Orthopedic Acupuncture
Targeted care for pain, musculoskeletal conditions and recovery from injury.
Learn more →
Santa Cruz Acupuncture • Orthopedics • Sports Medicine
Get back to what you love.
Individualized acupuncture and integrative care for pain, injury recovery, athletic performance and overall wellness.
A modern approach to traditional medicine
Specialties
Care built around how you live.
Daniel combines traditional Chinese medicine with contemporary orthopedic assessment and treatment principles to address the person, not just the symptom.
The approach
Traditional medicine. Modern thinking.
Daniel takes an integrative approach to diagnosis and treatment, utilizing Eastern medicine alongside standard Western orthopedic exams and testing. He also works collaboratively with referring physicians and therapists.
Meet Daniel
Our approach
Four steps. One individualized plan.
The goal is not simply to manage a symptom. It is to understand what's happening, treat appropriately and help you move forward.
01
Assess
Understand your history, symptoms, movement and treatment goals.
02
Treat
Use acupuncture and complementary therapies selected for your needs.
03
Restore
Support mobility, recovery, nervous-system balance and function.
04
Maintain
Build sustainable habits and a healthier, more balanced approach to care.
Acupuncture
Ancient practice. Personalized care.
Acupuncture uses hair-thin, flexible needles inserted into specific points on the body to activate the body's own healing processes. Many patients find treatment deeply relaxing both mentally and physically.
Daniel's practice also includes Chinese herbal formulas and other traditional modalities including moxibustion, tui na bodywork, cupping and gua sha.
Explore AcupunctureServices
Tools for pain, recovery and balance.
Treatment is selected according to your condition, goals and response to care.
Acupuncture Treatment
Hair-thin, flexible needles are placed at specific points to support the body's own healing response and address a wide range of complaints.
Chinese Herbal Formulas
A traditional system using natural medicinals to support treatment of numerous common complaints and health patterns.
Manual Therapies
Cupping, gua sha and bodywork can be incorporated when appropriate to complement acupuncture care.
Sports & Orthopedic Care
Acupuncture orthopedics, pain management and sports-focused care for active people, injury recovery and musculoskeletal conditions.
What we treat
Care for pain, injury and more.
Acupuncture can be beneficial for a broad range of conditions. If you don't see your concern here, call to discuss whether Daniel's approach may be appropriate.
Explore ConditionsSports injuries
Muscle pain
Back, neck & shoulder pain
Leg, ankle & foot pain
Arm, wrist & hand pain
Knee & hip pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tennis elbow
Repetitive strain injuries
TMJ / jaw pain
Sciatica
Arthritis
Tendonitis
Myofascial pain
Headaches & migraines
Postoperative pain
Sinusitis & allergies
Digestive issues
Stress & anxiety
Insomnia
Depression
Fertility & IVF support
Meet Daniel
A Santa Cruz native, lifelong learner and practitioner of whole-person care.
Daniel Rola is a California board-licensed acupuncturist specializing in acupuncture orthopedics, sports medicine and pain management. He graduated from Five Branches University in 2016 with a master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and completed his doctoral program in TCM in August 2020.
As a holistic medicine practitioner, Daniel believes the best medicine treats the body, mind and spirit. His integrative approach combines Eastern medicine with standard Western orthopedic exams and testing, and he collaborates with referring physicians and therapists when appropriate.
In addition to acupuncture, Daniel is trained in manual therapies, herbal medicine and mindfulness practices including qigong, meditation and breathwork.
California Licensed Acupuncturist
DTCM
Orthopedics
Sports Medicine
Pain Management
Connect With Daniel
Rates & insurance
Simple, transparent care.
Payment is due at the time of service for non-insurance patients. Superbills are available upon request.
New patient
$185
90-minute evaluation and treatment.
Existing patient
$120
60-minute treatment.
Insurance: Dr. Daniel Rola is not currently in-network with HMO, EPO, PPO or POS health benefit plans. Call the clinic to verify current coverage and discuss payment options.
New patients
Know what to expect before you arrive.
Your first visit begins with a conversation about your current health, past illnesses, family history and goals for treatment.
01 • Schedule
Make an appointment
Call the office to find a time that works for you.
02 • Intake
Tell your story
We'll review your health history, current concerns and treatment goals.
03 • Treatment
Receive your first treatment
Your initial evaluation and treatment are designed around your needs.
04 • Next steps
Build your plan
We'll determine the appropriate course of care and follow-up.
Inside the clinic
Care in practice.
A look at the people and techniques behind Santa Cruz Acupuncture Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.
Acupuncture treatment
Orthopedic acupuncture in practice.
Cupping & manual therapy
Hands-on care as part of an individualized treatment plan.
Cupping therapy
A close look at one of the clinic’s manual treatment techniques.
The clinic’s roots
Founded in 2003 by Anthony Von der Muhll, L.Ac.
Integrative care
Kathleen Manza, LAc, is part of the clinic’s broader integrative care team.
Santa Cruz, California
Ready to get back to what you love?
Whether you're recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, staying active or looking for a more balanced approach to health, let's talk about what's going on.
ClinicSanta Cruz Acupuncture Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Address303 Potrero St., Building 42, Suite 306
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
HoursMondays 12–5pm
Tuesdays 9am–5pm
Wednesdays 9am–1pm
Tuesdays 9am–5pm
Wednesdays 9am–1pm
← Back to home
Orthopedic acupuncture
Acupuncture for pain, injury and better movement.
Orthopedic acupuncture combines traditional acupuncture with modern knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics and sports medicine to address musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.
What we treat
Designed around the way your body moves.
Care may address muscles, tendons, joints, nerves and connective tissue. The goal is not simply to quiet symptoms, but to restore comfortable, confident movement.
Sports injuries
Back and neck pain
Shoulder and rotator cuff pain
Knee and hip pain
Tendon and overuse injuries
Sciatica and nerve-related pain
Muscle strains and sprains
Repetitive strain injuries
Chronic musculoskeletal pain
Post-injury recovery
Needle therapy
More than one kind of acupuncture.
Depending on your condition, treatment may include traditional acupuncture, electroacupuncture, trigger-point or myofascial needling, dry needling techniques and other orthopedic approaches.
Acupuncture & electroacupuncture
Fine sterile needles are placed according to symptoms and clinical findings. Gentle electrical stimulation may be added for pain, muscle dysfunction, nerve irritation or injury rehabilitation.
Trigger-point & myofascial needling
Targeted needling may address sensitive or tight areas contributing to localized pain, stiffness, restricted movement or referred pain.
Cupping & gua sha
Manual therapies can be incorporated to address soft-tissue restriction, muscular tension, myofascial discomfort and recovery.
Exercise & movement therapy
When appropriate, home exercises support mobility, strength, flexibility, posture, movement mechanics and return to activity.
← Back to home
Sports medicine
Stay active. Recover well. Get back to what you love.
Whether you're returning to sport after an injury or trying to keep an active body moving well, treatment is tailored to your activity, symptoms and goals.
Movement matters
Sports medicine for real life—not just athletes.
You don't have to be a competitive athlete to benefit from sports-focused care. The same principles can help with hiking, surfing, biking, tennis, work, recreation and everyday movement.
Daniel's Santa Cruz roots and his own active lifestyle inform a practical approach centered on function, recovery and getting you back to the activities that matter.
The objective is straightforward: reduce pain, restore function and help you move forward.
Recovery
From injury to return-to-play.
Care can combine acupuncture with manual therapy, exercise instruction and movement guidance.
01
Assess
Understand the injury, training demands, movement and goals.
02
Treat
Use targeted acupuncture and manual therapies as appropriate.
03
Rebuild
Support mobility, strength, flexibility and mechanics.
04
Return
Progress toward the activity, sport or lifestyle you want.
Exercise therapy
Movement is part of the medicine.
Individualized exercise instruction may address core stabilization, shoulder and scapular stability, hip and knee function, ankle strength, flexibility, posture and return-to-play.
Core and low-back stabilization
Neck and pelvic-floor strengthening
Scapular and shoulder-girdle stability
Forearm and wrist strengthening
Hip flexibility and strengthening
Knee-cap alignment
Ankle strengthening
Safe stretching and flexibility
Posture and ergonomics
Return-to-play assessment
← Back to home
Traditional Chinese medicine
A broader view of health, balance and recovery.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is the foundation of Daniel's practice, integrated with contemporary orthopedic assessment and modern approaches to pain and injury care.
Whole-person care
Treat the person, not just the diagnosis.
Daniel's approach considers how symptoms interact with movement, work, recreation, sleep, stress and overall health. Treatment is individualized to the person and may incorporate several traditional and modern modalities.
Chinese herbal medicine and nutritional guidance may be recommended when appropriate, based on overall health, medications, medical history and treatment goals.
Acupuncture
Fine needles stimulate carefully selected points based on symptoms and clinical findings.
Electroacupuncture
Gentle electrical stimulation may be incorporated when appropriate for pain, muscle dysfunction or rehabilitation.
Cupping
Suction therapy may help address muscular tension, soft-tissue restriction and post-exercise soreness.
Gua sha & tui na
Traditional manual therapies can support tissue mobility, muscular relaxation and recovery.
Herbal medicine
Chinese herbal formulas may be used as part of an individualized treatment plan and coordinated with other care.
Qigong, meditation & breathwork
Daniel's training also includes mindfulness practices that support body awareness, relaxation and stress management.
← Back to home
Our approach
Thoughtful care built around your body, your goals and your life.
Our goals are to reduce pain, restore mobility and function, address factors contributing to recurring symptoms, support recovery and help reduce the risk of re-injury.
01
Listen & assess
Understand your history, symptoms, movement, work, recreation and treatment goals.
02
Choose the right tools
Acupuncture, electroacupuncture, manual therapy, exercise and other modalities may be combined as appropriate.
03
Restore function
Support mobility, strength, comfort and confident movement—not simply temporary symptom relief.
04
Coordinate care
When appropriate, collaborate with physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors and other healthcare professionals.
Patient-centered care
You don't have to know exactly what treatment you need.
Every patient arrives with a different history, body, lifestyle and set of goals. Your plan is built around those needs and may change as your symptoms, function and activity levels improve.
Sometimes acupuncture isn't the appropriate first step.
When necessary, the clinic will recommend evaluation or treatment from another healthcare professional.
When necessary, the clinic will recommend evaluation or treatment from another healthcare professional.
← Back to home
Clinic services
Personalized care for pain, injury recovery & better movement.
You don't need to know exactly which treatment you need before scheduling. Your practitioner will evaluate your symptoms and determine which therapies are most appropriate.
What we offer
A flexible treatment toolkit.
Care may combine several approaches during a visit or across a treatment plan.
Orthopedic & sports acupuncture
Traditional acupuncture combined with modern anatomy, biomechanics and sports medicine.
Acupuncture & electroacupuncture
Fine-needle treatment with optional gentle electrical stimulation when appropriate.
Trigger-point & myofascial needling
Targeted techniques for sensitive, tight or dysfunctional muscle areas.
Cupping therapy
Suction therapy for muscular tension, soft-tissue mobility and post-exercise soreness.
Gua sha
Traditional manual therapy for myofascial trigger points and tissue restriction.
Sports massage & tui na
Acupressure, soft-tissue work, assisted stretching and gentle joint mobilization.
Exercise & movement therapy
Practical instruction for mobility, strength, posture, injury prevention and return to activity.
Herbal & nutritional support
Individualized Chinese herbal and nutritional guidance when appropriate.
← Back to home
Conditions treated
Care for pain, injury and movement-related problems.
If you don't see your concern listed, call the clinic. An evaluation can help determine whether this approach is appropriate.
Common reasons patients seek care
From everyday pain to sports injuries.
Care may address acute injuries, persistent musculoskeletal pain, repetitive strain, nerve-related symptoms and other movement limitations.
Call the ClinicSports injuries
Back and neck pain
Shoulder and rotator cuff pain
Knee and hip pain
Tendonitis and overuse injuries
Sciatica
Muscle strains and sprains
Repetitive strain injuries
Chronic musculoskeletal pain
Arthritis
Headaches and migraines
TMJ / jaw pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tennis elbow
Sinusitis and allergies
Digestive issues
Stress and anxiety
Insomnia
Depression
Fertility and IVF support
← Back to home
Our story
Rooted in Santa Cruz. Focused on keeping you moving.
Santa Cruz Acupuncture Orthopedics & Sports Medicine has been helping people recover from pain and injury and return to the activities they love since 2003.
The clinic
A tradition of orthopedic acupuncture in Santa Cruz.
The clinic was founded in 2003 by Anthony Von der Muhll, LAc, DNBAO, FAIPM, who developed a practice focused on acupuncture orthopedics, sports medicine and pain management.
When Anthony retired, he chose Dr. Daniel Rola to continue the practice. That transition preserved an established tradition while allowing the clinic to evolve with contemporary approaches to sports medicine, pain management and rehabilitation.
“The objective isn’t simply to temporarily reduce symptoms. Treatment is designed around improving function, supporting recovery, and helping patients return to the activities that matter to them.”
Meet Daniel
Local roots. Integrative medicine. A passion for movement.
Daniel was born and raised in Santa Cruz County. Surfing, mountain biking, hiking, tennis and exploring the outdoors are part of his own life—and inform how he thinks about helping patients return to theirs.
Education
Doctor and Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Five Branches University, Santa Cruz.
Licensure & certifications
California Licensed Acupuncturist; Certified Massage Practitioner; Medical Qigong certification.
Professional experience
Private practice in Santa Cruz; instructor for the Trauma & Orthopedics Club at Five Branches University; credentialed acupuncture provider with Kaiser Permanente and Palo Alto/Santa Cruz Medical Foundation.
Professional memberships
American Society of Acupuncturists and California State Oriental Medical Association.
Why Daniel practices medicine
Health is more than the absence of pain.
Daniel describes a lifelong curiosity about how the body works and a desire to help people stay connected to the activities that make life meaningful.
“I enjoy figuring out why something hurts, understanding how it’s affecting the whole person, and developing a treatment strategy that helps them move forward. Ultimately, my goal is simple: provide thoughtful, effective care and help people get back to doing the things that make their lives better.”
← Back to home
New patients welcome
Your first visit, explained.
Your initial appointment gives us time to understand what's happening and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
01 • Before your visit
Bring your information
Bring your completed admission and medical self-history forms, insurance card if applicable, a prioritized list of symptoms, relevant referrals, reports or MRI studies, a medication list, and your preferred payment method.
02 • Evaluation
Tell your story
We'll discuss your health history and symptoms, perform a physical examination of problem areas and screen for common medical conditions.
03 • Treatment
Receive your first treatment
Your initial visit includes an acupuncture treatment. Massage, electro-therapy, cupping, guasha and other modalities may be used when appropriate.
04 • Plan
Know what comes next
Your treatment plan covers the expected number and duration of visits, modalities and costs, projected benefits and risks, and alternative or complementary options when appropriate.
Bring what helps us understand the whole picture. Imaging, medical reports and information from other healthcare providers are welcome.
← Back to home
Rates of service
Simple, transparent pricing.
You don't need to choose a treatment before scheduling. Start with an initial evaluation and determine the most appropriate approach based on your symptoms, history, goals and clinical findings.
Initial evaluation & treatment
$185
90 minutes. Comprehensive initial visit including health history, orthopedic evaluation, treatment planning and treatment.
Follow-up
$120
60 minutes. Acupuncture with manual therapy as appropriate.
Focused follow-up
$65
30 minutes. Focused on acupuncture or manual therapy.
5 × 60-minute visits
$500
Five 60-minute follow-up visits.
5 × 30-minute visits
$300
Five 30-minute follow-up visits.
Financial considerations: Affinity and Whole Living Health members receive a 20% discount on visits. Additional financial-hardship considerations may be available case-by-case at the practitioner's discretion.
Insurance
Know your coverage before you arrive.
Dr. Daniel Rola is not currently in-network with HMO, EPO, PPO or POS health benefit plans. Network status can change, so the clinic recommends calling to verify current coverage.
Workers' compensation
Acupuncture may be covered when medically necessary and authorized. The clinic can assist with authorization questions.
FSA / HSA
Flexible spending and health savings accounts may be used for acupuncture, other medical services and prescribed Chinese herbal supplements.
Payment
For self-payment, the clinic accepts cash, check and Visa/MasterCard credit or debit cards.
Questions
Call 831-459-6762 to verify coverage, discuss payment options or request an initial consultation.
← Back to home
Contact
Let's get you back to what you love.
On the trail. In the water. On the field. Or wherever you love to move.
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz Acupuncture Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic
Call to schedule an appointment, ask about coverage, or discuss whether this approach may be appropriate for you.
Address303 Potrero Street, Building 42, Suite 306
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone(831) 459-6762
Fax(831) 400-5068
Daniel's schedule
Practitioner availability.
Call 831-459-6762 to schedule. Hours can change, so confirm with the clinic.
MON
1–5 PM
Dr. Daniel Rola
TUE
9 AM–5 PM
Dr. Daniel Rola
WED
9 AM–Noon
Dr. Daniel Rola
THU
1–5 PM
Dr. Daniel Rola