The Pin Cushion

This place is phenomenal. The acupuncturists are dedicated and focused on addressing your particular issues. From an administrative standpoint, this place is very organized and efficient. The staff is professional and compassionate.
The sliding scale and community accupuncture model works really well for the budget.

Very relaxing! Great staff. My overall experience has been highly satisfactory, and I’d recommend this place to anyone.

I reluctantly went to The Pin Cushion, seeking help with chronic back pain and the usual sleep/​stress issues.
I walked in, and immediately felt the peaceful energy.
Still skeptical, but willing to try anything, I filled out the paperwork and met my practitioner, Julie.
Being stuck with needles, although tiny, was a tough concept for me to accept.
I am an RN, and have worked in surgery for many years. While I embrace many alternative approaches to life, the idea that inserting tiny needles in specific areas of my body could help other areas seemed counter intuitive.
I have been getting periodic treatments at The Pin Cushion now for about six months.
Julie is a true healer. I can’t explain how it works, or why it works. All I know is that it works.
I will always, surely, have back issues. It’s my thing; my opportunity to practice gratitude for all that I have and love, in spite of living with pain.
Since seeing Julie, however, my pain is more controlled and sometimes absent. My sleep has improved, and my stress lowered significantly.
My husband suddenly experienced terrible neck pain. I insisted he see Julie, and she cured his neck pain.
Is it magic? Who knows.
I live and work in the world of data and studies and science. All I can share is that the style of «community» acupuncture practiced at The Pin Cushion is not only healing, it is also empowering.
I cannot recommend The Pin Cushion more highly. They live what they practice.
We are lucky to have them in Capitol Hill, and Seattle.

A Life Saver on CHill — great staff and service!

I do one on one acupuncture regulary in Bellingham where I live, and I went there when I was having a family medical crisis and my daughter was in the hospital is Seattle. Was able to get in that week for a very affordable price. The treatment provided much needed stress relief and Julie has a very calming demeanor. Wasn’t able to go long enough to get results for my own long term needs (to increase breast milk supply) but a lot of stress melted away from the 2 sessions I did have.
Four stars because it appears that the linens are not changed between customers and I found an old needle on one of the chairs. Despite this, I would recommend a friend to go there in a heartbeat.

Julie is amazing! Mad skills and just a beautiful person. Even for the non-​believers, this is the best nap money can buy.

I’ve been going to The Pin Cushion twice a week for the last 3 weeks. I have been very happy with the results thus far. The staff are all very nice. I appreciate the sliding scale price. The customers are, for the most part, pretty respectiful of the community enviroment and stay quiet so others can relax and enjoy their experience. I’ve never been pressured to buy additional suppliments/​herbs, though they are available at the front desk if you wanted to buy them.
The only reason I am giving it 4 out of 5 stars is the inconsitancies between the 3 different practitioners I’ve seen. Some of them use a lot of needles. Some of them use very few needles. Some of them put the needles in loose on the surface. Some of them put them in pretty deep and I’ve had a bruise on certain points afterward. I’ve only had 1 person check my tongue and only on the first of the 6 appointments I’ve had so far. Only twice has my pulse been checked. With Chinese medicine I would imagine those would be standard practice with every appointment to see how the patient is progressing/​healing.
Despite the incosistancies, I have found the person I enjoy seeing the most and am pleased with the progress we are making with my pain management. Thankfully their online booking system allows you to chose the person you want to see based on the time/​day you choose for your appointment.

This is an awesome group setting acupuncture place with a sliding scale which is nice. This was my first time and I had a great experience ! I’ll be going back at least once a week!

I was a first timer, but this definitely won’t be my last time. I booked a session with Julie, and she took a good amount of time prior to my session to discuss my needs and to set expectations. Afterwards, I felt so relaxed, and a lot of my pain has vanished. I’ll definitely be back!

So this place is beyond excellent for someone who is nervous about acupuncture or for people that may have done it before but cannot afford treatments at a doctors office.
Community acupuncture is the idea behind the pin cushion which means that you are in a room getting acupuncture with others. But it feels even more peaceful, much like group meditation seeing others so relaxed helps you relax too. Not to mention the staffing here is incredibly warm and knowledgeable. Every time I come in I am confident that they are listening to my needs and giving me the best possible treatment.
After 3 treatments I noticed vast improvements with pain in my lower back and the prices make this place a remarkable while affordable clinic to have in the community. Thank you pin cushion!

This place is simply AMAZING! I suffer from shoulder, neck, and back pain and get headaches in a daily basis. I have a really high pain tolerance and seldom seek alternative cures for my aches and pains. Today I couldn’t ignore them anymore. I’ve been dealing with a headache that causes me to feel nauseated, my neck and shoulders are so stiff that even muscle relaxants aren’t working anymore, and I haven had a decent sleep in days.
Getting an appointment was very easy! I went to their website and created an account. You can then book your own appointment online. It was fast and easy to do! I believe you can also do walk-​ins? I’m not so sure. Front desk lady was very polite and it took less than 10 minutes to do history form. Bruce came to greet me right away and assessed my main problems. He brought me to the treating room which includes 2 beds and at least 6 recliner chairs, it’s a community based type of practice so everyone is treated in the same room. Don’t be alarm, it is actually pretty relaxing and soothing!
The transition from front desk to the treatment room took less than 15 minutes which is the fastest service I’ve gotten before. Bruce was right on point! He was very gentle and listened to my every need. He gave me more than an hour to enjoy my treatment and even asked me if I want more time! He was caring and polite.
I paid $ 35 dollars overall which include the $ 10 paperwork fee. You can’t beat that price anywhere!
No wonder this place has the best review! It’s easy to make an appointment, front desk gives you the simplest forms, treated right away and are generous with treatment time. AND finally, my headache is gone and my body feels lighter! ^_^

I had heard so many good things about this place and decided to give it a try. I had been suffering from intense neck/​shoulder pain (which I think is stress induced) and my boyfriend was having problems sleeping at night. The BF made an appointment first and had nothing but amazing things to say, including that he had never slept better after that appointment.
Once I went, the woman who helped me (Jennifer) was great, she explained the process, discussed my problems and continuously checked in to make sure everything was ok. She made me feel very comfortable about the whole process and I too, was pleased with the outcome of my first visit. As an Acupuncture newb, I was unsure where to start but I would HIGHLY recommend this place

I love coming here! It’s warm and relaxing. I’ve been coming here for a while now and all the staff is amazing! Super friendly and caring.

I’ve had ankle pain for almost 2 straight years and was tired of being in pain and having to get drugged up just for a tiny bit of relief. I had been wary of trying acupuncture because well lets face it, how in the world are needles supposed to help my pain? And I’m a big wimp with needles. I didn’t want to spend an arm and a leg for something that may not work and was excited when a friend told me about The Pin Cushions sliding scale fees. I knew I could afford $ 20 to try it once. What I loved is that you can make your appointments online, so much easier then calling.
I arrived early for my appointment but parking was hard to find on capital hill especially on a weekend. I finally found a small lot that is on Belmont about a block and a half away and down a bit. It’s $ 3 an hour and usually is empty. But beware it only takes credit cards for payment.
I walked the 3 min trek to the clinic and when I walked in was greeted by a very nice receptionist, though I didn’t catch her name. She took my paperwork and gave me a welcome letter to read and advised me they require payment before service. Never once did they ask how much I made, just pointed out the chart and asked that I honestly pay what range I fell into plus the $ 10 for the first visit fee. Julie was my acupuncturist and was super nice. When we went upstairs there was only 1 other person currently there. We discussed my issues and she talked to me a little about the process, even showing me the needles so I could see how tiny they were. I relaxed in the super comfy recliner and closed my eyes. The needles didn’t hurt at all, just a tiny pinch, and once they were in I didn’t feel anything at all. I fell asleep almost instantly. Julie recommended I come in 2−3x a week for the first couple of weeks to get a handle on the pain. Since I live in Des Moines she knew it might be an issue and even offered to look for other clinics that are in their network closer to me. I left that day feeling better then I have in a very long time.
Skip forward a week, and 3 treatments later to today. I woke up this morning feeling like über crap, my head felt like it was going to implode. My ankle on the other hand, has not hurt me at all and it’s amazing. I once again saw Julie and told her about my cold. She placed tons of needles in me to battle my congestion and continue with my ankle treatments. When I was finished she advised me to get plenty of rest, and avoid sugar as it contributes to phlegm build-​up. 3 hours later my cold is not gone, but the severity has decreased immensely.
I would definitely recommend this place for anyone wanting to try out acupuncture. It’s affordable and it definitely works. While I’ve talked about Julie being my acupuncturist I’ve also had the opportunity to have an appointment with Holly & Susie, and I know all of their other practitioners are amazing as well.

The absolute best. I have had acupuncture before (at spendy 1:1 clinics) and gotten some pain relief.
I’ve suffered from headaches… actually one headache that had continued for over 3 years. My doctor has run out of ideas, and I am sick of taking pills that don’t work or pills that work but knock me out entirely. I decided to give this place a try, just to see. After a few visits I noticed an improvement. You cannot imagine what it is like to wake up and NOT have a pain you’ve had for so long.
The practitioners are super nice and extremely competent.
I cannot recommend this place highly enough. If there was a sixth star, they’d have it.

I hurt my back yesterday, so bad that when my girlfriend asked what she could do for me, my only request was that she install one of those wall mounted seats you can ride to go up/​down stairs. (Which she still has yet to do…) I spent the majority of my day yesterday with a heating pad, in bed, struggling to find a comfortable position.
Fast forward to this morning, I was in the same amount of pain. I’m someone that would rather use Eastern medicine/​natural means of healing rather than going to the doctor and getting some pain pills, so the first thing I did upon waking up (after I managed to struggled into a seated position), was look up an acupuncturist close enough for me to hobble to for a treatment.
I called right away, and the girl at the front desk was very nice. She informed me that it was a very busy day but that she could squeeze me in on the treatment table (everyone else was in a recliner) in 45 minutes. Just enough time for me to limp the 4 blocks there.
Julie was my therapist. She was very warm, very informative, and very thoughtful. The room was relaxed, although somewhat cold in my opinion. Julie walked me though the process, and let me know that even though I may not feel anything right away, that throughout the saying should feel some relief.
It’s been about 12 hours since my appointment and I feel so much better. I can stand straight up, walk without pain, and I have much more range of motion in my back. It still hurts to lift my leg to put pants/​socks/​shoes on/​off but I think I’ll survive. I will definitely be back for more sessions, it was a lovely experience.

Totally love it and felt 10x better walking out. Julie recommended that I come in once a week for two months to help get a handle on my central neuropathic pain and dynamic mechanical allodynia (clothing can be painful).
I love that I can schedule all of my appointments online and I actually scheduled a month out!

I started going to The Pin Cushion about two years ago. I had just started a job, as a Massage Therapist, and for some reason I developed a frozen shoulder on the right side. Within a couple of days, as it got worse, i became unable to move my right arm at all. Needless to say, it made working increasingly difficult, and eventually impossible. So, within a month of starting a new job, I suddenly had to take two days off, on short notice. Not a good start.
I had never tried acupuncture before, but the pain killers I was taking were totally ineffective, and i was ready to do something different.
Short version, it worked. Within a day, my symptoms were vastly reduced. And after just one follow up appointment, my arm was fully functional again, and I was back to work.
I have since gone back, many times. I cannot recommend the Pin Cushion highly enough.

This place is a gem– as good as it gets. I love that this place specializes in community acupuncture, a program that facilitates affordable healing for everyone– on any budget.
Everyone is super nice. My favorite practitioner is Gabrielle Andersone. She is a very talented and kind professional. She really goes the extra mile in her sessions and makes you feel relaxed.
I have been receiving treatments from Ms. Anderson for months now, and I feel so lucky to have found her! She is extremely intuitive and good at what she does. I definitely feel like my overall health and well being has improved this year — and it has a lot to do with my regular visits to the Pin Cushion clinic to see Gabrielle.
The acupuncture helps me prevent the onset of colds, as it boosts my immune system. In addition to immune support, Gabrielle has treated me for many different ailments: accute injuries, emotional turmoil, stress and digestion to name a few.
Besides being a very talented acupuncturist, Gabrielle is just a super person. She is always smiling and kind. She really puts you at ease, and that alone helps facilitate the healing process. If you have every wanted to try acupuncture, definitely pop into the pin cushion!

I’ve been going to acupuncturists for more than 25 years, and I can say that this place is just as good– if not better– than many of the more traditional office settings.
I’ve been sick for what seems like months, with some spring cold that just wouldn’t quit, with my regular acupuncturist out on maternity leave, it was time to find another option.
I called and made a same day appointment, went in, filled out the paperwork and was in a comfortable room in a cozy recliner with needles in me in no time.
My practitioner was very well skilled, her ‘chairside’ manner was excellent, her needling was outstanding, and less than an hour later, I’m feeling like I’m seeing the end of what’s been a long road of illness.
The office has moved, so note this, it’s now just east of the B&O, around the corner from Online Coffee. The cost was a sliding scale — from $ 20-​$ 40 with an additional $ 10 fee for the first visit.
They also only accept checks and/​or cash so credit cards need not apply.
I’m going back next week just to ‘kick out the jams’ with this thing to see another practitioner, I’ll do an update if there’s any news on the different providers.