Dr. Sarah Faggert Alemi, DAc, LAc

12/29/2025

Dear friends,

As the year comes to a close (just three days left!), I want to pause and say thank you — truly — for your trust, your openness, and for allowing me to be part of your health journey.

I know that acupuncture… and occasionally me and my rock collection 😉 can bring up a little hesitation at first. So I’m especially grateful for your curiosity, your willingness, and the care you’ve shown yourself by walking through the door anyway.

With 2026 just around the corner, it feels safe to say that many of us are ready for a shift. A reset. A new rhythm. Acupuncture is one of my favorite ways to begin a new year because it helps literally reset the nervous system — calming what’s overactive, supporting what’s depleted, and creating space for change to actually land in the body.

In Chinese medicine, January and February are still considered winter, but they’re also deeply transitional months. They’re a bridge — a time to rest, reflect, and gently prepare the system for what’s next rather than forcing momentum before the body is ready.

Again, do we need a reset from the exhaustion of the last year? Help with sleep with the shift in schedules over the holiday season? Or perhaps a bump in immunity with recent travel? Maybe we just would like to have more energy to move into 2026 with?

If you’re feeling called to start the new year with intention, I do have three openings tomorrow (Tuesday, December 30th) at:
• 10:15
• 12:30
• 2:00

After that, my next availability won’t be until Friday, January 2nd, 2026, with a few appointments that day and on Saturday.

A quick insurance reminder as we approach the new year:

For those with deductibles or coinsurance that apply to acupuncture (whether in-network or out-of-network), these reset in January, which means out-of-pocket costs may apply until your deductible is met. I always encourage checking directly with your insurance so there are no surprises.

Thank you again for being here — for your trust, your questions, your healing, and your humanity. It’s an honor to do this work with you.

Wishing you rest, warmth, and a gentle transition into the new year.

With gratitude,
Dr. Sarah
703-848-1980
info@easternrootswellness.com
easternrootswellness.com (http://www.easternrootswellness.com)

Click here for an update from Eastern Roots Wellness, PLC!

12/22/2025

Thinking about coming in before 2026?

Then give our office a call as we have limited availability left for 2025!

What we have for THIS week:

Today: 0

Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 23rd: 0

Saturday, December 27th: 10:45, 2:30

Next Week (Week of 12/29)

Monday, December 29th: 10:15, 1:15, 2:15

Tuesday, December 30th: 10:15, and then 12:30, 1:00 OR 1:45

Then that's it!

2026 will be here when we are next open on Friday, January 2nd.

For those with acupuncture benefits through your insurance, if you have a coinsurance, remember that your deductibles unfortunately start back over again!

So use those remaining benefits ASAP!

Best,
Dr. Sarah
703-848-1980
info@easternrootswellness.com
easternrootswellness.com (http://www.easternrootswellness.com)

Click here for an update from Eastern Roots Wellness, PLC!

12/22/2025

Winter in Arlington can take a toll on your health. Learn how to stay energized and manage stress in our latest blog post! Visit https://wix.to/LYJwfj2 for more tips.

Winter in Arlington, Virginia brings cold temperatures, dry air, shorter daylight hours, and a pace of life that often doesn’t slow down—even when the body needs it to. Between commuting, demanding work schedules, family obligations, and year-end responsibilities, many people in the DC–Norther...

12/18/2025

As we move deeper into winter, Traditional Chinese Medicine views this season as a time to **slow down, conserve energy, and support the Kidneys**, which govern our vitality, immunity, bones, and reproductive health.

A few gentle **TCM winter tips**:

* Prioritize **rest and warmth** — especially the low back, abdomen, and feet
* Choose **warm, cooked foods** (soups, stews, root vegetables, bone broth)
* Ease up on intense exercise and late nights
* Acupuncture this time of year helps **strengthen immunity, regulate sleep, support fertility, and prevent winter flares of pain or fatigue**

As many of you know, winter schedules fill quickly, and at this point we are **almost completely booked**.

Below is the **true last-minute availability** for the remainder of the year:
📅 **Availability Update**
Today & Saturday: ** ❌ *No availability*
Friday (opening a few spots due to limited slots left):**
• 9:00
• 9:30
• 3:00
• 3:30

**Week of 12/22: **
• ONLY appointment available: **Monday, 12/22 at 5:30**
* **Saturday, 12/27:**
• Limited **late-afternoon availability**
• **Front desk scheduling only**, reserved based on clinical need (e.g. fertility patients)

Looking ahead, **Thursday 1/1 may be closed** as it is shaping up to be a very light week — we will confirm closer to the date.

At this point, **we are open but essentially booked**.

If one of the above times works for you and you do not yet have an appointment, **this is likely your last opportunity to be seen in 2025**.

Please **call the front desk today or book online** to secure one of these remaining spots.

Best,
Dr. Sarah
703-848-1980
info@easternrootswellness.com
easternrootswellness.com

P.S. For those looking for a list minute gift for either themselves or others, please know that our real turquoise jewelry is 10% from today until 12/31/2025. Turquoise has long been treasured for its calming, protective energy—traditionally worn to promote balance, clear communication, and a sense of grounded peace, making it especially supportive during the winter months.

Click here for an update from Eastern Roots Wellness, PLC!

12/15/2025

Hi everyone,

As we head into the final weeks of the year, schedules tend to fill quickly — between holiday travel, weather changes, and end‑of‑year responsibilities. If you’ve been thinking about coming in, this is a gentle reminder to plan ahead while there’s still some availability.

**Why this time of year matters for your health**

Winter often brings more tension, fatigue, flare‑ups of pain, sleep disruption, and lowered immunity. Acupuncture and supportive care can help keep your system regulated, resilient, and better able to handle the seasonal shifts — especially when routines are already off balance.

**Important insurance reminder**

If you have insurance benefits with a **deductible or coinsurance,** please remember that these typically **reset on January 1st**. That means any deductible you’ve already met this year starts over again in the new year before coverage applies. Using remaining benefits now can help you make the most of what you’ve already paid into.

**Current appointment availability**

Below is what I have still have open over the next two weeks. These spots may change quickly, so I encourage booking sooner rather than later.

**This week:**

Monday, December 15th (Today!): 4:45 OR 5:30
Tuesday, December 16th: 10:30, 3:00, 3:30 OR 4:15
Thursday, December 17th: 12:45

**Next week:**
Monday, December 22nd: 4:30 OR 5:00, 5:30
Tuesday, December 23rd: 10:00, 11:45, 2:15

You can book online or reach out if you’re unsure what would be most helpful for you right now.

Wishing you steadiness, warmth, and good health as we close out the year.

Warmly,
Dr. Sarah
703-848-1980
info@easternrootswellness.com
easternrootswellness.com

Click here for an update from Eastern Roots Wellness, PLC!

12/13/2025

✨ The blog is live. ✨

After recent headlines about a professional athlete being hospitalized following dry needling, I wanted to take the opportunity to educate — not alarm — and clarify some important differences many patients don’t realize.

Acupuncture and dry needling may look similar, but they differ significantly in:
• Training and education
• Scope of practice
• Regulation (especially here in Virginia)
• How safety and risk are managed

In this blog, I break down:
✔️ Acupuncture vs dry needling — what’s the same and what isn’t
✔️ How rare complications like pneumothorax actually are
✔️ Why practitioner training matters
✔️ Virginia-specific laws that protect patients

My goal is always informed, empowered care — because who you see matters.

📖 Read the full article here: https://wix.to/fGh30cK

A timely reminder: these things are rare — but realThis week, a high-profile athlete was hospitalized after a routine dry-needling session. Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt underwent surgery for a partially collapsed lung (pneumothorax) following dry needling and is currently recovering. T...

12/12/2025

You may have seen today’s ESPN article about a professional football player who was hospitalized after a routine dry-needling session resulted in a collapsed lung.

While events like this are rare, they are real — and they highlight an important truth in healthcare:

👉 Who you go to matters.

Acupuncture and dry needling may look similar from the outside — both use thin needles — but they differ greatly in training, regulation, and scope of care. Depth of anatomical education, clinical hours, and experience become especially important when working near sensitive areas like the neck, chest, and upper back.

This isn’t meant to create fear — it’s meant to empower patients to ask better questions and make informed decisions about their care.

📖 I’ll be sharing a detailed blog tomorrow breaking down:
• Acupuncture vs dry needling
• Safety and risk (including how rare complications really are)
• Virginia-specific regulations
• Why practitioner training matters
🔗 For now, you can read the ESPN article linked below.

Stay tuned — education is one of the best tools we have.

12/11/2025

As the holidays approach, here’s an important update on our December schedule:

This Friday, Dec 13 & Saturday, Dec 14: Last chance to schedule appointments for a Friday or Saturday before the holiday break. We encourage you to book now!

Next week (Dec 15–18): Limited treatments that are available only on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Saturday, Dec 20: We will be closed. I will be enjoying a lovely, stress-free day of travel to and from Richmond that day for family ;)

Wednesday, Dec 24 through Friday, Dec 26: Closed for the holidays.

Saturday, Dec 27: Limited appointments available; I may ultimately be taking this day off. Confirmation will be sent by Monday, Dec 16.

Week of New Year's: I will be open with normal office hours!

Winter Health Tip:
A stomach virus (“winter vomiting bug”) is circulating now. To help reduce risk and recover at home:

* Wash hands frequently, especially before eating or touching your face.
* Disinfect high-touch surfaces like doorknobs and faucets.
* Stay hydrated—small sips of water or electrolyte drinks are best if you feel unwell. I rather you feel like you're constantly needing to use the bathroom then not be hydrated enough.
* Make sure you're getting enough zinc.
* Rest and avoid spreading germs to others if symptoms arise.

We encourage you to schedule your appointment **this Friday or Saturday** to stay on track before the holidays.

Best,
Dr. Sarah
703-848-1980
info@easternrootswellness.com
easternrootswellness.com

Click here for an update from Eastern Roots Wellness, PLC!

12/08/2025

A quick update as we head into the colder season! Oh, wait...we're already there!

I still have evening appointments available this week—today and Thursday—for anyone needing a little reset, immune support, or stress relief. So if you find yourself unexpectedly without a mile long list of things to do after work today, I got you.

Now for the PSA:

New Hours Starting Next Week

We’re adjusting our schedule to better match patient flow (the current setup just isn’t working!). Beginning next week:

Mondays & Tuesdays: 10:00am–6:30pm

Thursdays & Fridays: 8:00am–5:00pm

Saturdays: 8:00am–1:00pm

We will be limiting the number of Saturday appointments, so please book early.

Please note:
We will be closed on Saturday, December 20, but will be open the Saturday after Christmas. IN FACT, we will be open 12/22 and 12/23 as well as 12/27 on, through New Year's!

With schedules shifting and the holidays approaching, now is a great time to reserve your appointments and use any remaining insurance benefits before they reset.

Best,
Dr. Sarah
703-848-1980
info@easternrootswellness.com
easternrootswellness.com

Click here for an update from Eastern Roots Wellness, PLC!

12/02/2025

Winter is tough on our skin! ❄️ Stress, irregular routines, and holiday treats can lead to dryness and dullness. Learn how cosmetic acupuncture can restore your glow this season: https://wix.to/5gdWtTG

As the cold months settle in and the holiday season ramps up, many of us notice a familiar pattern:❄️ Dry, dull skin😫 Heightened stress and inflammation🎉 Late nights and irregular routines🍷 More sugar and holiday treats🔥 Indoor heat that dehydrates the skin barrierThis time of year c...