Autoimmune and digestive conditions are among the most complex in medicine — and among the most responsive to integrative care. Acupuncture works alongside your rheumatologist, gastroenterologist, or specialist to reduce inflammation, regulate immune response, and improve quality of life.
The AcuSuccess approach
Calming the immune system, restoring balance
Autoimmune and complex chronic conditions respond to the same principle: when inflammation is addressed systemically and the nervous system is regulated, the body’s capacity to manage itself improves — alongside, not instead of, conventional treatment.
01
Assess the full inflammatory picture
Dr. Lee begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your condition history, current flare patterns, stress triggers, digestive health, and how your body responds to treatment. This systemic view — integrating both Eastern and Western assessment — reveals the patterns driving your specific presentation.
02
Regulate inflammation and immune response
Acupuncture has measurable anti-inflammatory effects through multiple pathways: modulating cytokine production, activating the vagus nerve to downregulate systemic inflammation, and improving gut-brain axis communication critical for digestive autoimmune conditions. Sessions are designed around your current phase — flare, remission, or recovery.
03
Build sustainable resilience
The goal is not just to manage flares but to extend remission, reduce their frequency and severity, and improve your overall quality of life. Dr. Lee works in coordination with your specialist — acupuncture as an integrated layer in your care, not a separate track.
Hear it from Dr. Lee
Complex conditions deserve a comprehensive approach.
Autoimmune and chronic digestive conditions often leave patients feeling caught between a diagnosis and a quality of life. Conventional medicine is essential — and acupuncture offers something it often cannot: a systemic, person-centered approach to the inflammatory and nervous system patterns that drive these conditions day to day.
Dr. Lee’s clinical experience spans IBS, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue, and numerous autoimmune presentations. Her training includes Western and Oriental Medicine approaches to digestive and autoimmune conditions through advanced certificate programs, and she works routinely in coordination with gastroenterologists and rheumatologists.
Patient success stories
Real conditions. Real outcomes.
Every video is tagged by condition and outcome. Find someone who had what you have — and no longer does.
Knee Fracture & Multiple Ligament Tears:
90+% of pain went away in 36 hours…Range of motion coming back by at least 50% just after one session.
Patient · San Diego
Peripheral Neuropathy from Diabetes and Anxiety:
My feet have gotten tremendously better
Patient · San Diego
Multiple Sclerosis with Optic Atrophy:
Relieved the pulsating pain and made me feel a lot better.
Patient · San Diego
Pro Athlete-Hamstring and Groin Injury:
It definitely works! I definitely recommend Dr. Lee.
Patient · San Diego
Sprained Ankle and Chronic Knee Pain:
Instant results…I could feel different muscle groups releasing.
Patient · San Diego
What our patients say
Patient Success Stories
We put our heart and soul into everything we do. See what some of our patients have to say about how AcuSuccess has shaped their lives.
Condition: Sore and stiff right arm after a fall + ongoing fibromyalgia symptoms
Outcome: Arm became completely pain free after 3 weeks and fibromyalgia achiness diminished
"I came in with a very sore and stiff right arm & hard. I had injured it by falling. I also have ongoing problems with fibromyalgia. After 3 weeks my arm is completely pain free. My achiness from the fibromyalgia has diminished."
San Diego, CA
Condition: Anxiety, arthritis symptoms, headaches, and body pain.
Outcome: Improved overall health with reduced symptoms and ongoing relief through acupuncture treatments.
“Acupuncture has helped me improve my anxiety, arthritis symptoms, headaches and body pain. I look forward to my appointments. Dr. Lee is not only knowledgeable, but compassionate and great at what she does. Dr. Lee thank you for making your patients number one. Dr. Lee has done research on my symptoms, as well as tried special needles so she knows what it feels like. Thank you for improving my overall health.”
San Diego, CA
Condition: Severe leg pain and cramps not relieved by medications or other treatments.
Outcome: Pain and cramps remarkably decreased and overall condition greatly improved through treatment.
“When I first came here I had really bad leg pains and cramps but throughout the sessions my pain has remarkably decreased. Before my sessions nothing seemed to be helping my pain (medications, doctors, etc.). Dr. Lee was really good at explaining the procedures and communicating with me. I am extremely grateful for everything she’s helped me with. I feel so much better thanks to her treatments. Thank you!”
San Diego, CA
Condition: Extreme stomach pain.
Outcome: Stomach pain improved by 90% after just 1 treatment and patient felt relaxed and cared for.
“I saw Dr. Lee for extreme stomach pain. She was very thorough in her questioning and made me feel heard. She used a combination of TCM & Japanese style acupuncture that significantly decreased my stomach pain. The pain was 90% better after just 1 treatment! Her calm & warm presence as well as the acupuncture made me relaxed. I truly enjoyed the treatment!”
San Diego, CA
Condition: Fever, severe cough, and balance problems.
Outcome: Fever resolved, cough improved by 90%, and balance improved by 80% through acupuncture treatment.
“Acupuncture has helped me enormously. When I first came for treatment, I had a fever, severe cough, and problems with my balance. Today, my cough is 90% improved, my balance about 80% and the fever is gone. Dr. Lee was professional, knowledgeable and considerate. I would highly recommend acupuncture to anyone who is experiencing adverse effects from Western Medicine.”
San Diego, CA
Condition: Seafood poisoning causing red swollen itchy facial rashes, throat discomfort, and chest irritation.
Outcome: Throat cleared and rashes became less red after treatment, with immediate relief and improved comfort.
"I came to Dr. Lee due to seafood poison. The red, swelling itchy rashes appeared on my face. Also my chest and throat felt discomfort and irritable. After her needling, my throat became clear, and rashes became less red. Virginia needle way is light and comfort. I feel myself lucky receive her treatment today!"
San Diego, CA
Condition: Chronic migraines, allergies, and sinus problems.
Outcome: Migraines became less frequent, allergy and sinus symptoms improved, and medication use decreased.
"I have been getting migraines for many years. Since I have been coming, my migraines seem to be less frequent. I feel this acupuncture has been helping. I also have allergies, and get sinus problems. It has been helping. I’ve been taking less medication."
San Diego, CA
Condition: Chronic disease requiring ongoing care and treatment adjustments.
Outcome: Improved condition with personalized treatment, increased comfort, and supportive ongoing care.
"Dr. Lee is very knowledgeable and always answers all my questions and concerns. She has helped me with my chronic disease over the course of my time spent with her. She has always made sure I was comfortable with the treatment plan and made adjustments when necessary. My level of care and comfort was always her top priority that I truly appreciate and admire."
San Diego, CA
Condition: Anxiety, stress, and feeling emotionally imbalanced from managing school and family responsibilities.
Outcome: Felt relaxed, calm, emotionally balanced, and experienced immediate relief after treatment.
"I went in for treatment because I was having some anxiety and was feeling very imbalanced trying to juggle school and family. Dr. Lee asked inquisitive questions and I felt like she was really attentive & listened to what I was saying. The treatment itself was painless and she had very good hands & I instantly felt the Qi stimulated & move. I was very relaxed & felt waves of calmness. I will definitely be coming again and highly recommend her skills."
San Diego, CA
Condition: Multiple ongoing health problems requiring supportive care.
Outcome: Experienced effective treatment, compassionate care, and consistent support for overall wellness.
"Dr. Lee is kind and courteous and great at doing my ear points with the needles or seeds. 😀 She is always thorough and concerned with my many health problems, and a very caring person."
San Diego, CA
Condition: Low back pain and low energy levels.
Outcome: Received relief and support through a difficult time with improved energy and back condition.
"Dr. Lee is a very kind, smart, and knowledgeable person. She has worded on my low back problem, has helped through a tough time. She has also helped with my low energy problem."
San Diego, CA
Condition: General health concerns requiring ongoing treatment and care.
Outcome: Consistently felt great and experienced positive results after treatments with attentive and compassionate care.
"Dr. Lee is always so attentive and is very kind and sympathetic. Her needling is very good and I always feel great after her treatment."
San Diego, CA
Condition: Receiving acupuncture treatment with concern about comfort during needling.
Outcome: Experienced painless, comfortable treatments with a calm and reassuring care experience.
“Dr. Lee has a pleasantly calm demeanor and is friendly. She is very good at inserting the needles without pain.”
San Diego, CA
Condition: Health concerns requiring knowledgeable guidance and personalized treatment.
Outcome: Felt comfortable, supported, and confident in the treatment approach through compassionate and attentive care.
“Dr. Lee’s attention to detail and genuine care & concern made me immediately comfortable. Any questions or concerns that I had, she answered and approached with knowledge and a sense of what the source and treatment of my problem would be. Her patience and attitude of service & compassion will make her a healing asset for many now and in the future. I thank her for every moment I’ve had around her.”
San Diego, CA
Condition: Recurring hip pain and flare-ups.
Outcome: Hip pain improved significantly after 2 acupuncture treatments and patient felt ready to resume normal activities.
“Dr. Lee does amazing work for my hip pain. I have hip pain from time to time, and sometimes it just flare out. She did 2 acupuncture treatments and I am good to go. Thank you.”
San Diego, CA
"IBS — symptoms from daily to occasional in two months"
I had tried every elimination diet, every supplement my gastroenterologist recommended. Adding acupuncture shifted something fundamental. Within two months my symptoms went from daily to occasional. My GI doctor was supportive and unsurprised — she had seen it before.
T.F. · San Diego · IBS → Managed
"Rheumatoid arthritis — fewer flares, less morning stiffness"
My rheumatologist manages my RA with medication. I added acupuncture hoping to reduce the flares in between. The frequency dropped significantly. Morning stiffness — which I had accepted as permanent — improved more than I expected.
P.K. · Del Mar · Rheumatoid Arthritis → Reduced Flares
"Crohn's disease — longer remission, better quality of life"
My gastroenterologist was supportive of integrative approaches. Acupuncture has not cured my Crohn’s — nothing does — but it has extended my remission periods and reduced the severity when I do flare. That is a meaningful difference in how I live.
A.R. · La Jolla · Crohn’s Disease → Extended Remission
Common questions
Everything you need to know before booking
Questions we hear most often from new patients.
Get Started
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture is commonly used to support relief from pain, stress, anxiety, digestive issues, and sleep problems. Many patients also explore it for chronic conditions when conventional treatments haven’t fully resolved their symptoms.
How is AcuSuccess different from other acupuncture clinics in the Del Mar area?
Acupuncture involves placing very fine needles at specific points on the body to stimulate natural healing responses. It may help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and support the nervous system.
Is acupuncture safe?
Yes, when performed by a trained and licensed practitioner, acupuncture is generally considered safe. Sterile, single-use needles are used, and most people experience minimal side effects.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Take the next step
Ready to explore integrative support for your condition?
Book an autoimmune or digestive health consultation with Dr. Lee — or schedule a free consultation to discuss your specific condition and how acupuncture can work alongside your existing specialist care.
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