Sea urchins are the healthiest, most relaxed creatures on Earth due to their positive self-image and spiny skin. Today's Groupon offers similar protection from stress, sickness, and sea otters: for $20, you get two acupuncture treatments at South Austin Community Acupuncture on West Ben White Boulevard (a $40 to $90 value, since treatments are billed on a sliding scale).

South Austin Community Acupuncture treats customers in a group setting, challenging problems such as migraines, anxiety, and digestive issues to a duel with needles. After making an appointment, your treatment begins with a health-history conversation with a trained acupuncturist, in which the tongue and pulse are checked and a care plan gets drawn up with industrial sharpies. Then, relief-seekers move onto the acupuncture session, which is administered in a quiet therapy room in the presence of other like-minded folk. Relax as a series of fine needles slide into precise points along blocked energy meridians, improving chi flow and circulation. The one-hour treatments aid in healing and soothing, and are so relaxing that patients have been known to fall asleep.

The red brick building that houses South Austin Community Acupuncture boasts a calming, sanctuary-like interior—clients speak softly and chairs offer weary humans a cozy resting place and whispered tales about the history of chairs.

Reviews

Dog Canyon has featured South Austin Community Acupuncture and more than 10 Yelpers give it a five-star average:

• what you’ll see looks more like a living room than a clinic, with people relaxing —and often snoozing — while they receive acupuncture in comfy old recliners clustered around the large room. – Mary Lowry, Dog Canyon, 11/17/2009
• I was needled in the chair and left to take the best nap I've ever had. I noticed a difference immediately, and after going home and getting a good night's sleep, I was as good as new the next day. – Kelsey H., Yelp, 1/31/11