Discover Quality Care
Harmonizing Tradition & Modern Wellness
A personalized path to recovery and vital energy through expert care.
As the founder of Healing Balance Acupuncture, I, Yoko, combine the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine with modern, research-based care. With a deep respect for acupuncture’s 3,000-year history and its proven benefits—from boosting vital energy and immunity to easing chronic pain—I’m dedicated to providing safe, personalized treatments that support your whole-body health and well-being.
About Us
Healing Balance Acupuncture
At Healing Balance Acupuncture, we provide gentle, research-informed care in a calm and supportive setting. Our goal is to help you restore balance, relieve pain, and support your overall well-being.We believe real health comes from balance in your body, mind, and emotions. We take time to listen and offer gentle, personalized treatments, so you can feel safe, supported, and more at ease in daily life.
Our Approach
We believe health means a happy balance of body and mind. We look at your whole self, not just the pain, to find the real cause of worry. Our gentle care is made just for you to help your body heal naturally, giving you more energy and a calm heart.
About Yoko Murakami
Yoko Murakami is a graduate of the Maryland University of Integrative Health, where she completed a three-year Master’s program in Acupuncture. She is a Maryland State Board–registered acupuncturist in good standing with the Maryland Acupuncture Society and is also certified as a NADA Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist.
Yoko is also a Registered Nurse (BSN) with over 25 years of nursing experience in Japan, Latin America, and Maryland. Throughout her career, she has cared for patients with warmth, compassion, and kindness.
In her practice, Yoko specializes in stress-induced insomnia, musculoskeletal pain and injuries, stress, anxiety, and women’s health concerns. Guided by the holistic principles of Chinese medicine and acupuncture, she addresses the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit.
She has successfully treated conditions such as insomnia, facial paralysis, migraines, and anxiety. Patients can expect a calm, healing environment, attentive listening, and a gentle, effective approach to therapy and care.
She successfully achieved her National Diploma of Acupuncture from The National Certification Board for Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM).
Services
Our Services & Fees
Healing Balance Acupuncture will see patients by appointment only. Once you contact us, and depending on the schedule and availability of the practice, you will receive an intake packet to be completed and submitted prior to scheduling the first appointment. This intake packet will give your practitioner a general idea of your clinical situation and the issues that you are seeking help with.
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Your initial consultation will last ninety (90) minutes:
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Complete case history evaluation
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Acupuncture treatment
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Cupping / Gua Sha as needed
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Plan a course of treatment
Price: $150
A follow-up visit will last sixty (60) minutes and will include:
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A review of the progress of the treatment
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Adjustments to the treatment plan
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Acupuncture
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Cupping / Gua Sha as needed
Price: $130
Four (4) Visits Package:
(initial + 3 follow-ups)
Price: $400
Cupping
Price: $50
Guasha
Price: $50
Auricular (NADA)
Price: $30
Gua Sha
Cupping
Gua Sha is a therapeutic technique that involves gently scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool to create light redness known as sha. This promotes blood circulation, releases stagnation, and encourages the body’s natural healing response. Gua Sha is often used to address muscle tension, pain, and inflammation, and is thought to help remove toxins, stimulate the immune system, and restore balance in traditional Chinese medicine.
Cupping is a therapeutic technique in which special cups are applied to the skin to create suction. It is believed to stimulate blood flow, release muscle tension, and promote healing. By creating a gentle vacuum, cupping may help relieve pain, improve circulation, and support the flow of energy, known as Qi ("chee"), in traditional medicine. The cups are typically left in place for several minutes or moved slowly across the skin.
Gua Sha is a therapeutic technique that involves gently scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool to create light redness known as sha. This promotes blood circulation, releases stagnation, and encourages the body’s natural healing response. Gua Sha is often used to address muscle tension, pain, and inflammation, and is thought to help remove toxins, stimulate the immune system, and restore balance in traditional Chinese medicine.
Auricular acupuncture (NADA)
Moxibustion
The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) developed an auricular acupuncture protocol used to support people dealing with substance use, mental health challenges, and emotional imbalances.
Moxibustion is a traditional technique that involves burning a dried herb called moxa, made from the mugwort plant (Artemisia vulgaris), near specific acupuncture points or areas of the body. The gentle heat is believed to warm and stimulate the body’s energy, known as qi, and promote the flow of energy and blood. It is often used to treat conditions related to cold and dampness, improve circulation, and strengthen the body’s resilience.
Benefits
Why We Stand Out
At Healing Balance Acupuncture, I prioritize patient well-being and offer personalized care plans to meet individual needs. As a skilled and experienced practitioner, I ensure your comfort and safety at all times, providing reliable and compassionate support.
Compassionate Care
I offer dedicated, one-on-one support during every session, ensuring you receive my full attention. By working directly with you, I focus on building a personal, trusting bond to support your unique path to wellness.
Professional Care
I bring extensive clinical expertise and specialized training to every session to help you reach your wellness goals. I am fully committed to achieving the best possible health outcomes for you through focused one-on-one attention.
Personalized Approach
I take a personalized approach to your care, tailoring each treatment to your unique needs and goals. My aim is to support you in living your best life with focused, one-on-one acupuncture care.
History of Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the oldest healing practices in the world and a fundamental component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It has been practiced for more than 3,000 years. According to traditional Chinese legends, its origins are associated with legendary figures such as Fuxi and the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi), who are credited with laying the foundations of Chinese medicine.
Acupuncture involves stimulating specific points on the body, most commonly by inserting very thin, sterile needles. The term acupuncture was introduced into English during the 17th century, although the practice had been used in China for thousands of years before then. Over time, acupuncture spread throughout Asia, including Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, and eventually reached Europe and North America during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Today, acupuncture is widely practiced around the world as a complementary therapy. In China, it is integrated with conventional medicine in many hospitals and continues to be supported by ongoing clinical practice and scientific research.
Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a time-honored therapy that supports the body's natural healing processes. It may help improve circulation, strengthen immune function, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, restore balance, and promote overall physical and emotional well-being.
Research suggests that acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, encouraging the release of naturally occurring chemicals such as endorphins, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters. These substances are believed to contribute to the body's natural pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory responses.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acupuncture is considered a reasonable treatment option for certain chronic pain conditions, including low back pain, neck pain, and knee pain. NIH-supported research has also explored acupuncture's potential to help reduce the frequency and severity of menopausal hot flashes.
FAQ's
Have Questions? Start Here
Get in Touch
Service Locations:
Annapolis & Arnold, MD
(Exact address provided upon scheduling)
Business Hours & Closed Days:
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Monday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
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Tuesday Closed
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Wednesday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
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Thursday Closed
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Friday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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Saturday 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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Sunday Closed
Accept
Payment Methods
We accept cash, check, Venmo, and Zelle®.
*Please note that we do not accept credit cards.
[Please Read Before Contacting Us]
Please note that submitting an inquiry through this website or by email does not establish an acupuncturist-patient relationship. Please do not include sensitive personal health or medical information in your initial inquiry. We will discuss any necessary medical information during your appointment or through appropriate communication channels. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, do not submit a message here—call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately. We will respond to your inquiry as soon as reasonably possible.