We're an acupuncture and functional medicine clinic in downtown Seattle. We've been around since 2008. Our work blends traditional Chinese medicine with modern functional medicine, and we treat everything from chronic pain and digestive issues to hormonal patterns, fertility, autoimmune conditions, and the long tail of 'something is off and no one can figure out what.' We specialize in the complex, chronic, and 'mystery' cases that other clinics often punt on.

What makes you different from other acupuncture clinics?

Three things. First, we treat the whole person, not just the symptom — every plan is customized, no cookie-cutter protocols. Second, we blend Chinese medicine with functional medicine, lab work, modern technology, and clinical reasoning that most acupuncture clinics don't do. Third, we say what we mean. We'll tell you straight up if we think we can help, if we think you'd be better served somewhere else, or if a particular intervention isn't right for you yet. We're not here to upsell you — we're here to actually fix what's going on.

Where is GoodMedizen located?

We're at 509 Olive Way, Suite 1401, in downtown Seattle, WA 98101. The Medical Dental Building, on the corner of Olive Way and 6th Ave. The primary entrance is on Olive Way next to Go Fitness and Cherry Street Coffee. Take the elevator to the 14th floor.

Yes. Every provider at GoodMedizen is a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) with a Master's degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, plus extensive continuing education. We're nationally board certified and licensed by the State of Washington.

What conditions do you treat?

A lot. Pain (chronic and acute), digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, fertility, anxiety and depression, sleep problems, allergies, autoimmune conditions, fatigue, post-surgical recovery, headaches and migraines, neurological conditions, skin conditions, and the long tail of 'something is off and no one can figure out what.' Acupuncture and TCM are whole systems of medicine — we're always looking at the whole body, working on restoration of function to help your body perform the duties it's supposed to.

Do you take my insurance?

We're in-network with most major Seattle-area carriers including Premera, Regence, Aetna, Cigna, First Choice Health, Kaiser PPO, Molina, and several others. We can verify your specific benefits before your first visit so there are no surprises — text us your insurance info or fill out the form on our website and we'll run a benefits check for you.

What if you don't take my insurance?

We're preferred providers for most insurance plans in Washington State. We can still see you on a self-pay basis at our standard or member rates. If you have an FSA or HSA, you can typically use those. We can also provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement, depending on your plan.

How much will it cost me?

It depends on your insurance plan, your deductible status, and what services you receive. We'll always run a benefits check before your first visit and tell you what to expect — copay, deductible, coinsurance, the whole picture. No surprise bills.

How do GoodMedizen memberships work?

Standard ($99/mo) is for fairly straightforward cases — member-rate acupuncture, 10% tier discount, office-visit access to your practitioner, 60-minute appointment times that include a few modalities. Premium ($179/mo) adds weekly group Q&A access for people who want more clinical guidance between visits, with a 15% discount on everything. Functional ($397/mo) is the full toolkit — monthly functional medicine visits, quarterly lab review including specialty labs, dedicated messaging access with 24-hour return, 80-minute appointments for more modality work, and 20% off acupuncture, services, and supplements. Memberships are month-to-month and you can cancel anytime.

What's the difference between a la carte and a membership?

A la carte is pay-as-you-go — you pay full rate for each visit and service. Memberships give you a monthly rate that includes longer visits, member pricing on every service and supplement, modalities included in your appointment time, and varying levels of provider access depending on tier. Memberships are designed for people who plan to use them — if you'll be in regularly, they save you significant money over a la carte.

Does acupuncture hurt?

The needles we use are very small — about the width of a strand of hair — and most people do very well with them. They are still needles, so there might be a spot here or there that's a little sharp. If something feels sharp, it should go away within a moment or two. Some points, especially in the hands, can have a deep, dull, achy quality. That ache is actually a good thing, so long as you can rest comfortably with it. Our number one goal is that you are comfortable with our treatments.

How many acupuncture sessions will I need?

What we're trying to do in the beginning is get the attention of your immune system, so we front-load treatments 2–3 times a week for typically the first 2–3 weeks. If you aren't seeing significant change by visit 3, then we dig deeper. The ultimate goal is quarterly maintenance visits — 4 times a year at season change. The goal is to limit the amount of intervention you'll ever need.

How long until I feel better from acupuncture?

Most patients notice benefit from acupuncture at their very first visit, although the first benefits noticed can be nebulous — feeling more relaxed, sleeping better, having more energy. We want to start seeing explicit change around visit 3, and significant improvement around visits 4–6. We front-load treatments to get the attention of your immune system, then slow down.

Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy?

Yes — and incredibly helpful. Acupuncture is safe throughout pregnancy when performed by a trained practitioner, and it can help with morning sickness, back pain, sleep, anxiety, breech presentation, labor preparation, and postpartum recovery. It's often one of the only things a pregnant person can do for stubborn aches and pains, as many standard treatments and medications are contraindicated.

Can children get acupuncture?

Yes. We treat kids of all ages, including infants for things like reflux and sleep disturbances. For younger children we often use non-needle techniques (shonishin, gentle bodywork, magnets, ear seeds) that get the same effect without the needles. By age 8–10, most kids are curious about the needles and actually lead us to start using them.

Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?

Dry needling is a form of acupuncture — so all dry needling is acupuncture, but not all acupuncture is dry needling. Acupuncture is a complete medical system with upwards of 5,000 years of clinical refinement. Acupuncturists train for 3–4 years at master's or doctorate level and complete national board exams. An acupuncturist needs 2,000–4,000 hours of training to insert needles. A physical therapist can be certified to do dry needling after 50–100 hours. That's the practical difference.

What is functional medicine and how is it different from going to my regular doctor?

Conventional medicine is excellent at acute care, surgery, and managing established disease. It's less designed for the chronic, complex, multi-system stuff — the gut/hormone/inflammation/fatigue tangles where every specialist sends you to a different specialist. Functional medicine zooms out, looks at how your systems interact, and uses targeted labs and interventions to address the upstream causes. We work alongside your conventional providers, not in place of them.

How long does functional medicine take to work?

Most people start feeling shifts within 4–6 weeks of starting a personalized protocol. Bigger structural changes — restoring gut function, rebalancing hormones, healing chronic inflammation — usually take 3–6 months of consistent work. Functional medicine is iterative: we run labs, build a protocol, retest, refine. It's not a quick fix; it's a rebuild.

How do I know if I need detox?

Common signs include chronic fatigue, brain fog, unexplained inflammation, hormonal disruption, chemical sensitivity, mold exposure history, dental amalgam history, occupational exposures, autoimmune patterns that aren't responding to other care, and a long history of 'doing everything right' without feeling right. We start with a thorough intake and (when indicated) testing to figure out whether toxic burden is actually the issue.

Why doesn't GoodMedizen sell a 30-day detox kit?

Because they don't work, and some of them are dangerous. Pre-packaged detox kits don't account for your specific exposure history, your drainage capacity, your genetic detox pathways, your medication situation, or your nutrient status. They mobilize toxins without first making sure your exits are open — which is exactly how detox protocols cause harm. Real detox is individual. We don't shortcut it because we've seen what happens when people do.

How much does microneedling cost at GoodMedizen?

Microneedling at GoodMedizen is a flat $619 per session and is never discounted. Exosomes are expensive — really expensive — and they're the difference between 'okay' results and exceptional ones. Cheap microneedling without quality exosomes is a fundamentally different treatment. We don't compromise on the materials.

How many microneedling sessions will I need?

Most people see significant results from a series of 3 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart, with maintenance every 6–12 months after. Severe scarring or significant sun damage may benefit from a series of 4–6 sessions.

What should I expect at my first acupuncture visit?

Your first visit is longer than a typical follow-up — usually 75–90 minutes — because we're doing a thorough intake. We'll go through your health history, current medications and supplements, lifestyle, and what brought you in. Then we'll do a TCM diagnostic exam (pulse, tongue, palpation) and build your initial treatment plan. The treatment itself is included in this first visit.

How do I book an appointment at GoodMedizen?

Online at goodmedizen.com/schedule-now — it's the fastest way and shows real-time availability. You can also text 206-402-3813 if you'd rather book that way or have a specific timing question.

What's the fastest way to reach GoodMedizen?

Text 206-402-3813. We're a busy clinic and during clinic hours we're with patients, hands-on, often literally holding needles. We can't pick up the phone in real time — but we can absolutely respond to a text between patients. Texting is by far the fastest way to get a response from us.

Acupuncture for Women's Health in Seattle: PMS, Hormones, and Perimenopause

Courtney Zeller
2 days ago
3 min read

Women's hormonal health is complex — and conventional medicine often treats it with a one-size-fits-all approach: birth control for painful periods, antidepressants for PMS, and HRT for menopause. These tools have their place, but many women are looking for something more personalized, more root-cause focused, and less reliant on long-term medication.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been addressing women's hormonal health for over 2,000 years. At GoodMedizen in downtown Seattle, we combine that ancient wisdom with modern functional medicine to create treatment plans that actually fit your body, your cycle, and your life.

What Conditions Can Acupuncture Help With?

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are particularly effective for the following women's health concerns:

Painful Periods (Dysmenorrhea)

Cramping, lower back pain, and nausea around your period are not something you just have to endure. In TCM, painful periods are often linked to Blood Stagnation or Cold in the Uterus — patterns that respond well to acupuncture and warming herbal formulas. Research published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology shows acupuncture significantly reduces menstrual pain compared to placebo.

PMS and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Mood swings, irritability, bloating, breast tenderness, and fatigue in the week before your period are classic signs of Liver Qi Stagnation in TCM. Acupuncture helps move stagnant energy, while herbal formulas like Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer) have been used for centuries to smooth out the emotional and physical turbulence of PMS.

Irregular Cycles

Whether your cycle is too long, too short, unpredictable, or has disappeared altogether (amenorrhea), TCM looks at the underlying pattern — Kidney Deficiency, Spleen Qi Deficiency, or Blood Deficiency — and treats accordingly. Regular acupuncture can help regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which governs your cycle.

Perimenopause and Menopause

Hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption, mood changes, and brain fog are hallmarks of the menopausal transition. In TCM, these are signs of Kidney Yin Deficiency — a depletion of the cooling, nourishing energy that keeps the body in balance. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes, improve sleep, and support emotional stability during this transition.

Fertility Support

Acupuncture is increasingly used alongside IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies to improve outcomes. It supports fertility by improving blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, regulating hormones, reducing stress (which directly impacts fertility), and improving egg quality over time. We work collaboratively with your reproductive endocrinologist to time treatments appropriately.

The GoodMedizen Approach to Women's Health

What makes our approach different is the depth of the intake process. Courtney Zeller doesn't just ask about your chief complaint — she maps your entire hormonal landscape: your cycle history, sleep patterns, digestion, stress levels, emotional patterns, and more. This gives us a complete picture of what's driving your symptoms.

Treatment typically combines:

Weekly acupuncture sessions timed to your cycle phase for maximum effect
Custom Chinese herbal formulas that evolve as your pattern shifts
Functional nutrition guidance to support hormone metabolism and reduce inflammation
Lifestyle recommendations rooted in both TCM and modern endocrinology

How Long Does It Take to See Results?

Hormonal conditions generally take 2–3 full menstrual cycles to show significant improvement — because we're working with your body's natural rhythms, not overriding them. Many patients notice meaningful changes within the first cycle: less cramping, lighter flow, improved mood, or better sleep.

For perimenopause and menopause, hot flash frequency often decreases within 4–6 weeks of consistent treatment.

"Courtney is amazing. I had been dealing with back pain for over a year. I went to see Courtney and the next morning, my back was so much better! She did a comprehensive assessment that provided better results than I was expecting!" — C.O., GoodMedizen patient

Your Body Deserves a Personalized Approach

If you're tired of being told your symptoms are "normal" or being handed a prescription without a real conversation, GoodMedizen is a different kind of healthcare experience. We're located at 509 Olive Way, Suite 1401 in downtown Seattle — convenient for professionals working in the city center.

Book your first visit today and let's build a treatment plan that actually fits your body.