Business Details
Your Trusted Acupuncture & Wellness Center in Santa Monica
Santa Monica Acupuncture & Wellness is dedicated to integrating the time-tested principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with modern Western medical practices. With over two decades of clinical experience, our founder has developed a holistic approach that addresses both acute and chronic health concerns through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and comprehensive lifestyle evaluations. Our practice specializes in reproductive health and fertility support, offering tailored treatments that enhance natural conception and complement assisted reproductive technologies.We prioritize patient-centered care, combining advanced diagnostic techniques with personalized treatment protocols to address conditions ranging from chronic pain to stress-related disorders. Our team maintains strict adherence to both Eastern and Western medical standards, ensuring safe, evidence-based care that promotes long-term wellness. The clinic's therapeutic environment fosters relaxation and healing, with treatments designed to restore systemic balance and activate the body's innate self-regulatory mechanisms.
Services
Acupuncture
Fertility Treatment
Pain Management
Stress Relief
Herbal Medicine
IVF Adjunct Therapy
Weight Loss Support
Men's Health
Women's Wellness
Childbirth Preparation
Highlights and features
- We combine 20+ years of Western medical training with certified acupuncture expertise
- Our treatments integrate evidence-based diagnostic techniques with traditional Chinese medicine principles
- Specialized fertility support includes IVF adjunct therapy and menstrual cycle optimization
- We offer personalized herbal formulation development based on individual patient needs
- Our practitioner holds dual certification in both Western nursing and traditional acupuncture
Associations and certifications
- NCCAOM
- LAc (Licensed Acupuncturist)
What people say
Amazing acupuncturist
Never bruised me once
Calming energy
Successful fertility treatment
Effective pain relief
Services
Acupuncture Treatments
Our acupuncture treatments use ultra-fine needles to stimulate specific acupoints, promoting Qi flow regulation and systemic balance. This ancient technique effectively addresses chronic pain, stress-related disorders, and various health conditions by activating the body's natural healing processes. Patients frequently report improved energy levels and reduced symptoms after completing recommended treatment plans. The therapy is particularly effective for conditions resistant to conventional Western treatments.
Fertility Support
Specialized fertility treatments combine acupuncture with herbal medicine to enhance natural conception and support assisted reproductive technologies. Our approach improves ovarian function, regulates menstrual cycles, and prepares the body for pregnancy through targeted treatments. Patients report increased success rates with both natural conception and IVF procedures when combining our services with conventional medical approaches. This integrative strategy has helped numerous couples achieve successful pregnancies after previous challenges.
Pain Management
Our pain management services address chronic conditions like back pain, migraines, and arthritis through acupuncture and complementary therapies. Treatments focus on reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and modulating pain perception pathways. Patients experience significant symptom reduction in conditions ranging from post-surgical recovery to long-term musculoskeletal discomfort. This natural approach often reduces or eliminates reliance on pain medications.
Stress Reduction
Specialized stress reduction treatments use acupuncture to regulate the autonomic nervous system and balance neurochemical levels. These sessions effectively alleviate anxiety, depression, and chronic stress symptoms through targeted point stimulation. Patients report improved sleep quality, better emotional regulation, and enhanced overall well-being after completing our personalized treatment programs. The therapy complements traditional mental health interventions.
Herbal Medicine
Custom herbal formulations are developed to complement acupuncture treatments, addressing specific health concerns through time-tested herbal combinations. Our approach integrates modern pharmacological knowledge with traditional Chinese medicine principles for safe, effective supplementation. Patients benefit from enhanced treatment outcomes as herbal therapy extends therapeutic effects between acupuncture sessions. Each formula is carefully curated to match individual patient needs and medical history.
People
Dr. Laurie Binder
Doctor of Acupuncture, LAc, MS, RN, CNP, LCCE
Dr. Laurie Binder brings over 20 years of healthcare experience combining Western medicine with traditional acupuncture. As both a certified nurse practitioner and licensed acupuncturist, she offers comprehensive care for reproductive health, chronic pain, and stress-related conditions. Her unique background enables integrative treatment approaches that bridge Eastern and Western medical philosophies effectively.
Questions
What health conditions can acupuncture effectively treat?
Acupuncture successfully addresses fertility challenges, chronic pain (back/neck/migraines), stress/anxiety, digestive disorders, women's health issues, and provides support for IVF treatments and natural fertility enhancement.
How does acupuncture work according to traditional Chinese medicine?
Acupuncture works by harmonizing Qi (life energy) flow through meridians, using ultra-fine needles at specific acupoints to restore systemic balance and activate the body's self-healing mechanisms.
What makes this clinic unique compared to other acupuncture practices?
Our practitioner combines 20+ years of Western medical experience as an OB/GYN nurse practitioner with traditional Chinese medicine expertise for comprehensive, integrative care solutions.
Are the treatments painful or uncomfortable?
Most patients experience minimal sensation with our ultra-fine needles, with many reporting deep relaxation during sessions that typically last 20-30 minutes with the needles in place.
How many treatment sessions are typically needed?
Treatment plans vary by condition - some acute issues may resolve in 1-3 sessions while chronic conditions often require 6-12 weeks of regular treatment combined with lifestyle modifications.
Do you offer herbal medicine support alongside acupuncture treatments?
Yes, we provide customized herbal formulations that complement acupuncture treatments, with careful consideration given to existing medications and individual patient needs.
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Reviews (4)
Lydia Capps
Mar 12, 2021
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I initially went to Laurie for acupuncture for fertility but I will be going to her even after babies for health and wellness optimization. Her calming, empathetic, and aware approach toward acupuncture is quite impressive. I learn something every session from her. I can't recommend Laurie enough!
Jason Kozma
Feb 08, 2021
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Best acupuncture in Santa Monica and Los Angeles! Laurie Binder is a gifted healer and acupuncturist. She gets awesome results in just a few treatments: she's my "go to" for my numerous and recurring training injuries. Laurie's acupuncture and herbs work! Here's 9 reasons why you should see Laurie for acupuncture: 1. She gets results 2. She's really nice 3. The needles don't hurt 4. You feel great immediately after the treatment 5. Positive results fast 6. Great location and parking 7. Her office is really spiffy 8. She gets results 9. Results are great! Word.
Michael Wallach
Oct 09, 2019
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I was a patient of Laurie Binder's for six months. My back pain and sense of well being improved almost immediately. Thereafter, I continued seeing Dr. Binder because I enjoyed the experience and great results. I recommend Laurie Binder highly. She is very competent, caring and effective.
Monica Shilling
Sep 25, 2019
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Laurie is a fantastic acupuncturist - I've been seeing her for several years and I always leave feeling energized. I've also recommended friends to see her who have had no previous experience with acupuncture and their experiences have been invariably positive. She's helped me with sports injuries, allergies and a number of other things. If you are considering acupuncture, make an appointment with Laurie and see how much better things can be!
