The trained acupuncturists at Acupuncture Together of Austin know that sometimes their speciality seems like something only available at expensive spas. But they also know that the health benefits are both real and wide-ranging, from helping with chronic pain or PMS to minimizing the effects of allergies and digestive disorders. So to make it more accessible to everyone, Ashley O'Brian and Tim Nicosia offer acupuncture sessions in a group setting inside their homey treatment room. The presence of other clothed patients lounging in recliners creates a soothing group dynamic, which helps to quell any uneasiness for first-time customers. In a room filled with meditative music, the acupuncturists place thread-like needles on specific points along the body, but clients can listen to meditative sounds or music of their choice on their own MP3 players. Patients then calmly let energy pathways open as they rest for 30 to 90 minutes.