Meridian + Myrrh Acupuncture and Wellness

09/10/2026

Can Acupuncture Support Stress and Sleep?

Stress and sleep often affect one another. When your body has been carrying tension all day, it may be difficult to settle at night. Poor sleep can then make the next day feel even more demanding.

Clients may seek acupuncture when stress is showing up as jaw clenching, headaches, tight shoulders, racing thoughts, difficulty falling or staying asleep, or waking without feeling restored. Many also appreciate having a quiet appointment where they can pause and rest without needing to accomplish anything.

Research suggests acupuncture may help improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety symptoms for some people. Responses vary, so I also look for the everyday changes that matter to you: Are you falling asleep more easily? Waking less often? Feeling more refreshed? Carrying less tension through your day?

Acupuncture can be used as supportive care alongside appropriate medical or mental health care when needed. Your treatment is personalized around your symptoms, comfort, and goals.

09/05/2026

What foods support the body according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?

In TCM food therapy, food is viewed as more than a collection of calories and nutrients. Foods are traditionally described by qualities such as their temperature, flavor, energetic nature, and the organ systems they are believed to support.

Chinese medicine encourages us to notice what is happening both within the body and in the environment around us. As the seasons change, our meals can change too. As we move from late summer toward autumn, this can be a beautiful time to begin shifting away from an abundance of cold, raw summer foods and toward more cooked, grounding and gently warming meals.

Late summer is traditionally associated with the Spleen and Earth element, while autumn is associated with the Lungs and Metal element. Think soups, porridges, roasted vegetables, cooked grains, pears, root vegetables and other simple seasonal foods, chosen according to your individual constitution and what your body needs.

The foods shown here are traditional TCM food-therapy examples, not a suggestion that eating one particular food directly treats or “heals” an anatomical organ.

In Chinese medicine, terms such as Spleen, Kidney, Liver, Lung, and Heart describe broader functional systems and patterns that are evaluated as part of the whole person.

That is also why Chinese medicine dietary recommendations are individualized. Two people with the same Western diagnosis may receive different food recommendations depending on their TCM pattern, digestion, temperature, energy, sleep, menstrual health, stress, symptoms and season. Food can be another gentle way to live in rhythm with the seasons.

09/03/2026

Back, neck, and joint pain can change the way you move, sleep, exercise, work, and show up in everyday life.

Pain can take many forms. It may feel like an ache in the lower back, stiffness through the neck, recurring headaches or migraines, discomfort from osteoarthritis, or pain involving the knees, shoulders, elbows, heels, or other muscles and joints. Some people also explore acupuncture for menstrual pain or as part of a broader recovery plan following surgery.

Acupuncture is increasingly used as part of integrative pain care. Research supports its use for several common pain conditions.

Acupuncture can also be coordinated with physical therapy, chiropractic care, exercise, and the medical treatment you already receive.

My approach looks beyond the pain score alone. We also track meaningful changes in function:
- Are you moving more freely?
- Are you sleeping more comfortably?
- Can you exercise, work, or complete everyday activities with less difficulty?
- Are flare ups becoming less frequent or easier to recover from?
- Are you beginning to return to the activities you enjoy?

Treatment is individualized based on where you are experiencing pain, how long it has been present, what seems to aggravate it, and how it is affecting your daily life.

If pain has been dictating your schedule, I would be glad to discuss whether acupuncture may be a reasonable addition to your care plan.

09/01/2026

“How many visits will I need?” is a very fair question.

The honest answer depends on what we are treating. A recent muscle strain and a condition that has been present for several years should not receive the same timeline or treatment plan.

At Meridian + Myrrh, we begin with a detailed evaluation, identify meaningful markers of progress, and reassess along the way. Some clients notice an early shift after the first treatment. Longer standing concerns often improve more gradually.

The goal is not an endless series of appointments. It is a thoughtful plan based on your symptoms, response, and goals.

09/01/2026

“How many visits will I need?” is a very fair question.

The honest answer depends on what we are treating. A recent muscle strain and a condition that has been present for several years should not receive the same timeline or treatment plan.

At Meridian + Myrrh, we begin with a detailed evaluation, identify meaningful markers of progress, and reassess along the way. Some clients notice an early shift after the first treatment. Longer standing concerns often improve more gradually.

The goal is not an endless series of appointments. It is a thoughtful plan based on your symptoms, response, and goals.

08/30/2026

Needle anxiety is one of the most common reasons people postpone trying acupuncture, and one of the most common worries that fades after the first visit.

I was nervous before my first acupuncture appointment too. I was pleasantly surprised by how little I felt, and so grateful for how calm my nervous system felt during and after the appointment.

Acupuncture needles are solid and extremely thin. Most clients are surprised by how gentle treatment feels, and many become deeply relaxed once the needles are in place.

You are always in control of your treatment. If you are nervous or sensitive, tell me. We can start slowly, use fewer needles, and adjust anything that does not feel right.

Curious, but still unsure? Send me a message or schedule a new client visit at Meridian + Myrrh in Westchester.

08/08/2026

This one surprises people - in the best way. ✨👁️

Most patients don’t immediately think of acupuncture when they think about their eyes. Yet acupuncture has a long history in classical Chinese medicine for supporting vision, and modern research continues to explore its potential as complementary care for certain vision-related concerns.

Your personalized treatment may include:
• Scalp acupuncture to support the areas involved in sensory and visual processing
• Carefully selected points around the eye to support the surrounding tissues
• Distal acupuncture points to encourage whole-body balance and nervous-system regulation

The science is evolving, and every person’s needs and response are unique. Acupuncture isn’t a cure for eye disease or a replacement for care from your ophthalmologist or optometrist, but it may offer another positive avenue of support as part of a coordinated care plan.

There may be more ways to support your vision and well-being than you realized. Let’s explore what may be right for you.

📍 Westchester, IL · Link in bio to schedule a consultation

08/06/2026

Pregnancy brings constant change, and your care should meet you where you are.

Acupuncture may be incorporated as complementary prenatal care for concerns such as nausea, stress, sleep changes, and pregnancy-related musculoskeletal discomfort. Each treatment is individualized according to your trimester, symptoms, health history, and comfort.

To learn more or schedule an appointment:
✉️ [email protected]
🌿 meridianandmyrrh.com
📍 Westchester, Illinois

08/06/2026

Thank you, .family.chiropractic, for the thoughtful introduction and warm welcome!

I’m grateful to partner with Petrak Family Chiropractic Center and offer patients a collaborative approach to wellness. Acupuncture and chiropractic care can work together to support mobility, recovery, nervous system regulation, pain management, and overall well-being, while honoring each patient’s individual needs and health goals.

Appointments and questions for Meridian + Myrrh can be made directly through:

🌿 meridianandmyrrh.com�📞 320-420-5040�✉️ [email protected]

I am happy to continue serving Westchester and the surrounding communities!

07/27/2026

Proud to support the athletes and families of D-BAT DuPage as a sponsor of Cage 9! ⚾️

At Meridian + Myrrh Acupuncture and Wellness, I work with athletes of all ages to support recovery, mobility, muscle tension, overuse discomfort, stress regulation, and overall performance using both needle and non-needle techniques tailored to each individual.

A parent recently shared that his son experienced significant relief from low-back pain following his acupuncture session. He had been very nervous about needles beforehand, but was surprised by how gentle the treatment felt and said he could barely feel the acupuncture needles. Acupuncture needles are extremely thin, about the width of a strand of hair, and treatments can be adjusted to each patient’s comfort level.

Whether you are training for your next season, returning after an injury, or simply trying to help your body feel and move better, acupuncture may be a valuable part of your recovery and wellness routine.

Thank you, .dupage, for welcoming Meridian + Myrrh into your community!

📍 Westchester, Illinois

🌿 Learn more or schedule: meridianandmyrrh.com

Individual experiences and results may vary.

Meridian + Myrrh Acupuncture & Wellness, sponsor of cage 9, is owned and operated by Gold Member Kara Haakonson, DAcCHM, L.Ac., a licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine.

Kara provides integrative care for athletes of all ages, with a focus on sports injuries, general and overuse pain, muscle recovery, nervous system regulation, and performance support.

Using both needle and non-needle techniques, Kara's approach is well-suited for youth athletes and adults. Meridian + Myrrh proudly serves families throughout the western suburbs and is happy to support the D-BAT DuPage community.

Learn more or book an appointment at meridianandmyrrh.com or email Kara at [email protected]