Dr. Lamya Kamel
L.Ac, DIPL. OM, MSTOM, DAOM
Medical Director of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Acupuncture
Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, our acupuncture approach supports your body’s natural ability to restore balance and heal by combining time-tested techniques with modern clinical insight. Appointments available 7 days a week.
Start Your Path to Better Health TodayWhy Choose Us
Acupuncture at Aligned Modern Health
At Aligned Modern Health, we go beyond symptoms to find answers. Appointments available 7 days a week.
15+ Years
helping patients using acupuncture
16 Convenient Clinics
& Illinois' most trusted acupuncture team
Appointments Available 7 Days a Week
We build on the time-honored foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine to power your body’s ability to balance and heal.
Our approach blends technology from modern medicine and applications from the best acupuncturists in the nation.
All of our licensed acupuncturists hold a Master’s degree or Doctorate in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine from the top educational institutes in the world. Our Acupuncturists consider all aspects of life, not just physical symptoms, to develop a customized treatment plan, in the context of each patient as a whole person.
How it Works
Many people ask, how does Acupuncture work? While Acupuncture has been scientifically proven to be effective in treating maladies ranging from pain to seasonal allergies to insomnia, the mechanisms by which it works are still subject to debate and may be described differently by different providers. The simplest answer, from a modern Western medical perspective, is that tiny Acupuncture needles (less than 1/10th the size of a sewing needle) inserted into the skin promote blood circulation to targeted areas. This in turn activates your body’s immune and nervous systems, reducing inflammation and releasing endorphins to alleviate pain. Acupuncture is rooted in a history that spans more than 2,000 years, and Eastern-based practitioners would probably describe Acupuncture’s effectiveness differently. Acupuncture helps to correct imbalances in the body caused by external factors such as stress, toxins, and injury. Once restored to proper balance, the body can better heal itself.
What We Treat
Gut Health & Food Intolerance
- Promotes healthy digestion and relieves bloating, cramping, and gut-related discomfort
- Reduces inflammation and balances stress-related hormones that impact gut function
- Complements Functional Medicine and hormone therapy for a holistic approach to gut health
Hormone & Metabolic Health
Support for stress regulation, hormone balance, and metabolic health through evidence-based care.
Reproductive Health
Evidence-based support for fertility, IVF success rates, pregnancy comfort, labor preparation, and postpartum recovery, while also helping to regulate cycles and reduce stress.
Immune & Autoimmune Conditions
Evidence-based care to reduce inflammation, modulate immune function, and alleviate related symptoms such as pain or sinus issues.
Pain, Movement & Recovery
Acupuncture can reduce pain, calm inflammation, and relieve stress-related tension that worsens musculoskeletal discomfort. Integrated with chiropractic and rehabilitation, it helps accelerate recovery and restore balance.
Full Family Wellness
Safe for patients of all ages, acupuncture supports stress relief, pain management, better sleep, and overall wellness. It’s a natural option for families looking for non-pharmaceutical solutions to everyday health concerns.
Whole-Body Wellness & Prevention
Acupuncture reduces stress, improves circulation, and balances the nervous system—key factors in aging well and preventing long-term health decline.
Chronic Conditions & Unresolved Symptoms
Acupuncture supports the nervous system and reduces stress while helping alleviate pain, fatigue, and other lingering symptoms.
Acupuncture Tools and Techniques
Acupuncture
Small hair-thin needles are inserted into specific points of the body to activate the nervous system and promote blood flow.
Chinese Herbs
Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs are prescribed to support the healing process.
Cupping Therapy
Through a suction technique, glass cups are placed on the body to promote blood flow and release tension in muscles and fascia.
Moxibustion
The herb mugwort is burned over acupuncture points to stimulate function and improve circulation.
Gua Sha
A tool is used to scrape and stimulate areas of the body to improve circulation and break up scar tissue.
Infrared Therapy
Infrared heat therapy is used alongside treatment to increase circulation and support healing.
Electrical Stimulation
Gentle electrical stimulation may be applied to help reset muscles and support neurological function.
The Aligned Modern Health Difference
We bring together clinical insight, data-driven testing, and compassionate partnership to help patients reach lasting outcomes.
Clinical Care Team
Our expert team of doctors, clinicians, nurse practitioners and clinical care coordinators will collaborate with you to deliver impactful results.
Comprehensive Testing
We go deeper than standard labs—analyzing gut health, inflammation, nutrient markers, and metabolic function to identify the root cause.
Personalized Treatment
Your care plan is tailored to your symptoms, history, lifestyle, and goals—designed to support your body’s unique biology.
Whole-Body Wellness
Holistic support for nutrition, stress, sleep, and movement to enhance your long-term health and vitality.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for Acupuncture to work?
Benefits are often felt immediately after the first treatment, although the best results are cumulative (as Acupuncture builds on itself as the body returns to a state of health). As treatment progresses, so too does the length of time that its effects last.
How often will I need to come in?
Frequency of treatment is dependent on the nature and severity of your condition. Our practitioners are happy to meet with you for a free 15-minute consultation to assess your individual situation and offer a suggested course of treatment.
What does Acupuncture feel like? Does it hurt?
Acupuncture needles are sterile and as thin as a human hair. They are used only once then disposed of. Most insertions are completely painless, although sometimes patients experience a mild sensation that only lasts a brief moment. Many patients are surprised to find treatments to be very pleasurable, often bringing them into a state of deep relaxation.
Is acupuncture covered by insurance?
Our Acupuncturists are currently in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna insurance. If your plan provides coverage for Acupuncture out of network, we are more than happy to verify your coverage details for you and provide you with all of the documentation needed to submit to your carrier for reimbursement.
Patients are always welcome to utilize their Flexible Spending Accounts, healthcare savings accounts, or healthcare reimbursement accounts to pay for acupuncture services. If you have any questions about your coverage, our pricing, or payment for acupuncture please call us. We are more than happy to help!
Meet Your Acupuncture Team
View Profile
Dr. Helena Para
L.Ac, DACM, MSTOM
Associate Director of Acupuncture
Carl M. Balingit
L.Ac, Dipl. OM
Acupuncturist
Alexandra Castiglione
L.Ac, MSOM, Dipl. OM
Acupuncturist
Dr. Robert Gendreau
DAOM, L.Ac
Acupuncturist
Towayn Heaven
L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., MSOM
Acupuncturist
Heidi Irwin
L.Ac, Dipl. OM, MSOM
Acupuncturist
Dr. Michael Jamlang
DAOM, L.Ac
Acupuncturist
Dr. Jonathan Kalin
L.Ac, DACM, MSTOM, Dipl. OM
Acupuncturist
Dr. Joseph Kay
DACM, Lic.Ac.
Acupuncturist
Dr. Emma O’Neil
DACM, L.Ac, MSTOM
Acupuncturist
Dr. Griffin Roman
L.Ac., BCND
Acupuncturist
Eric Schrock
L.Ac, DIPL. OM
Acupuncturist
Dr. Christina M. Slyter
L.Ac, DACM, MSTOM, Dipl. OM
Acupuncturist
Katherine Wang
L.Ac., Dipl. Ac.
Acupuncturist
Monique Wheeler
L.Ac, Dipl. OM., MSTOM
Acupuncturist
Schedule an Appointment
Fill out the form below and our team will get back to you as soon as possible. For immediate assistance, please call 773-598-4387.
