Clear Path Acupuncture

Apr 2023

Clear Path is partly run by Maire and Joe, the latter of whom also owns and works at Kama'aina Acupuncture. Some content in this review for Clear Path also appears in the one I wrote for Kama'aina, as I've received treatments from him at both places.Unlike at Kama'aina, Clear Path doesn't use a sliding pay scale. This is a kind of higher-end version of Kama'aina, one where sessions are conducted in private rooms. It is to me reminiscent of some luxurious Thai massage spas that I experienced in Chiang Mai and Bangkok; the vibe is very relaxing, the sounds and aromas and fragrances sleep-inducing. It may be a little unusual to mention this, but the interior design is beautiful; I feel that online photos don't do it justice. They re-sourced materials from the Old Spaghetti Factory (stained-glass window) and the old Klum gym floor from UH, as well as many other architectural structures from around the island, incorporating the materials into the clinic's walls and counters. Stories about each section are pretty interesting. I just mention it because the creativity of design to the interior contributes to the overall atmosphere. Some people need solitude and a certain ambiance to feel rested, in which case Clear Path might be their preference.For those who worry about pain during treatments, I would say that I barely feel the needles enter my body, and the feeling itself is not unpleasant. The needles are extremely thin, not anything like the kind you'd use for sewing. Also, acupuncturists use plastic tubes to guide the entries of the needles, so each application takes a fraction of a second in which they tap the needle into the skin. (I believe this is generally the practice these days, because it was the same when I received acupuncture in Japan, where I lived for 21 years.) To me, it doesn't hurt at all. I feel less sensation from it than being pinched by someone's fingernails. Certainly, it's nothing like receiving an injection or giving blood. Acupuncture needles are so much thinner, and the time of entry so much quicker, that they are nothing like being pierced at a clinic or doctor's office. Oftentimes, with Chinese (and other non-Western) medicine, it can be hard to quantify results, or to clearly define them. For example, if pain goes away after a treatment, many skeptics might wonder if the acupuncture was the cause, or if it had more to do with the mindset of the patient. In other words, do we feel better afterwards simply because we believe we do? Is there a sort of placebo effect taking place? I understand that perspective. In my sessions with Joe, I can recount two specific instances of tangible results. This may be more information than the reader wants, but one of my issues being treated has been acid reflux. Had it for the first time recently. Although it still recurs once in a while, my condition has been much better since starting his treatments. I mean this along the lines of physical symptoms as well as feelings of discomfort (which can always be physical and/or psychological). In my situation, I would say that the physical symptoms noticeably lessened.The other example was Joe's treatment for one of my eyes. Over the last few years, every once in a while, capillaries in the whites of one of my eyes burst, and it becomes blood red. It doesn't hurt at all, and it doesn't affect my vision, but it can look pretty terrible. Usually takes a few weeks to clear up. After a session with Joe, most of the red was gone after two days. I was astonished. I'd never seen it disappear so quickly. I don't have evidence that it was because of Joe's treatment--I suppose acupuncture is like that, you don't have hard evidence of its effects--but I certainly don't think it was coincidental, and I credit his skills with the needles for my eye's return to quick normalcy.I haven't yet received treatments by Maire. I would like to note that, when I first contacted her for one of my relatives who was seeking treatment

Jul 2020

I have been seeing Joe since 2013 now and he has helped me through numerous ailments with great healing and compassion. I went to two different hospitals on island to treat an ulcer and ended up with no help and thousands of dollars in hospital bills. I turned to Joe for help and it was cured in ONE session! From then on I've been going for everything from ulcers to reproductive help to sciatica. Talking with him is like talking with an old friend. He listens well and makes you feel comfortable and at ease. His private practice at Clear Path is serene and has plenty of good hygiene practice and space to feel safe during these socially distant times. Parking is free in the garage with validation. I highly recommend his services to anyone! Mahalo for everything Joe

Jun 2020

I first met Joe and Maire at Kama'aina Acupuncture. I cannot say enough great things about them. Joe has helped me with my health perhaps more than any other person I've ever met. They are a gifted, compassionate team and the clinic they've created is a work of art. If you are feeling sick or stressed, receiving a treatment at Clear Path is nothing short of a transcendent experience. Highly, highly recommended.