Klara Furst, L.Ac. works with the following Digestive & Gut-Related Concerns:

• SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)

• IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IBS-C, IBS-D)

• IBD (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) and colitis

• Chronic bloating and abdominal distension

• Indigestion, reflux, and heartburn

• Constipation and diarrhea (including alternating patterns)

• Food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances

• Increased Intestinal Permeability (Leaky Gut Syndrome)

• MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) and histamine intolerance

Not seeing a specific condition listed? That is completely fine — many people begin this process without a clear diagnosis. The care alignment call provides a welcoming space to discuss current health concerns to determine whether this approach would be a good fit.

"Klara is an exceptional acupuncturist and healer. She makes me feel optimistic about my health journey and is the only practitioner I've seen who truly takes the time to get to the root of my ailments."

Lizzie F., Producer

"I came to Klara with significant gut discomfort. She quickly assessed my core issues using the GI-MAP test, and clearly outlined a path to recovery. Her caring, thorough approach has given me confidence and security. I'm finally making real progress after a long struggle with SIBO."

B.F., Aerospace Engineer

East Asian medicine has centuries of clinical use for digestive complaints, and research is catching up to explain why — studies on IBS show acupuncture can meaningfully improve symptom severity and quality of life. Emerging research on inflammatory conditions like IBD points to real anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Alongside traditional East Asian medicine diagnostics, Klara utilizes GI-MAP stool testing. The GI-MAP test identifies markers related to gut bacteria balance (dysbiosis), inflammation, digestive function, and intestinal permeability, which gives objective data to work from rather than relying on symptom patterns alone.

Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine combined with GI-MAP testing gives you something most gut-health treatment doesn't: an individualized plan built on both centuries of clinical pattern recognition and your own lab data.

While "leaky gut" (clinically known as intestinal permeability) is not a formally recognized diagnosis in conventional medicine like IBS or IBD, there is a growing body of research surrounding it. Studies increasingly link intestinal permeability and gut dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut bacteria) to symptoms that appear entirely unrelated to digestion, such as:

• Brain fog and difficulty concentrating

• Fatigue

• Joint pain and general inflammation

• Sleep disruption

• Hormonal symptoms

It is common for individuals to experience fatigue or brain fog as their main symptoms, rather than traditional digestive distress. Suspecting a gut connection in these cases is incredibly common and a perfect topic to explore during a care alignment call. To provide concrete answers, GI-MAP testing (offered separately, see above) can identify whether dysbiosis or intestinal permeability markers are present, providing objective data instead of relying on guesswork.

Digestive function is associated with the Earth Element and with how the body processes not just food, but stress, worry, and overall nourishment. Rather than treating a symptom in isolation, this approach looks at digestive complaints in the context of your whole system: sleep, stress load, nervous system regulation, and long-standing patterns.

This isn't a substitute for a diagnostic workup — it's a complementary lens. Research suggests acupuncture may influence gut motility, visceral sensitivity, and the gut-brain axis via effects on the autonomic nervous system, which is part of why it's increasingly explored as a supportive therapy for functional GI conditions.

Working together typically starts with about a month of care to build a foundation, understand the specific health picture, and ensure this approach is the right fit before deciding on next steps.

For those looking to address gut health in a more comprehensive way, a structured Six-Month Gut Support Program is available — highly recommended for working toward lasting relief, not just short-term symptom management.

This program includes:

• GI-MAP stool testing to identify what is actually happening in the gut microbiome.

• In-depth analysis and explanation of the results, providing clarity on what is driving the symptoms.

• A personalized six-month treatment plan built around the lab data — including herbs, supplements, nutrition, and lifestyle recommendations tailored to individual needs.

• Consistent acupuncture care — weekly for the first three months, then every other week for the second three — to help support the nervous system and healthy vagal tone, which plays a key role in digestive function.

• Virtual check-ins for ongoing herb, supplement, nutrition, and lifestyle support — spaced closer together at the start of the program and around key transitions in the treatment plan.

• Guidance for maintaining progress after the six months are complete, to support long-term relief.

Klara is a licensed acupuncturist and the owner of Yes Acupuncture Works in Montrose, CA, serving Glendale, Pasadena, and the surrounding foothill communities. She has been practicing 5 Element acupuncture since 2016 within a framework informed by contemporary medical science, with a special focus on gut health and root-cause digestive care. Klara runs a deliberately small, high-touch practice—one patient at a time, with the space to listen deeply, interpret complex health histories, and offer meaningful, individualized support.

Is the care alignment call actually free? Yes — 15 minutes, no cost, no obligation to book anything further.

Is a formal diagnosis required before booking? No. Many people book a call before or during a diagnostic process, or after one that didn't fully resolve their symptoms.

Will this replace a GI doctor or specialist? No. This approach is meant to complement existing medical care, not replace it.

Do you accept insurance? No, we do not bill insurance directly. We operate as a cash-based, out-of-network practice, and payment is due at the time of service.

We are happy to provide you with an itemized Superbill (a detailed receipt with standard diagnostic and treatment codes) after each visit. If you have out-of-network benefits, you can submit this to your insurance provider to request potential reimbursement according to your plan's coverage. We recommend contacting your insurer prior to your visit to confirm your out-of-network acupuncture benefits.

Is GI-MAP testing required for treatment? No — it is one tool utilized when it is a good fit, offered separately from standard sessions at an additional cost. It is an option discussed once care has started, not a requirement to book.

What if acupuncture isn't a good fit for specific symptoms? That will be communicated directly on the care alignment call. The goal is an open, honest conversation about what works best for each unique situation—not a sales pitch.