Acupuncture

Illness is a state of imbalance and wellness is a state of balance

Acupuncture

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one part of the system of medicine that is Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM), working to heal people for 5000 years. The overall goal of acupuncture is to improve a person’s qi (pronounced “chee”), also known as a person’s life force. It is the energy that makes our body function. Whenever a person’s qi becomes blocked, they can experience signs of dysregulation, pain, or disease. Each acupuncture point has certain diseases and conditions associated with it. An acupuncture treatment might entail a combination of acupuncture needles placed strategically to improve the flow of qi through the pathways, allowing the body to heal itself. 

Acupuncture at Tapestry 360 Health 

Our acupuncture program is part of Integrative Medicine and Health & Wellness Programming at Tapestry 360 Health. Patients come for acupuncture and are walked through a western medicine curriculum by a medical provider. The combination serves to provide our participants with a source of healing while providing tools and strategies that they may take with them in their everyday lives. 

We are currently offering two types of acupuncture treatments: Community Acupuncture (full-body, individualized treatment in a small group setting of up to 3) and NADA Protocol (auricular or ear acupuncture protocol in a group setting of up to 10). At Tapestry 360 Health, these are offered on an individual-need basis, which is assessed by the acupuncturist and wellness team. Our Community Acupuncture offering is currently very limited: we have a waitlist of over a year long. We strongly recommend that patients interested try ear acupuncture and other wellness groups.

Interested in checking out other acupuncture clinics in your area?

Click the link below for a list of Chicago-based acupuncture clinics. 

Acupuncture List (Last Upd 092023)

NADA or Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture

In NADA Protocol, or National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, 5 tiny, sterile acupuncture needles are gently inserted into points in each ear. The patient rests with needles for 20-30 min. This protocol was developed in the 1970s in the South Bronx, NY and has treated substance use, behavioral health and wellbeing, pain, and has the ability to treat much more. (Learn more at acudetox.com) 

T360H NADA

NADA benefits include:

  • Reduction of anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbances (like insomnia) 
  • A more optimistic and cooperative attitude toward change (pairs great with therapy) 
  • Reductions in cravings, including: nicotine, drugs, alcohol, and food 
  • Relief from the symptoms of trauma, PTSD, pain, and depression 
  • Improved sense of well-being 

NADA Programs at Tapestry 360 Health:

  • Relaxation Station (wellness group) 
    • Open to all adult patients at Tapestry 360 Health 
    • Offered at Tapestry-Wilson (845 W Wilson) on Friday afternoons 
  • MAT NADA 
    • Open to patients undergoing Medically-Assisted Treatment for opioid and other substances 
    • Offered at Tapestry-Wilson (845 W Wilson) on Friday mornings 
  • Trilogy (Integrated site) 
    • In partnership with Trilogy, a Chicago-based, integrated healthcare center, we offer NADA acupuncture to people in mental health recovery 
    • Open to clients of Trilogy who receive primary care at the Tapestry clinic 
    • Offered at Trilogy Inc (1400 W Greenleaf Ave, 4th floor-Greenview Room)

Anyone interested in participating in the acupuncture program must be a current patient.

For more information, scheduling, questions, concerns, and more:

Contact Ryan, Tapestry 360 Health’s Wellness Coordinator 

Call or text: 872-263-0371 

Email: [email protected] 

Ryan Tam

Commonly Asked Questions

What can I expect from treatment? Does it hurt?

Needle insertion can vary from acupuncture point to point and from person to person – each experience is unique and everybody responds differently! There are things that increase pain (like when we are especially dehydrated, anxious, or lacking sleep), in which the more we need relief, the more we may feel it. You’ll need to see how your body feels. During every session, but especially the first few, we move at an extremely slow pace and give you notice before inserting each needle. If any pain is experienced, it only lasts for 30 secs. The feeling is similar to being snapped with a rubber band or getting a mosquito bite – a little sharp but very quick. It feels nothing like a needle from a vaccination, for example. One Acupuncture needle is the width of one strand of hair – so thin! Results are so worth it that people (almost) always come back! 

You will be resting in a semi or fully reclined position (depending on your mobility and comfort), so you should wear comfortable clothing. Clothing that is easy for you to move around in and that you won’t mind lifting for the acupuncturist to have access. For NADA, we’ll just need access to your ears (no need to remove piercings). For full-body treatment, consider the areas from knees to toes, elbows to fingers, and shoulders to head. 

You may not feel an immediate difference after your first session, but please don’t be discouraged. This is not a one-stop shop to healing: acupuncture takes time and consistency before you start to feel the benefits, and we believe in the importance of a layered impact of healing. Each person needs the right dosage and treatment. Twelve (12!) treatments equal the full blossoming of the medicine. So, if you don’t feel a difference after 4 treatments, we will discuss treatment to understand your acupuncture patterns, perhaps determine whether acupuncture in this setting is suitable for you, and/or explore other healing modalities. 

Acupuncture, along with all wellness programs offered to Tapestry 360 patients, are offered at ZERO-COST. Tapestry 360 Health covers the patient’s responsibility, regardless of insured status. 

For more information or concerns, email [email protected] 

IF YOU RECEIVE A BILL, do not pay and call/text Ryan right away so we can have it removed from your account.

In order to participate, you must schedule an appointment through our wellness team (contact above). 

Note: Acupuncture treatment is only offered at T360H Wilson clinics. However, ALL T360H patients of ALL clinics (see below) are eligible to receive treatment. This means you will need to travel to Wilson if your home clinic is Devon, Albany Park, Lakeview, Skokie, Touhy, or Lincoln Square

Our Acupuncture Providers

Find Acupuncture services at:

Tapestry – Devon

1300 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL 60660

773-751-7800

833-471-4780

Get Directions

Tapestry – Wilson

845 W Wilson Ave
Chicago, IL 60640

773-751-7800

833-471-5846

Get Directions

Acupuncture Forms