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A Touch of Ginger (ATOG) is a full-service acupuncture practice where healing begins, health can be obtained and wellness sustained. We offer Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to support fertility, pregnancy and health in the postpartum period.
If you are thinking about starting a family with your partner, there are some things that are going to need your attention first. Your menstrual cycle, reproductive history, including any pharmaceuticals involved, and your health history are going to play important roles in conceiving, as well as increasing the success for a healthy pregnancy.
Irregular periods, cysts, fibroids, PCOS, painful or heavy periods, chronic use of birth control, hormonal imbalances, health conditions, such as auto-immune or gastrointestinal conditions, psycho-emotional conditions, and so much more, need to be addressed and properly treated with acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine so the chance of successfully conceiving and carrying the baby to full term are higher.
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine can be used on its own to assist in pregnancy or in conjunction with Western medicine fertility treatments (IVF, IUI, fertility drug therapy, embryo transfer).
Lead Acupuncturist & Herbalist, Owner, Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc), Board Certified Herbalist, Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (Dipl. OM), Diplomate of Canonical Chinese Medicine (DCCM), and Clinical Fellowship with the Institute of East Asian Medicine (FICEAM)
Ginger Michels, LAc, has devoted her life to helping others find physical and emotional healing through acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. She is a licensed acupuncturist (LAc) and board-certified Herbalist with a passion for healing and health through Chinese medicine. As a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (DOM), Ginger earned the distinguished Master of Science degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine (MSTOM) from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM). As a Diplomate in Canonical Chinese Medicine (DCCM), she has the expertise, education and exceptional commitment to serving her patients. In addition, Ginger holds a Bachelor of Science degree from National Lewis University and earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Aurora University.
In 2011, Ginger established A Touch of Ginger acupuncture practice. Over the years, her business has grown to include a team of three acupuncturists and several support staff serving the Aurora, Naperville and Oswego areas.
Ginger’s family history has played a significant role in finding her calling to be an acupuncturist. Her father left her family when she was 13, her mother struggled with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and her younger brother is mentally and physically handicapped. Because of these circumstances, Ginger worked hard to support her family financially, physically and emotionally from a young age.
Because of the turmoil she experienced in her youth, Ginger developed an unhealthy relationship with food. As a result, she suffered from health problems related to her weight, including headaches, back pain, pancreatitis and a peptic ulcer. This was a turning point in her life. In seeking pain relief, Ginger was introduced to a homeopathic doctor who inspired her to heal her body through diet and lifestyle changes. Initially, she was resistant to the idea. But as she continued to experience healing and relief of her health problems, she began to adopt his recommendations for a healthier lifestyle through diet and exercise.
Over the next three years, Ginger lost 85 pounds and her health significantly improved. She was inspired by the natural healing she experienced and left her career as an application engineer to study Chinese medicine and become an acupuncturist. She was drawn to Chinese medicine because of its foundations in the belief that diet and lifestyle (exercise, sleep and stress) affects the body and health.
Ginger is passionate about taking care of family and is a caregiver innately. She loves spending time with her husband and two children and treats their health concerns with Chinese medicine. In addition, Ginger uses Chinese medicine to improve mobility and provide pain relief for her mother who is in the last stage of RA.
Ginger is driven to share the benefits of Chinese medicine because of its powerful healing ability to restore health. She is a compassionate healer whose goal is to help people. She encourages her patients to be active participants in identifying and understanding their health concerns. In addition, she educates them about making positive lifestyle changes to maintain their health.
Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc) and Doctor of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (DACM), Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (Dipl. OM) and Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
Anjalee Patel, LAc, DACM, Dipl. OM, PTA, has been studying East Asian medicine for a little over four years and has a Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese medicine from Pacific College of Health and Science. Additionally, she has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University of Illinois at Chicago and an associate degree in Applied Science from Morton College. She also has been a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant since 2015 and is still practicing today.
Anjalee’s passion for East Asian Medicine started five years ago when she was experiencing migraines, dizzy spells and extreme fatigue. She was told by medical professionals that they could not find out what was causing these symptoms. Her cousin mentioned acupuncture and herbal medicine to her, specifically, about Ginger Michels and how much she helped him. She went to Ginger for help and the rest is history. During her own healing journey and schooling, she discovered that she wants to provide a safe and peaceful space for people to receive the help they want. She also believes that her diverse background encourages her to be open and empathetic when healing others, which she believes is remarkably important. Anjalee uses acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, Guasha, herbal medicine, lifestyle modification, exercises and nutrition to provide a whole-body approach to healing.
Anjalee has a daughter, a dog, a parrot and a husband that she cannot imagine her life without. She enjoys various types of music, movies and shows, but would rather take a long Epsom salt bath while listening to some sounds of nature and doing some breath work. She is still waiting for her acceptance letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc)
Kristin Eisenschmid, LAc, graduated from National University of Health Sciences with a Master of Science degree in Acupuncture. Additionally, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Slippery Rock University. Throughout her clinical training, Kristin has worked with patients who have a variety of health conditions, such as pain, mental health issues, digestion issues and fertility/pregnancy.
Kristin cares for and treats every patient individually while applying a whole-body approach. She focuses on learning about her patients’ lives and what they are experiencing physically, mentally and emotionally. This allows for deeper connection and understanding of each patient in hopes of establishing a comfortable environment to relax and ease the mind. When possible, Kristin tries to incorporate a variety of modalities best suited to her patients’ needs, including tui na/massage, cupping, gua sha and moxibustion. Kristin focuses on bringing a sense of peace and happiness into the treatment room to calm her patients’ minds and reduce their stress.
Kristin has always known she wanted a career focused on health, which led to her degree in exercise science and her original goal of physical therapy. Along the way, however, she found holistic medicine. Specifically, the stars aligned when she discovered acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, as she found her calling and a unique interest that she is deeply passionate about. She genuinely enjoys her profession because it combines her desire to help others with her expertise in health and wellness.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Kristin grew up near Philadelphia. She later attended Slippery Rock University, which is about an hour north of Pittsburgh. Finally, she moved to the Chicago suburbs to complete her master’s degree. Kristin enjoys the outdoors. Whether she’s exploring a new national park, walking around her neighborhood, playing soccer, or tossing a frisbee, you can always find Kristin outside. She also enjoys reading, loves a challenging puzzle, and appreciates traveling with friends and family. She has an open and chatty personality, which allows her to talk about anything and everything with the people she meets.
Because Kristin’s primary goal in the treatment room is relaxation and stress reduction, she focuses on helping her patients feel calm through acupuncture, open discussion, light massage, tui na and cupping.
Reiki Master, Tarot, Oracle and Runes Reader
Tina McDonald is a Reiki Master and an affiliate member of the International Center for Reiki Training. She is a third-generation intuitive on her father’s side of the family and was first introduced to the metaphysical and spiritual world at a young age. She began her studies in 2020 where she found solace in the healing properties of Reiki.
Tina is attuned in Karuna, Holy Fire, Dragon, Crystal, Shamanic and Angelic Reiki, and draws from all these modalities during a Reiki session. In addition to practicing Reiki, Tina offers Tarot, Oracle, Runes and Pendulum divination. She is also certified to conduct EFT tapping sessions and aura cleansing.
Outside of her practice, Tina lives in Wheaton with her partner Danny, their three dogs and two cats.
Reiki Master Teacher
Julie “Jewels” Ekman is a Reiki Master Teacher who has been practicing Usui Reiki for more than 20 years. She is a 2nd Degree Holy Fire® Reiki Practitioner and a 2nd Degree Animal Reiki Practitioner.
Julie began her Reiki studies more than 25 years ago in Colorado and continued her training in Chicago with Silver Star Reiki Master Teacher, Astera Manis. More recently, it was Julie’s honor and privilege to complete her Level II Holy Fire® training with William Rand. Holy Fire® Reiki is a new form of Reiki that was introduced a few years ago by the International Center for Reiki Training. It is both powerful and gentle, and provides purification, healing, empowerment and guidance. Holy Fire® energy is noticeably more refined and comes from a higher level of consciousness.
Julie is a member of the Reiki Member Association. Her journey as a licensed clinical social worker has filled her toolbox with many healing, therapeutic and energy techniques. Julie has helped hundreds of individuals, families and children to change and grow. Her unique combination of clinical and healing skills creates a unique opportunity to help her patients experience peace in the moment.
Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200)
Holly Beverley is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200). Since 2018, she has taught different styles of yoga, including Hatha, vinyasa, yin, and aerial yoga styles, in various settings.
Holly is passionate about alignment and ensuring poses are done safely. She firmly believes that yoga is for everybody and should be accessible for all levels and body types. One person’s “expression” of a yoga pose may differ from the next, and that’s great! Yoga connects the body with the mind. It helps us feel fully present and welcome in a community of like-minded individuals seeking a sense of peace that is accessible when we turn our attention inward.
By day, Holly is a medical librarian. She loves dogs and spending time with family and friends. Her interests include coffee, traveling and taking walks in the woods. She enjoys any playful workout, such as rock climbing and dancing.
Holly is excited to facilitate space for movement and personal growth through yoga.
Office Manager
Andrea has been working at A Touch of Ginger since 2013. She believes in the value of acupuncture and has embraced alternative healing methods since a young age. Through her work, Andrea has been trained about the different uses and effects of Chinese herbs to assist patients with general questions.
Andrea is married and has four children. She enjoys spending time with family, reading and the outdoors.
Support Staff
Karen has been working at A Touch of Ginger since 2016. She has always had a holistic approach to her own health and wellness, so her career aligns with that belief as “a perfect fit.”
Karen is married with three children. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and outdoors. Her hobbies include running, dancing, travel and reading. She also volunteers regularly at a women’s shelter.
Support Staff
Kim has been working at A Touch of Ginger since January 2022. She always has had an interest in health and wellness through a more natural approach that encompasses mind, body and spirit. This has resulted in a journey of learning and changing her lifestyle habits, as well as those of her family.
Kim is married and has one daughter. In her spare time, she enjoys daily exercise, hiking, biking and walking. She loves being in nature and enjoys finding new places to explore with her husband. She also volunteers as a leader of the care team at her church.
