About Alicia K. Baez
Board-certified acupuncturist with niches in pain management and women’s wellness
Founded by Alicia K. Baez, a board-certified acupuncturist with niches in pain management and women’s wellness, Instinct exists to provide care that’s both deeply personalized and results-driven. Whether you're recovering from injury, navigating hormonal shifts, or feeling disconnected from your body, treatments are tailored to support the whole system and not just the symptoms.
Before launching Instinct, Alicia spent years working under and learning from master acupuncturists, including Jennifer Layne McDonald and Jing Jing Wu, whose integrative, patient-centered approach continues to inform the work done here. Those mentorships instilled a deep respect for both the clinical precision of Chinese medicine and the subtle, intuitive art of healing.
Alicia’s background also includes experience treating professional athletes, collaborating with physical therapists, and supporting patients through chronic pain, stress, and cycle irregularities. Her care blends modern muscle knowledge with time-tested techniques like acupuncture, trigger point therapy, gua sha and cupping.
Our Story
From a young age, I was drawn to the idea of helping others feel better. Growing up with a mother who struggled with chronic back pain, I often found myself offering her massages to help relieve her discomfort. Little did I know, those early moments of offering comfort would plant the seed for my lifelong passion for healing.
As I began my college journey, my world expanded when I learned about eating better and alternative healing. This shift opened my eyes to a whole new perspective on health—one that embraced the power of natural, holistic approaches. It was during this time that I truly began to understand the profound impact alternative medicine can have on the body and mind.
After graduating, I landed a job at an acupuncture wellness center where I had the privilege of working with some of the most inspiring acupuncturists I've ever met. I watched patients transform, not just physically but emotionally, as they experienced healing from the inside out. The acupuncturists I worked alongside taught me what it truly means to care for someone’s well-being. They showed me the value of listening deeply to patients, creating a space where they feel safe enough to open up about their struggles, and providing treatments that are as much about the heart as they are about the body.
In this environment, I found my calling and pursued a Master's in Acupuncture at the Eastern School of Acupuncture Traditional Medicine. Studying Chinese Medicine felt like home. This ancient system offered a refreshing perspective, emphasizing the value of each patient's story and crafting unique treatment plans. This philosophy drives me today, reflected in my saying: "Wellness Designed For You." Every treatment is individualized.
I am deeply committed to my patients and continuously seek out ways to expand my knowledge and skills. I have completed continuing education courses in Neurofunctional Acupuncture for pain management with Dr. Dan Wunderlich and have studied personal training with the National Academy of Sports Medicine and am a Certified Personal Trainer. I plan to attend the Virginia University of Integrative Medicine at their New Jersey campus to study Chinese Herbal Medicine.
When I’m not treating patients or studying acupuncture, you can usually find me reading in a nook somewhere. I’m also a huge fan of a good cappuccino, so I spend a lot of time at local cafés. When I need a break from books, I love exploring nature, taking in the sights and sounds of the outdoors, practicing meditation, or catching a Broadway show to fuel my creative side.