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.

Insomnia Help with Chinese Medicine: Unlocking Restful Nights Naturally

Courtney Zeller
3 days ago
4 min read

We all know how frustrating it is to toss and turn, staring at the ceiling while the clock ticks away. Insomnia can feel like a relentless thief, stealing our energy, focus, and joy. But what if there was a way to reclaim your nights without relying solely on pills or harsh chemicals? That’s where Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) steps in, offering a holistic, time-tested approach to insomnia relief that’s been refined over thousands of years.

If you’ve ever wondered how ancient wisdom can blend with modern life to help you sleep better, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of TCM and explore how it can transform your nights and days.

Insomnia Help with Chinese Medicine: A Holistic Approach to Sleep

When we talk about insomnia, it’s not just about the inability to fall asleep. It’s about the quality of sleep, the ease of waking up, and how refreshed you feel the next day. Western medicine often focuses on symptoms, but TCM digs deeper, looking at the root causes of your sleep troubles.

In TCM, insomnia is often linked to imbalances in the body’s vital energy, or Qi, and the harmony between organs like the heart, liver, and spleen. The goal? Restore balance and calm the mind, so sleep comes naturally.

Here’s how TCM tackles insomnia:

Acupuncture: Tiny needles stimulate specific points on the body to regulate energy flow and promote relaxation.
Herbal Medicine: Customized blends of herbs nourish the body and calm the nervous system.
Dietary Therapy: Foods are chosen to support organ health and balance yin and yang.
Qi Gong and Tai Chi: Gentle movements and breathing exercises reduce stress and improve sleep quality.

By addressing the whole person, not just the symptom, TCM offers a personalized path to better sleep.

Eye-level view of acupuncture needles placed on a person's back

Which Deficiency Leads to Insomnia?

One of the core concepts in TCM is that insomnia often stems from specific deficiencies in the body’s energy and blood. The most common culprits are:

Heart Blood Deficiency: The heart houses the mind (Shen), and when blood is insufficient, the mind can become restless, leading to difficulty falling asleep or frequent waking.
Spleen Qi Deficiency: The spleen is responsible for producing blood and energy. When it’s weak, it can’t nourish the heart properly, causing insomnia accompanied by fatigue and poor digestion.
Liver Qi Stagnation: Stress and emotional tension can cause the liver’s energy to stagnate, disrupting sleep patterns and causing vivid dreams or waking up in the early morning.
Kidney Yin Deficiency: This often shows up as night sweats, hot flashes, and difficulty staying asleep, especially in older adults.

Understanding which deficiency is at play is crucial because it guides the treatment plan. For example, if your insomnia is due to heart blood deficiency, the focus will be on nourishing the blood and calming the mind. If liver qi stagnation is the issue, therapies will aim to soothe the liver and relieve stress.

How Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Work Together for Sleep

You might be wondering, “How exactly do acupuncture and herbs help me sleep better?” Great question! Let’s break it down.

Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points on the body that correspond to different organs and systems. When these points are activated, they help regulate the nervous system, reduce stress hormones, and promote the release of endorphins—our natural feel-good chemicals. This creates a calming effect that makes it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

On the other hand, herbal medicine provides the body with the nutrients and compounds it needs to restore balance. For example:

Suan Zao Ren Tang (Zizyphus Seed Decoction) is a classic formula used to nourish the heart and calm the spirit.
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan (Emperor of Heaven’s Special Pill to Tonify the Heart) is often prescribed for insomnia with symptoms of heart and kidney yin deficiency.

These herbs work gently but effectively, supporting your body’s natural healing processes without the side effects often seen with pharmaceutical sleep aids.

Close-up view of traditional Chinese herbs in wooden bowls

Practical Tips to Enhance Sleep with Traditional Chinese Medicine

While professional treatment is essential, there are simple lifestyle changes you can make to support your sleep journey with TCM principles:

Create a calming bedtime routine: Wind down with gentle stretches or meditation to soothe liver qi and calm the mind.
Eat sleep-supportive foods: Incorporate foods like lotus seeds, jujube dates, and goji berries, which nourish the heart and spleen.
Limit stimulants: Avoid caffeine and heavy meals late in the day to prevent spleen qi disruption.
Stay hydrated: Drink warm water or herbal teas like chamomile or chrysanthemum to support yin fluids.
Practice mindful breathing: Deep, slow breaths can help regulate your nervous system and prepare your body for rest.

Remember, consistency is key. These small changes, combined with professional TCM treatments, can make a big difference over time.

Embracing a New Path to Restful Nights

If you’ve been searching for a natural, effective way to overcome insomnia, exploring traditional chinese medicine for insomnia might just be the game-changer you need. It’s not about quick fixes but about nurturing your body and mind to find harmony and peace.

Imagine waking up refreshed, energized, and ready to take on your day without the fog of sleepless nights. That’s the promise of TCM—a blend of ancient wisdom and modern understanding, tailored just for you.

So why not give it a try? Your journey to better sleep could start with a single acupuncture session or a cup of soothing herbal tea tonight.

Sweet dreams are waiting.