Meridian + Myrrh Acupuncture and Wellness

08/08/2026

This one surprises people - in the best way. ✨👁️

Most patients don’t immediately think of acupuncture when they think about their eyes. Yet acupuncture has a long history in classical Chinese medicine for supporting vision, and modern research continues to explore its potential as complementary care for certain vision-related concerns.

Your personalized treatment may include:
• Scalp acupuncture to support the areas involved in sensory and visual processing
• Carefully selected points around the eye to support the surrounding tissues
• Distal acupuncture points to encourage whole-body balance and nervous-system regulation

The science is evolving, and every person’s needs and response are unique. Acupuncture isn’t a cure for eye disease or a replacement for care from your ophthalmologist or optometrist, but it may offer another positive avenue of support as part of a coordinated care plan.

There may be more ways to support your vision and well-being than you realized. Let’s explore what may be right for you.

📍 Westchester, IL · Link in bio to schedule a consultation

08/06/2026

Pregnancy brings constant change, and your care should meet you where you are.

Acupuncture may be incorporated as complementary prenatal care for concerns such as nausea, stress, sleep changes, and pregnancy-related musculoskeletal discomfort. Each treatment is individualized according to your trimester, symptoms, health history, and comfort.

To learn more or schedule an appointment:
✉️ [email protected]
🌿 meridianandmyrrh.com
📍 Westchester, Illinois

08/06/2026

Thank you, .family.chiropractic, for the thoughtful introduction and warm welcome!

I’m grateful to partner with Petrak Family Chiropractic Center and offer patients a collaborative approach to wellness. Acupuncture and chiropractic care can work together to support mobility, recovery, nervous system regulation, pain management, and overall well-being, while honoring each patient’s individual needs and health goals.

Appointments and questions for Meridian + Myrrh can be made directly through:

🌿 meridianandmyrrh.com�📞 320-420-5040�✉️ [email protected]

I am happy to continue serving Westchester and the surrounding communities!

07/27/2026

Proud to support the athletes and families of D-BAT DuPage as a sponsor of Cage 9! ⚾️

At Meridian + Myrrh Acupuncture and Wellness, I work with athletes of all ages to support recovery, mobility, muscle tension, overuse discomfort, stress regulation, and overall performance using both needle and non-needle techniques tailored to each individual.

A parent recently shared that his son experienced significant relief from low-back pain following his acupuncture session. He had been very nervous about needles beforehand, but was surprised by how gentle the treatment felt and said he could barely feel the acupuncture needles. Acupuncture needles are extremely thin, about the width of a strand of hair, and treatments can be adjusted to each patient’s comfort level.

Whether you are training for your next season, returning after an injury, or simply trying to help your body feel and move better, acupuncture may be a valuable part of your recovery and wellness routine.

Thank you, .dupage, for welcoming Meridian + Myrrh into your community!

📍 Westchester, Illinois

🌿 Learn more or schedule: meridianandmyrrh.com

Individual experiences and results may vary.

Meridian + Myrrh Acupuncture & Wellness, sponsor of cage 9, is owned and operated by Gold Member Kara Haakonson, DAcCHM, L.Ac., a licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine.

Kara provides integrative care for athletes of all ages, with a focus on sports injuries, general and overuse pain, muscle recovery, nervous system regulation, and performance support.

Using both needle and non-needle techniques, Kara's approach is well-suited for youth athletes and adults. Meridian + Myrrh proudly serves families throughout the western suburbs and is happy to support the D-BAT DuPage community.

Learn more or book an appointment at meridianandmyrrh.com or email Kara at [email protected]

07/24/2026

IUI is often described as “the simpler fertility treatment”, and it is, compared to IVF. But your body is still doing something significant, and the timing still matters.

Here’s what I’m thinking about when we map out acupuncture around your IUI cycle:

Before the procedure: We’re working on follicle development, endometrial thickness, and uterine blood flow. A well-prepared lining makes a difference.

Day of: Research suggests acupuncture before and after IUI can help reduce uterine contractions that sometimes work against the procedure. The goal is a calm, receptive environment.

After: We shift to supporting implantation and regulating your nervous system through the two-week wait, because that window is hard, and stress has a measurable effect on outcomes.

You don’t need to choose between Western and Eastern medicine. They work well together.

📍 Westchester, IL · Website link in bio

07/19/2026

What happens during your first acupuncture appointment?

Trying acupuncture for the first time can bring up a lot of questions:

Does acupuncture hurt?
What should I wear?
Should I eat before my appointment?
Where are the needles placed?
How will I feel afterward?

Your first acupuncture visit is designed to help you feel comfortable, informed, and heard. We begin with a conversation about your health history, current concerns, lifestyle, and treatment goals. From there, your acupuncture treatment is personalized to your individual needs and comfort.

Acupuncture needles are extremely thin, about the width of a strand of hair, and many first-time patients are surprised by how gentle and relaxing the experience can be.

In my newest article, I explain:
✨ How to prepare for acupuncture
✨ What happens during the initial consultation
✨ What acupuncture needles feel like
✨ How long the needles remain in place
✨ What you may feel during and after treatment
✨ How a treatment plan is developed

Read “What Happens During Your First Acupuncture Appointment?” through the link provided.

https://meridianandmyrrh.com/blog-posts/f/what-happens-during-your-first-acupuncture-appointment

Have a question about your first acupuncture visit? Leave it in the comments. I am always happy to help make the experience feel more familiar.

Meridian + Myrrh Acupuncture and Wellness. Personalized acupuncture and Chinese medicine care in Westchester, Illinois

07/16/2026

“We’ve been trying for a while.”

That sentence is carrying so much, including hope, exhaustion, uncertainty, and a whole lot of questions no one has fully answered yet.

When someone comes in for natural conception support, I’m not looking at one thing. I’m looking at your cycle regularity, how your luteal phase looks, whether ovulation is happening when you think it is, how stress is affecting your hormones, and whether there’s enough blood flow getting to where it needs to go.

TCM has been working with fertility for thousands of years. That doesn’t mean it’s magic. It means there’s a framework for asking different questions and addressing things that sometimes get missed.

If you’ve been trying for 6 months or more and something just feels off, that’s worth looking at.

📍 Westchester, IL · link in bio to book a consult

07/12/2026

Do your legs feel restless, tingly, or impossible to keep still at night?

You may be experiencing Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), a neurological condition that can significantly disrupt sleep and impact quality of life.

Many people describe symptoms as: creeping or crawling sensations, tingling or pulling in the legs, an irresistible urge to move, and symptoms that become worse in the evening or while resting.

At Meridian + Myrrh Acupuncture and Wellness in Westchester, Illinois, I take an individualized, evidence-informed approach to care. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may help support nervous system regulation, improve sleep quality, and complement a comprehensive treatment plan for some individuals living with RLS.

If you'd like to learn more about Restless Legs Syndrome, potential contributing factors, and how acupuncture may fit into a whole-person approach to care, I've written an article on the topic.

🔗 Read the full blog here: https://meridianandmyrrh.com/blog-posts/f/acupuncture-for-restless-leg-syndrome-rls-a-whole-body-approach

Have you or someone you know experienced Restless Legs Syndrome? I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions in the comments.

07/10/2026

If you’re in an IVF cycle, you already know how much your body is being asked to do.

Acupuncture doesn’t replace what your RE is doing, it supports what your body is trying to do alongside it. Each phase of an IVF cycle has a different focus in treatment.

* During stimulation, we’re supporting follicle development and reducing inflammation.
* Around retrieval, we’re working on cortisol and stress response.
* Before and after transfer, the goal is uterine blood flow and nervous system calm.
* During the wait, we’re supporting implantation and helping you breathe through the hardest part.

You don’t have to do this without support.

📍 Westchester, IL · link in bio

03/10/2026

Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years, and modern research is now helping explain why it works so effectively for such a wide range of conditions. From pain reduction and inflammation control to nervous s...