In a city renowned for its dynamic culture and southern hospitality, it’s fitting that Atlanta’s wellness scene marries tradition with innovation: Think sprawling gardens framed by skyscrapers, farm-to-table spas, and forest-inspired journeys inside a 5-star hotel. And perhaps most of all, you'll have your pick of time-honored remedies as diverse and vibrant as the city itself.
Find balance at this acupuncture clinic beloved by locals:
From back pain to menstrual balance, fertility challenges to anxiety, you’ll find support for what ails you from this clinic’s roster of TCM-trained practitioners—together, you’ll work through a treatment plan that incorporates services like herbalism, cupping, and (of course) acupuncture. (There’s even a menu of esthetics offerings, like facial acupuncture and blue light therapy. Our kind of one-stop-shop.)
A forest escape in a luxe spa setting:
Don’t get us wrong—nature-seekers have plenty to explore both inside Atlanta’s environs and beyond its outskirts. But one of our favorite escapes happens to be nestled in the spa of one of Atlanta’s most prestigious hotels: At the Waldorf Astoria Buckhead, you’ll have the opportunity to experience “Forest Therapy,” a full-body treatment that combines anti-inflammatory herbal poultices with acupressure therapy. (One of the premiere ingredients, St. John’s Wort, is a TCM favorite to lift spirits and reduce stress.) A mud mask and daylight-mimicking UV lamp round out the journey into nature—not to mention a donation towards Trees Atlanta, a local nonprofit that works to protects the city’s green spaces.
Some much-deserved TLC for your vulva:
Consider this your friendly reminder that your whole body deserves a little pampering. That’s an M.O. we happen to share with iwi fresh, a farm-to-table spa with yoni steams on the menu. Vaginal steaming is an age-old remedy that typically combines steam and herbs to help boost circulation, ease cramps, and more—at iwi, you’ll consult with your practitioner prior to your treatment to make sure you’re addressing your specific needs.
Spend an afternoon amidst the flowers:
Take our word for it: You’ll want to set aside at least a few hours to explore the city’s premiere urban oasis. Boasting over 30 acres of outdoor gardens, rotating and permanent exhibits, and family programming, it’s easy to get lost at the Atlanta Botanical Garden (and we mean that in the best possible sense). Prefer a bit more guidance? Visit the garden’s website and take a quick quiz to find your personalized itinerary. One standout stop: the Fuqua Orchid Center, which features over 2000 species of rare blooms from around the world.
Our go-to for an instant face lift (with zero downtime):
You might already be well familiar with the time-honored TCM remedy of cupping, which involves using suction to stimulate stagnant qi—boosting blood flow, soothe muscles, and more. But at her Intown salon AfterGlo, clinically-trained esthetician Janelle Thomas uses both facial cupping and gua sha as the ultimate sculpting power-duo: Her Holistic Skin Tightening Facial promises to tone and lift the face in just an hour—no needles (or knives) necessary.
An all-in-one beauty destination with an Instagrammable interior:
Whether you’re desperate for a last-minute blowout or have time to settle into a customized facial, Aviary is the ultimate destination for all things beauty in Atlanta. Beyond playing host to some of our go-to hair and skincare brands (Biologique Recherche, R+Co, and Marie Veronique, to name a few), Aviary also offers eyelash tinting and extensions, and boasts some of the most top-rated facials in the city.
TMJ release that you’ll feel everywhere:
So many of us tend to feel stress manifest in our jaw, but if we’ve learned anything from Traditional Chinese Medicine, it’s that everything is connected. (For example: In TCM, the jaw and pelvis both sit along the gallbladder meridian, which means that addressing pressure points along the jaw could actually help balance misalignments in our hips and pelvis, too.) For us, that means scheduling regular jaw release sessions with a skilled esthetician—and in the greater ATL area, that calls for a visit to Modern Holistic Skin, an airy, plant-filled salon in Roswell. Opt for the TMJ massage from the spa’s functional massage menu—and don’t be surprised if you feel other parts of your body unclench, too.
