“I practice natural forms of medicine that help people access internal strength and balance, warding off disease in the body. Usually people who are feeling ‘out-of-balance’ remember a time when they have felt healthy. My work is about bringing the body back in to this state of homeostasis where the body can thrive.
Many of the methods I use are ancient, connected to ancestral wisdom. My goal with each client is to help the body find a state of equilibrium and health. I use various methods for healing, such as plant medicines, thin acupuncture needles, medicine cups (cupping), external application of herbs, medicinal and longevity foods, homeopathic remedies, and exercises.
I look forward to working with you to find ways to achieve and maintain healthy balance.”
Lana Farson is co-director of the Well-Balanced Center, an integrative healing clinic in Lafayette, CA with practitioners from various health care systems. She sees clients on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Lana earned her medical license to practice acupuncture after completing an intensive 4-year Master of Science degree in 1999 from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Prior to this and while discovering her path, she completed undergraduate work at the University of California, San Diego, with an emphasis on language, culture and biology.
Since 2004, Lana has been a professor at the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley, CA, a graduate level master’s degree program for acupuncture, herbology and integrative medicine. She currently teaches three classes about herbal medicine and the licensure for practicing acupuncture in the state of California. Lana also teaches workshops and classes to the public in both Lafayette and San Francisco.
In the spring of 2009, Lana began practicing acupuncture in an emergency room setting of a local hospital in the Bay Area. She is presently working with other acupuncturists and doctors to expand this project in the coming months.
Lana currently gives tours twice a year of the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden, where there is a lovely area dedicated to Asian Medicinal Herbs. Email Lana () if you'd like to attend one of her upcoming tours.
Lana considers dance a form of medicine and spends much of her free time moving to music. She has practiced Iyengar yoga since 1988 and finds the asanas to be crucial to the balance of the body. She also enjoys watercolor painting, biking and hanging out with her family.
Lana’s past work includes:
- At the Academy of Pain Research in San Francisco, CA, Lana taught classes to M.D.’s from various parts of the United States who had interest in learning Asian herbal medicine and acupuncture. The result is that more M.D. are successfully integrating Asian medicine into their western medical practices.
- Lana has been a guest lecturer at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco, CA, teaching courses related to the medical board exam for acupuncture. At this same medical school, she also spent time as an assistant teacher of gynecology, focusing on fertility and maintaining a healthy moon cycle. She has received additional training with the amazing Raven Lang in the area of pregnancy, birthing and pediatrics.
- Starting in the year 2000, Lana spent five years as a back-up acupuncturist for the Center of Elder's Independence at Highland Hospital in Oakland, CA. This service was to help with longevity care and issues related to aging for those using wheelchairs, walkers or canes. During this time, her work also included acupuncture rehabilitation for paralysis due to stroke.
- Other inspirational and influential teachers include Dr. Huang Huang, Dr. Xing Guo Fu, Dr. Lifang Liang, Dr. Yueru Wu, and the late Dr. Zhen Jing Zhao, a descendant from the lineage of acupuncturists that treated the emperor of China.
- Prior to receiving her Acupuncture License and Master's Degree, Lana also worked in the following areas:
UCSD Medical Center, Department of Otolaryngology in San Diego, CA
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, affiliated with UCSF Department of Microbiology, San Francisco, CA
Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA
