Uptown Acupuncture

Kirk Pfeiffer  L.Ac

Liscenced Acupuncturist

Our resident acupuncturist here at Uptown Acupuncture, he is one of the most talented and recognized Eastern Medicine specialists in San Diego. His extensive background in acupuncture and herbal medicine along with an advanced graduate degree in medical massage, gives him a unique set of skills to help heal clients. Kirk has trained with some of the top leaders in his field completing a fellowship with Dr. Richard Tan, Master Acupuncturist, author and founder of the “Balance Method” -  a powerful pain relief technique. Kirk has also studied with Matt Callison, a pioneer in orthopedic acupuncture and sports rehab. Kirk’s passion and dedication to getting clients fast, lasting results has earned him a dedicated following and well regarded reputation. Kirk specializes in acute disorders, longevity tonics, pain management, sports injury,  herbology, stress-relief and HIV wellness.

Kirk is known for setting newcomers to acupuncture at ease. He explains the process in a language people can understand and answers those questions we all have. He also has a great way with explaining what is happening on the body with the use of analogy. Sometimes describing problems with shoulder pain to a 50 year old mechanic using the analogy of the front suspension being out of alignment causing the tires to ware incorrectly, or when working with computer people, he has a plethora of analogies to use because acupuncture can be seen very easily as changing the software in the body to correct aspects that are out of balance. His warm hearted nature and sensitive touch make him a perfect candidate for acupuncture first timers. He will leave you with good music, the right temperature and a bell in your hand as you relax into your treatment.

Although we have quite a few great massage therapists working at the Massage Collective @ Uptown Acupuncture, none of them quite have the hands of Kirk. After years in his 20’s working construction, then owning and running his car detail business for 7 years, Kirk has some of the strongest hands in the business. He has been doing massage for 10 years and works primarily with chronic pain and Sports Injuries. His work is intense, but he can untie knots that have been is shoulders for years. His work is not for everyone, and is not cheap, but for the right person with the right problem, his deep tissue work has been called a miracle.

With his patient personality, strong body of knowledge, and skilled hands, you are sure to have a pleasant experience and excellent results from his treatments.

Kirk’s hobbies outside of Uptown Acupuncture include Palates, gourmet cooking and feeding his addiction to Tennis.

Justin Penoyer, MSTOM

Functional Medical Specialist

Justin is a practicing Chinese herbalist and clinical nutritionist, and is currently pursuing his doctorate at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. He holds an M.S. in Traditional Oriental Medicine, as well as several B.A.  degree’s in Traditional Arabic Medicine, Asian Philosophy, History, and Horticulture. Justin has studied closely with many leading experts in Chinese herbology, and has benefited from extensive training in biomedical and classical internal medicine, as well as herbal pharmakinetics and drug-herb interactions. He specializes in reproductive health and wellness, obstetrics, andrological and gastro-intestinal disorders, as well as traumatic injury and pain. His practice integrates traditional oriental food and herbal therapies with modern clinical nutrition and internal medicine, drawing upon 3000 years of collective medicinal knowledge. Justin’s philosophy is rooted in service and compassion, and he believes strongly in patient education, prevention, and the Art of Nourishing Life.

Justin has recognized that their is an educational gap in the knowlege of what to take when. To many times we ourselves or our friends and family have trusted the advice of a grocery store vitamin guy when determining what to take as a supplement. Justin’s solid body of knowledge about what supplements do what, and why a client should take them, make him an invaluable resource to Uptown Acupuncture and it’s patients. He very effectively acts as a “Wellness Manager” for his clients, helping them achieve their health goals and makes sure they are not wasting their money on supplements they do not need, or worse,  are made with binders so they go right through you with no benefit.

Justin’s knowledge of Chinese Herbology was one of the main reasons he was asked to join on at Uptown Acupuncture. Kirk recognized very quickly that although he had been practicing Chinese Herbology for 8 years and was and is quite good, Justin’s passion and body of knowledge in regard to herbs was clearly a step above.

Justin’s hobbies outside of medicine include playing guitar and communing with nature.