Massage & Acupuncture
Touching hands aren’t like pharmaceuticals or scalpels. They are flashlights in a darkened room.
The medicine they administer is self-awareness.”
from Job’s Body by Dean Juhan
Smiling Dog is proud to offer acupuncture and massage therapy from highly-trained and experienced professionals with appointment booking available at your fingertips. Our treatment room has a nestled, cozy feeling inside, yet it’s conveniently located in downtown San Luis Obispo with easy access to parking. You can relax before or after your appointment at our lovely courtyard cafe. Both massage and acupuncture are effective ways help heal the body, release pain, tension and holding patterns that limit mobility and happiness in day to day life. Click here to proceed to our online scheduler and book an appointment now, or read on about our programs.
About Our Massage Therapy Program
Like yoga, quality therapeutic massage is preventative medicine, a practice that renews tissues and helps to restore our body/mind complex to balance and is truly nurturing. Our family of massage therapists are sure to meet your needs and provide the experience you’re looking for. Anahata has over 1000 hours of training in the healing arts and a soothing, eclectic style. Possessing an intuitive touch and 10 years of practical experience, Anahata is able to call upon a number of healing modalities. (including, Swedish, Deep Tissue, Reiki) uniquely tailoring each session for maximum restorative benefit. Sidney brings over 5 years of experience offering massage in the Santa Cruz area. Jenna is a skilled Massage Practitioner with a strong foundation in Swedish Massage. She studied at San Luis Obispo’s California Holistic Institute of Therapeutic Massage and is certified by the California Massage Therapy Council. Motivated by her compassionate nature, Jenna’s intuitive technique and caring touch makes for a calming, healing experience. Read more about our instructors in our online schedule. We are proud to use the highest quality, hand-blended massage oils from Diamond Way Ayurveda, selected on the basis of your skin type.
Click here to use our online scheduler and book an appointment . Important Note: Please call the studio at 805-546-9100 for same day appointments!
Massage Pricing
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Swedish Deep Tissue (60 Minutes) | $65 |
| Swedish Deep Tissue (90 Minutes) | $90 |
| Prenatal Massage (75 Minutes) | $85 |
| Reflexology (60 Minutes) | $55 |
| Hot Stone (90 Minutes) | $110 |
About Our Acupuncture Program
Pain-free living is possible. Acupuncture is an ancient method of healing used by the Chinese for thousands of years. It involves balancing the body’s energy (qi) flow by stimulating channels (meridians) affecting the various organs of the body. It is often used for chronic pain and fatigue, but can also be used for almost any physical or emotional problem as an adjunct to traditional medical treatment.
Our acupuncturist Dr. Steve Pittelli is a board certified psychiatrist by trade and works at the California Men’s Colony prison in that respect. Through his practice of yoga he developed an interest in the concepts of prana and qi, and the potential benefits that alternative health modalities can provide. This eventually peaked his interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine, culminating in a specialized course in acupuncture for physicians. He plans to practice acupuncture with an open heart, in a collaborative manner with clients and hopes that it will expand the horizons of both, while providing the client with a lasting benefit to his or her health and well-being.
The two types of sessions offered are initial intake and ongoing treatment. The initial intake involves completing a brief questionnaire, clinical exam and a computer diagnostic assessment of the health and balance of your qi and meridian system. Treatment begins with an auricular treatment using electric stimulation, followed by needle body acupuncture, addressing specific complaints and overall meridian rebalancing and qi restoration. Traditional Chinese herbal remedies will also be recommended. Ongoing treatment sessions include discussion of the treatment to date, with an assessment of your progress, including a follow-up computer diagnostic assessment of your qi and meridian system each session along with continued auricular and/or body acupuncture treatments.
In the spirit of offering affordable methods of self-care, our acupuncture sessions are priced at just $44 for the initial visit and $35 per visit after that.
Click here to book your acupuncture appointment online now.
Important Note: Please call the studio at 805-546-9100 for same-day appointments!