Best Acupuncturist

Bastyr Center for Natural Health This nonprofit clinic, a teaching facility for Bastyr University, operates like a university hospital with a team-care approach. Initial acupuncture visits last 90 minutes, and, based on your diagnosis, you are assigned an expert practitioner as well as advanced students, ensuring plenty of attention and creativity to work through your issue. 3670 Stone Way N., 834-4100. First Runner-Up: The Pin Cushion Second Runner-Up: Acupuncture Savvy

Best Barbershop

Rudy’s Earlier this year, Rudy’s committed to donating a week’s supply of shampoo to LGBT youth homeless centers for every purchase of its 1-2-3 product line. Marketing ploy? Maybe. More than most companies are doing for homeless youth? Definitely. Since its founding in 1993, Rudy’s has scaled up to a national brand, with a CEO plucked from Anthropologie to prove it. But as the LGBT effort shows, it hasn’t forgotten about its Capitol Hill roots. Various locations. First Runner-Up: Squire Barber Shop Second Runner-Up: The Scotch Pine Barbershop

Best Chiropractor

Sara E. Deam, DC Testimonial after testimonial attest to the same thing: Sara E. Deam, who’s practiced in Seattle for five years, has diagnosed the source of pain and used natural healing methods to alleviate suffering without pain meds. That’s a service needed now more than ever. 340 15th Ave. E., #305, 325-5233. First Runner-Up: White Center Chiropractic Second Runner-Up: Orca Wellness PLLC

Best Crossfit

Rocket Crossfit The wife-and-husband duo who own Rocket Crossfit in South Seattle seem extra-attuned to the workout’s bad reputation. You know: testosterone, grunting, rhabdo. To counter this image, they put a lot of emphasis on making crossfit accessible to all ages and abilities, and on building a community outside the gym. 5720 Rainier Ave. S., 725-0278. First Runner-Up: ZUM Fitness Second Runner-Up:Elliott Bay Crossfit

Best Dentist

Columbia City Dental Time to confront all those repressed childhood memories of the dentist. Columbia City Dental sees your dentist anxiety, and it’s here to help. Meghan Crawford, DDS and the Columbia City Dental team want to squash all those fears—even those trust issues from the realization that there wasn’t anything remotely funny about laughing gas. With their treatment specializing in comfortable dentistry, even the most dentist-wary will feel at home in the chair. 3810 S. Ferdinand St., #201, 743-8356. First Runner-Up: 8 to 8 Dental Second Runner-Up: Northgate Smiles

Best Float Tank

Level Float and Sensory Spa The sensory deprivation of a float spa provides total relaxation. According to Level, floating gives your mind and your central nervous system a well-deserved rest (one hour of float is the same as getting four hours of sleep!). There are countless benefits, and it’s not expensive as you think. Why waste your time floating on a lake this summer when Level’s summer float deal gets you three floats for just $99? 567 John St., 456-4500. First Runner-Up: Urban Float Second Runner-Up: Float Seattle

Best Gym

Cappy’s Gym Read Sara Bernard’s profile of the gym and its owner. 2609 S Jackson St., 322-6410. First Runner-Up: Columbia City Fitness Center Second Runner-Up: (tie) Washington Athletic Club, Ballard Health Club

Best Hair Salon

BANG A haircut might be something you eagerly await or something you dread. On one hand, you get to kick back in some of the comfiest chairs around town; on the other, the mysterious sound of your hair getting snipped off can be anxiety-producing. At BANG, now in three locations, you get the comfort of the chair and of knowing your hair’s in good hands. The staff aren’t only extremely well qualified, but fun too. You can tell by their hair. Various locations. First Runner-Up: Coven Salon Second Runner-Up: (tie) Gary Manuel Studio, Tigerlily Salon

Best Martial Arts Studio

Praxis Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brazilian jiu jitsu was developed by two Brazilian brothers and emphasizes ground fighting. Like other jiu jitsu, it asserts that size doesn’t matter if a fighter is well trained and disciplined. It’s also the only martial art taught at Praxis in South Lake Union. 300 Fairview Ave. N., 360-329-2289. First Runner-Up: (tie) Alpha Martial Arts, Fighting Chance Seattle

Best Massage

Dreamclinic Massage Roosevelt Dreamclinic Massage in Roosevelt believes in the curative powers of massage, and that everyone should have access to it. That’s why they’re open 12 hours a day every day but Sunday (eight hours), so anyone, even people with full-time jobs, can enjoy the restorative ability of Dream Clinic’s therapeutic massages. 916 N.E. 65th St., 267-0863. First Runner-Up: Massage Envy Second Runner-Up: Elements Massage

Best Nail Salon

Apollo Nails & Spa With beautiful, individually designed locations in Capitol Hill and Queen Anne, Apollo Nails & Spa provides an ambiance that maximizes the relaxing effects of getting your nails done. In addition to manicures and pedicures, Apollo offers waxing, skin care, eyelash extensions, facials (including a gentlemen’s facial), spa services and more. Various locations. First Runner-Up: (tie) Infinity Nails & Spa, Spaahh

Best Pilates

Pilates on 10th Amie Baca opened Pilates on 10th after obtaining a dance degree in 2003. The Montlake studio offers individual sessions as well as small groups and approaches Pilates as a vehicle for long-term health. With a wide variety of equipment and apparatuses, Pilates on 10th hosts classes for everyone from beginners to experts and pregnant women to seniors. 2351 10th Ave E, 709-4030. First Runner-Up: Vitality Pilates Second Runner-Up: Pure Barre

Best Spa

Banya 5 One thing Banya 5 has going for it that other local day spas don’t: It’s open to men. So many of the other faves—Olympus Spa, Ladywell’s, Hot House—are for women only, but Banya accepts beards with open arms. Its Russian-style dry sauna, Turkish-style steam room studded with fresh eucalyptus boughs, hot tub with jets, and saltwater tepid pool lets visitors breathe all that city stress away, and is well worth the $45 fee. 217 Ninth Ave., 262-1234. First Runner-Up: Spa Nordstrom Second Runner-Up: Spaahh

Best Waxing Salon

Sugar Plum Sugaring is a form of hair removal that many consider far sweeter than waxing. Arguably more effective and less painful, it’s an art form that Sugar Plum has mastered. Not only that—they’re the first to create a USDA Organic & Fair Trade Sugar Paste. Sugar Plum takes care to educate its patrons on their beauty-care choices, and prides itself on using methods that support people and the planet. Various locations. First Runner-Up: The Wax Bar Second Runner-Up: The Skin firm

Best Yoga

Seattle Yoga Lounge What better way to spend a relaxing summer morning than attending a yoga class on a stand-up paddleboard? Relaxing until you fall in, that is—perhaps less-experienced yogis should just stay in savasana for this one. Landlubbers shouldn’t fret, though; in addition to the floating “studio” of Green Lake, the Yoga Lounge also boasts a spacious land studio of its own. 6900 E. Green Lake Way N., 523-4569. First Runner-Up: Modo Yoga Second Runner-Up: 8 Limbs Yoga Centers