Safety & Quality Standards

This practice complies with all California Acupuncture Board regulations and Clean Needle Technique standards. Your safety is our first priority at every appointment.

Needle Safety & Infection Control

In compliance with California Acupuncture Board regulations (§1399.451, §1399.454, §4955(e)) and Clean Needle Technique (CNT) standards established by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine.

• All needles are sterile, single-use, and disposed of in approved sharps containers after each session – never reused under any circumstances
• All reusable instruments are sterilized between uses
• Acupuncture points are cleaned with antiseptic before needle insertion
• Treatment surfaces, linens, and equipment are sanitized between patients
• Sharps are disposed of through a licensed medical waste service
• This practice follows Clean Needle Technique (CNT) standards to prevent blood-borne disease transmission

Mari Kubota, LAc. holds current Clean Needle Technique certification as required by the California Acupuncture Board. If you have questions about needle safety procedures at any time, please ask.

Medications, Herbs & Supplements

Please inform Mari of all medications, herbs, and nutritional supplements you are currently taking before your first appointment and at any visit when your regimen changes. Some Chinese herbs and supplements may interact with pharmaceutical medications. We take precautions to minimize the risk of interactions and will always review your current medications before prescribing herbs or supplements.

Always consult your prescribing physician before changing or discontinuing any pharmaceutical medication. For severe or unexpected reactions to any herbal formula or supplement, stop taking it immediately and call (510) 770-6274. For severe reactions including difficulty breathing, swelling, or loss of consciousness, call 911 immediately.

Patient Health Disclosures

Please disclose any of the following before your appointment so that treatment can be safely modified or rescheduled if needed. Your safety and the safety of other patients depends on this information.

• Pregnancy, trying to conceive, or possible pregnancy
• Bleeding disorder or use of blood-thinning medications
• Implanted pacemaker, defibrillator, cochlear implant, or other electronic device
• Active cancer or currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiation
• Active infection, open wound, or communicable illness
• Severe needle anxiety or prior fainting during medical procedures
• Known blood-borne infection such as HIV or Hepatitis B or C
• Any recent change in health status or medications

If you are feeling unwell on the day of your appointment, please contact us as soon as possible to reschedule. Illness cancellations are never penalized.

Treatment Room Standards

• Treatment tables are covered with fresh paper or clean linens for each patient
• The treatment room is cleaned and sanitized between appointments
• All surfaces and equipment in contact with patients are disinfected after each use
• Hand hygiene protocols are followed before and after each patient contact
• The office maintains adequate ventilation and fresh air circulation

Emergency Procedures

In the event of a medical emergency during your appointment, Mari will call 911 immediately and all treatment will stop. You will never be left alone during a medical event in the office.

For needle fainting – a known and manageable response – please eat a light meal before your appointment and inform Mari immediately if you begin to feel lightheaded, dizzy, or unwell during treatment. Needle fainting is not dangerous when managed promptly.

Scope of Practice

Mari Kubota, LAc., Dipl.Ac., MSAOM is licensed by the California Acupuncture Board (License #13444) and practices within the California Acupuncture Practice Act (Business and Professions Code §4927). Her scope of practice includes acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, dietary and lifestyle guidance, energy medicine, and other modalities within the authorized scope.

Mari Kubota is not a medical doctor, physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed mental health therapist. She does not diagnose Western medical conditions, prescribe pharmaceutical medications, perform surgery, or provide mental health therapy. A TCM assessment reflects Traditional Chinese Medicine principles and is distinct from Western medical diagnosis.

Questions about the scope of acupuncture practice in California: California Acupuncture Board  |  (916) 515-5200  |  acupuncture.ca.gov

Licensing & Complaints

Mari Kubota, LAc. is regulated by the California Acupuncture Board. If you have a concern about the care you received that you would like to report to the licensing board:

California Acupuncture Board
(916) 515-5200  |  acupuncture.ca.gov
2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 2050, Sacramento, CA 95815

Contact Us

Mari Kubota, LAc., Dipl.Ac., MSAOM
2381 Mariner Square Drive, Suite 175, Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 770-6274
mari@numinousacupunctureandalchemy.com

Effective date: April 2026  |  Last updated: May 2026