Accidentally discovered during the boozy revelry of a Chinese pin factory’s New Year's party, acupuncture has since developed into both a potent alternative medicine and popular celebrity Jeopardy! category. Today’s Groupon gives you a pain-free way to stay pain-free: for $149, you get four acupuncture treatments at Healthy Lives Clinic of Integrative Medicine (up to a $240 value).

By working with the body to promote natural healing, Healthy Lives Clinic’s nationally certified and licensed acupuncturist dispels acute and chronic pain by controlling energy flow throughout the body. The hair-thin needles used in acupuncture relieve pain by producing an analgesic response in the body similar to massaging your insides with menthol cough drops. During the initial 2- to 2.5-hour visit, a practitioner records vital signs and pinpoints health concerns to formulate a comprehensive diagnosis before beginning treatment. Stimulating specific energy points provokes the body’s natural healing response, improving overall functionality while relieving bothersome symptoms such as lower back pain, nausea, or melancholy zebra stripes. Widely varying conditions, from common headaches to rheumatoid arthritis, can show improvement following the pinprickery of acupuncture points.

After sipping a mug of complimentary organic tea, clients retire to cozy treatment rooms complete with heated beds, soft music, and dim lights. A paging system summons practitioners at the command of the client, alerting them to de-needling requests and appreciative serenades. Follow-up sessions last between an hour and 90 minutes, depending on how long it takes to solve the receptionist’s riddle and gain access to the waiting room.