More Than Acupuncture

How to Choose the Right Level of Care for Your Body

Many women first come to our clinic looking for acupuncture.

They’re hoping for help with:

• Stress

• Hormones

• Digestive issues

• Pain

• Sleep problems

• Mood swings

And acupuncture absolutely helps with those things.

But what many patients quickly realize is this:

What we do here is so much more than just acupuncture.

Our work is centered around the nervous system and the stress patterns stored in the body. Acupuncture is one powerful tool we use—but it’s not the only one.

Depending on what your body is carrying, you may need:

• Simple, restorative acupuncture

• Acupuncture plus hands-on support

• Or deeper somatic work to unwind long-standing stress patterns

Choosing the right level of care is what allows the most meaningful changes to happen.

First, a Note About Insurance and Cost

We are in-network with several insurance companies, which can help offset the cost of acupuncture treatments.

However:

• Add-on services are always out of pocket

• Somatic bodywork sessions are also out of pocket

Many patients use insurance for acupuncture treatments and incorporate somatic sessions for deeper support at the beginning of their treatment plan—and then as needed when symptoms start to subside. This tends to be the most effective and sustainable approach.

The Three Levels of Care

All of our treatments support the nervous system.
But they’re designed for different depths of work.

Level 1: Acupuncture Only

Best for: Focused, efficient support for physical symptoms.

These sessions are quiet, restorative treatments that help regulate the nervous system and improve:

• Sleep

• Digestion

• Hormonal balance

• Circulation

• Pain levels

• Stress resilience

This is often the right choice if:

• Your symptoms are mostly physical

• You want a simple, consistent treatment plan

• You’re using insurance for care

• You prefer a straightforward, restorative session

Common reasons patients choose acupuncture only:

• Neck and shoulder tension

• Headaches

• PMS or cycle irregularities

• Digestive issues

• Poor sleep

• General stress

A Note for Sensitive Patients: Our Acupuncture Is Very Gentle

If you’ve ever felt nervous about acupuncture, you’re not alone.

Many people imagine large or painful needles. That is not how we practice.

For sensitive patients, we often use:

• Tiny 2 mm press-tack needles

• Acupressure seeds

• Non-insertive techniques

• Minimal-needle treatments

These methods are extremely comfortable and can usually still be billed as acupuncture under most insurance plans.

Many patients are surprised by how subtle the treatment feels—and how deeply it affects their sleep, mood, digestion, and overall stress levels.

Level 2: Acupuncture + Add-On

Best for: Physical symptoms that need more hands-on support.

These sessions include acupuncture plus additional therapies such as:

• Craniosacral therapy

• Medical qigong

• Gentle myofascial release

• Moxibustion or cupping (when appropriate)

• Simple lifestyle or supplement recommendations

This level is ideal when:

• Your symptoms are still primarily physical

• Acupuncture alone doesn’t quite feel like enough

• You want deeper bodywork support

Important:
Add-on services are not covered by insurance and include an additional fee.

A quick note about stress-related symptoms:
Acupuncture + add-on sessions are designed to provide deeper physical support, not full somatic processing.

If you’re dealing with:

• Long-standing stress patterns

• Emotional overwhelm

• Anxiety or depression

• Mood swings or chronic tension

• A history of trauma or accumulated life stress

Somatic medicine is usually the more appropriate and supportive option.

These deeper patterns require more time, pacing, and integration than an add-on session can provide.

Somatic sessions are specifically designed to support emotional, mental health, and chronic stress patterns at the level they actually live in the body.

Level 3: Somatic Bodywork

(Usually includes acupuncture)

Best for: Stress-related symptoms, emotional tension, trauma, and long-standing patterns.

This is where our work becomes very different from a standard acupuncture clinic.

Somatic bodywork is our most comprehensive level of care. These sessions are designed for women whose symptoms are tied to accumulated stress patterns in the body from:

• Years of emotional labor

• Body image struggles

• Growing up in stressful environments

• Motherhood stress

• Relationship strain

• Career pressure

• The constant push to hold everything together

These sessions may include:

• Guided somatic awareness work

• Hands-on bodywork

• Nervous system regulation techniques

• Acupuncture (for most patients)

• Lifestyle, herbal, and supplement support

Because this work goes deeper, sessions are longer and move at a slower, more intentional pace. This allows the body to unwind patterns that have been building for years.

Somatic bodywork is often the best choice if:

• Your symptoms flare when you’re stressed

• You feel emotionally “off” much of the time

• You experience mood swings, PMS, anxiety, or depression

• You have a history of trauma or chronic stress

• You’ve tried many treatments, but nothing seems to “stick”

For most women, we recommend:

• Starting with a series of weekly somatic medicine treatments

• Tapering off to one somatic session per month as symptoms subside

• At least one per quarter

This helps the body process the demands of modern life and prevents stress from continuing to accumulate.

For women who want deeper, long-term transformation, this work is also the foundation of our somatic care programs.

How to Choose: A Simple Checklist

Choose Acupuncture Only if:

• I want a simple, efficient treatment

• My symptoms are mostly physical

• Insurance coverage is important to me

• I want consistent support over time

Choose Acupuncture + Add-On if:

• My symptoms are physical but more stubborn

• I want deeper hands-on support

• I’d like some lifestyle or supplement guidance

• I don’t feel like I need deeper emotional work

Choose Somatic Bodywork if:

• My symptoms are clearly linked to stress or emotional patterns

• I feel like my body has been holding tension for years

• I want deeper, more comprehensive care

• I’m ready to engage with the process over time

One More Important Question

When you think about each option, ask yourself:

Does the idea of this session feel supportive… or stressful?

If a certain level of care feels financially or emotionally stressful right now, it may not be the best starting point.

The most effective treatment plan is the one you can stay consistent with.

The Real Secret to Results

Across all three levels of care, the patients who see the biggest changes are the ones who:

• Come consistently

• Follow through with recommended practices

• Make small, sustainable lifestyle or diet changes

• Stay engaged in the process over time

There’s no quick fix for patterns that have built up over years.
But when the level of care matches what your body truly needs, the shifts can be profound.

Not Sure Which Session to Book?

That’s completely normal.

If you’re unsure which level of care is right for you, the best place to start is with an initial intake and treatment. This gives you a chance to experience our approach for yourself and feel the difference between standard acupuncture and the deeper somatic work we offer.

During that first visit, we’ll:

• Talk through your symptoms, stress patterns, and health history

• Provide a treatment tailored to what your body needs that day

• Help you experience the style of care we offer

After your session, we’ll recommend a few different treatment plan options that fit:

• Your goals

• Your lifestyle

• And your budget

From there, you can choose the level of care that feels the most supportive and sustainable for you.

Because the best treatment plan isn’t the most intensive one—
it’s the one you can stay consistent with over time.

And if you’d prefer to talk things through first, you’re always welcome to book a free consultation so we can help you decide what feels right.