Our Team

At A Touch of Ginger (ATOG), the acupuncturist practitioners work as a team, collaborate and advise one another in their patients’ treatments. Each acupuncturist brings a unique expertise and perspective that is beneficial in the evaluation and treatment of each individual patient. Their individual specialties improve their work as acupuncturists, ultimately benefitting all ATOG patients. Because ATOG acupuncturists take a collaborative, team-based approach with their patients’ care, each acupuncturist can easily step in to cover patient treatments for their colleagues during a vacation or for ease of scheduling. In addition, ATOG offers energy-healing Reiki treatments to support and enhance Chinese medicine by balancing the chakras.

Ginger Michels

Lead Acupuncturist & Herbalist, Owner, Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc), Board Certified Herbalist, Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (Dipl. OM), Master of Science degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine (MSTOM), Diplomate of Canonical Chinese Medicine (DCCM), and Clinical Fellowship with the Institute of East Asian Medicine (FICEAM)

Ginger MichelsGinger 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 through Chinese medicine. As a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (Dipl. OM), 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 an exceptional commitment to serving her patients. Ginger is a Fellow of the Institute of Classics in East Asian Medicine (FICEAM), which required advanced studies of Canonical Chinese Medicine®. In addition, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree from National Lewis University and earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Aurora University.

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 was mentally and physically handicapped. Because of these circumstances, Ginger worked hard to support her family financially, physically and emotionally from a young age.

The turmoil she experienced in her youth led her to develop an unhealthy relationship with food, which caused many health problems as an adult related to her weight, including headaches, back pain, pancreatitis and a peptic ulcer. This was a turning point in her life. In search of healing, Ginger turned to a homeopathic doctor who helped her recover through diet, exercise 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 acupuncture. 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.

In 2011, Ginger established A Touch of Ginger, a full-service acupuncture practice offering acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, cupping, gua sha and auricular acupuncture. She uses a combination of Canonical Chinese Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat her patients’ physical, mental and emotional conditions. Over the years, her business has grown to include two locations, a team of three acupuncturists and several support staff serving the Aurora, Naperville, Yorkville and Oswego communities.

Ginger is driven to share the benefits of Chinese medicine because of its powerful ability to restore health. She is a compassionate healer whose goal is to support her patients on their health journeys. 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.

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.

Anjalee Patel

Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc) and Doctor of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (DACM), Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (Dipl. OM) and a Diplomate of Canonical Chinese Medicine©

anjaleeAnjalee Patel, LAc, DACM, Dipl. OM, DCCM©, 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.

Kristin Eisenschmid

Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc)

Kristin EisenschmidKristin 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.
 

Tina McDonald

Reiki Master, Tarot, Oracle and Runes Reader

Tina McDonaldTina 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.

 
 
 
 

Julie Ekman

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.

 

Holly Beverley

Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200)

Holly Beverley

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.

 

Andrea Aseves

Office Manager

Andrea

Andrea Aseves is the office manager and has been working at A Touch of Ginger (ATOG) since 2013.

Andrea believes in the value of acupuncture and has embraced alternative healing methods since a young age. Through her work at ATOG, she 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.

 

Karen Chervinko

Support Staff

Karen

Karen Chervinko has been working at A Touch of Ginger (ATOG) as support staff since 2016.

Karen has always had a holistic approach to her own health and wellness, so her work at ATOG 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.

 

Vanessa Sanchez

Support Staff

Vanessa Sanchez

Vanessa Sanchez joined A Touch of Ginger (ATOG) as support staff in April 2023.

Vanessa discovered ATOG as a patient while searching for a more natural approach to her health care. She hopes to grow with ATOG after welcoming acupuncture into her life and witnessing the difference it has made in others.

Vanessa loves being a boy mom, bringing out her inner child with her sons, and making endless memories. She also enjoys being outdoors and finds it very therapeutic. She likes to do anything from a nature walk, bike riding, camping and even giving fishing a try. Vanessa can get lost in a book and enjoys the nightlife through dancing.

 

Tatiana Booher

Support Staff

Tatiana Booher
Tatiana Booher began working as support staff at A Touch of Ginger in March 2023.

Tatiana is happily married and has three daughters. She loves spending time with her husband and walking with him and their two dogs. She always looks forward to family gatherings and game nights. She enjoys spending quality time with friends, reading self-development books and taking Pilates classes.

Tatiana has always been interested in seeking healing through natural medicine. Her experience with acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine has changed her life, and she can’t stop talking about it.