Natural & Chinese Medicine · Silver Spring, MD

Your body already
knows how to heal.
We help it remember.

Acupuncture, herbal medicine, somatic coaching, and bodywork rooted in 3,500 years of Chinese medicine, practiced in the heart of Silver Spring.

When the pattern underneath finally shifts, the symptoms follow.

Most of our patients have already tried something else. They come here when they're ready to go deeper.

10+Years in Silver Spring
4.9Stars · 200+ Reviews
5Integrated Modalities
Why Pulse

Most patients come
for one thing. They stay
for something they
didn't expect.

We address the root pattern, not just the surface symptom. That's not a marketing claim. It's the only way this medicine works.

We're here to walk alongside you, not just treat what hurts.

“I have seen acupuncturists and holistic therapists for over 30 years in many different countries. The most professional, attuned and attentive care you can wish to receive.”

— Odelya K. · Yelp · 5 Stars

“Acupuncture has helped me with migraines, stress, sleep issues, pregnancy, back pain, and more. Highly recommend Pulse Community Care.”

— Whitney M. · Yelp · 5 Stars

“Through a few weeks of treatment, I've walked away with a clearer mind, more open breathing, and better digestion. I was so impressed I started taking my daughter to Pulse to see Wajida.”

— Dan R. · Yelp · 5 Stars
How We Help

Most patients live in
more than one lane.

We specialize in four areas because true healing rarely stays in one lane. A patient who comes for chronic pain often discovers their sleep improves. Someone here for fertility finds their anxiety lifts. That's not a coincidence. That's how holistic medicine works: one root pattern, many branches.

01

Nervous System & Stress

Anxiety, burnout, PTSD, depression, sleep disruption. Your nervous system has been bracing for a long time. We help it unwind and heal.

AnxietyBurnoutPTSDDepressionSleep DisruptionDysautonomiaSomatic Support
02

Pain & Injury

Chronic pain, migraines, neck, back, joints, nerve pain. When other approaches haven't reached the root, we often do.

Chronic PainMigrainesSciaticaArthritisJoint DegenerationInjuries
03

Reproductive Health & Fertility

Painful periods, PMDD, hormonal balance, fertility, IVF/IUI support, perimenopause, pregnancy, postpartum, and perinatal care through every stage.

Painful PeriodsPMDDInfertilityPerimenopausePostpartumPelvic Pain
04

Internal Medicine

Digestive disorders, autoimmune patterns, chronic fatigue, metabolic imbalance. Medicine tailored to your constitution.

Gut & Digestive IssuesChronic FatigueAutoimmune ConditionsBrain FogAdrenal FatigueLong COVID
Our Treatments

Treatments designed to
work together for lasting change.

We combine these modalities based on what your body actually needs — not a menu you have to navigate alone.

Private Acupuncture session at Pulse Community Care

Private Acupuncture

One-on-one sessions tailored to your goals. We regulate the nervous system, reduce pain, and support your body's natural healing response — treating what's underneath, not just what's on the surface. Sessions often include additional Chinese medicine modalities like cupping, gua sha, or moxibustion as your practitioner sees fit.

Nervous SystemPain & InjuryReproductive Health & FertilityInternal Medicine
Pelvic floor acupuncture treatment

Pelvic Floor Acupuncture

Specialized care for pelvic pain, incontinence, postpartum recovery, painful periods, endometriosis, and sexual health. Gentle, trauma-informed, and deeply supportive.

Pelvic PainIncontinencePostpartumEndometriosisSexual Health
Telehealth AvailableChinese herbal medicine dispensary at Pulse Community Care

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Custom formulas prescribed to support internal balance, regulate hormonal health, reduce inflammation, and accelerate recovery. Tailored to your constitution, adjusted as you progress.

Hormonal HealthDigestionFertilitySleepInflammation
Therapeutic massage at Pulse Community Care

Therapeutic Massage

Hands-on bodywork for muscle tension, injury recovery, and deep stress relief. Our LMTs work alongside our acupuncturists to offer integrated care that addresses structural and nervous system components together. Sessions may include cupping at no extra charge.

Muscle TensionInjury RecoveryChronic PainStress Relief
Virtual Sessions AvailableSomatic and embodiment coaching session in Silver Spring MD

Somatic & Embodiment Coaching

Body-centered coaching for emotional wellness, intimacy concerns, relationship patterns, and nervous system regulation. With Pulse co-owner Janaye Volk, trained at the Somatica Institute. Available virtually.

Trauma & PTSDNervous SystemIntimacySexualityRelationship PatternsSexual HealthBody ImageEmotional Wellness
Community acupuncture session at Pulse Community Care

Community Acupuncture

Sliding-scale acupuncture in a shared healing space — a value we've held since day one. Best for focused, single-issue care.

Sliding ScaleAccessible
Is This Right For You?

We're honest about
who we're best for.

Pulse is a good fit if you...

Have tried treatments that helped temporarily but never shifted the underlying pattern
Want someone who looks at your whole picture — body, mind, and what connects them
Are open to acupuncture, herbal medicine, or somatic work alongside your existing care
Are ready to invest in a course of treatment — not just a single session
Want to feel genuinely heard before anything else happens

We may not be the right fit if you...

Are looking for a one-time, quick-fix treatment
Prefer very short appointments focused only on symptom relief
Need medication-based treatment as your primary approach
No guilt, no pressure. There's a right door for everyone — and we'll help you find yours.
Your Care Team

Practitioners who genuinely
pay attention.

Every acupuncturist at Pulse is trained at a top traditional Chinese medicine university. Our care is collaborative and kind to the core — whoever you see, you're in good hands.

Jackie Sanchez, L.Ac.
Founder & Owner · Acupuncturist & Herbalist
Bastyr University · Shanghai & Chengdu Hospital Training
RootedDirectJoyful

Born and raised in Silver Spring, Jackie opened Pulse in 2015 to serve the community that raised her. After an acupuncturist resolved chest pains she'd carried her whole life, she was hooked. She completed hospital rounds in Shanghai and Chengdu. She has a particular gift for orthopedic conditions, fertility, migraines, psoriasis, POTS, and EDS — and a reputation for taking on cases that haven't responded elsewhere. She also offers the Eastern Medicine Report, a remote TCM consultation for patients anywhere in the world who want a complete diagnosis and home protocol without coming in. Laughing with her patients is one of her favorite parts of the job.

Janaye Volk, L.Ac.
Founder & Owner · Acupuncturist & Herbalist
Sexologist · Somatic & Intimacy Coach
Bastyr University · Shanghai & Chengdu Hospital Training
Body-WiseAttunedExpansive

Janaye specializes in pelvic floor acupuncture and somatic coaching — two disciplines that meet where the body holds what words can't always reach. She completed hospital rounds in Chengdu and Shanghai. Her training spans the full spectrum — from the subtle, intuitive work of craniosacral therapy to the precise, physical demands of pelvic floor acupuncture, with herbal medicine, somatic coaching, and sexology woven through the layers in between. She brings her full toolkit to every session, guided by intuition as much as training. She follows what the body is asking for, not what the appointment type suggests. Somatic sessions available virtually.

Dr. Disha Sud, DAc, L.Ac.
Dr. Disha Sud, DAc, L.Ac.
Doctor of Acupuncture & Herbalist
Maryland University of Integrative Health
ThoroughPreciseCaring

Dr. Disha Sud holds a Doctorate in Acupuncture from the Maryland University of Integrative Health. Her focus in perinatal care grew organically — out of years of treating patients and feeling deeply for what this population carries. She now specializes in fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and hormonal health at every stage. She is also highly effective for chronic pain and digestive conditions. Her diagnostic eye is sharp and her approach is thorough.

Wajida Syed, L.Ac.
Wajida Syed, L.Ac.
Acupuncturist & Herbalist · Zero Balancing Practitioner
Maryland University of Integrative Health · Daoist Traditions College
WarmGroundingIntuitive

There is an artist's sensibility in the way Wajida practices — attuned to what is subtle, layered, and present. She is a natural fit for patients navigating anxiety, depression, emotional overwhelm, or anything that lives at the intersection of body and feeling. Her knowledge runs deep. Certified in Zero Balancing, she reads energy with an intuitiveness that is hard to explain and easy to feel. She is drawn to patients who want to be part of their own healing.

Jenny Kuenz, LMT
Jenny Kuenz, LMT
Massage Therapist
Potomac Massage Training Institute · Cupping Certified
SkilledCalmingLighthearted

Jenny studied acupuncture and Chinese medicine before finding her true home in massage. She brings that depth of training into every session, along with a warmth and ease that makes everyone feel comfortable within minutes. She offers cupping as part of her massage sessions and believes that safe, compassionate touch is medicine in its own right.

Heather Doyle, L.Ac.
Acupuncturist · Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine
GentleCommunity-RootedThorough

Heather's practice is shaped by a lifelong study of movement, dance, and social justice — she brings a rare integration of body wisdom and community care. Trained in Classical Chinese Medicine, she incorporates tui na, gua sha, and fire cupping into her private sessions. She tends to send patients home with something to work with — movement practices, nutritional guidance, and tools they can use between visits. Getting results for her patients is something she takes deeply to heart.

Corey Timbers, L.Ac.
Corey Timbers, L.Ac.
Acupuncturist & Herbalist · Zero Balancing Practitioner
Maryland University of Integrative Health · Daoist Traditions College
RootedWarmAttuned

Corey found his way to Chinese medicine through his own healing journey — one that brought him back to himself, clear and rooted. After earning his Master's in Acupuncture, he went on to study herbal medicine at Daoist Traditions College. He practices through the lens of TCM and Five Element theory, honoring the body's connection to seasonal rhythms as a path to balance. He works with what is held deeply — releasing tension with a gentleness that surprises people. He specializes in anxiety, mental-emotional patterns, digestive conditions, and chronic pain.

Dr. Leila Malavite, DAc, L.Ac.
Dr. Leila Malavite, DAc, L.Ac.
Doctor of Acupuncture
Maryland University of Integrative Health
CompassionateGroundingSteady

Leila knew she was headed toward the healing arts at thirteen — and finding acupuncture during her biology studies sealed it. Her patients consistently sing her praises, drawn to the calm, steady energy she brings into every session. She has a particular gift for emotional health — anxiety, stress, the weight of what's hard to name — and holds space for patients across the full spectrum of life: pain, women's health, digestion, insomnia, chronic illness, and beyond. Her goal is simple: a safe, peaceful space where you can show up as your whole self.

Your Journey

Healing happens
through consistent
support.

Acupuncture isn't a single event — it's a conversation your body learns to continue on its own. Most patients notice real changes within the first few visits.

Step 01 of 04
Schedule your visit
Choose the service that fits your needs.

Not sure where to start? Take our quiz below or call us — we'll help you find the right door in. There isn't a wrong one.

Acupuncture treatment room
01 — Schedule

There isn't a wrong door in.

Private treatment room at Pulse Community Care
02 — Listen First

We take time to understand your full history.

03 — Your Treatment Plan
Each plan is different. Here's how often each modality is typically used — and what it's doing for you.
Acupuncture
1–2×
per week
Nervous system · Pain · Root pattern
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Daily
formula
Internal support between sessions
Cupping
As needed
with acupuncture
Circulation · Tension · Structure
Therapeutic Massage
per month
Structure · Stress · Muscle recovery
Somatic & Embodiment Coaching
Bi-weekly
sessions
Nervous system · Psycho-emotional patterns · Intimacy & relationships
04 — How Often & How Long
Your timeline is built
around your situation.
Select the descriptor closest to your situation.
Wk 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12+
Most patients with new or acute concerns feel a real shift around sessions 3–4.
~12 sessions · Once or twice weekly to start
Find Your Starting Point

Not sure where
to begin?

Tell us a little about what's going on. We'll point you toward the right starting place.

What's been weighing on you most?
Stress, anxiety, or feeling like I can't settle down
Pain that won't go away no matter what I try
Something related to hormones, fertility, or my cycle
Digestive issues, fatigue, chronic illness, or something I can't quite name
Honestly, several of these at once
1 of 3
What Patients Say

Real words from
the Pulse community.

★★★★★
“I went in with pain at a level 8. I left with it at a level 3. I felt better than I have in months. I am so grateful to Pulse and Wajida for helping me finally start to feel better.”
— Lara W. · Yelp · 5 Stars
★★★★★
“I've been getting acupuncture for 20 years, and Pulse is the experience I've longed for. Not only are they highly skilled — they also truly care.”
— Elle S. · Yelp · 5 Stars
★★★★★
“I have literally gone from a pain level of 8 to a pain level of 2 — and fading. What in the world is this amazing magic? I will be back!”
— Mia R. · Yelp · 5 Stars
New to Pulse?

A few things people
often wonder about.

You shouldn't have to figure this out alone before you even walk in the door. Here are some honest answers.

Do I need a referral to book?
No referral needed. You can schedule directly online through our booking system, or give us a call and we'll find the right appointment together. We're here to make it easy.
What happens at my first visit?
For private acupuncture, we spend real time with your full health history — what's brought you in, what you've already tried, and what your body has been signaling. The treatment follows that same visit, but listening comes first. Most patients leave feeling more understood than they expected. For community acupuncture, massage, and other services, intake is lighter — focused on what's most relevant to your session that day.
How long is a session?
Private acupuncture first visits are typically 75–90 minutes — we take time upfront to understand your full picture before we treat. Follow-up private acupuncture appointments run about 45–60 minutes. Community acupuncture sessions are 45 minutes in a shared, quiet room. Massage sessions are 60 or 90 minutes. Somatic coaching is 60 minutes for individuals and 90 minutes for couples. If you're ever short on time, just let us know — we'll work with you.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on what's going on and how long it's been happening. Acute issues often shift in a few sessions. Chronic patterns that have been building for years take longer. We'll give you an honest picture at your first visit.
What does it cost?
Community Acupuncture — $35–$60, you choose what works for you. No income verification, no questions. It's a sliding scale because access matters to us.

Private Acupuncture — $180 for your first visit, $150 for follow-ups. We can provide a superbill so you can submit for out-of-network insurance benefits, if you like. If you'd prefer we handle the out-of-network insurance submission for you, initial is $200 and return is $175.

Pelvic Floor Acupuncture — $220 for your first visit, $180 for follow-ups. If you'd like us to submit for out-of-network insurance benefits for you, it's $245 for your first visit and $200 for follow-ups.

Therapeutic Massage — $135 for 60 minutes, $175 for 90 minutes. Cupping can be included at no extra charge.

Somatic & Embodiment Coaching — $125 per individual session, $210 for couples.

Herbal Medicine — Consultations are included free during your acupuncture visit — you only pay for the herbs themselves, which start at $30/week plus tax. A standalone herbal consult is $60 (initial) or $30 (follow-up).

Cupping — $65 as a standalone service. Cupping can be included at no extra charge with private acupuncture and massage.

We accept HSA and FSA, workers' compensation, and PIP (personal injury protection). Superbills available for out-of-network insurance submission.

Packages: We offer 8-session packages for acupuncture and massage at a meaningful discount. See all packages →
Is acupuncture painful?
Most patients describe it as deeply relaxing — not what they imagined at all. The needles are hair-thin, nothing like a blood draw or injection. Many patients fall asleep on the table. If you're nervous, tell us. We go at your pace, always.
I've never tried acupuncture before. Is that okay?
More than okay. Many of our most dedicated patients came to us with zero experience and a fair amount of skepticism. We love that. We're always happy to walk you through what we're doing, answer any questions, and help you understand what we're asking your body to do.
Do you take insurance?
We accept out-of-network insurance benefits, HSA and FSA, workers' compensation, and PIP (personal injury protection). We're happy to provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement, or we can submit on your behalf for a small administrative fee. If cost is a barrier, our community acupuncture room offers sliding-scale pricing — see the pricing FAQ above.
Ready When You Are

Your place here
is waiting.

Your first step is the hardest one. We make everything after that easy. We've been part of this community since 2015 — we'll be here when you're ready.

Schedule Your First Visit →Call 240-641-4116
912 Thayer Ave Suite 105 · Silver Spring, MD 20910 · Tue – Fri · 9am – 7pm