About Dr. Rowan Hansen, DTCM, L.Ac

Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist

Dr. Rowan Hansen's path into Traditional Chinese Medicine began close to home. Watching her mother find lasting relief from debilitating migraines through acupuncture and herbal medicine — after years of unsuccessful treatments — sparked a curiosity that never left her. It was proof, early on, that this medicine could work differently, and better.

Raised in Santa Cruz, CA, Dr. Hansen grew up in a family rooted in community activism and education, with a particular focus on underserved populations. That sense of purpose has remained central to her practice. She also developed a deep love for plants — not just for their beauty, but for their remarkable capacity to heal.

Dr. Hansen completed her graduate training at Five Branches University (2015–2020), where she concentrated in herbal medicine, emotional wellness, and autoimmune conditions. The program's integrative approach — bridging Eastern and Western medicine — gave her a strong foundation for navigating complex and multifaceted cases. Following graduation, she spent several years treating patients in community health settings, working with individuals facing mental health challenges, addiction, and chronic pain.

Today, Dr. Hansen brings that same depth of care and clinical experience to every patient she sees at Box Acupuncture. She has a particular passion for conditions that have resisted conventional treatment and for patients who feel they've run out of options.

Outside the clinic, she can be found mountain biking, hiking, or tending her garden in the Santa Cruz mountains, where she lives with her husband, their child, and two cats. A lifelong reader, she's always in the middle of a good fantasy or adventure novel.