In-person sleep support in Boulder, CO

You deserve restful nights and days filled with energy.

When sleepless nights take control of your life, everything suffers.

Are you experiencing one of these frustrating sleep patterns?

  • Trouble falling asleep - You lie in bed for hours, watching the clock tick by despite feeling exhausted

  • Anxiety that keeps you alert when you should be sleeping

  • Humming sensation or feeling physically uncomfortable when trying to rest

  • Feeling wired but tired - Too exhausted to function well but too alert to sleep

  • Can't fall asleep easily and then only light sleep all night

  • Waking up around 1 am or 2 am and having a hard time going back to sleep

  • Waking up too early (as early as 4 am or 5 am) and being unable to fall back asleep

  • Light, unsatisfying sleep that leaves you feeling unrested

  • Waking up feeling tired, whether you think you slept enough or not

  • Symptoms like digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, or other physical symptoms that may be connected to your sleep

I understand your struggle.

As a practitioner specializing in sleep issues, I've heard about these experiences from many patients. I've developed an approach based on identifying five distinct insomnia types, each with different root causes and solutions. Understanding your specific type is key to transforming your sleep.

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 how they always wake up after about 5 hours of sleep, no matter what time they go to bed.

These aren't just random sleep problems—they're specific patterns with real physiological causes. Even if you've tried other approaches, including acupuncture or functional medicine, looking at your sleep through the lens of these five types can provide new insights and solutions.

How Acupuncture, Functional Medicine, and Breathwork help you sleep well

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has calming effects on the nervous system and can help regulate sleep patterns. It can alleviate stress—a common trigger for insomnia. With regular acupuncture sessions, we address underlying imbalances in the body that:

  • Reset your nervous system by increasing calming neurotransmitters such as serotonin & GABA, easing anxiety

  • Release endorphins that make you feel more relaxed, which helps you fall asleep and stay asleep easier

  • Stimulate digestion and increase absorption of nutrients, supporting the brain-gut connection vital for sleep

  • Helps regulate sex hormones, so you can sleep well night after night

Functional medicine

Functional medicine takes a patient-centered approach to diagnosing and treating sleep issues. I focus on root causes rather than just symptoms, considering factors that may be disrupting your natural sleep cycle:

  • Identifies underlying biochemical imbalances that conventional approaches often miss

  • Addresses hormonal disruptions that may be affecting your sleep quantity and quality

  • Evaluates digestive health and microbiome balance, which directly impacts sleep-regulating neurotransmitters

  • Creates personalized supplement protocols based on your unique biochemical needs

Breathwork

Breathwork provides a powerful tool for regulating your nervous system and preparing your body for sleep. The way you breathe directly impacts your stress response and sleep readiness:

  • Activates the parasympathetic nervous system to counter the "fight-or-flight" response that keeps you alert and not sleeping well at night

  • Reduces cortisol levels and other stress hormones that may be elevated at night

  • Creates specific brainwave patterns conducive to sleep onset and deep sleep stages

  • Provides a practical tool you can use anywhere, anytime to help manage sleep anxiety

“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

“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

“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

Our journey begins with a no-cost 30-minute phone or video consultation where we'll:

  • Discuss your specific sleep challenges

  • Explore whether my approach is the right fit for your needs

  • Answer any questions you have about the process

  • Determine the next steps for your sleep transformation

Step 2: Comprehensive initial session

This thorough 90-minute in-person session combines functional medicine diagnosis and Chinese medicine assessment, serving as the foundational guide for your healing journey:

  • Listen deeply to your sleep history and related health concerns.

  • Identify which of the five insomnia types is affecting you.

  • Perform a comprehensive evaluation through both Chinese and functional medicine lenses.

  • Uncover physiological imbalances such as hormonal shifts, nutrient deficiencies, chronic inflammation, disruptions in your gut microbiome, organ health, and emotional well-being.

  • Receive your first acupuncture treatment, designed to calm your nervous system and promote relaxation.

  • Create a personalized treatment plan targeting your specific needs.

  • Recommend targeted supplements if appropriate.

  • Suggest specialized testing based on your specific situation.

  • Provide specific lifestyle guidance for your insomnia type.

  • Recommend a breathwork routine that will help you feel better immediately.

Step 3: Follow-up acupuncture & functional medicine sessions with breathwork integration

Consistent sessions build momentum for lasting change:

Acupuncture Sessions

  • Acupuncture sessions tailored to your evolving needs

  • Progressive rebuilding of your body's natural sleep mechanisms

  • Most clients notice improvements after 3-5 sessions, with more significant changes showing up around sessions 6-8.

Functional Medicine Sessions

  • Comprehensive review of test results

  • Discussion of lifestyle factors, nutrition, and environmental influences

  • Adjustments to your sleep protocol based on your progress

Breathwork support

  • Establish a morning and evening breathwork routine that has immediate effects, even before sleep is consistently good

  • Troubleshoot common issues with breathwork so you can enjoy it have it become a routine that you crave instead of another task added to you list

Common tests:

  • 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 are some of the tests that help us understand the underlying factors contributing to your sleep challenges and allow for targeted, personalized interventions.

What’s next?

I am happy to support you so you can sleep well again, night after night. I know how precious a good night's sleep is. Schedule online a free consultation if you have further questions or an initial session.