Integrative oncology support in San Diego, alongside your cancer care
A cancer diagnosis changes everything at once: your body, your energy, your plans and the people around you. Your oncology team is focused on treating the cancer. We focus on helping you get through the rest of it.
Saffron & Sage is a physician-led integrative clinic. Our naturopathic doctors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, nutrition, movement and counseling practitioners work as one team to support you before, during and after treatment. We never replace your oncologist. With your consent, we coordinate with them.
- Works alongside your oncologist
- Physician-led, licensed care team
- During treatment, after treatment and beyond
- HSA, FSA and LSA welcome
Why people in San Diego add integrative support to their cancer care
People come to us at every stage: newly diagnosed, in the middle of chemotherapy or radiation, finishing treatment, or years out and focused on staying well. These are the things we hear most.
Getting through treatment
Fatigue, nausea, poor sleep and feeling run down during chemotherapy or radiation. Many people book acupuncture, gentle bodywork and nutrition support to help them feel more like themselves.
How naturopathic care fits with oncology →
Feeling overwhelmed
Fear, anxiety and too many decisions at once. Breathwork, counseling and guided meditation give people somewhere to put it.
Breathwork during cancer care →
Eating well when it’s hard
Appetite changes, taste changes and conflicting advice online. A practitioner helps you build a plan you can actually follow, cleared with your oncology team.
Nutritional therapy →
Body and mobility after surgery
Tightness, stiffness and scar tissue tension after surgery or radiation, once your surgeon has cleared you for bodywork.
Movement therapy →
Life after treatment
The “now what?” that comes after the last appointment. Rebuilding strength, energy and routine, with a team checking in.
Support during and after breast cancer →
A plan for staying well
Survivors and people with a strong family history who want a clear, long-term prevention and screening plan.
Understanding cancer risk →
Support for caregivers
Partners, parents and adult children carry a lot too. Our care is open to the people looking after you.
Simple practices for caregivers →
One team, not ten appointments
Instead of piecing together separate providers, your integrative care lives in one place, with one plan.
What is integrative oncology?
Integrative oncology is supportive care that works alongside conventional cancer treatment, using evidence-informed therapies such as acupuncture, massage, nutrition, movement and mind-body practices to support quality of life.
It is not alternative medicine, and it is not a replacement for surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy or any treatment your oncologist recommends. Major cancer centers now offer integrative oncology programs because people want support for the whole experience, not only the tumor.
We don’t make promises about cancer outcomes, and we won’t tell you to stop or change your treatment. Our job is to support you: your comfort, your energy, your nutrition, your stress and your sense of control, in a way your oncology team knows about and agrees with.
How we work with your oncology team
Before we start, we ask about your diagnosis, your treatment plan and your medications. With your written consent, we share our plan with your oncologist and ask them to flag anything they want us to avoid, such as supplements that could interact with chemotherapy.
Every part of your plan is timed around your treatment schedule. Some therapies wait until you are cleared. Some are adjusted on days your counts are low. If anything changes in your treatment, your plan changes with it. Mind-body care in oncology →
Use the health money you already set aside.
Our free guide to using HSA and FSA dollars for your care. The current limits, the rules that changed for 2026, and the traps that quietly cost people money. Not tax advice.
- HSA, FSA and HRA: how they differ
- The rules that changed for 2026
- Five traps that quietly cost people money
11 pages. Instant download. Just your name and email, no health questions.
How we keep integrative care safe during cancer treatment
Cancer treatment changes what is safe for your body, sometimes week to week. That’s why every therapy here is reviewed against your treatment plan before it starts, and why we ask you to tell us about anything new, from a medication change to a blood count result.
Our naturopathic doctors are licensed in California and practice within a defined supportive scope. Medical services are overseen by our Medical Director.
What we check before we start
Depending on your situation, your practitioner will ask about:
- Your diagnosis, stage and current treatment schedule
- Blood counts and any risk of bleeding or infection
- Surgery sites, ports, lymph node removal and radiation areas
- Every supplement, herb and medication you take
- Anything your oncologist has asked you to avoid
Your first integrative oncology visit, step by step
- A free discovery call. Tell us where you are in your cancer journey and what you need most. We’ll tell you honestly whether we are a good fit.
- Bring your records. Your diagnosis, treatment plan, recent labs and medication list help us plan safely. Bring a loved one if you’d like.
- Your first visit. A naturopathic doctor takes a full history, listens to what you are struggling with, and maps out a plan with you.
- Coordination. With your consent, we share the plan with your oncology team and adjust it around your treatment calendar.
- Ongoing care. Sessions are booked around treatment days and how you feel. The plan changes as you move through treatment and into recovery.
Meet your San Diego integrative oncology team
Your care is led by our naturopathic doctors and supported by acupuncturists, massage therapists, nurses, counselors and movement practitioners, with oversight from our Medical Director.
Dr. Nazanin Ghetmiri
Naturopathic care with a focus on gut, endocrine and women’s health.
Dr. Alexander Aponte-Davila
Naturopathic doctor and nutritionist. Labs, nutrition and gut health. Fluent in Spanish.
Dr. John Kasawa
Provides medical oversight for care delivered at Saffron & Sage.
How much does integrative oncology support cost? Two ways to start
Your first visit is where the relationship starts. A practitioner goes through your history, your goals and everything you have already tried, then maps out a plan with you. Pick the way in that suits you.
First visit and consultation
Your first appointment plus a full consultation, a $300 value, included free.
Book your first visitNew patients. Through October 31, 2026.
Your first appointment
Start with a single first appointment, then decide what comes next.
Book my first appointmentNew patients. Through October 31, 2026.
Then, as a member
Monthly credits you can use for integrative oncology support and the rest of your plan. Most supportive services use one service credit; some medical services use more. Ask us about membership on your discovery call.
Use pre-tax dollars
Welcome for many services, especially when a provider recommends them. Check eligibility with your plan administrator. We're direct pay and don't bill insurance. How HSA, FSA and LSA work here
Gratuity-free, by design
Every Saffron & Sage experience is gratuity-free. Your care is settled when you book, so when you arrive there is nothing to calculate and nothing left to decide. Be fully present for your treatment, savor every minute of your session, and return to your day restored, with no checkout, no tip line and no pressure to spend more.
New here? Your first visit includes a full consultation, a $300 value, free. Or start with a free 15-minute discovery call.
Have your most recent labs? Upload them here for a free overview.
Upload a recent lab report and get a plain-language overview of what each marker measures. You arrive at your first visit with better questions, and our team starts from what you already have.
Upload my lab reportFree. Takes about a minute. Your file is processed in real time and is not stored. Educational only, not medical advice or a diagnosis.
- UploadA recent lab report, as a PDF or a photo.
- ReadA plain-language overview of what each marker measures.
- Talk it throughWith our team on a free discovery call, if you would like.
Integrative oncology support near Little Italy, San Diego
Saffron & Sage is on State Street, just north of Little Italy, a short drive from Downtown, Bankers Hill, Mission Hills, Point Loma and North Park. Many members come in before or after work.
Saffron & Sage
2555 State St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 933-2340 · Get directions
Hours: Monday and Thursday 8 to 2, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8 to 8.
Integrative oncology FAQs
What is integrative oncology?
Supportive care that works alongside conventional cancer treatment, using therapies such as acupuncture, massage, nutrition, movement and mind-body practices to support quality of life. It does not replace treatment from your oncologist.
Do you treat cancer?
No. Your oncology team treats the cancer. We provide supportive care alongside that treatment, and we coordinate with your team with your consent.
Will you work with my oncologist?
Yes. With your written consent, we share your integrative plan with your oncology team and ask them to flag anything they want us to avoid. We never ask you to stop or change a treatment they have recommended.
Is acupuncture safe during chemotherapy?
For many people, yes, when it is done by a licensed acupuncturist who knows your treatment plan. We check your blood counts and schedule around low points, and we avoid areas affected by surgery, ports or radiation.
Can I get a massage during cancer treatment?
Often, yes, with adjustments. Our therapists adapt pressure and positioning for ports, surgery sites, radiation areas and energy levels. Lymphatic drainage after lymph node removal is only done once your oncology or lymphedema team has cleared it.
Can I take supplements or herbs during treatment?
Some supplements and herbs can interact with chemotherapy, radiation or other medicines. We never add one without reviewing it against your treatment plan, and we share our recommendations with your oncology team.
Do you offer high-dose vitamin C IV?
IV nutrient therapy, including vitamin C, is only considered after a medical assessment, required screening and coordination with your oncologist. It is not a cancer treatment and it is not right for everyone. Ask our medical team whether it makes sense for you.
When should I start integrative support?
Any time: at diagnosis, before surgery, during treatment, after treatment or years later. Many people find it helpful to start early so the plan is in place before side effects build up.
How much does it cost?
New patients can book a first visit and consultation together for $300, normally $600, or a first appointment for $250, normally $300. After that, members use monthly credits. We’re direct pay and don’t bill insurance. HSA, FSA and LSA dollars are welcome for many services.
Is this covered by insurance?
We’re a direct pay clinic and don’t bill insurance. HSA, FSA and LSA dollars are welcome for many services. Check eligibility with your plan administrator.
Can my caregiver get support too?
Yes. Caregivers are welcome to book their own care, from massage and acupuncture to counseling and breathwork.
What is the Galleri test?
Galleri is a multi-cancer early detection blood test that looks for a cancer signal in the blood. It is a screening test, not a diagnosis, and it does not replace recommended screenings like mammograms or colonoscopies. A positive result needs follow-up testing. It is not for people with active cancer. Ask your doctor whether it fits your situation.
Do you support people who have finished treatment?
Yes. Many people come to us after their last treatment to rebuild strength, energy and routine, and to put a long-term plan for staying well in place with their doctors.
Do I need to be a member?
No. You can always book à la carte. Membership unlocks preferred pricing, member-only offers and events, and other perks.
Where are you located?
2555 State St, San Diego, CA 92101, just north of Little Italy.
Ready when you are
Book your first visit and consultation for $300, normally $600. Not sure yet? Request a free discovery call. Our team will listen to what's going on and help you pick the right integrative oncology support session and practitioner. No cost, no pressure.
Or call (619) 933-2340
Integrative oncology support at Saffron & Sage is complementary care. It does not treat or cure cancer and does not replace treatment from your oncologist. Always tell your oncology team about any therapy, supplement or herb you are considering. Individual experiences vary. All medical services are provided by Kasawa Medical APC dba Saffron & Sage MD. If you have a fever during chemotherapy, chest pain or trouble breathing, contact your oncology team or call 911.
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