What patients are saying
Overall rating
5.00
Average wait time
5.00
Bedside manner
5.00
“I’m so glad I found Dr. Ma! My migraines have been bothering me for years, but she really took the time to listen, understand my history, and tailor everything to what I needed. Her care is so thorough and thoughtful—I honestly leave her office feeling like a new person every time. She’s been a total game-changer for me, and I can’t recommend her enough!”
IULess than 1 month ago
“My daughter was diagnosed with sleep apnea. My husband and I did not want to go through with the adenoidectomy recommended by the ENT physician. While I was seeing my physician for a back issue, she mentioned there was a pediatric acupuncturist. I had no idea kids could be treated with acupuncture.
Dr Deb is amazing. My daughter's snoring and sleep apnea have been nonexistent. I've noticed a difference in her daytime energy and nasal congestion. We are so happy we did not have to undergo unnecessary surgery. I'm so happy we could tackle it holistically. Dr Deb is patient, kid-friendly, and knowledgeable. We're thrilled to have found an acupuncture facility for the whole family.”
APLess than 1 month ago
About Dr. Deborah Ma
Dr. Deb Ma, PhD, LAC, OMD, combines 17+ years of expertise from No.1 private hospitals with an unique approach using Cheek Acupuncture and FSN Needles.
At Puzzle Acupuncture, Dr Deb specialize in "difficult" cases—specifically nerve injury rehabilitation, chronic pain, and maternal health (including postpartum care). I view the body as a puzzle; when patients are told their condition is "impossible," I simply believe we just haven't found the right pieces to solve it yet.
1. Nerve Injury & Rehabilitaion
- Acute or chronic sports injuries for athletes
- Complex neurological disorders, stroke, Bell's palsy, limb numbness & tingling
- Post-surgical nerve damage, cancer-related pain, and chronic abdominal pain syndromes
2. Migraine & Sleep Disorders
- Headache, chronic migraine
- Insomnia and sleep quality improvement
- Hormonal imbalances affecting mood and energy
3. Digestion & Gut
- Bloating & abdominal distension
- Allergy management and immune system support
- Digestive issues and gastrointestinal health
4. Women's Health
- Physical recovery: constipation, urinary retention, and pelvic health
- Hormonal rebalancing, pelvic floorrehabilitation, and psychological resilience support
- Postpartum depression and emotional wellness support
Office location
Dr. Deborah Ma, PhD, LAc, OMD also offers online video visits for patients
Education and background
Practice names
Board certifications
- National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Education and training
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, PhD in Neuroscience
- South Baylo University, Master's in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Professional memberships
- Acupuncture and Integrated Medicine Specialists
- American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Languages spoken
- Chinese (Fujian)
- Chinese (Mandarin)
- English
- Taiwanese
Provider's gender
Female
NPI number
1407498462
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
5.00
Wait time
5.00
Bedside manner
5.00
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8 reviews
Most relevant
I’m so glad I found Dr. Ma! My migraines have been bothering me for years, but she really took the time to listen, understand my history, and tailor everything to what I needed. Her care is so thorough and thoughtful—I honestly leave her office feeling like a new person every time. She’s been a total game-changer for me, and I can’t recommend her enough!
Less than 1 month agoIU
My daughter was diagnosed with sleep apnea. My husband and I did not want to go through with the adenoidectomy recommended by the ENT physician. While I was seeing my physician for a back issue, she mentioned there was a pediatric acupuncturist. I had no idea kids could be treated with acupuncture.
Dr Deb is amazing. My daughter's snoring and sleep apnea have been nonexistent. I've noticed a difference in her daytime energy and nasal congestion. We are so happy we did not have to undergo unnecessary surgery. I'm so happy we could tackle it holistically. Dr Deb is patient, kid-friendly, and knowledgeable. We're thrilled to have found an acupuncture facility for the whole family.
Less than 1 month agoAP
Amazing Chinese medicine doctor and acupuncturist!! I feel so lucky to find her while scrolling RedNote. I drive all the way from Menlo Park to SF to see her each week and that’s how good she is.
She helped me with all my neck and shoulder issue, digestive issues, hot flashes, and sleeping problem.
She has over 17 years of experience from top hospitals in Beijing and only moved to the Bay Area in late 2025! If you’re looking to get healthier and feel much better for the new year, Dr. Deb is the one!!
Less than 1 month agoZW
Dr. Deborah Ma is an amazing acupuncturist. After just one session, the pain from my stiff neck was completely gone! Her acupuncture technique feels different from others I’ve experienced—she is very gentle and always explains each step beforehand, which makes me feel comfortable and at ease. She is also very patient and takes the time to answer all my questions thoroughly. I’m so grateful to have found her and would highly recommend her!
Less than 1 month agoKH
I met Dr. Ma at a healing fair where she gave me a very intuitive mini-massage and scraping session. Unlike many acupuncturists, Dr. Ma:
Used cheek acupuncture, a technique that I hadn't heard of in the USA.
Worked on me almost the whole session, unlike acupuncturists who stick needles and then leave.
First palpated most of my body with their hands, including my belly. They found key spots that no other provider found. How do I know? My body instantly reacted in a way it never had before.
Was gentle because they used the thinnest needles into my cheek to distally treat other parts of my body. I knew those needles were doing something because, for example, I could hear my belly gurgle, which it rarely does. Then they palpated my belly again to see if it was less tender. It was!
After just one session, the next day, I noticed when I did my physical therapy exercises, I had significantly more range of motion that I didn’t have for nine months!
Less than 1 month agoJC
I was recommended to Dr Deb by my surgeon. After a C-section complication left me unable to move one of my feet, I thought I'd never walk normally again. Dr. Deb gave me hope with her 3-month treatment plan with some modern techniques, combined with personalized herbal medicine. She also taught me rehabilitation exercises that I could do at home. Thanks to her comprehensive approach, I'm walking again.
Even with just 1 treatment, I can already feeling the release of the tension. She press on a lot of muscles on my back, stomach and even my neck, I was surprised these areas are so tense.
It was a really long 3 month for me. Dr Deb is very patient, she explain to me what to expect for each kind of treatment, and really work with me to setup my expectation. That's a huge relief knowing the plan.
Deb worked together with my PT on the plan, she communicated with my PT to update my treatment plan based on how they recovered. That makes a huge difference. I can't recommend her more!
Less than 1 month agoTC
I had been dealing with really bad stomach problems, headaches, and migraines for a while and the dizziness just would not quit. I literally could not sit in front of my laptop for any stretch of time which was starting to mess with my work. A friend told me to go see Dr Deb and honestly that might be the best advice I could’ve gotten. During the session i could already notice a real difference in the headaches, migraines, stomach, and the dizziness too. She was super patient, answered every question I threw at her, and helped me figure out where i was holding tension in my body that I had no clue about. It was my first time doing acupuncture and she made it feel completely normal. Would definitely recommend to anyone dealing with any kind of health issue and i’ll be going back for sure.
Less than 1 month agoSG
Dr. Deb has been so incredible for me. After visiting countless doctors/specialists for various health issues ranging from UTIs, acid reflux, hives, anxiety/sleep issues, and over use muscle pain, Dr. Deb was the only one I stuck with. She listened intently to all my symptoms no matter how unrelated and always checked backed in on them. She's the first doctor that made me feel human and not like just another nameless number.
Through many techniques (acupuncture, scraping, herbal soup recipes) she's helped me through all of my listed health issues. She's incredibly kind and fun to talk to, I've enjoyed all of our heartfelt conversations in my sessions. I truly couldn't vouch for her enough, she's awesome!
Less than 1 month agoGC
How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. Deborah Ma?
Generally, Dr. Deborah Ma has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Ma's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Dr. Deborah Ma accepting new patients?
Dr. Deborah Ma generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Ma's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Dr. Deborah Ma accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Dr. Ma is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Dr. Deborah Ma online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Ma using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Dr. Deborah Ma work with?
Dr. Deborah Ma works with Puzzle Acupuncture.
Where is Dr. Deborah Ma's office located?
Dr. Deborah Ma has 2 office locations in San Francisco, view full addresses on Dr. Ma's profile.
Which board certifications does Dr. Deborah Ma have?
Dr. Deborah Ma is certified by National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. Deborah Ma?
Dr. Deborah Ma frequently sees patients for Acupuncture, Arthritis, Depression, Infertility Consultation, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Dr. Deborah Ma on their profile.
What languages does Dr. Deborah Ma speak?
Dr. Deborah Ma speaks Chinese (Fujian), Chinese (Mandarin), English, and Taiwanese.
How do patients rate Dr. Deborah Ma in reviews?
8 patients have reviewed Dr. Deborah Ma. The overall rating for this doctor is 5/5. They have a 5/5 rating for bedside manner and a 5/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.