When Nothing Else Seems to Help
Chronic pain has a way of shrinking your life. Maybe you've tried rest, stretching, or over-the-counter options, and you've gotten some relief, but not the lasting change you were hoping for. Or perhaps you're navigating the hormonal shifts of perimenopause and finding that conventional options feel like too much, or not quite right for you.
You're not imagining it, and you're not out of options.
A lot of people who find their way to acupuncture have already tried a few other paths. What they discover here is something different: care that looks at the whole picture, not just the symptom that brought you in. Sebastopol and the surrounding West County area are home to people who value that kind of thoughtful, integrated approach, and that's exactly what Hannah offers.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that works by stimulating specific points on the body to encourage the body's own healing processes. Fine needles are placed at targeted locations to address pain, support hormonal balance, calm the nervous system, and improve overall function.
At Hannah's Sebastopol practice, treatment draws on both classical TCM theory and a grounding in western biology; a combination that comes from Hannah's dual background in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and her Doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches University.
A Personalized Approach to Your Care
This is your sub-headline
Hannah Perlkin, LAc brings a background you won't find everywhere. Her BS in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from UC Santa Cruz, combined with her Doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches University, means she can hold both frameworks at once; speaking fluently with patients who want to understand the science, and with those who simply want to feel better.
Her specialties include:
- Chronic pain, aches, and pain management for older adults
- Perimenopause, menopause, and hormonal health
- Women's health, PMS, and stress-related conditions
Every initial appointment is 90 minutes; a full consultation plus treatment, because real care takes time.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Step 1: Free 15-Minute Phone Consult
Step 2: Your 90-Minute Initial Appointment
Step 3: Ongoing Care at Your Pace
What Patients Notice
- Reduced pain and fewer flare-ups, with less reliance on medication
- More ease through hormonal transitions — hot flashes, sleep, mood
- A calmer nervous system and more restful sleep
Most patients notice a shift within a few sessions. The deeper, more lasting changes tend to build over time.
Common Questions About Acupuncture in Sebastopol
Most patients describe the sensation as a mild ache or tingling, very different from a typical needle. Hannah uses fine-gauge needles and takes a gentle approach, especially for first-time patients.
It depends on what you're treating. For acute concerns, a few sessions may be enough. For chronic pain or hormonal issues, Hannah typically recommends a course of weekly visits over two months, then reassesses together.
Yes. Hannah has a particular interest in supporting older adults with chronic pain, palliative comfort, and healthy aging; this is a core part of her practice.
Hannah does not currently bill insurance directly. Many patients find that HSA/FSA funds can be used for acupuncture. Hannah is happy to provide receipts for out-of-network reimbursement if your plan covers it.
Yes, managing hot flashes, sleep disruption, mood changes, and hormonal fluctuations is one of the areas Hannah focuses on most.
Ready to Feel Better in Sebastopol?
Hannah Perlkin, LAc is a licensed acupuncturist serving Sebastopol, West County, and the broader Sonoma County area. Her practice is boutique by design, so every patient gets genuine, unhurried care.
