Uptown Acupuncture is your Yelp 5-Star rated go-to clinic for pain and stress solutions. Conveniently located in Hillcrest on Washington and 9th, our friendly clinic has been getting people better since 2004.

I am a Licensed Acupuncturist who loves to help people of all ages feel more ease in their lives physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. There are over 365 acupuncture points on the body to support your body’s innate ability to heal. Anyone who receives treatment from me can learn this art of returning to a state of ease and Wellness. It is my job to stay present with you and artfully choose points to guide you on your unique path of return.

I began my study of Chinese medicine in the late 1980's. I was first drawn to the vast richness and depth of Chinese medicine through my practice of classical martial arts. Over the decades, I learned various methods of hands-on therapies for the treatment of injuries that would occur during training. I also learned how herbal medicine has been safely and effectively used for millenia to support athletic training. After completing my undergraduate degree and working for a few years as a translator I realized my true calling was in the study and practice of Chinese Medicine.


I received my Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in 2001 and completed a sports medicine and orthopedics internship treating collegiate athletes at the University of California, San Diego. After obtaining my California State Acupuncture license in 2002, I began to actively study Classical Chinese Medicine under Dr. Jeffrey Yuen, an 88th generation Daoist physician and priest. I continue to study with Dr. Yuen to this day with the belief that it is my responsibility to keep growing as a physician for the sake of my patients. The rich tradition that Dr. Yuen teaches has allowed me to successfully help many patients with difficult neurological complaints, autoimmune disorders and a wide range of functional diseases.

I have personally experienced the shortcomings of the conventional medical system which primarily focuses on the suppression of symptoms and the disempowerment of patients. This motivated me to devote my practice to empowering my patients to take back control of their health and break free from their dependency on medications.

I use a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutraceuticals, tui na, qi gong, and dietary therapy integrated with functional medicine (customized lab work) to decipher the mystery of each unique patient. Although it is a challenging path, I find it immensely rewarding and cannot imagine doing anything else.


I have practiced and taught classical Chinese martial arts and health practices in the US and internationally for decades. A student at heart, I spend much of my free time reading or thinking about how to be a better physician for my patients. My goal is ultimately to help unlock the miraculous healing capacity that is contained in every individual.


Since beginning my practice in 2002 I've worked closely with many primary care doctors, orthopedic surgeons, neurologists and gasteroenterologists to provide heart-felt care to thousands of patients.

CHARLENE LINCOLN IS THE FOUNDER OF ACUPUNCTURE FOR THE PEOPLE SANTA
BARBARA. SHE HAS BEEN PRACTICING ACUPUNCTURE FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS.
GRADUATING FROM THE SANTA BARBARA COLLEGE OF ORIENTAL MEDICINE SHE
RECEIVED A MASTER’S IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE. AFTER
GRADUATION SHE COMPLETED A 7 MONTH INTERNSHIP AT THE RENOWNED BEIJING
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL. FROM THERE SHE BEGAN HER CAREER WORKING FOR A
MEDICAL DOCTOR WHO SPECIALIZED IN CHRONIC PAIN. CHARLENE HONED HER
SKILLS BY TREATING UPWARDS OF 80 PATIENTS A WEEK. THERE SHE TREATED
EVERY TYPE OF PAIN CONDITION IMAGINABLE AND RECEIVED FEEDBACK FROM HER
PATIENTS DAILY THAT ACUPUNCTURE WAS THE MODALITY THAT WAS GIVING THEM
THE MOST EFFECTIVE PAIN RELIEF.

CHARLENE BECAME INTERESTED IN ACUPUNCTURE, NATURAL MEDICINE, NUTRITION
AND YOGA IN HER 20’S. BATTLING WITH WEIGHT, HORMONAL ISSUES,
ALLERGIES AND CHRONIC PAIN FROM A CAR ACCIDENT LEFT HER LOOKING FOR
ANSWERS. SHE WAS FASCINATED AND EXCITED BY THE THEORY THAT IF YOU GIVE
YOUR BODY WHAT IT NEEDS IT WILL HEAL. IN HER HEART SHE BELIEVED THAT
WAS TRUE AND WANTED TO PUT THAT THEORY TO THE TEST. BY FEEDING HER
BODY PROPER NUTRITION, GETTING ACUPUNCTURE REGULARLY AND INCORPORATING
YOGA SHE WAS ABLE TO TRANSFORM HER HEALTH.

FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS SHE HAS HELPED COUNTLESS PEOPLE GET OUT OF THE
HORRIBLE CYCLE OF PAIN AND REGAIN THEIR HEALTH. HER SPECIALTIES
INCLUDE CHRONIC PAIN, WOMEN’S HEALTH AND ALLERGIES. PATIENTS WHO
WORK WITH CHARLENE RECOGNIZE THAT SHE HAS A REAL IN DEPTH
UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONDITIONS SHE TREATS. BECAUSE SHE DEALT FIRST
HAND WITH THE CONDITIONS SHE SPECIALIZES IN, SHE HAS A UNIQUE
UNDERSTANDING OF THEM.

CHARLENE’S LOVE FOR ACUPUNCTURE AND HERBS GROWS MORE AND MORE. SHE
NEVER CEASES TO BE AMAZED AT HOW EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE ACUPUNCTURE AND
HERBS ARE FOR HEALING MANY HEALTH CONDITIONS WITHOUT ANY NEGATIVE SIDE
EFFECTS. THE ONLY FRUSTRATION SHE HAS HAD IS HOW COST PROHIBITIVE
ACUPUNCTURE IS FOR MANY OF US. ACUPUNCTURE IS A PEOPLE’S MEDICINE
AND SHOULD BE ACCESSIBLE TO ANYONE WHO SEEKS OUT A NATURAL APPROACH TO
PAIN RELIEF. THAT IS WHY CHARLENE CREATED ACUPUNCTURE FOR THE PEOPLE
SANTA BARBARA. SHE WANTED A PLACE WHERE THE COMMUNITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COULD EASILY ACCESS ACUPUNCTURE AFFORDABLY AND GET THE CARE THEY NEED
AND AS OFTEN AS THEY NEED IT. YOU CAN AFFORD TO FEEL AMAZING.

Since 1984.
Insurance, Workers Comp and Accident Insurance Accepted