Dr. Sarah Kabcenell, DAc, LAc

Like many healthcare practitioners, my journey with acupuncture began as a patient. Initially skeptical, I agreed to try it with an open mind—and quickly experienced firsthand the profound physical relief and mental balance it offers. Through acupuncture, I gained a deeper appreciation for my overall health and a clearer understanding of the powerful connection between mind and body. Most meaningful to me, however, is the opportunity acupuncture has given me to help others in Ashburn, VA discover that same sense of relief, insight, and deep somatic healing.

I genuinely enjoy introducing new patients to acupuncture and consider it an honor to guide others on how this medicine can support them on their path to wellness. Acupuncture offers profound benefits across a wide range of concerns, including acute and chronic pain relief, orthopedic and sports injuries, mental health, stress management, sleep disorders, and gastrointestinal health. I also specialize in women's health, hormonal balance, fertility optimization, and holistic aesthetic treatments, including facial rejuvenation acupuncture and microneedling. This medicine truly has something restorative to offer everyone.

A Psycho-Physiological Approach to Mental Health, Trauma, & Fertility

As a licensed acupuncturist trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, I work extensively with the Primary Meridians and the Eight Extraordinary Vessels. If we think of these meridians as an energy superhighway throughout your body, I use specific acupuncture points to enable your body to return to its own natural rhythm and state of flow. When we experience physical or emotional symptoms, it is like a backup or traffic jam on that highway. Acupuncture simply allows the body to redirect its own resources to clear the blockages so everything can run smoothly again.

Driven by a deep passion for mental health, I utilize the Eight Extraordinary Vessels to address deep psychological-emotional imbalances and stored trauma. This specialized, trauma-informed approach is highly effective for releasing the physical holding patterns associated with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic stress, allowing for a true psycho-physiological release. By regulating the nervous system, lowering cortisol, and reducing systemic stress, this restorative approach also provides profound clinical support for women’s health, hormonal regulation, and natural or assisted fertility optimization (including IVF/IUI support).

The Athlete’s Edge: Sports Acupuncture & Recovery

In addition to my formal clinical training, I bring a strong background in competitive athletics and elite sports performance to my practice. I was a scholarship athlete at the University of Virginia (UVA), competing at the ACC Championship and NCAA Championship levels. I later transitioned to coaching elite high school athletes before coaching and recruiting at the NCAA Division I level for Rutgers University in the Big 10 Conference.

As a former competitive athlete, I understand firsthand the physical and mental demands of training, and how vital acupuncture is for injury recovery, pain management, and prevention. To perform at your absolute best, you must actively care for your body. Many world-class athletes, from Steph Curry to Simone Biles, utilize acupuncture to recover faster between workouts, increase mobility, sleep deeper, and sharpen their mental focus.

In my practice, I treat athletes of all levels and abilities. I integrate a variety of advanced modalities included in my doctoral-level training, such as dry needling, therapeutic cupping, Tui Na (medical massage) and gua sha, to accelerate tissue healing and restore optimal biomechanics.

Education

• Doctor of Acupuncture - Virginia University of Integrative Medicine
• Master of Science in Acupuncture — Virginia University of Integrative Medicine
• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology — University of Virginia (UVA)
• Clinical Internships: Virginia University of Integrative Medicine Clinic (Vienna, VA), Bread for the City (Washington, DC)

Professional Certifications: 

• Diplomate of Acupuncture — National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCCAOM)
• 12 Points for Restoration & Balance Approach to Trauma Treatment Certificate — Acupuncturists Without Borders
• Fundamentals of Oncology Acupuncture Certificate — Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Pelvic Care for Acupuncture Certificate — Pelvic Acu
• Microneedling Certificate — TOMA Academy
• Clean Needle Technique — CCAHM
• Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED

Licensure: Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) — Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC

Are you ready to experience the restorative benefits of acupuncture?
​​​​​​​Please visit our Acupuncture Services Page to learn more about our fees, review our FAQs, or schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Sarah Kabcenell in Ashburn, VA.