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.

Latent Pathogens and Their Health Impact

Courtney Zeller
2 days ago
4 min read

Ever wondered why some infections seem to disappear only to pop back up later? That’s the sneaky world of latent pathogens at work. These microscopic troublemakers can hide quietly in our bodies, sometimes for years, before causing symptoms or health issues. Today, we’re diving deep into what latent pathogens are, how they affect our health, and what we can do to keep them in check.

Understanding Latent Pathogens and Health Impact

Let’s start with the basics. Latent pathogens are infectious agents—like viruses, bacteria, or fungi—that enter the body and then go into a dormant state. They don’t cause immediate symptoms but can reactivate later, often when the immune system is weakened. This stealth mode allows them to evade detection and treatment, making them a significant challenge for healthcare.

Why does this matter? Because these hidden infections can contribute to chronic health problems, flare-ups of illness, and even impact mental health. For example, the herpes simplex virus can lie dormant in nerve cells and cause cold sores years after the initial infection. Similarly, tuberculosis bacteria can hide in the lungs without symptoms, only to reactivate when immunity drops.

The health impact of latent pathogens is broad and sometimes underestimated. They can:

Trigger chronic inflammation
Weaken immune responses
Cause recurring infections
Influence autoimmune conditions

Understanding these effects helps us appreciate why a holistic approach to health—one that supports immune function and addresses underlying infections—is so important.

Close-up view of microscope slide showing bacteria

How Do Latent Pathogens Evade Our Immune System?

You might be asking, “How do these pathogens manage to hide so well?” Great question! Latent pathogens have evolved clever strategies to slip past our immune defenses. Some integrate their genetic material into our cells, effectively camouflaging themselves. Others form protective capsules or biofilms that shield them from immune attacks.

For instance, the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, can remain dormant in nerve ganglia and reactivate later as shingles. It hides by reducing its activity to a bare minimum, making it nearly invisible to immune surveillance.

This stealthy behavior means that even if you feel healthy, latent infections might be simmering beneath the surface. That’s why boosting your immune system through nutrition, stress management, and natural therapies can be a game-changer in keeping these pathogens at bay.

What are the Most Common Latent Infections?

Let’s get specific. Some latent infections are more common and well-studied than others. Here are a few you might have heard of:

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
Causes cold sores and genital herpes. After the initial outbreak, HSV hides in nerve cells and can reactivate during stress or illness.
Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)
The culprit behind chickenpox and shingles. It remains dormant in nerve tissues and can flare up decades later.
Tuberculosis (TB)
Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, this bacteria can lie dormant in the lungs without symptoms, known as latent TB infection.
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)
Known for causing mononucleosis, EBV can persist in B cells and has been linked to some autoimmune diseases and cancers.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
A common virus that stays latent in the body and can reactivate, especially in people with weakened immune systems.

These infections highlight the importance of regular health check-ups and immune support, especially if you’ve had exposure or symptoms in the past.

Eye-level view of a healthcare professional examining a patient’s chart

Practical Steps to Manage and Prevent Latent Infections

So, what can we do about these hidden pathogens? While some latent infections require medical treatment, there are plenty of natural and holistic strategies to support your body’s defenses and reduce the risk of reactivation.

1. Strengthen Your Immune System

A robust immune system is your best defense. Focus on:

Eating a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins (especially C and D), and minerals like zinc.
Getting quality sleep to allow your body to repair and regenerate.
Managing stress through mindfulness, meditation, or acupuncture.

2. Regular Health Screenings

Early detection is key. If you’ve had exposure to infections like TB or herpes, talk to your healthcare provider about testing and monitoring.

3. Natural Therapies

Acupuncture and microneedling aren’t just for aesthetics—they can stimulate circulation and immune function, helping your body keep latent infections in check.

4. Avoid Immune Suppressors

Limit alcohol, smoking, and unnecessary medications that can weaken your immune response.

5. Stay Informed and Proactive

Knowledge is power. Understanding your body and how latent infections work helps you make better health choices.

Embracing a Holistic Approach to Lasting Health

At the end of the day, dealing with latent pathogens isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about embracing a lifestyle that supports your body’s natural ability to heal and defend itself. Integrating ancient wisdom with modern science—like combining natural medicine with targeted therapies—can empower us to live healthier, more vibrant lives.

Remember, these hidden infections don’t have to control your health story. With the right strategies, you can keep them dormant and enjoy lasting wellness.

If you want to dive deeper into this topic, check out this resource on latent pathogens.

Thanks for joining me on this journey into the fascinating world of latent pathogens and their health impact. Here’s to staying informed, empowered, and healthy!

Latent Pathogens and Their Health Impact

Understanding Latent Pathogens and Health Impact

How Do Latent Pathogens Evade Our Immune System?

What are the Most Common Latent Infections?