Ritual Acupuncture Clinic

Dear Ritual Community,

I will keep this brief, but my heart is full as I write this. Our first full year at 1555 Tennessee Street has been a tremendous journey, and we are incredibly grateful to our patients, referring doctors, and supportive partners for standing by us through a challenging year.

Because of the trust you place in our hands, we are humbled to announce that we have been honored by the Times Herald with:

Best Acupuncture Clinic

Best Massage / Stretch Therapist

Best Medical Office

We strive every day to uphold the highest standards in both clinical therapy and patient service. These accolades belong to you just as much as they do to us.

Celebrating Our Team
These honors would not be possible without the tireless dedication of our providers: Dr. Moninder Chana, L.Ac, Novella Leimberg, MS, L.Ac, Umair Malik, DPT, and Benn Samonte, CMTC.

I also want to shine a light on our stellar medical support team: Brenda, Fernanda, John, Jennifer, Paige, and Vincent. Every member of our support staff is a graduate of a local medical assisting school and is currently pursuing higher pursuits. Supporting their growth as the next generation of healthcare leaders is one of our greatest joys.

Help Us Grow
As we look forward to 2026, we want to continue healing as many people in our community as possible. You can help us grow in two simple ways:

Share the Love: Forward this email or our recent Times Herald honor to a friend or family member who needs care.

Visit Us: We are here for you 7 days a week. Whether you need to reset for the new year or continue your wellness journey, we are ready to welcome you.

Happy New Year!

Dr. Joel

www.pageturnpro.com

🧠🎃 Halloween in Miami — but always learning!
One day later and Dr. Joel is in Miami celebrating Halloween the best way possible — refining his skills in the lab through hands-on dissection and case study. 🧬💉
Working alongside incredible colleagues from across the United States and Israel, continuing to ensure optimal results through Switch Neuropuncture — the perfect bridge between modern neuroscience and traditional acupuncture.
Because remember: acupuncture is science. No need to question it. 🔬✨

Honored & Humbled
Dr. Joel with acupuncturists and doctors across the globe brainstorming what makes acupuncture important in Cancer care.

Feeling deeply grateful to attend the Society of Integrative Oncology — a gathering of brilliant minds from leading cancer centers across the U.S., including **Harvard Medical Center**.

It’s inspiring to witness how integrative oncology continues to bridge acupuncture, music therapy, homeopathy, psychopharmacology, and other complementary modalities with cutting-edge cancer care.

These approaches aren’t alternatives to treatment — they’re evidence-based partners that honor the whole person throughout their healing journey.

Humbled beyond words to be part of this evolving dialogue in integrative cancer care. 💫

“🌟 Voted *Best of Solano County & Vallejo* – End 2024 with *self-love* and integrative healing at Ritual Acupuncture! 🌟

As the year winds down, there’s no better time to prioritize YOU. At Ritual Acupuncture, we believe in the power of *integrative medicine*—a holistic approach that combines the wisdom of acupuncture, bodywork, and stretch therapy to promote long-term healing, pain relief, and total body wellness. Our goal is to treat the root causes of discomfort, not just the symptoms, and support you in living your best life.

To our returning clients: We’re honored to continue walking this wellness path with you!
To those new to our space: Come experience the difference of a truly integrated approach to health, backed by years of community trust.

Take a moment for yourself this season—restore, rejuvenate, and heal with Ritual. Book your session today! 🙌

”

We are truly honored and humbled to be voted the best acupuncturist in Solano County for 2024 and runner up for best massage therapist and medical office! This recognition means the world to us, and it’s all thanks to our amazing patients who trust us with their care and well-being. Your support and kindness inspire us every day to provide the best possible care. From all of us at Ritual Acupuncture, thank you for being part of our journey and for making this incredible achievement possible. *link in profile*


https://www.timesheraldonline.com/2024/11/28/best-of-solano-county-ritual-acupuncture-proving-to-be-the-right-medicine/

🌿✨ Start or resume your acupuncture journey! Join us in our serene healing lobby, where desert trees sway and orchids bloom beside a tranquil water fountain. Immerse yourself in a space filled with inspiration and rejuvenation. Whether you seek peace, creativity, or connection, this oasis is for you. Come experience the magic! ✨🌸

✨ Limited Time Offer! ONLINE✨ Buy a gift card and get 10% off your next acupuncture treatment package! Whether it’s for stress relief, pain management, or restoring balance, our gift cards make the perfect gift for someone special OR FOR YOURSELF! Invest in holistic health and share the benefits of acupuncture!

🌟 This exclusive discount is available online only. Want to learn more? Text us at 707-563-9010 for package rates. Don’t miss out! 🌟 CLICK THE LINK ON OUR PROFILE!

😡
We need your help RITUAL and Acupuncture Community! We help to spearhead medi-CAL acupuncture services for Solano County patients since 2015. Now the governor wants to remove acupuncture as an essential health benefit!?!?

This will dramatically and negatively impact our acupuncture services to those who have truly needed it!

Please assist us in this letter campaign brought by our professional acupuncture organization in California!

May 22, 2024
ACTION ALERT
Dear CSOMA Community,

California State “Governor’s Proposed 2024-25 May Revision” cuts acupuncture as Medi-Cal Benefit, starting January 2025. This cut will stop the existing acupuncture services for millions of much needed Medi-Cal beneficiaries, and negatively impact the acupuncture profession in California.

Due to our short window to make any change, we are asking you to:

1. Find your local Senator and Assembly Member: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/
2. Make a copy of this letter. Complete it with your information, and send it to your Assembly Member no later than 5/28/24. (This letter can be found at the end if you prefer to copy & paste from here.)
3. Share on social media, alumni groups, tell your teachers, patients and families to write and call their reps now. (Feel free to share/comment on our Instagram & Facebook posts.)

Background
When California implemented the Affordable Care Act in 2014, acupuncture was classified as an "Essential Health Benefit" which thus required private insurance and group policies to offer acupuncture benefits.

Removing acupuncture from state covered benefits in Medi-Cal goes directly against this policy, undermining low income access to acupuncture while otherwise mandating that private insurance holders have access.

This revision to Medi-Cal benefits is scheduled to be signed into law by Governor Newsom as early as mid-June.

CSOMA is working closely with other CA state associations under the unified umbrella of the "California Acupuncture Coalition - CAC" to address this urgent issue.

CSOMA's Board of Directors, with the CAC, have contacted representatives from the following key committees: the Senate Standing Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, the Subcommittee 3 on Health and Human Services, and the CA Assembly Committee on Budget.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW... on behalf of thousands of Medi-CAL patients who, if this change happens, will lose their ability to access acupuncture in CA, and the many clinicians who may face economic loss or possible closure of their clinic.

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

[Date]

[Recipient's Name]

[Office Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear [Representative Name],

I am a patient of acupuncture and have benefited from this medical choice for my chronic and acute conditions. I am writing to express my deep concern about the Governor’s Proposed 2024-25 Budget, which includes the elimination of acupuncture as a Medi-Cal benefit. This cut is alarming for our community and the many patients who have relied on these for chronic, severe pain.

Please do not eliminate acupuncture from Medi-Cal. Your constituents need our services for the following reasons:

Opioid Epidemic Solution: Since 2016, acupuncture under Medi-Cal has provided a vital treatment alternative to the overuse of prescription medications to treat chronic severe pain, helping combat the opioid crisis.

Economic Value: Acupuncture's minimal allocation in the Medi-Cal budget yields significant benefits. Removing it would likely increase the need for more expensive and potentially harmful treatments, raising state healthcare costs.

Essential Health Benefit: Since 2012, acupuncture has been mandated as an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act, ensuring acupuncture coverage for patients in California.

Eliminating this benefit would reduce the quality of care for millions and lead to higher long-term costs for the state. I urge you to advocate for retaining acupuncture coverage under Medi-Cal.

Thank you for your attention to this crucial issue. We hope for a favorable resolution that preserves acupuncture coverage for Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov

RITUAL and ACUPUNCTURE COMMUNITY We need your help! Ritual help spearhead acupuncture services for medi-cal in Solano county since 2015!

We just recently heard news that they want to drop acupuncture as an essential benefit!?!?

Community please help by following the letter campaign steps!

May 22, 2024
ACTION ALERT
Dear CSOMA Community,

California State “Governor’s Proposed 2024-25 May Revision” cuts acupuncture as Medi-Cal Benefit, starting January 2025. This cut will stop the existing acupuncture services for millions of much needed Medi-Cal beneficiaries, and negatively impact the acupuncture profession in California.

Due to our short window to make any change, we are asking you to:

1. Find your local Senator and Assembly Member: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/
2. Make a copy of this letter. Complete it with your information, and send it to your Assembly Member no later than 5/28/24. (This letter can be found at the end if you prefer to copy & paste from here.)
3. Share on social media, alumni groups, tell your teachers, patients and families to write and call their reps now. (Feel free to share/comment on our Instagram & Facebook posts.)

Background
When California implemented the Affordable Care Act in 2014, acupuncture was classified as an "Essential Health Benefit" which thus required private insurance and group policies to offer acupuncture benefits.

Removing acupuncture from state covered benefits in Medi-Cal goes directly against this policy, undermining low income access to acupuncture while otherwise mandating that private insurance holders have access.

This revision to Medi-Cal benefits is scheduled to be signed into law by Governor Newsom as early as mid-June.

CSOMA is working closely with other CA state associations under the unified umbrella of the "California Acupuncture Coalition - CAC" to address this urgent issue.

CSOMA's Board of Directors, with the CAC, have contacted representatives from the following key committees: the Senate Standing Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, the Subcommittee 3 on Health and Human Services, and the CA Assembly Committee on Budget.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW... on behalf of thousands of Medi-CAL patients who, if this change happens, will lose their ability to access acupuncture in CA, and the many clinicians who may face economic loss or possible closure of their clinic.

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

[Date]

[Recipient's Name]

[Office Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear [Representative Name],

I am a patient of acupuncture and have benefited from this medical choice for my chronic and acute conditions. I am writing to express my deep concern about the Governor’s Proposed 2024-25 Budget, which includes the elimination of acupuncture as a Medi-Cal benefit. This cut is alarming for our community and the many patients who have relied on these for chronic, severe pain.

Please do not eliminate acupuncture from Medi-Cal. Your constituents need our services for the following reasons:

Opioid Epidemic Solution: Since 2016, acupuncture under Medi-Cal has provided a vital treatment alternative to the overuse of prescription medications to treat chronic severe pain, helping combat the opioid crisis.

Economic Value: Acupuncture's minimal allocation in the Medi-Cal budget yields significant benefits. Removing it would likely increase the need for more expensive and potentially harmful treatments, raising state healthcare costs.

Essential Health Benefit: Since 2012, acupuncture has been mandated as an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act, ensuring acupuncture coverage for patients in California.

Eliminating this benefit would reduce the quality of care for millions and lead to higher long-term costs for the state. I urge you to advocate for retaining acupuncture coverage under Medi-Cal.

Thank you for your attention to this crucial issue. We hope for a favorable resolution that preserves acupuncture coverage for Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov

𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗧𝗢𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪!
𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝟮𝟰% 𝗢𝗙𝗙 𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗔𝗟 𝗚𝗜𝗙𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦

Gift the energy and beauty of the Green Dragon to yourself or a loved one! 🐲 Use code DRAGON24 at the gift cards:

https://squareup.com/gift/Z4K0XAVMT16XX/order

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻 🐲🐉
Representing change, new beginnings, and Spring, the Dragon gives us fresh energy this year.

“The mystical dragon calls us to first embody our innately powerful Qi, and then use spiritual brightness to release those aspects of life that no longer serve us.

“This is a time to cleanse your body, mind, and spirit before a metamorphosis, and ultimately tap into your internal power. As we awaken to this new chapter, like the dragon, we transform.”

—𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝘾𝙏 𝙃𝙤𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙣, 𝙈.𝙎., 𝙇.𝘼𝙘. 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙏𝘾𝙈 𝘼𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙮

𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘛𝘖𝘔𝘖𝘙𝘙𝘖𝘞 𝘍𝘦𝘣 11𝘵𝘩. 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘶𝘮 $75. 𝘌𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭. 𝘞𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭.

𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗖 𝗣𝗔𝗜𝗡: 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟮
In order to treat chronic pain effectively, we need a deeper understanding of its complexity.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙞𝙤-𝙋𝙨𝙮𝙘𝙝𝙤-𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙢𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙘 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣
The first thing to understand is that, when pain becomes chronic, it isn't just a physical sensation. It's a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. This complexity is why it requires a multi-faceted, holistic approach to treatment. Many factors are involved:

𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹: physiology, biochemistry, genetics, neurobiology

𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹: stress, habits, coping mechanisms, emotional factors like anxiety and fear of pain, cognitive factors like thoughts and beliefs

𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹: stress; economic, cultural, and environmental factors; social support systems

𝙇𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨
While conventional treatments like medications, physical therapy, and surgery play a crucial role in pain management – especially for acute issues – they come with limitations, and potential side effects that may not provide comprehensive, lasting relief.

For example, while OTC and prescription pain relievers can be helpful for short term management of acute pain, some can also be habit-forming, and their effects lessen over time, making larger doses necessary. 😓

At RITUAL we believe that it is beneficial to explore all avenues available. To treat all the complex factors of chronic pain, conventional and holistic therapies should be explored. A multi-faceted approach to treatment is best, and each patient decides what combination works best for them.

So how can you use holistic approaches to manage and treat chronic pain? Turn on post notifications and stay tuned for Parts 3 and 4 of this series, when we’ll go over the specific benefits of acupuncture for chronic pain, and a few herbal remedies for pain.



𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀:
Engel GL. The need for a new medical model: a challenge for biomedicine. Science. 1977. PMID: 847460.
Fillingim RB. Individual differences in pain: understanding the mosaic that makes pain personal. Pain. 2017. PMID: 27902569