The Saxena Clinic

I want to wish you a happy Lunar new year, and also, it's hard to make festive wishes as we all sit with the grief we hold for the community of Monterey Park. May we all be gentle with ourselves, on this first day of the new year and every day.

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/unprecedented-sonoma-county-pilot-program-to-offer-vulnerable-residents-a/?fbclid=IwAR04PVftazMYxoGenbHyx5xPU8PwFKnbmqbhVhU0FUdlCFr93ZZHUvL47fs&mibextid=Zxz2cZ&artslide=1

(Thank you for sharing this, Alegría De La Cruz !)

I'm delighted to be the subject of "The End Bit" in the current issue of Made Local Magazine. There are SO MANY incredible people in the pages of this issue, and I hope you pick it up!

The End Bit: Meet an Acupuncturist — Dr. Lorelle Saxena, DACM, L.Ac | Made Local Magazine The End Bit: Meet an Acupuncturist — Dr. Lorelle Saxena, DACM, L.Ac Story by Jess D. Taylor // Filed under Mar/Apr 2022 The End Bit Meet Acupuncturist Dr. Lorelle Saxena, DACM, L.Ac Dr. Lorelle Saxena, DACM, L.Ac., loves boots, bicycling, and beet greens. Her favorite weekends are the ones spent i...

Dear friends,

Back in mid-March of 2020, I sent you an email letting you know that I'd be closing the clinic for three weeks. (Remember when we thought this would be over in three weeks?)

Today, a full twenty-two months later, I'm overjoyed to let you know that I am reopening, effective immediately. (You can make an appointment easily through the website: www.thesaxenaclinic.com .)

I'm really looking forward to hearing how you've moved through these strange times, what changes you didn't expect, and what important things have stayed the same.

I'm also excited to welcome you to my new office at 33Arts, a warm and vibrant arts collective on the west side of Santa Rosa, just off Sebastopol Road and the Joe Rodota Trail. If you haven't been to 33Arts before, I am delighted to be the first person to tell you about it.

You will notice, right away, that it's really different from any space my clinic has occupied before. 33Arts is a unique hidden treasure full of amazing people creating amazing things in our community, and I am thrilled that they have welcomed me and my practice into their fold. When you step into the friendly lobby, and then into my cozy, light and plant-filled office, you'll understand why I chose this special place as a clinic home.

A few notes on some other changes to my practice:

I will no longer be accepting any form of health insurance—although I will always be able to give you a claims form that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

I will, however, be implementing a sliding scale. While my standard fee will remain the same ($125 for established patients and $150 for a new patient's first visit), the new sliding scale, which applies to all appointments and all patients, is $75-150.

Regarding COVID-19 safety: I've received both my COVID-19 vaccine and booster. For everyone's safety, I will conduct all appointments wearing both an N95 face mask and a full face shield. I ask that you wear an N95, KN95 or surgical mask throughout your visit. If you arrive without a mask, no problem—I have one for you! Lastly, please only come in for your scheduled appointment if you have no cold or flu-type symptoms, and if you have had no known exposures to a COVID-positive person in the last week. Same-day cancellations due to COVID exposure or symptoms will not be subject to a cancellation fee.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. I’m so looking forward to seeing you and yours soon!

Transition is always bittersweet.

The Saxena Clinic is officially no longer a part of Well Sonoma. We dreamed big together, and I will miss our collective--which continues on without me, and still includes wonderful providers.

But I'm so excited about what's coming next for my little clinic. I will have all the details for you as our world slowly opens back up, but what it looks like is this: a healthcare space that is inclusivity-forward, where we lead with the awareness that healthcare and social justice are inextricable partners, where within our practices and out in the world we actively combat racism, sexism and bias against our non-binary community.

This move was planned long before Covid-19 shut us all down. I know I will be back to practice, but I don't know when--right now and until schools reopen, being Kamal's parent and teacher is my full-time gig.

But the pandemic itself has so clearly delineated how grave a threat racism is to public health. Historic uprisings around the country point clearly to this truth and how critical and immediate the need for change is. Moreover, this week the current administration removed protections around transgender people receiving healthcare. I stand more deeply committed than ever to anti-racist, socially-just, trauma-informed healthcare, to working to make that care accessible and safe for all, and to actively finding ways to bring comfort and ease to the lives of people everywhere.

When I can open my new doors, I look forward to celebrating with you there. Thank you, community, for your constant and warm support during this decade-plus of practice. I'm only here because you are. ♥️

Dear friends,

In response to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the Saxena Clinic will be closed until April 6. If you have an appointment scheduled during that time, our scheduling system will be sending you a separate cancellation notice. I will continue to stay informed about the situation and make decisions about reopening based on recommendations by health officials.

This was a challenging decision to make, of course--but what makes it easier is my certainty that it is in the best interest of my patients, our larger community and public health overall.

I will be looking at best ways to offer telemedicine sessions via video chat, focused primarily on the management of anxiety and depression. I can continue to make suggestions around dietary therapy (even based on what you have around the house!), prescribe Chinese herbal remedies and make acupressure recommendations. These sessions will be entirely by-donation, and you'll be able to book them online.

While my doors are closed in order to safeguard everyone's best health, I am still available to you, as always, with any questions or concerns. Please feel free to reach out via phone, text or email.

I know this is a strange, unprecedented time. It is an excellent time to practice being gentle and forgiving with yourself, to cultivate stillness and reflection, and to take the best possible care of yourself.

I am so looking forward to seeing all of you when we come through this.

All the best,

Dr. Lorelle Saxena, DACM, L.Ac.
[pronouns: she/her]

The Saxena Clinic

Secret mocktail ingredient for tomorrow night's Well Sonoma Open House! Can you guess what it is?