When Jill Googled “acupuncture near me,” she was at her limit—physically, mentally, emotionally. “I’m done,” she told Dr. Dawn during her first appointment. Her energy was gone, her body hurting, her spirit drained. She didn’t know exactly what she needed, just that something had to change.

She wasn’t new to acupuncture, but this time felt different right away. Dr. Dawn simply said, “We can do better.” And Jill believed her. “She never made me feel shame.”

Jill had been living with chronic pain and fatigue for so long, it had become background noise—something she pushed through while running a family business, caring for her grandkids, and trying to stay afloat. “Pain is a wicked friend, and you get used to it,” she said.

The coffee shop she owns was her son Joe’s idea, a place where family could come together—blending their love of coffee and motorcycles into a unique, auto-themed café. Grind ‘N’ Gears Cafe is a lovely, five-star rated cafe in Niles on Oakton St. Her husband Dan and Joe are even appeared on Good Morning Chicago (see below!). It’s a true family affair. Still, for Jill, there was always something simmering underneath. That feeling of always needing to do more, and find new ways to show up for those around her. She gave me a heartfelt piece of advice shared from Dr. Dawn in an appointment, to remember that we are “human-beings, not human-doings”.

Maria, a licensed clinical social worker and passionate activist from Uptown, Chicago, found herself at a crossroads in 2018 when anxiety and panic attacks disrupted her daily life, especially while driving. Maria and her husband, Justin, initially sought care for his own chronic condition. These challenges led the couple to Metta Perspective Acupuncture in Niles, where the holistic approach resonated deeply.

Drawn by glowing Google reviews, they were comforted by the clinic's welcoming environment and whole-being philosophy. "Couples that heal together, stay together," Maria reflected, emphasizing their shared healing journey under Dr. Dawn's guidance.

For Maria, the integration of Eastern medicine was transformative. "It's about getting to the root of the condition," she explained thoughtfully. With Dr. Dawn, she began re-examining and navigating her anxiety. She describes that the doctor emphasized from the start the importance of self-care through nutrition, sleep, and self-awareness. A change of lifestyle and perspective was integral to her healing, and Maria notes that this learning process was a large part of her experience. With treatments, comes an education from Dr. Dawn, on “how acupuncture affects the whole system.” She adds, “You have to do your part and follow her prescribed treatment plan in order to see optimal results.”