Hello!
I’m Carly Turner, a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine based in San Diego, California, with a passion for helping people feel stronger, healthier, and more connected to their bodies. Originally from the Bay Area, I first began my healthcare journey through physical therapy, earning my undergraduate degree from San Diego State University and gaining hands-on experience working in rehabilitation and movement-based care.
My background in physical therapy naturally led me to Traditional Chinese Medicine, where I discovered a more holistic approach to healing that considers the body, mind, and lifestyle together. I continue to deepen my knowledge through ongoing study of both Eastern and Western approaches to health and wellness.
My goal is to help each patient return to their daily routines with less pain, better mobility, and improved overall wellbeing. I believe treatment should be personalized, collaborative, and empowering, whether someone is seeking support for pain management, stress, recovery, or long-term wellness.
In my practice, I combine acupuncture with a patient-centered approach that emphasizes education, prevention, and sustainable lifestyle habits. I strive to create a welcoming environment where patients feel heard, supported, and confident in their healing process.
About Me
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My journey into acupuncture began after a basketball injury in 2015. During a game, I tore my ACL and both meniscus discs in my left knee, leading to two surgeries within just two months. What followed was a long and difficult recovery, nearly nine months on crutches and over a year of physical therapy. Even after all of that, I continued to experience flare-ups, pain, swelling, and physical limitations that felt incredibly discouraging for someone in their early twenties.
About three years after the initial injury, I attempted to play basketball again. After just one scrimmage, my knee became swollen for nearly three months. That was the moment a close friend recommended I try acupuncture. I knew nothing about acupuncture but after only four treatments, I regained full range of motion in my knee and experienced relief I hadn’t felt in years. I was completely sold.
From that point on, acupuncture became a major part of my recovery journey. Not only did it continue to help rehabilitate my knee and surrounding muscles, but it also significantly improved the chronic migraines I had struggled with since sixth grade. For the first time, I experienced what it felt like to address the body as a whole rather than simply chasing symptoms.
At the time, I was still pursuing my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Physical Therapy and working within the rehabilitation field. I loved helping people recover, but over time I began noticing a pattern, many patients would eventually plateau in their healing. I couldn’t stop thinking about the impact acupuncture had on my own recovery and how differently it approached the healing process.
A few years after graduating, everything finally clicked, acupuncture was what I truly wanted to pursue. I decided to fully commit to the path of Traditional Chinese Medicine and have not looked back since.
My experiences taught me that healing is never just about one isolated injury or symptom, it is a full-body process. True healing happens when we support the entire system: physically, mentally, and emotionally. After experiencing the power of holistic medicine firsthand, I made it my mission to help others reconnect with their bodies, move beyond limitations, and discover what whole-body healing can truly look like.
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Formal Education
DACM (Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine) Pacific College of Health and Sciences, San Diego, CA, 2025
MSTOM (Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine) Pacific College of Health and Sciences
B.S. Kinesiology - Pre Physical Therapy, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 2019
Post-Graduate Work
Microneedling Certification: Refine USA - RejuvaPen NXT, October 2025
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“I highly recommend Carly for acupuncture! I came in at 31 weeks pregnant with a painful muscle spasm and a lot of stress, and she helped me so much. Her calm, reassuring demeanor immediately put me at ease, and her knowledge and skill were obvious throughout the entire session. I left feeling significantly better and truly cared for. I’m so grateful for her support and would absolutely recommend her to anyone—especially other moms-to-be looking for relief and a gentle, knowledgeable practitioner.”
A. W
“Carly is the best acupuncturist I know! She is very attentive and knowledgeable. She takes the time to fully explain her treatment plan and makes sure you are comfortable and feeling good throughout the session and afterwards. Highly recommend going to see Carly, you’ll feel better!”
A. D