Even the mere visualization of lying on a table with “needles” all over my body made me queasy. However… Rachel’s gentle and reassuring manner helped me over my beginner’s anxiety. Over the years, I heard folks rave about the benefits of acupuncture, I could not even think about trying it because of my fear of “needles”. Even the mere visualization of lying on a table with “needles” all over my body made me queasy. However, after experiencing chronic back stiffness from a hiking fall coupled with menopausal symptoms, I felt a bit desperate to support my body with something other than medication. I was very anxious at the start of the first treatment. My palms were sweating and I had to take deep breaths. Yet, within minutes of the treatment start, my palms stopped sweating and my body calmed down so much that I fell asleep. After an intensive treatment, I began to taper off to weekly sessions and then monthly. I recently decided to resume weekly treatments as I have come to feel that acupuncture is an significant component of my mental and physical self-care. While there are many wonderful practitioners, Rachel’s gentle and reassuring manner helped me over my beginner’s anxiety.