Stop suffering and start living again.
For pain, stress and sleep problems that haven't gone away. Scott Paglia and Ryan Barber combine acupuncture with custom Chinese herbal medicine, a whole-body approach refined over 26 years in Bellingham.
Licensed acupuncturists Scott Paglia & Ryan Barber. We'll call you back to pick a time.
The heated tables are wonderful, especially on a cool day. Scott and Marie are easy to talk to and never make me feel embarrassed.
- Licensed since 2000Board-certified acupuncturist
- Custom herbal medicineFormulas matched to you
- Insurance checked for youPremera, Regence, LifeWise & more
- 1303 Astor StClose to downtown Bellingham
You've tried the usual answers. You're still hurting.
Maybe it's pills that dull the problem but never solve it. Maybe it's specialists who say "it's just stress" or "learn to live with it." You're not imagining it, and you're not alone. Most of the people who walk through our door have already tried everything else.
Pain that keeps coming back
Your back, neck, joints or head. You've stretched, rested, medicated, and it still returns.
A nervous system stuck on alarm
Stress, anxiety and tension that follow you to work, to dinner and to bed.
Nights that don't restore you
Lying awake or waking at 3am, then running on caffeine and willpower.
Scott Paglia, L.Ac. · Clinic directorMeet the acupuncturist who takes the hard cases.
When Scott Paglia opened his practice in 2000, he didn't see simple cases. He saw people who had been to every other clinic in the state and were running out of hope. He learned his craft on those cases, and it's still what he loves most: "The more complex the case, the more interested I become."
Twenty-six years later, Scott blends acupuncture with a deep practice in Chinese herbal medicine. He runs a dedicated herbal clinic and teaches other acupuncturists how to use herbs in their own practices.
- Licensed in Washington since 2000
- Graduate, Oregon College of Oriental Medicine
- Trained with Dr. Tan, Dr. Jimmy Chang & Bob Doane
- Teaches Chinese herbal medicine to other practitioners
“When the nervous system quits sounding the alarm, people shine.”Scott Paglia
Ryan Barber, L.Ac. trained at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine and was Scott's patient before becoming his colleague. Meet the team →
When other care ran out of answers
Acupuncture gave me back my life! It not only treated the pain I was having, it improved all aspects of my health, body and mind. Acupuncture has put me on the path to total health!…
Scott and “magical” Marie have introduced me to a whole new world of health and wellness. It is wonderful to be free of pain and to have renewed energy!
For five years, two lung doctors said my problem breathing wasn’t fixable. Then Scott helped my phrenic nerve to move my right diaphragm to fill my lung again. He also took away the pain in my arthritic finger and has treated my 80 year old aches and pains. I have recommended several friends and family to Scott and Marie.
Individual experiences. Results vary from person to person.
Not sure where to start? Answer two questions.
We'll show you what we treat in that area and how we'd likely approach it. Takes 10 seconds.
What's bothering you most?
How do you feel about needles?
No wrong answer. We have options either way.
Most care chases the symptom. Chinese medicine asks why.
Pain, poor sleep, stress and digestion are often connected. We look at the whole pattern, then use the tools that fit you.
Symptom-by-symptom care
- One complaint per visit
- A new prescription for each symptom
- Short appointments, little time to talk
- "Come back if it gets worse"
Whole-person Chinese medicine
- We listen to the whole story first
- Acupuncture and herbs work on the pattern behind the symptoms
- Unhurried visits on heated tables
- A plan that's reassessed every session
Acupuncture
Fine, sterile needles at precise points to calm pain and settle the nervous system. Styles include Traditional Chinese, TAN Balance Method, Five Element and Japanese.
Learn moreChinese herbal medicine
Custom formulas matched to your pattern, a cornerstone of Scott's practice for 26 years.
Learn moreHands-on therapies
Cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, electroacupuncture, acupressure and ear seeds.
Learn more
The other half of Chinese medicine.
Herbal medicine was the main form of medicine on the planet until the last century, and it's a cornerstone of Scott's practice. Rather than one herb for one symptom, a Chinese formula combines ingredients that balance each other. Each formula is matched to your personal Chinese medical pattern and diagnosis.
- Custom multi-ingredient formulas: pills, powders, teas, tinctures and topicals
- Made in FDA-registered U.S. facilities, or lab-tested in the U.S. for heavy metals, microbes and pesticides
- Organic whenever possible, with no common allergens or endangered species
- A cost-effective option, and a gentle one for people who'd rather avoid needles
Clear steps, no guesswork.
Book
Send the form or call. Our front desk calls you back, answers questions about cost and insurance, and finds a time.
Your first visit
A full health history, a pulse and tongue exam, and your findings explained. About 45 minutes for the exam.
Your treatment course
Usually one to four visits a week at first, depending on how long you've had the problem. We reassess every session.
Stay well
As you improve, visits space out. Come back for a tune-up whenever you need one.
Check your insurance
We accept many plans that cover acupuncture, including auto insurance. We'll verify your benefits and call you back.
Premera · Regence · LifeWise · Uniform Medical Plan · First Choice Health · HMA
Verify my insuranceIntake forms
Save time at your first visit by filling out your new-patient forms at home.
Download intake forms (PDF)New to acupuncture? Good.
Most of our patients were nervous before their first visit too. Here are the four questions we hear most.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are about the thickness of a whisker, nothing like the needle used for a shot. Once a needle is in place you may feel tingling, heaviness, warmth or nothing at all; everyone is different. If anything feels uncomfortable, tell us and we'll adjust right away.
Are the needles clean?
Yes. Needles are individually wrapped and sterilized by the manufacturer, opened only when they're ready to be used, and disposed of in a medical waste container afterwards. They are never reused.
What happens at my first appointment?
We take a complete health history and ask about many parts of your life, not just the main complaint. Then we check your pulse and look at your tongue, the traditional Chinese medicine exam. We explain what we find, answer every question and recommend a treatment plan.
How long are visits?
The initial exam and consultation takes about 45 minutes. The first treatment visit is about 1½ hours, and later visits usually last about an hour.
Ready to feel like yourself again?
Tell us a little about what's going on. Our front desk will call you back to find a time that works and answer any questions about cost and insurance.
- A thorough consultation and health history
- A traditional Chinese medicine exam: pulse, tongue and more
- Your findings explained, with a treatment plan built for you
- Acupuncture, herbal medicine or both, whatever fits you best
You'll see Scott Paglia or Ryan Barber, licensed acupuncturists.“The office ladies are helpful and attentive. I especially enjoy the atmosphere of relaxed good humor that usually pervades the space.”
Request an appointment
We'll call you backAn easy walk from downtown Bellingham.
Look for the red two-story building on Astor Street, with a warm, quiet treatment room waiting for you inside.
Acupuncture Health Center
1303 Astor St #101
Bellingham, WA 98225
- Mon – Wed
- 9am – 5pm
- Thursday
- 9am – 3pm
- Fri – Sun
- Closed
Payment: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, cash and check.