Acupuncture for period problems, fertility and IVF, pregnancy and menopause. I take the time to hear your whole story.
As an acupuncturist I believe in the body's ability to heal itself — my role is to support that process.
After years of study in traditional Chinese medicine and western health sciences, I have built a practice that feels like home. Every person is unique, and I treat my clients accordingly: with full attention, genuine interest and a treatment plan that truly fits you.
Many of my clients are women going through a period of change: trying to conceive, pregnancy, or menopause. These are exactly the times when symptoms get dismissed as "just part of it". I take the time.
Within acupuncture I have specialised in gynaecological complaints — after my core training at Qing Bai I followed further courses with, among others, Martine Cornelissen, Melanie Peters and Kiiko Matsumoto. I have also been a birth doula since 2014, trained at JJ Doula (now BIA Doula). As a doula I support women during birth itself — see Blossoming Mothers.
Before acupuncture I graduated in pharmaceutical biotechnology in Italy. That background shapes how I work: I understand the Western medicine you are dealing with alongside this — your blood results, your medication, your IVF protocol — and I will never promise you something I cannot deliver. To me, East and West do not exclude each other; they complement each other.
Whether you come for persistent pain, chronic stress, a wish to conceive, or simply need more energy and rest — together we look at what you need.
Acupuncture can help with many different complaints. Below you'll find the treatments I offer. Not sure if acupuncture is right for you? Feel free to get in touch.
Painful or heavy periods, an irregular or absent cycle, PMS, mood swings and tender breasts in the days beforehand. Period-related complaints are often dismissed as something you simply have to live with. I look at your cycle as a whole — its length, how it unfolds, and how you feel in each phase.
Support if you are trying to conceive, during ICSI, IUI and IVF treatment, and for cycle-related complaints, endometriosis and PCOS. I time treatments around the stage you're in — stimulation, egg retrieval, transfer and the wait afterwards — and I work alongside your hospital treatment, never instead of it. There is also room for what the process does to you: the tension, the waiting, and the grief when it doesn't work.
Nausea, pelvic pain, insomnia, constipation and fatigue during pregnancy. Also preparation for birth, moxibustion for a breech baby, labour induction, and recovery, exhaustion or breastfeeding difficulties afterwards. I adapt each treatment to your trimester.
Hot flushes, night sweats, disturbed sleep, mood swings, irritability and fatigue during perimenopause and menopause. Also if you would rather not use hormone therapy, or are not eligible for it. We look at your whole pattern — sleep, energy and tension — not just the hot flushes.
Back pain, neck pain, headaches, migraines, joint complaints and muscle tension. Acupuncture stimulates blood flow and tissue recovery.
Most requestedChronic stress, overstimulation, anxiety and burnout. Treatments aimed at calming the nervous system and restoring balance.
Sleep problems, low mood, grief and life transitions. Care for the mind is just as important as care for the body.
Chronic fatigue, frequent illness, recovery after illness or surgery. Strengthening your vital energy and resilience.
Irritable bowel, bloating, constipation, nausea and food sensitivities. Acupuncture supports healthy digestion.
Is your complaint not listed? Get in touch — in many cases acupuncture can still help.
Book an appointmentEvery treatment begins with listening. That way I can be sure the plan matches what you need.
The first session lasts 90 minutes. We discuss your complaints, lifestyle, medical history and wishes in detail. Based on this I create a personal treatment plan. The first treatment follows immediately.
90 min · Including first treatmentFollow-up treatments last 60 minutes. You lie relaxed while the needles do their work. Many people fall into a deep state of rest or even fall asleep. Afterwards we discuss your experience and any adjustments.
60 min · Comfortable and relaxingAfter a series of treatments we evaluate progress together. Depending on your complaints and response we adjust the plan. Most clients notice improvement after 3–5 treatments.
Personal and flexibleFor all appointments: free rescheduling or cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. After that I charge 50% of the fee.
Insured? Most supplementary health insurance policies cover acupuncture in part; as I am registered with ZHONG I meet the requirement of most insurers. Check your supplementary policy for exact coverage, or see the overview of cover per insurer (in Dutch).
Easily schedule your appointment using the calendar below. Have questions or prefer to call first? That's fine too.
"Gaia has such a loving, gentle presence. I immediately felt calm with her, and she helped me immensely with my early pregnancy nausea and discomfort. Her treatments were the only thing that provided relief. Highly recommend!"
"Na een flink ongeluk met de scooter, en na alle fysio's, op naar Gaia. Zij heeft me in 2 sessies afgeholpen van pijnlijk opstaan en lopen als een gans. Ik sta weer normaal op, heerlijk. Het voelt elke keer weer als een wonder."
"Gaia bedankt voor de behandelingen — stond er wat sceptisch tegenover. Ik ging voor mijn rug, daar heb ik nu geen last meer van. Ze heeft me ook geholpen een zet in de goede richting te geven."
"Na jaren last gehad te hebben van hooikoorts kan ik eindelijk weer genieten van de lente!! Super bedankt!"
"Hele fijne behandelingen! Heel vakkundig en een fijne ontspannen sfeer."
"Als je op zoek bent naar een goede acupuncturist, dan ben je aan het juiste adres. Ben zeer tevreden. Aanrader!"
The first appointment lasts 90 minutes. We start with a thorough conversation about your symptoms, your health and how you are doing more generally, followed by the first treatment. You don't need to undress fully: I mainly work on your arms and legs, from the elbows and knees down. For your back and belly we briefly lift your shirt. For some complaints, such as sciatica, I also need access to your upper thigh and hip. So do wear loose, comfortable clothing that can be rolled up.
One more thing, and it sounds odd: please don't scrape or brush your tongue clean on the morning of your appointment. I look at your tongue — its colour, its shape and the coating on it. That is one of the ways I read what is going on in your body, and a scraped tongue tells me nothing.
Acupuncture needles are extremely thin — much thinner than an injection needle. Most people barely feel the insertion. You may feel a slight tingling or heavy sensation at the needle site, which actually indicates the treatment is working. Many clients even fall asleep.
Always. I use only sterile, single-use needles that come individually wrapped. I open the packet in front of you, use each needle once and dispose of it immediately in a sharps container. Needles are never reused, not even on the same person.
Most people feel relaxed afterwards, sometimes a little sleepy. I advise drinking plenty of water and taking it easy for the rest of the day — so try not to schedule anything strenuous straight after.
It can also go differently, and that's normal. Some people feel tired or more emotional than usual on the first day. The occasional needle site can bruise slightly, which fades within a few days. Now and then symptoms briefly intensify before they settle. Unsure about how you're feeling? Call or email me — I would much rather hear from you once too often than not at all.
This varies per person and per complaint. As a guide: acute complaints often need 4–6 treatments, while complaints you have had for longer are more likely to need around 6–8 or more. Most clients can tell after 3–5 sessions whether things are moving in the right direction.
On frequency: for acute or intense complaints I usually start weekly and then taper off. For something chronic that is stable, once every three to four weeks is often enough. And a number of clients simply come four times a year, at each change of season, to stay in balance. We discuss what suits you in the first consultation — and I adjust it if things turn out differently.
No. You can book directly, without a referral letter. Your health insurer does not ask for one either for acupuncture under supplementary insurance.
Are you already being treated by a GP, specialist, midwife or physiotherapist? Do tell me. I am glad to work alongside the care you already receive, and I will never ask you to stop medication or cancel a treatment — that is a conversation for you and your doctor.
Yes. Acupuncture is widely used during pregnancy around the world. I adapt my point selection to your trimester and avoid the points that are not advised during pregnancy. Please always tell me how many weeks you are when you book — even if you haven't shared the news widely yet.
Yes, the two go together well. Acupuncture does not replace your medical treatment and does not interfere with your medication. Let me know which stage of your cycle you're in and we'll plan the sessions around it. Feel free to discuss it with your doctor — I'm glad to work alongside the care you're already receiving.
I can't promise you a pregnancy. What I can offer is support through a process that is often long and hard, and attention to how you are doing — not just your cycle.
Acupuncture is not included in the basic insurance package, but many supplementary policies cover it in part. As I am registered with ZHONG I meet the requirement of most insurers. Check your supplementary policy for exact coverage.
Want to check in advance? Zorgwijzer.nl has an overview of cover per health insurer (in Dutch). If you can't work it out, just call me and we will look at it together.
I treat a wide range of complaints: period problems and PMS, trying to conceive and IVF, pregnancy and postnatal recovery, menopausal complaints, pain (back, neck, head, joints), stress & burnout, sleep & emotional wellbeing, energy and resilience and digestive complaints. I work from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine and always look at the whole person.
Don't see your complaint listed? Call or email me. If acupuncture isn't the right route for you, I'll tell you that too.
You can easily book an appointment online via the website, call 06 48 22 86 04 or email info@acupuncturistgaia.nl. Going through IVF, or tied to particular days in your cycle? Get in touch — appointments outside regular hours are often possible.
Yes — Tuindorp Oostzaan is a seven-minute cycle from NDSM. Buses 391, 394 and 39 stop a four-minute walk from the practice. The practice is on the first floor of Kometensingel 377. There is no lift and the practice is not wheelchair accessible.
Coming by car? There is usually plenty of space in the street. Do note that parking is paid.
Have a question or want more information? I'd love to hear from you.
