Patient Testimonials

“Best all around PT, acupuncture, dry needling, herbal remedy provider I have ever known. I have been seeing Mike for 10 years and had treatments for all types of aliments, injuries and issues and even received treatment to improve my vision. He not only is so advanced in his knowledge of the body and its systems, he knows how to heal and teaches how to provide self care so you don’t need to always come in to see him. You will be so impressed and healthy for scheduling an appointment.”

“I have had chronic neck problems for years. With just a couple visits and instructions for routines at home, my neck pain has gone away.Michael is very thoughtful with his procedure and instructions. Highly recommended.”

“Once or twice a year , something goes askew in this old body of mine and I can always rely on Michael to put me back together again! 2 weeks ago I developed sciatica for the first time.Thought it was gonna go away until I was laid out flat. After two extensive appointments and a little bit of rest. I was back at work and into my very physical structured routine quickly. He is a no nonsense straightforward practitioner who always has my best interests in mind.”

“I’ve been a delighted patient for 4+ years who appreciates the care, devotion and expertise Mike places on his patients and craft. Each visit consists of a clear, easy to digest anatomy lesson and education combined with a course of action. He’s realistic and passionate while multitasking to achieve the best result possible. Web scheduling is convenient and he’s flexible with my wacky requests. Go get healed from the best healer I know…”

“I can’t say enough good things about Michael and his practice. I first found michael after a surgery on my proximal humerus. He helped immensely with bringing the swelling down, breaking up the scar tissue, and pain. Three years ago, I went back and saw him for my first pregnancy. I had preterm labor, and through herbs and acupuncture, he helped carry me through to 42 weeks. At 41 weeks, I went back to see him twice to help induce labor. The acupuncture helped greatly with inducing labor and assisting with my 7 hour start to finish labor. I am now seeing him again at 35 weeks pregnant to slow down my pre term labor contractions and ensure a smooth labor! Thanks Michael for everything!”

“I had a great consultation and acupuncture therapy with Michael! I felt very educated and clear on the healing and structure of my body’s issues, and the chronic pain I have in my lower body. He provided me a plan moving forward, and what was going to be needed to get me aligned and feeling better. He provided great video therapy exercises on his website along with your treatment as homework, so when he is with you in your following visits, he can see your progress. He has your best interest at heart, and is very kind and generous. I highly recommend him!”

“Life changing! Working in construction has taken its toll on my knees. Recently twisted my knee and could barley walk or climb ladders. After 2 visits and following docs orders I am back on my feet.”

“I am a nurse and I suffered as severe spine injury in 2015. Being work comp, it took forever to get treatment. I had a bulging disc that was pinching my spinal column. Because of the delay for treatment it started to affect my arm as well.it was the worst pain I have ever encountered. 24/7 pain level of 8/10 constantly. Even after I finally had surgery it was not tolerable. I couldn’t breathe, walk or barely function. I tried deep needling as a last resort since I had to return to work. The results blew my mind. I was honestly considering ending my life due to constant, un ending pain and this changed my life. There r days now that I am even pain free! Mike is extremely knowledgeable and encouraging. I never thought I would have my life back. My family got their mom back and I’m even working extra shifts. If I could give him more stars I would.”

“Michael called me back directly over the weekend to explain how their treatment differs from the siloed treatment many are familiar with – having to go to different providers for PT, chiro, acupuncture, massage. He did a very thorough initial orthopedic intake to identify my pain point and also how we can break up scar tissue in sessions along with at-home foundational movement exercises to do. His goal is that your pain is resolved in 4-6 weeks and through the movement therapy on your own that you don’t have to continuously go back. I really appreciate the time he takes to understand the issues you’re having – and am excited to continue to work with the team at Makari.”

“I originally went to see Michael because my foot was hurting. During my first visit I mentioned some other issues I was having. He understood what was going on with me and though it’s only been a month with two visits I’m already feeling a lot better. I’m not getting the stomach cramps I was experiencing and I’m sleeping better. I’m doing my at home exercises and my foot is feeling a lot better too. I exercise and eat healthy on a regular basis. I don’t want to just feel alright. I want to feel my best and Michael is helping me get there. I highly recommend going to Makari Wellness. I am truly grateful I did!”

“”I only have one experience with acupuncture. I went to see Matt while pregnant at 39 weeks and 4 days to help with getting labor going. I went into labor 36 hours later at 39 weeks and 6 days. I felt he was professional and…””

“I cannot say enough excellent things about Mike. First off, he’s not only the best at what he does, he is easy to talk to and makes you feel very comfortable. I highly, highly recommend seeing him, especially if you have been to many doctors, chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists, etc. and have not gotten the relief you are looking for. Even if your doctor is telling you that you need orthopedic surgery or arthroscopy, see Mike and get a second opinion. I am an RN and I see several patients who think surgery is the only answer, and it is for some issues, but for others I really believe Mike can help. The human body is amazing and has the ability to heal. It just needs the right tools. Mike has fixed every issue I have had going on from frozen shoulder, rolling ankle, stiff neck, elbow and back issues. I had seen a few chiropractors and bodyworkers whom I continued to see for years with barely any improvement. Mike took care of my issues in 3-5 sessions. He not only does acupuncture and Chinese medicine, but he also does Active Release Technique, Graston/gua sha, and dry needling. I’ve had them all, and the combination along with Mike’s extensive knowledge in each, is the key to healing. I will always go to Mike first and not waste my time with anyone else. Mike has the knowledge and skills to tell right away where the problem is. He gets to the root cause so you don’t need to spend years going to someone who has you coming every week or so for lifetime adjustments or bodywork. That’s just a bandaid. Save your money and go see Mike.”

“I’ve had my son treated by Michael numerous times. From toddler to his present age of 7. And I couldn’t ask for a better experience. Relaxed. Patient. Thorough and playful. He has treated my son with herbs for sinus, cough and hyperactivity issues. All which are no longer a problem. Results are seen pretty quickly as well with no side effects except for happy parents and a happy boy. I can’t recommend Michael enough.”

“I had back issues for 18 months and went to see a lot of “specialists” (general practician, PT, chiropractor). Nothing worked. I would get a different diagnosis every time I’d go to them. I decided to give acupuncture a go without any real hope that it’d work. After the initial talk where he asked a lot of question, he said that I should need three, maybe four sessions with him, no more. Mike did in 3 sessions what doctors, PT, chiros couldn’t in 18 months. He explained to me what he saw and educated me on what my body was doing to cope with the back pain. Not only did I get treated, but I also gain a good understanding of what was happening. I regained mobility after the first session and was pain-free after the 3rd session. He is no nonsense and would always tell me what to expect. He gave me “homework” to do to help speed up the recovery process. I highly recommend him.”

“I’ve been seeing Mike off and on for several years. I’ve a bad back, bad neck and most importantly poor circulation leading to severe skin cracks/sores that once bleed continually. My western physician only prescribed topical treatments.Now, thanks to the model Mike employs, my back is much better, my neck has less pain and most importantly, my skin condition has dramatically improved. I no-longer bleed from cracks in my skin on various parts on my body. Sounds a little unsettling, but I wanted to paint a proper picture.My wife, who suffers from gout, leads a much healthier and pain-free life. Thanks Mike. Dr. S.”

“Mike is Amazing!!! He knows so much about how the body works. He really analyzes what is going on in your body and then you both discuss what your options are. His goal is to not have you keep coming in because you’ve resolved the issues you’ve had. I so appreciate his honesty, integrity, and knowledge. He doesn’t just treat you and you’re out the door. He gives you homework in the way of exercises so you can change your life and not just put a bandaid on it. Doing my “homework”, getting acupuncture, and Mike using techniques to stretch for lack of a better word, your muscles that are so tight out, have made such a difference for me! I was diagnosed by a neurologist with small fiber peripheral neuropathy. The neurologist wrote me a script for heavy duty drugs. NO! Who wants to live like that?! With Mike’s treatment, the pain has disappeared for longer and longer periods of time and the intensity of pain when I have it, is so diminished. I’m a very happy client!”

“Michael is no nonsense and to the point. He took the time to ask lots of questions and after treating me, showed me several stretches that he recommended as beneficial for me. He answered my questions and I felt like his goal was aligned with mine : to get me back to running, climbing, jumping and other crazy things I likeTo do. He was also able to treat my wife for a condition that was unresolved by “Drs” for over 2 years….”

“Mike is THE BEST Acupuncturist, et al, around!He’s fixed me twice, after two(2) car accidents,rear ended, & is now fixing my Hubby from the 1 of the same accidents last Aug 2017!He is the one to see when nothing else is working!”

“Mike is fantastic. Not just an expert in his field, but incredibly knowledgeable and cares for his patients and the pain they’re in. His techniques are not invasive, but for muscle tension it can be painful. I have had years of chronic upper back, neck, and lat pain from what I do for a living. I had resorted to just bearing with it, unmedicated, and using a roller and lacrosse ball for tension points. I still do those techniques BUT for for the first time in years I’m not in pain every day. I highly suggest him and his skills. You won’t find any one else who has the full package and takes the time. My husband and I both go to him for pain management and will continue.”

“I went to physical therapy elsewhere for 9 months to no avail. Michael had me feeling 80% better within 3 visits. He gave me exercises to do at home and as I improved, he told me not to come back in if I was happy with the results. His motivation is patient wellness, not profit. I’m genuinely thankful that I found him. My back pin had dramatically altered my life and Michael helped me get back on my feet.”

“Michael is the BEST!! I was dealing with sciatica pain for several months, I went to see him and after my first visit for sciatica, the pain is totally GONE!!!”

“”So impressed! I must say I have never had acupuncture before and while my mother and aunt have gone to Matt on multiple occasions and praise him to no end, I held out judgment. I went to Matt for an injured knee. I had previously…””

“”As an RN for 17 years I was very skeptical about what some needles can do for my…””

“I visited Michael with tennis elbow after numerous PT sessions that yielded no improvement. 2 acupuncture sessions with Michael resolved the issue, that was nearly 2 years ago. I recommend Makari to friends with back and joint issues, he always finds a way to resolve the issues.”

“I was diagnosed with a TIA which resulted in twitching seizures, memory loss, and cognitive issues. The traditional doctor prescribed anti-seizure medication but I did not want to take the medication because of the life changing side effects. Instead I searched for an acupunturist that specializes in neuro-therapy. Mike at Makari Wellness provided precise and customized acupuncture that was essential to reestablishing my cognitive abilities and my seizures are now less frequent with mild twitching. I am so happy that I decided to try Makari Wellness and I am so happy with the results. Mike’s professionalism is top notch. He’s a walking/talking encyclopedia of the Chinese practice/art of acupunture and its herbal remedies. I trusted his judgement every step of the way. I am so much better off today than I would have been if I followed my traditional doctor’s advice. Thank you, Mike!”

“I was having terrible neck and head pain that was just not going away. My friend recommended Michael and I’m glad I decided to make an appointment. The very first time he treated my neck I felt immediate relief and since then I’ve gained back mobility and am pain free. I’d been to acupuncturist before, but by far my experience with Michael has been above them all because he takes the time to ask important questions to determine the root cause of your ailments as well as explaining what the process towards recovery will be like. He cares for patients and makes sure he treats you in as few sessions possible which is HUGE if you’re in pain. I will be recommending Makari wellness to everyone I know that needs help with pain and/or other ailments!”

“Michael is a miracle worker. I have gone in with 9/10 pain and walked out with maybe 2. Incredible active release therapy and needling techniques. I have seen several doctors in the same field in other parts of the country and in San Diego and he is without a doubt the best, most knowledgable, professional and effective. His intentions and goals are clear in helping you help/heal yourself, these treatments will have you not going anywhere else.”

“I have been going to Makari Wellness in Oceanside for years and I have had tremendous success with the treatments. I highly recommend Michael.”

“Michael is amazing ! He helped my frozen shoulder when the others couldn’t! Never any pressure on repeat visits ! Michael just seems to care about your well being ! Thank you !”

“Michael is an amazing acupuncturist and I am so glad I found him and his practice. His acupuncture and herb treatments cured an issue I was having that would not go away on it’s own. He is truly a professional and I will absolutely be referring all my friends and I would not hesitate to go back to his practice with any future issues.”

“Amazing place and Michael really knows what he is talking about. He has been the only one that can figure out my back pain and relieve the back pain. He believes strongly in what he is teaching you and is extremely knowledgeable about his field. Read his website and learn about his needle process, it is NOT like any other acupuncturist. I tried others which did nothing for my pain. He does ART and believes in chinese herbs which I had never tried before but it has got me off other medications and I am so happy with the process we are making. He wants you to be well and not to have to see him for years. I saw him about 20 years ago and now I am back and enjoy learning more and more from him.”

“Michael is quite knowledgeable, kind, and passionate about his work. I’ve been to quite a few acupuncturists in my short life and Michael takes the cake! His needle work is effective, giving my relief for weeks. I’m now on a maintenance schedule and sometimes I forget to schedule because I’m feeling so good. I know I need maintenance care, so I will continue my care with Michael indefinitely. Thank you for all you do and my apologies for taking so long to write this review! Best – Phuong”

“I had a bike accident Feb 2020 which resulted in a concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury. I suffer from dizziness, headaches, and shoulder pain to name a few. I had physical therapy and vestibular ocular therapy but it wasn’t helping much. Finally, in Jan 2021 my physical therapist referred me to get acupuncture treatment. My insurance does not cover acupuncture so I had to do my research to find the most cost effective acupuncture care in the San Diego North County area. Despite finding less expensive acupuncturists, I decided to go with Mike. What made me chose Mike is his intensive study in this field and his expertise in TBI. So far, I have had 3 treatments and each treatment has definitely made a positive difference. The pain is subsiding and symptoms are lessening. Mike also provides instructional videos for mobility and stability rehab. I was provided a herbal supplement during my treatment to help deal with sleep and digestion issues and it has been effective with no side effects. The cost is worth it because of the quality and effectiveness of the treatments. Booking appointments is also very easy. I am also impressed with how prompt Mike responds to questions via email. I’ve also asked Mike for advice and his opinions on various tools i.e pillows, gua sha, massage gun and feel that he gives his honest opinion and doesn’t encourage it if it isn’t beneficial.”

“An ongoing shoulder issue brought me to Makari. The first visit was very informative. I have a better understanding of the injury and looking forward to exercises, rehab, and acupuncture. Michael was extremely sympathetic and encouraging.”

“110% recommend Makari wellness….Mike is incredibly knowledgeable about various disciplines and treats the ENTIRE person. My husband has avoided surgery for a pinched disc in his NECK….he is active duty. We brought in our 14year old for sever back pain (sports related). Stop wasting time everywhere else.”

“Dr. Woodworth treated me for low back pain. I live an active lifestyle and it’s an issue I’ve been dealing with for as long as I remember, but this time the pain was not tolerable. I was very pleased with the instant relief achieved by the needle work and ART, however, even more thankful for the correction and exercises assigned and shown to do my part in treating the pain towards a long term solution. My visit was very educational, I learned a lot about my posture and grown habits contributing to my low back pain which I will work towards improving. I’ve only had two visits and look forward to completing my treatment for a long term solution to my low back pain. Dr. Mike was very approachable and knowledgeable and easy to talk with and learn from.”

“I went to do taxes yesterday and of course I talk about Micheal when I see someone in pain. She emailed me and asked if she thought Micheal could help her friend since he has one pain. This is my response and how I truly feel about him.Micheal is someone who believes in making people better. His slogan is “make well, be well.” I’ve been seeing him on and off for over 10 years. He has healed me from stomach issues, neck pain, migraines, menstrual issues and now he’s working on my back and hip issue. He is more than an acupuncturist, he is someone that knows the nervous system and the muscular body better than most neurologist. For over 20 years he has studied and learned techniques that Western medicine doesn’t understand. He has a clear understanding of how to heal ailments that debilitate people. Heart attacks, stroke, autoimmune diseases, neological issues, and so very much more. If you go on his website and also read his yelp reviewers you will see what I’m talking about. But in my experience Micheal is kind, super funny, confident and I have always felt cared for. He has healed me in ways that doctors just scratch their heads. So I really love him. Like Makari Wellness says, ” Make well, be well.””

“Mike is a great person! I have benefited from his treatments for years. If you need help give Mike a chance to help you!”

“In January 2017, I had a severe muscle spasm – my left big toe tried “to touch my ankle”. By April, I was having spasms several times a week, both right and left big toes. Summertime brought an increase in spasms to 3-5 times a day. Could not do my normal activities, never knew when I would have an “episode”. Doctors put me on medications that suppressed the symptoms. After many tests, I was given the diagnosis of idiopathic bilateral muscle spasms. Through massage, chiropractic care, acupuncture and daily stretching, I was able to reduce my medication dosage. This still left me “resigned” to an altered lifestyle that was difficult to accept. I kept thinking – there has to be an answer. Fast forward to June, 2019. I started working with Michael Woodworth. After 3 months, I am down to a 300 mg dose of just one medication. Instead of 15-20 episodes per week, I am at 1-2 episodes. Michael is gifted, having the knowledge and ability to discern the why of what’s happening. The techniques that he utilizes in the clinic combine with the mobility home program to give you the best possible result. In Michael, you have a partner – what he does, you can’t do at home. What you do at home is essential to Michael’s ability to help you. Whatever you have going on, go see Michael, FIRST!”

“Mike is a true healer. I have not come across a practitioner that has so many tools and so much knowledge at his disposal. From active release technique (art), acupuncture, orthopedic “dry-needling” acupuncture, and herbal medicine. I highly recommend going to see him.”

“Makari wellness is a one stop shop. With several modalities under his belt, Dr Woodworth gets right to the core issues at hand and helps you peel away the layers to get to the root. I kept getting sick more than ever in 2018, Dr Woodworth designed a specific formula for me that had me better in a week. I threw my back out and couldn’t walk or stand with out severe pain. Dr Woodworth had me back in action with just two visits. The rest was up to me in keeping the correction intact. So grateful for his knowledge and his willingness to learn new ways of healing. Always a step ahead.”

“I went in to see Michael because I dropped a coffee cup on the top of my foot…. OUCH! Overtime my toes became so sore as well from the permanent lump/injury on top of my foot! My toes felt like they had been burned! I’m a Naturopathic practitioner myself so I’m aware of various treatments, etc, but this was out of my scope of practice, and I was extremely concerned I wouldn’t be able to continue my daily workouts. I saw Michael for 3 treatments, but my foot was already out of pain, the permanent bump I had on top of my foot was about gone and this was after just two sessions! I went in for my 3rd session because that’s what he suggested and I’m here to tell you his work and knowledge was impressive to say the least! I’m a believer and will continue to refer others from here on out! TY Michael you are amazing!”

“”My son is a college baseball pitcher, he was experiencing back pain, to the point that he was having to sit out, we tried EVERYTHING!! MRI showed little to no cause, we tried PT, lasers, stretching programs, cupping, Chiro,…””

“I’ve been going to Dr. Michael for about 3 months now. I am avid endurance athlete who’s tried many different “healing” and “therapeutic” modalities. I wish I’d come to Dr. Michael sooner. He has the knowledge, experience, and touch to …”

“I have been coming to Makari Wellness for almost 15 years for different reasons that may show up. His deep knowledge, compassionate care, holistic approach, and effective, tailored treatments are remarkable and appreciated. …”

“I am an athlete who originally started seeing Michael to help with muscle tension that traditional massage would not alleviate. Through use of his ART techniques, he had me back performing at a high level in no time. There was also a time …”

“The decrease in my sciatic nerve pain since I began treatments with Makari (Michael) has been nothing short of amazing. He has treated me with acupuncture AND with A.R.T. (Active Release Therapy). The combination of the treatments and the …”

“Dr. Michael Woodworth has been a lifesaver for me in the past year. As a brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete I experience a lot of daily aches and pains but one particular chronic bulging disc issue in my neck has been giving me problems for a few …”

“Michael is an expert in holistic treatment, relieving pain, and giving you the tools to self-treat even outside the office. Despite my living out of town, Michael will always fit me in when I drop through SD and immediately can assess what …”

“Makari Wellness is a wonderful experience. Michael does everything in his power to help you heal…he really cares. …”

“I can’t say enough good things about Michael and his practice. I first found michael after a surgery on my proximal humerus. He helped immensely with bringing the swelling down, breaking up the scar tissue, and pain. Three years ago, I …”

“I originally went to see Michael because my foot was hurting. During my first visit I mentioned some other issues I was having. He understood what was going on with me and though it’s only been a month with two visits I’m already feeling a …”

“My family is very active and has been seeing Michael for years! He’s helped us recovery from all sorts of sports and training injuries like runners knee, back pain, and neck/shoulder impingements. He’s extremely knowledgeable and proficient in multiple healing disciplines like ART and acupuncture. Can’t recommend this place enough!!”

“I had a partially ruptured disc in my lower back since high school, and nothing was working. I was throwing my back out even 4-5 months and going in and out of dr visits for steroid shots and pain meds, with little to no relief. Found Mike …”

“I have had chronic neck problems for years. With just a couple visits and instructions for routines at home, my neck pain has gone away. …”

“I started going to Makari Wellness for acupuncture to treat a shoulder injury. Mike’s approach was different from anything I had tried before. Instead of relying on repeated visits, he gave me a ton of at-home tips that have made a real …”

“Michael is not your typical acupuncturist. He uses many modalities in his treatments. Michael has vast experience and knowledge with Chinese and Western medicine. His treatment plan is aimed for improvement in just a few visits, not several …”

“My back and elbow were hurting from many years of working out with poor form, bad posture and working at a computer all day. So I decided to take my friends recommendation and check out Makari Wellness. …”

“Mike is great and always educating himself on any and all methods to help support his patients recovery! I went to see Mike after about a year of struggling to recover from a disc bulge that was limiting my life. Although the orthopedic …”

“I have had digestive issues that are considered incurable by standard medicine. I went to Mike to try herbal medicine. From the beginning, he let me know it would take effort on my part: paying attention to my body, giving feedback, being …”

“Micheal is an amazing dedicated and experienced practitioner. His commitment to learning and practicing his skills is reflective in his work. Micheal has the upmost integrity in handling his patients and practice, he is a dedicated husband …”

“I went to Makari Wellness for ongoing neck issues. After several treatments by Michael I received incredible release. He is extremely knowledgeable, spends a great amount of time with his patients, and has an incredible website that has …”

“I began seeing Michael due to hip pain and neuropathy in my feet. I have seen him two times per week for a month and my hip is much much better . The neuropathy also seems to be improved but he feels that nerve damage is a much slower …”