Monarch Acupuncture & Wellness

Where to start! I had been trying for 2 years with a diagnosis of unexplained infertility and had already had 3 failed iuis (one resulting in a chemical pregnancy). Before setting out to do ivf, I wanted to take a step back and heal my body mentally, emotionally & physically after the daunting unsuccessful 2 years of infertility. I had done acupuncture before but it didnt seem to be a good fit. After a quick search of acupuncturists in the area, I decided to try it again when I saw Annas reviews.I knew I stumbled upon the right person when my first consultation with her, she went over in depth an extensive background of my period, ovulation, pains, symptoms, labs, etc., and told me more about my body then any doctor ever had! I started seeing Anna in December of 2023, and was initially set on doing ivf in march 2024 and no one could change my mind about it.. until that first appointment. Right off the bat, she said I think you have endometriosis. A word I have heard tossed around before, but no doctor or fertility specialist had ever advised me to rule it out. On top of that, she had found my AMH was higher than normal (4.10 which doctors said was normal), my thyroid levels were fluctuating, I have always ovulated later (again not necessarily normal), and my lining was way to thin to conceive on clomid/iui treatments. All things fertility specialists had advised that I was a proper candidate for treatments because all my levels looked normal, when in fact they were not.I took her advice and saw 2 different surgeons who advised me robotic laparoscopy was the way to go. 50% of women with unexplained infertility have endometriosis, yet it is one of the most misdiagnosed diseases of infertility. I decided to go in for surgery in February of 2024. I found out I have stage 3 endo, with it all over my left ovary, behind my uterus, and near my rectum. 3 months after surgery, and 2 months of trying, I got pregnant naturally! I am currently 14 weeks pregnant with a baby girl on the way.I cannot thank Anna enough for what she has done for me! To finally get answers after 2 years, and be pregnant after 2.5 knowing now the main cause of my infertility, is a gift.As other endo warriors know, it is forever. So even if ivf is in my future or another surgery, as I want multiple kids, I know I can BE pregnant. You cant put a price on that. In just 2 months of seeing Anna, she changed my life. I still currently see her for treatments during pregnancy as she doubles as a therapist and will continue to see her through postpartum & my journey to my second, and third kid ;)Please go see her as she knows what shes doing! You will not regret it. She is pure magic.

I suffered from recurrent miscarriage and came to Anna when I decided to do IVF. Aside from the acupuncture sessions, Anna helped me heal so much emotionally. From our very first session, she helped me feel seen and helped me to go to a place emotionally that I wouldnt let myself go to, but didnt know I needed until I was there. Anna gave me so much for your patience, empathy, and gentle guidance to get to a place of calm.

I have been seeing Amanda for womens health and fertility support for the past few years -- she is wonderful! I wanted to specifically thank her for her help resolving my postpartum PUPPPs. I was so uncomfortable and itchy a week after giving birth. My doctor said to use cortisone cream to relieve the itchiness and wait for the rash to go away. The relief was temporary and it felt like the discomfort would never fully disappear. Luckily, I reached out to Amanda to see she had any suggestions -- she had me come in for a Moxa session and it worked wonders! The hives on my abdomen and legs were nearly completely cleared that same afternoon. She sent me home with some Moxa and I did another round the next day and its completely resolved! I am so much more comfortable! Its hard to believe how effective and quickly it worked!! I am so thankful for Amanda and her support throughout my whole journey.

After well over a year of daily stomach and back pain I saw my OB to ask about the possibility of endometriosis. She said it was likely my situation and suggested birth control pills or trying accupuncture. Just by luck and a quick Google search I found Monarch Accupuncture and Amanda. Within a few months of weekly accupuncture and daily herbs my pain dropped significantly. I then tapered down to twice monthly appointments and now just once a month. I still take herbs daily and will for a while. My quality of life is improved dramatically and I will be forever grateful to Amanda. Not to mention, she has a wealth of knowledge, a calm presence, and has an unexplainable warmness to her that is just wonderful to be around.

Overall wellness above and beyond Acupuncture! Anna spent ample time reviewing my scenario and symptoms and provided educated and experienced guidance on my overall health and nutrition to help enable the hormonal balance I need. Her experience and guidance was significantly better than what Ive received from my GP, Endocrinologist and Naturopathic, so glad to have found her!

Anna is a wonderful, holistic acupuncture practitioner. I sought Anna out this past December after a year and a half of trying for a baby, just before seeking more western interventions. I’m now 26 weeks pregnant and so incredibly thankful for her gentle acupuncture, sound advice and incredible knowledge of eastern medicine and the female body. I showed up my first appointment with an array of health issues, unexplained infertility and extreme stress along with the weight of a loved ones recent cancer diagnosis. Anna provided the most comfortable landing pad for me during a time of distress and a safe place to discuss my own well being which was exactly what I needed in conjunction with her supportive acupuncture and herbal regimen to realign my health. I cannot recommend her highly enough — if you are on the fence, book your first appointment. She is amazing and Im so thankful that she has been a part of my journey.

Magic! Sheer magic. It is a true blessing that I found Anna a little over a year ago now. My health and stress were out of control then. And now Im thriving thanks to this amazing, dedicated, generous, knowledgeable, skilled, and magical acupuncturist. I was so anxious when I started to go to her, and she was so gentle and accepting of all that I was going through. She served me ever so patiently with the acupuncture and also gave wonderful health advice that has led me down a path of healing. Now my anxiety is gone and my hormones are increasingly balanced thanks to Anna. Every session Ive gone to has felt like a little bit of acupuncture, a little bit of functional medical advice, a little bit of therapy, and a little bit of chatting with your best friend. Anna was born to be in the healing field, and I feel better every time I see her. I should also note that I have seen several other acupuncturists before her, and she is very unique in how thorough and individualized she is in her approach. Most people have just done the same needles no matter what my presenting symptoms were, whereas Anna customizes each session to meet the different needs I have going on each time, which has been great on my healing journey. She also customizes herbal formulas for me based on my needs, and she is always super responsive if I need a refill or a shift in my formula. I am not the only person who loves Anna. Whenever I run into someone who goes to her, and we start chatting, its like a giant love fest. She makes everyone feel special and better. And I should mention that even though Anna does tons of magic, she helps you realize how much self-love you deserve and supports you in celebrating all the work you are doing as part of your own journey. I am so grateful for Anna, and Im sure you will be too.

I have received acupuncture for over 10 years and genuinely believe in the benefits of treatments. Prior to meeting Anna at Bloom, I had a positive experience with my previous acupuncturist in San Francisco and was seen on and off as needed. Coming to Bloom and meeting Anna was completely mind blowing in a positive way. She is warm and welcoming from the get go and thorough and meticulous in her intake and note taking. She is efficient and precise in her methods of checking pulse, the tongue and giving feedback about my general state of health. Anna is a wealth of information, knowledge, and a true expert in her field. In addition, she led my husband and I along with a group of people on a cleanse that really informed some dietary sensitivities for me. I absolutely support Anna and recommend her with the highest regard.

I began coming to Anna for my acupuncture sessions after recently getting married, moving across the country, and starting a new job. I was looking for the extra support that acupuncture had provided me in the past during stressful situations. With Anna I found so much more than that. Anna not only listened to all health concerns, but also offered suggestions that were beneficial in my daily life. Due to her immense knowledge of her practice Anna was able to help me with stress management, sinus issues, and fertility. She was a constant support in my quest to get pregnant. I truly believe that Anna is a huge reason why I was able to get pregnant so quickly and then progress into my second trimester so smoothly. I am so thankful for Anna and her knowledge. I would highly and enthusiastically recommend Anna and Monarch Acupuncture.

Anna is such an amazing person, and an equally amazing practitioner. She is so kind and seems to be very wise and knowledgeable about medicine and health. I really love acupuncture and Anna is especially skilled. What really sets her apart though is her skill in massage. I never thought that getting an abdominal massage would provide such amazing results, but it seems to really free things up. I can’t recommend her enough, I always leave her treatments feeling so relaxed and happy!

Anna has not only been the kindest Acupuncturist Ive seen, but also the most knowledgeable and thorough practitioner! After being referred to her by a close friend (who also had rave reviews of her clinic), Im so grateful to have been able to become a client. The office space is very calming and peaceful with many additional resources available, as well. I would highly recommend her for anyone throughout pregnancy and postpartum.

Im so blessed to have met and been treated by Anna both prior to and during my pregnancy. Not only has she helped me immensely through acupuncture treatments, she knows so much about health and wellness and her personalized advice in nutrition, lifestyle changes, and more has truly changed my life. She is also so sweet and understanding and Id recommend to her to anyone!

Anna has been my acupuncturist for over a year and a half now and she has literally transformed my life for the better. I started seeing Anna for chronic sinus infections, which in time transformed into an overall wellness and health overhaul for the better. Her gentle and welcoming disposition is a breath of fresh air these days- she always puts her patients needs first and listens intently to determine the best treatment needed at each session. Not only has my overall health improved, but my state of mind, general well being and happiness as well. Anna is no longer just my acupuncturist and homeopathic doctor, but Im happy to also call her my dear friend. I always leave her office feeling 100 times better, more relaxed and centered than when I arrived. Im so confident in her services and treatment, that Ive referred Anna to many of my friends and family as well. If youre curious about acupuncture or Chinese medicine, or are just looking to improve your overall health and well being, I highly recommend Anna. I promise you wont be disappointed!

Ive been seeing Anna for a few years and shes one of the best holistic practitioners I have seen. Shes more than just an acupuncturist who simply pokes needles in you, but she truly takes the time to listen to you with an open heart, which I find extremely rare. Shes very compassionate and nurturing and I usually fall asleep during her sessions and dont want them to end :) She has great tips and suggestions that complement my lifestyle. Highly recommend!

Anna Ritner is the most amazing person and acupuncturist on the planet! I could not be happier that I discovered her (through my UCSF fertility doctor). After going through IVF and a miscarriage, I wanted to do anything I could to have as healthy a pregnancy as possible.After working with anna for a couple of months I mentally and physically felt better and ended up getting pregnant naturally! Im now 20 weeks and still seeing anna as she is almost like my therapist and friend/sister more than only my acupuncturist. I do love the deep naps/rest I get while doing acupuncture too.I had a bad experience with acupuncture in the past for a hurt knee, and my parents are doctors and pretty against acupuncture, so was hesitant to try again, but couldnt be happier I did! You cannot go wrong seeing Anna.Pro tip: book early! If she doesnt have appointment for a while, shes still worth the wait!

I have been going to Anna regularly for over two years and she is the best! I really appreciate her holistic approach to healing and, in particular, her passion for women’s health. She’s helped me tremendously with everything from crazy hormonal fluctuations to joint pain. Anna’s incredibly knowledgeable and thorough, so I always trust her suggestions. I can’t say enough great things about her practice—go see her!

I cannot say enough great things about Anna Ritner. She changed my life just after one appointment. I had been suffering from infertility for 4 years. I had over 12 chemical pregnancies. After talking to countless doctors and getting nowhere I was just about to do IVF. She has more knowledge than any doctor I have ever met. After listening to my story she recommended I go see Dr. Cameron Nezhat. to get a laparoscopic surgery done I made the appointment with him the same day.I did the surgery and he found lots of things including endometriosis. He was able to successfully clean everything out and now I am 3months pregnant. If I had done IVF it probably would not have worked. I could never think Anna enough for everything that she has done to change my life she is one amazing woman!!

Anna’s acupuncture skills are top notch!! It is Anna’s caring spirit, calm demeanor, professional knowledge and overall interest in her clients that stands out. The needles and essential oils are the bonus to being able to talk with Anna and learn from her. I have been seeing Anna for over a year and I literally owe the well-being of my infant son to her. I came to her in pregnancy with symptoms of pre-eclampsia. (Unlike my doctor) Anna listened to my symptoms and concerns and worked with me to combat the pain and discomfort. I have continued to see Anna through multiple bouts of mastitis and my son and I have been able to continue breastfeeding because of her care. Her profound knowledge of the female body continually amazes me, and I feel very comfortable following her instructions and guidance. If you want to feel empowered, strengthened and heard, definitely book an appointment with Anna…..and you’ll want to keep coming back!

I have been to many Acupunturist over the last 12 years (cupping, stem, herbs and much much) and Anna is a magician at hearing what your body needs. She has a gift of healing and I feel fortunate to have been the recipient of her blessings.In addition to helping me she has worked on my 4year old daughter with lung issues. When all I had was daily multi-doses of steroids, Anna helped my daughter in a non-medicinal way. And after a year she is still finding healing from the herbs Anna prescribed.

Anna is a magical healer, listener, confidante, teacher, practitioner. I first started seeing her almost 3 years ago when I was pregnant with my second child. I was having a lot of trouble with the second pregnancy, and was dealing with a lot of big life changes that were significantly adding to that trouble. I immediately found in Anna a terrific salve of kindness, compassion, warmth, and empathy. Also a great sense of humour and a refreshing lack of earnestness. She does not impose or solicit; but rather attunes herself expertly to what makes you tick as an individual, and delivers help and advice that is centred on her keen understanding of what would work best for you. After every session with her, I felt profoundly better; physically and mentally. Meeting her marked a point of transformation for me, after which I began to cope with the various issues in my life with an increasing feeling of much greater equanimity, kindness towards myself and others, and focus on the things I needed to help me and my family. She was there in my life, as my go-to person for all pains (physical and otherwise), through the birth and post-natal recovery and beyond. I owe my sanity and and physical well-being throughout that period to Anna, who lay down the foundations for me to recover, heal, and deal. Magical.

Working with Dana has been an absolutely incredible experience. When I met her I was having terrible neck and shoulder pain, and my physician had prescribed a muscle relaxer that was causing drowsiness without resolving the issue. I was at my wits end! By some miracle, I came across Monarch Acupuncture and was very pleased to meet Dana and learn that she could help me address other issues, (stress, G.I. problems, etc.) and teach me to optimize my menstrual health and understand the overall impact on my general health and wellness. I feel so blessed to have found Dana! Ive worked with different acupuncturists and herbalists in the past, but have never felt so comfortable and relaxed as I have with Dana. Her kind and warm, shame-free approach enables the sessions to feel effortless, with little to no discomfort (for those who may be concerned about the sensation of the needles). She provides a comprehensive experience, follows up with how Im doing, and easily adjusts my treatment with any new issues I bring up. I really look forward to my sessions with her, particularly if its been a little while. Ive learned so much from her, and have experienced really positive changes in pain, stress, energy levels etc. Shes really helped motivate me to improve my health by making various lifestyle changes, all with simple kindness and warmth, and no pressure or judgment at all. She also has a great supplement called Ova Moon. For those who are looking for a new provider, or those who have never tried acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, I wholeheartedly recommend Dana.

Anna is an outstanding and highly skilled Acupuncturist who specializes in fertility & wellness with pregnancy. I was referred to Anna by another acupuncturist for her specialty and was so impressed and thankful for her work. I was able to see Anna 3 times during my visit to the Bay Area (I live out of town). She went above and beyond to meet my schedule needs on the day of my IVF transfer (e.g. she came in early to do a pre transfer session) and I was super relaxed going into my IVF appointment. I highly recommend Anna especially if you are looking to get pregnant and have acupuncture to support that process. One great tip is that she is easy to schedule (online through her website) and has great hours in an easy to park location (which is hard to come by in Walnut Creek)! Also her space is clean, relaxing, and the beds are very comfortable. You will not be disappointed with her outstanding service!

After suffering from a horrible bacterial infection only 3 weeks post-partum with my second baby, my gut and anxiety were in MAJOR need of resetting and support. Monarch was recommended to me be a colleague and Im so glad I found them. Dr. Jeff is an incredible listener, and was respectful of the dual treatment I was receiving on the western side of medicine for my infection. We addressed a lot of things going on at once and I finally feel like myself again. Ive done acupuncture at different points in time for over 15 years and this practice is truly wonderful.

I first saw Anna Ritner of Monarch Acupuncture in March of 2018. The reason for my first visit was due to the fact I kept getting sick. I came down with the cold/flu each month for four months straight. The last straw was when I got sick on vacation in Hawaii for my 40th birthday. I also started to experience insomnia during that trip. I started a new, very stressful position in early 2017 and it took its toll. Vacations should be relaxing , but for some reason, my mind would not keep quiet. Needless to say, my immune system was seriously impaired and I needed help building it back up.During my first visit, Anna spent a great deal of time getting to know me. She gathered details about my work, family, sleep patterns, digestion and stress levels. After we completed the consultation, I was ready for the actual acupuncture procedure. Anna was very gentle with the application and I WENT INTO INSTANT REM SLEEP. I typed the last part of that sentence in all caps because I couldnt believe I could fall asleep that fast, and that DEEP. I even had vivid dreams, thats how I knew I was in deep sleep. When the session was over, I felt more relaxed than I felt after a week vacation in Hawaii. When I asked her how I could fall into such a deep sleep so fast, her response was I turned off your stressors. (Mind blown)I continued to see Anna weekly for the first 6 weeks and eventually transitioned to once a month for maintenance. Acupuncture is now a monthly REQUIREMENT for me. Ive learned so much about overall wellness from Anna, but most importantly how to be kinder to myself and to unapologetically make myself and my health a priority. Anna has been a catalyst for so many positive and healthy choices Ive made since our first visit.Anna - Thank you for being a Rock Star Warrior Goddess and sharing your healing knowledge. Youve had a serious impact on my life and I continue to look forward to our sessions because I always learn something new. EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. Congrats on the gorg new space and Ill see you soon!Cheers,Lorraine Remigio

Anna is amazing! She genuinely cares and I am lucky to have her help me work through various issues. She has listened and has provided treatment and input into a well rounded health care plan so that I feel better than I have in a long time.

I am so happy that I found Anna when I moved into this community. She has helped me significantly to heal and feel relief in so many ways from my anxiety, post-partum depression, perimenopause, carpal tunnel syndrome and pinched nerve problems.Anna really takes the time to assess what you truly need at each session. I have learned so much about about myself. She’s also highly educated on the use of Chinese herbs. The take home tips I’ve received from her has been incredibly useful. One of them being the importance of bone broth for me and how to make it at home. It’s been life changing! I have been getting acupuncture/ Chinese medicine treatments for over a decade and have seen various practitioners over the years, Anna is definitely one of the best.

I was a little nervous about acupuncture before meeting Anna and literally within seconds of meeting her all of my fears went away. Her energy and presence is warm, inviting, and nurturing and my fear of needles (which actually are like the size of a hair!) subsided immediately. The actual acupuncture treatment was somewhat indescribable. I went in for knee and joint pain and once the needles were placed off I went into dreamworld! It was extremely relaxing and rejuvenating. The simple ability to disconnect from the madness of life for a bit alone is worth it. Most importantly, after my first session I noticed a considerable reduction in my knee pain and after the second it was almost gone.Needless to say I am now a huge fan of acupuncture and I cant speak more positively about Anna. She is excellent at what she does and more importantly, a great person.

Embarking on a healing journey with Monarch Acupuncture & Wellness has completely transformed my life as well as my relationship with my body and overall health. I was seeking hormonal healing and I have quickly seen huge shifts in my hormonal health, including greatly reduced anxiety, periods becoming far less painful, opening my mind to embracing my period as a time for tenderness and self-nurturing, help with tracking my cycle and natural hormonal processes, and an overall greater sense of peace and acceptance of myself. Within a few sessions I noticed that my hot-flashes (that Ive experienced since I was 15) were eliminated, my skin was getting much healthier, and the pain and mood-swings surrounding my period were alleviated to a manageable level. I wish the women that came before me in my family knew that acupuncture could provide such great relief surrounding hormonal health, and I feel very lucky to have found such a wonderful womens wellness group to guide me on this journey of healing. I am so grateful for the care and guidance that Anna (and sometimes Candise!) are providing me with and hope that other women (and all people) can find healing and self-growth with Monarch Acupuncture & Wellness.

Anna is wonderful. I saw her for years on and off and she truly has a gift for healing. She spends her time getting to know you, and know what exactly your needs are, and each time you see her she helps meet those needs with loving kindness. It felt like seeing a friend.

Having recently been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, I was looking into complementary treatments to perhaps help with some symptoms, or at least manage the stress of chronic illness. I reached out to Monarch Wellness to see if they had experiences with AI diseases, and the owner Anna wrote back such a thoughtful email right away. I booked with Candise for the following week. This was my first foray into acupuncture so I wasnt sure what to expect. Candise is wonderful! She listens, took the time to get to know me and my health issues. Each session feels like therapy. Its been nice to have someone listen and empathize with you when youre struggling with your health. Candise is warm-spirited, kind and knowledgable. I highly recommend her! The acupuncture itself is calming and relaxing. I think it has helped my stress levels. Im about halfway though 8 sessions. She also started me on a supplement program, that incidentally completely mirrored one recommended for autoimmune disease. If youre thinking about acupuncture and want to feel cared for, I couldnt recommend Candise at Monarch enough.

Anna is such a wonderful caregiver with an abundance of health knowledge. She is so warm and nurturing and treatments feel highly personalized. I would absolutely recommend!

Roxannas treatments were so helpful during my first trimester and helped ease my nausea and anxiety. I cant recommend acupuncture at Monarch enough!

Candice is wonderful and listens. She remembers why you are there and is very knowledgeable in acupuncture and people. She reminds me there is no right or wrong and we are all different and we must do what is right for ourself! It’s a whole body and mind positive experience. Thanks Candice, you are the best.

Anna is very caring and puts you at ease by explaining what she is doing in a gentle manner. Very professional. I would strongly recommend her services to anyone.

Anna is amazing and her practice is beautiful!