Acupuncture Services in Chicago
Acupuncture is a gentle, time-honored healing practice rooted in East Asian medicine that helps the body regain balance and resilience. At her Chicago practice, Gráinne McKeown, L.Ac. offers acupuncture as a thoughtful, evidence-informed way to support the body’s natural ability to regulate itself – physically, emotionally, biomedically, and energetically. Her care is grounded in Chinese Medicine principles and shaped by a belief that lasting wellness comes from living in rhythm with the body rather than working against it.
In Chinese Medicine, health depends on the smooth movement of energy, blood, and fluids throughout the body. Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points along interconnected pathways that help the body communicate and adapt. When this movement becomes strained – through stress, illness, injury, or long-term imbalance – symptoms can appear. Acupuncture supports the body by restoring coordination between systems so healing can unfold more naturally.
People often seek acupuncture to support pain relief, hormonal balance, digestion, sleep, immune health, and emotional well-being. Rather than chasing individual symptoms, treatment looks at patterns that influence multiple areas at once. This allows care to remain flexible and responsive as the body changes over time. In addition, it allows treatment to affect the whole body, rather than just one system or part in the body
Gráinne’s approach focuses on the whole person. Each session considers physical symptoms alongside stress levels, emotional health, daily habits, and energetic state. Acupuncture with her is safe for all ages and treatments are always adapted to the individual. Her care extends beyond needles and may include simple guidance around breath, movement, meditation, herbs, supplements, and daily routines that support clarity, steadiness, and personal agency.
Many patients seeking acupuncture in Chicago are drawn to her practice because it values simplicity, conscious, and mindful living, and a deeper relationship with health.
Conditions Treated With Acupuncture at Our Chicago Clinic
Gráinne works with a wide range of health concerns using a whole-systems approach shaped by nearly 20 years of clinical experience. Her care is designed for people whose symptoms do not exist in isolation, allowing treatment to address how different systems interact rather than focusing on a single complaint.
Common areas of care include:
Reproductive and fertility health, including conception preparation, cycle irregularities, hormonal imbalance, PCOS, endometriosis, low ovarian reserve, perimenopause, and menopause. Acupuncture supports healthy circulation and hormonal communication during both fertility-focused care and natural life transitions.
Emotional and mental well-being, such as anxiety, ongoing stress, and depression. These concerns often have physical expressions like tension, fatigue, insomnia, or digestive discomfort. Treatment focuses on supporting the nervous system’s ability to settle and adapt.
Digestive health, including IBS, Crohn’s disease, and dysbiosis. Because gut function is closely linked to nervous system signaling and inflammatory response, acupuncture supports communication between the gut and brain while improving circulation to digestive organs. Grainne offers dietary and lifestyle advice to optimize your digestive function.
Pain and injury recovery, including back pain, neck and shoulder tension, knee discomfort, and post-injury healing. Acupuncture helps ease muscular holding patterns, supports circulation, and encourages the body’s natural repair processes without reliance on medication.
Chronic and complex conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, fatigue, sleep disruption, Lyme-related illness, and other long-term health challenges. Gráinne’s experience with complex cases allows treatment to evolve thoughtfully as the body responds over time.
Her practice also supports families, offering continuity through Chicago family acupuncture care for patients of all ages. Those seeking Chinese acupuncture in Chicago often value the consistency, depth, and long-term relationship this approach provides.
What to Expect During Your Acupuncture Session
Each acupuncture session with Gráinne McKeown is designed to feel like a pause in your day. Care is unhurried and personal, guided by attentive listening and a calm, grounded environment. From your first visit, the focus is on helping your body settle, reset, and begin moving toward balance – without rushing or overwhelming the process.
Initial Appointment (90 minutes):
Your first session allows time to fully understand the rythms in your body and your life. Gráinne reviews your health history, current symptoms, daily habits, and wellness goals before beginning treatment, creating a plan that reflects your needs.
Follow-Up Sessions (60 minutes):
Ongoing visits build naturally from your initial care. Treatments shift over time as your body responds and your priorities evolve.
Treatment Modalities:
Sessions may include acupuncture, optional herbal support, lifestyle and nutrition guidance, breathwork, and meditation suggestions. Recommendations are practical and rooted in simple living, such as spending time outdoors, eating intentionally, reducing screen exposure, and creating space for reflection.
What Acupuncture Feels Like:
Acupuncture is gentle and often deeply calming. The needles are very fine and placed with care, and many people notice a sense of quiet or ease during treatment.
Comfort and Safety:
Your comfort always comes first. Questions are welcome, and treatments are paced to help you feel at ease. Many patients leave feeling clearer, more grounded, and noticeably calmer.
Herbal Support (Optional):
When appropriate, Chinese herbal medicine may be offered to support your care. Herbal recommendations are always optional and discussed thoroughly, with adjustments made as your body responds.
How to Prepare:
Arriving nourished, hydrated, and in comfortable clothing can help you get the most from your session. Allowing time to rest afterward helps the benefits continue to unfold.
Why Choose Gráinne McKeown for Acupuncture in Chicago
Gráinne McKeown is a licensed acupuncturist with nearly two decades of experience and a solo practice. Every patient works directly with her at each visit, creating continuity, trust, and deeply personalized care. There are no assistants or rotating providers.
Her work integrates acupuncture, diet, herbal medicine, meditation, and lifestyle guidance to support the whole person. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, she helps patients build sustainable practices that support long-term balance and independence.
Patients often choose her practice over larger clinics because they value thoughtful, one-on-one care and a practitioner who listens. Her philosophy reflects a commitment to conscious living, reduced reliance on technology, and cultivating health through intentional daily choices. Grainne also actively lives these values in her own life and is therefore a valuable resource for her patients wanting to do the same.
She is in-network with BCBSIL and United and submits claims to Aetna and Cigna for reimbursement. Explore All Services to learn more about her full range of offerings.
Book Your Acupuncture Appointment in Chicago
Scheduling an appointment is simple and available online through the Jane app. New patients are encouraged to begin with a 90-minute first session to allow time for a full evaluation and treatment. To begin, schedule your first session.
Want to learn more? Explore the philosophy behind Gráinne’s work through her educational writing, including the Top 5 benefits of acupuncture and her guide to oriental medicine.
Have questions? Contact Us today
“I cannot say enough wonderful things about Grainne. She helped me through the most difficult time in my life when there were a lot of physical and emotional things going on. She listened and cared. She also provided much-needed reframing of things in the kindest of ways that was very helpful. And that's all before talking about the treatments themselves. Her acupuncture, cupping, and other treatments have helped with a variety of physical issues, including back, neck, pyriformis, migraines, wrist, menstrual variances, fatigue, and other. She has also helps with emotional issues. I appreciate her expertise, care, and spirit. I highly recommend her.
— Kay Oh