help and I feel that she has been largely responsible for my improved mental and physical health.

JA, Santa Cruz

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I first stumbled upon Kara Katko's information while doing a search for an acupuncturist in my area that had experience with treating women who were faced with infertility and related problems. Having been diagnosed with endometriosis some years before, I had already tried various medical treatments ranging from medication to surgery with little effect. Knowing that acupuncture could help with pain relief from the endometriosis I hoped it could also aid with the infertility I was experiencing. I had tried acupuncture before, but was not comfortable with the person recommended. At the time I first made an appointment with Kara, I had no idea how lucky I was to have "stumbled" upon her information. At my first appointment I was instantly at ease with Kara's calm, open, friendly (yet professional)approach. She asked important, relevant questions that the previous acupuncturist did not. She was sympathetic, understanding, supportive and very informative. While Kara treated me I experienced a significant decrease in pain associated with my endometriosis, learned valuable information about endometriosis, infertility, and my overall wellness. My husband and I also experienced a miracle of sorts that I attribute much of to Kara's treatment- we became pregnant after many years of trying! I would highly recommend Kara (and often do) to anyone who is interested in acupuncture and/or alternative medicine.

K. Karpel, San Jose, CA

Kara was highly recommended by my sister who had been seeing her for a while.  I was tired, moody, irritable and I was having digestive problems. Kara recommended a few tests, the results of which allowed her to select exactly which supplements to recommend.  I also started taking probiotics and other ‘preventive-measure’ supplements.  I now have energy, I am more relaxed and I haven’t missed a day of work or fun by not feeling well.  I feel balanced and I am confident that my body is getting everything it needs to age gracefully.  Kara is a miracle worker!

Marion R (49 and feeling fabulous!), Diablo, CA

 
621 E Campbell Ave Ste 16A
Campbell, CA 95008

408.702.8872

karalac@gmail.com

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