About Adam
Acupuncture Physician & Functional Medicine practitioner. Former competitive athlete. I got into this medicine because I needed it myself.
My Story
Like many of you, I’ve always thrived using my athletic abilities to swim, bike, golf, lift weights, do yoga, snowboard or kitesurf (I love the adrenaline sports). I need to stay active to feel my best — when I’m injured or sick I get lethargic, unmotivated, grumpy and borderline depressed.
In my 20s it was always “no pain, no gain” with exercise and “push it to the limit” biking or snowboarding down the mountain. If I hurt myself I healed quickly. I ate and drank what I wanted and felt pretty good… or so I thought.
After I turned 30, my sports injuries started taking longer to heal and some turned chronic. I’d “throw” my back out and be laid up for weeks. My body ached most days, my joints hurt, and I felt inflamed all over — especially in my gut.
One day my older cousin asked if I’d ever had my blood tested. Heart disease ran in the family — my grandmother had 10 uncles and 9 of them died of heart attacks, some in their 40s.
My bloodwork came back showing systemic inflammation and metabolic syndrome (pre-diabetes). Cholesterol at 350 with sky-high LDL and triglycerides. The cardiologist called me a “ticking time bomb” and wanted to put me on an experimental drug protocol. I was 31.
I never took the drugs and never saw that doctor again. With the help of a few standout practitioners and some major behavioral changes, I took back my health. I didn’t know it at the time, but that was my launching pad into acupuncture and functional medicine.
What I realized: I needed real lifestyle changes. Poor diet, working too much, beating my body up with aggressive sports — a perfect recipe for getting sick.
I went on to become a licensed acupuncturist and Functional Medicine practitioner, applying the same principles that helped me most — acupuncture combined with functional medicine and nutritional changes — and saw remarkable results with my patients.
Why Orthopedic & Sports Acupuncture
I’ve been practicing acupuncture for over 20 years, constantly learning new techniques to treat people more effectively. Living an active lifestyle myself, I’m always looking to refine techniques that relieve pain and improve performance.
When I trained in sports/orthopedic acupuncture, I was receiving the treatments too — and what I discovered changed how I practice. Some of my muscles weren’t firing properly while others were compensating and going tight. My low back “going out” turned out to be overstretched, weak glutes. Once we re-fired the glutes and relaxed the back muscles, my back felt great. My elbow tendonitis from gripping my kiteboard bar cleared up once my shoulder girdle and forearms were treated.
The bonuses: stronger yoga poses, faster swim times, better muscle endurance, longer kiteboard sessions. These orthopedic techniques were the missing link for my own acute and lingering pains — and now they’re central to how I treat patients.
Training & Credentials
Adam Moskow, A.P. — California state and nationally board-certified in acupuncture and Chinese herbology.
- American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM), San Francisco — widely considered the most extensive Oriental medicine program in the U.S.
- Orthopedic Acupuncture & assessment (Motor Point Acupuncture / Dry Needling / Sports Acupuncture) — Richard Hazel and Dr. Anthony Lombardi (Exstore)
- Pulse diagnosis — apprenticeship with Dr. Robert Levine
- Balance Method and I-Ching acupuncture — Dr. Teh-Fu Tan
- Advanced functional medicine — Apex Energetics, Standard Process, Kresser Institute (ADAPT training)
- NCCAOM Diplomate of Oriental Medicine; California certified (which holds even higher practice standards)
- Major influence: my father, Howard — licensed acupuncturist & physical therapist
Let’s Talk
The best way to find out if I can help is a free intro call. Tell me what’s going on and I’ll give you my honest take.