Discover the Art of Acupuncture
A natural approach to wellness and balance.
Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years. The reason it has lasted isn't tradition — it's results. An expanding body of research now supports what practitioners have observed clinically for generations: acupuncture produces measurable changes in pain signaling, nervous system regulation, hormonal output, inflammatory response, and sleep architecture.
At Breathe, acupuncture is practiced by Dr. Mikaela Carty, NMD — a licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor whose training spans both traditional Chinese medicine and conventional medical sciences. Her approach is grounded, clinical, and integrated with the chiropractic and nervous system care that defines Breathe's whole-practice philosophy.
Why Acupuncture Works — The Nervous System Connection
This integrative approach helps uncover the root causes of imbalance
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture works by restoring the flow of Qi — the body's vital energy — through specific pathways called meridians. In modern neurological terms, it works by stimulating specific points that influence the peripheral and central nervous system, modulating pain signaling, reducing inflammatory cytokines, and directly affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis that governs your stress hormones.
Both frameworks describe the same observable outcome: when the right points are stimulated, the body shifts — from pain toward relief, from tension toward release, from hyperactivation toward calm.
At Breathe, chiropractic and acupuncture are used together because they work on the same system through different access points. The chiropractic adjustment restores structural integrity and sends a neurological signal through the spine. Acupuncture influences the autonomic nervous system, vagal tone, and hormonal regulation through a complementary set of pathways. Patients who combine both consistently report deeper and more lasting results than either achieves on its own.
Why Do Patients Choose Acupuncture
At Breathe, our clinical focus includes:
Pain and inflammation
Chronic back, neck, hip, and joint pain — particularly cases where structural treatment alone hasn't produced full resolution. Acupuncture's direct effect on pain signaling pathways and inflammatory mediators makes it particularly valuable for pain that has a significant central sensitization component.
Nervous system regulation
Stress, anxiety, chronic tension, and the wired-but-tired exhaustion that signals a nervous system stuck in sympathetic overdrive. Acupuncture directly influences vagal tone and the autonomic balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic function — often producing a noticeable shift in the first session.
Hormonal health
Menstrual irregularity, PMS, perimenopause, and hormonal fatigue. Acupuncture has strong research support for regulating the HPA axis and influencing reproductive hormone rhythms — and integrates naturally with the hormone testing and nutritional support available through Dr. Carla's functional lab work.
Sleep
Insomnia, early morning waking, and sleep that doesn't restore. Acupuncture influences melatonin production, cortisol rhythms, and the neurological states that allow the brain to fully downregulate — addressing the physiological root of sleep disruption rather than just the symptom.
Digestive health
IBS, bloating, sluggish digestion, and gut-brain axis dysregulation. Specific acupuncture protocols for digestive function have strong clinical support and work directly on the vagal pathways that connect the brain and gut.
Headaches and migraines
Acupuncture is one of the most evidence-supported non-pharmacological interventions for both tension headaches and migraine frequency reduction. Combined with upper cervical chiropractic care, the two modalities address the condition from both the structural and neurological angles simultaneously.
Fertility support
Acupuncture supports reproductive health through its effects on hormonal regulation, uterine blood flow, and stress response — and is increasingly used alongside conventional fertility treatments as a complementary support.
Additional Modalities Offered
Acupuncture Point Injection Therapy (APIT)
A specialized technique in which small amounts of natural substances — typically homeopathic solutions, vitamins, or amino acids — are injected into specific acupuncture points to provide a more sustained therapeutic effect than needling alone. APIT is particularly useful for chronic pain, trigger point release, and immune support.
Cupping & Gua Sha
Traditional bodywork techniques that increase local circulation, release fascial restriction, and reduce the built-up tension that accumulates in muscles under chronic load. Cupping uses suction to lift and separate tissue layers; gua sha uses controlled stroking to break up stagnation and promote blood flow. Both are used as adjuncts to acupuncture sessions when indicated.
Naturopathic Medicine
Broader naturopathic consultations — addressing nutrition, supplementation, hormonal health, and chronic condition management from a whole-body, root-cause perspective. Naturopathic follow-up visits are available for established patients.
Physical Medicine Adjustment
Physical medicine adjustments are similar to chiropractic adjustments.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your new patient acupuncture appointment is 60 minutes and begins with a thorough consultation — your health history, current symptoms, lifestyle factors, and what you're hoping to change. Dr. Mikaela uses both Western clinical assessment and traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic methods, including tongue and pulse analysis, to identify the patterns driving your presentation.
Your first treatment typically follows the consultation in the same appointment. Acupuncture needles are extremely fine — most patients feel little to nothing during insertion. Some points produce a sensation of warmth, heaviness, or mild tingling, which is considered a positive therapeutic response. Most patients find the session deeply relaxing. Many fall asleep.
Your intake forms are shared across all services at Breathe — complete them once and they cover both chiropractic and acupuncture. If you're booking both new patient appointments, your paperwork is done from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does acupuncture hurt?
Most patients are surprised by how comfortable it is. Acupuncture needles are much finer than hypodermic needles — many people feel nothing at all during insertion. Some points produce a brief sensation of pressure, warmth, or tingling that signals the point is active. The session itself is typically deeply relaxing.
How many sessions will I need?
That depends on your presentation and what we're working toward. Acute conditions often respond within a few sessions. Chronic patterns that have been present for months or years typically require a longer course of care before meaningful change takes hold. Your provider will give you an honest assessment at your first visit.
Can I combine acupuncture with my chiropractic care?
Yes — and we actively encourage it for most patients. Chiropractic and acupuncture work through complementary pathways on the same nervous system. Patients who combine both consistently achieve deeper regulation and more lasting results. You can book both new patient appointments at the same time and your intake forms cover both.
Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy?
Yes, with appropriate modifications. Some acupuncture points are contraindicated during pregnancy. We will account for your stage of pregnancy in selecting points and techniques. Prenatal acupuncture is commonly used to support comfort, reduce nausea, and regulate the nervous system during pregnancy.
Does insurance cover acupuncture?
Breathe is a cash-pay practice. We do not bill insurance directly. We can provide a superbill upon request for potential out-of-network reimbursement — call or text (602) 254-2454 to request one. HSA and FSA cards are accepted directly at the time of payment.
