In-person sleep support for Boulder and Denver area
Sleep specialist and support in Boulder and Denver area
Let's work together to understand what's really keeping you awake.
When sleepless nights take control of your life, everything else suffers.
You might recognize yourself in some of these patterns:
Trouble falling asleep - You lie in bed for hours, exhausted but unable to turn your mind off, watching the clock tick past midnight
Feeling wired but tired - Your body is physically exhausted but you have this underlying restless energy that won't let you settle
Frequent middle-of-the-night waking - You fall asleep fine but wake up around 1-3am with your mind immediately spinning
Early morning awakening - You're wide awake at 4 or 5am, unable to fall back asleep no matter how tired you still feel
Unrefreshing sleep - You get adequate hours but wake up feeling like you barely slept at all
Physical restlessness at bedtime - Restless legs, uncomfortable sensations, or feeling like you can't find a comfortable position
Other symptoms affecting your sleep - Digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, or chronic symptoms that seem connected to your sleep struggles
Here's what I've learned from years of treating sleep issues.
After years of treating people with sleep issues, I've noticed something: their struggles tend to follow certain patterns, each with specific underlying causes.
Your specific pattern matters. One client told me, 'I feel like the most boring person in the world. After 7 pm, I have to do everything just right to have a chance at falling asleep.' Another shared ho.w they always wake up after about 5 hours of sleep, no matter what time they go to bed.
These aren't isolated problems—they're part of five distinct types, each requiring a different approach. Even if you've tried acupuncture or functional medicine before, identifying which type you are often reveals why previous treatments haven't worked.
Once we know your type, we can address what's actually going on in your system.
How I work with your body's sleep systems
Acupuncture
Acupuncture works directly with your nervous system to help it downshift from that constant alert state:
Reset your nervous system by increasing calming neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA, which are essential for falling and staying asleep
Release endorphins that make you feel more relaxed and help your body transition into sleep mode more easily
Stimulate digestion and increase absorption of nutrients, supporting the brain-gut connection vital for sleep quality
Help regulate sex hormones, so you can sleep well right after night regardless of where you are in your cycle
Address pain and tension that might be keeping you physically uncomfortable at bedtime
Functional Medicine
Instead of guessing, we test to understand what's disrupting your sleep:
Identify underlying biochemical imbalances that conventional sleep approaches miss completely
Address hormonal disruptions like elevated cortisol, low progesterone, or thyroid issues that directly impact sleep quality
Detect nutrient deficiencies in magnesium, B vitamins, or amino acids that your body needs for natural sleep chemistry
Uncover food sensitivities and gut issues that may be causing inflammation and disrupting your sleep-wake cycle
Create personalized supplement protocols based on your unique biochemical needs rather than generic recommendations
Breathwork
I teach you specific techniques that work immediately and long-term:
Activate your parasympathetic nervous system to counter the fight-or-flight response keeping you wired at night
Create specific brainwave patterns that naturally occur before sleep, training your brain to recognize it's time to rest
Lower stress hormones like cortisol through targeted breathing techniques you can use right when you need them
Provide practical tools you can use anywhere - in bed, during the day when anxiety hits, or anytime you need your system to settle
Establish morning and evening breathwork routines that help regulate your circadian rhythm naturally
She solved my sleep issues within a few treatments.
“I have known Damiana for the past three years as a colleague. She is the sweetest and most caring person. Her amazing knowledge and skill around sleep issues is quite special. I took her acupuncture sleep class twice and found her to be an excellent teacher.
I am enjoying very much getting regular treatments from her. She solved my sleep issues within a few treatments. I highly recommend seeing Damiana if you have any trouble getting sound and restful sleep.”
~ Carmen Merten
I haven't had an issue with overwhelming anxiety or any sleep issues in months…
“Damiana has helped me by leaps and bounds over the last 7 months. I was a train wreck by the time I got to her office in August of 2020.
My anxiety was out of control, my sleep was erratic and I felt like hell. We started with weekly acupuncture, I noticed changes beginning to happen after my first treatment, and my situation started to get better with each consecutive treatment. Damiana discussed lifestyle changes with me that would help my nervous system and I made those changes.
Damiana helped me start and finish my first elimination diet to identify food sensitives and blood sugar imbalances. I had my hormones checked through the DUTCH test per her recommendation to identify any imbalances and to help with future plans with family planning. Damiana has helped me with the transition I made with my Doctor to get off my medication.
Damiana has been and continues to be a wealth of knowledge when it comes to understanding the complexities of sleep and mental health. She is very kind, smart, and supportive of her patients. She is an expert in the field of sleep and I have learned so much from her. I haven't had an issue with overwhelming anxiety or any sleep issues in months.
I feel happy and healthy for the first time in a long time and it has stayed consistent since I started seeing her. I would highly recommend Damiana especially if you are the person who hasn't been able to get answers to your health concerns.”
~ Lauren Jordan
It has been a journey for sure, but I have experienced healing and a return to "feel like myself".
“Acupuncture, as well as the supplements and the emotional support Dr. Damiana has provided me has really helped me with my insomnia and anxiety. It has been a journey for sure, but I have experienced healing and a return to "feel like myself".
When I started with her I felt helpless and did not know how to get better as my insomnia had become so severe. I appreciate looking for natural solutions instead of always trying to turn first to medication. I also have noticed a big change in my back pain as a result of the regular acupuncture. I would definitely recommend Dr. Damiana, she is professional, thorough, understanding and knowledgable. Also her office is clean, inviting, state of the art and comfortable.”
~ Colby Fredericks
What to Expect
Step 1: Free 30-minute sleep consultation
We start with a conversation - no pressure, just getting to know your situation:
Talk about what's been happening with your sleep and how it's affecting your life
See if my approach makes sense for you and your specific situation
Answer any questions you have about working together
Figure out what the next steps would look like if we decide to move forward
Step 2: Your complete assessment session
This thorough 90-minute session combines functional medicine assessment with Chinese medicine evaluation, giving us the complete picture of your sleep challenges:
Go deep into your sleep history and everything else that might be connected
Figure out which of the five sleep types fits your situation
Do a comprehensive health evaluation looking at both functional and Chinese medicine perpectives
Identify what tests might help us understand what's really happening in your system
Get your first acupuncture treatment, designed to help your nervous system start shifting into relaxation mode
Walk away with a personalized plan targeting what your body specifically needs
Start you on targeted supplements if needed
Give you specific breathwork techniques you can use right away
Step 3: Working together ongoing
Regular sessions build momentum for lasting change:
Acupuncture Sessions
Treatments tailored to your evolving needs and how your body is responding
Progressive rebuilding of your body's natural sleep patterns
Most people notice improvements after 3-5 sessions, with bigger changes showing up around sessions 6-8 and beyond
Functional Medicine Sessions
Review test results and adjust your protocol based on what we're learning
Talk through lifestyle factors, nutrition, and environmental influences
Fine-tune your supplement and treatment plan based on how you're progressing
Breathwork Support
Learn a complete morning and evening breathwork routine that works for your schedule
Troubleshoot any issues with the techniques so you can really make them work for you
Build this into a routine you actually want to stick with rather than another thing on your to-do list
Common tests that help us understand what's going on:
Cortisol and adrenal testing
Neurotransmitter testing
Saliva and urine hormone testing
Stool testing
Organic Acid Test (OAT)
Assessing iron and ferritin levels
Pyrrole testing
Food sensitivities
Thyroid panels
Heavy metals testing
Mold testing
These tests help us understand what's actually happening beneath the surface and give us a roadmap for targeted, personalized care.
What’s Next?
I know this might feel like a lot to take in. And maybe you're thinking, 'This sounds different, but will it actually work for me?'
The honest answer is, I won't know until we talk. But if you're tired of trying things that don't address what's actually keeping you awake, I'd love to have that conversation.
No pressure, just a real discussion about whether this approach makes sense for your situation.