Novak Erika Lac Dipl Ac

I have been going to see Erika for acupuncture for over a year and a half. Before visiting her, I had received acupuncture treatments a few times, so I was familiar with the procedure, but she made it so comfortable and easy to get back in touch with the needles :)
Erika has an independent acupuncture practice in a small office space she shares with one other medical professional. She has two treatment rooms, and only treats a maximum of 2 patients at a time, so you really have a lot of time with her. She’s not distracted like some of the other acupuncture clinics that take care of you assembly-​line style.
A typical appointment begins with a consultation to discuss how you’re feeling, whether the health issue she’s treating you for has changed, and any new challenges you’re facing. She is very approachable and easy to talk to, and will also take your pulse and make other observations in addition to what you say to determine what might be going on.
She is super-​gentle and careful when placing the needles, and if she’s working on a spot that might be really sensitive (like around the feet or the hands/​wrists), she’ll warn you, and have you take a deep breath to ease the shock of that sensitive area. She also makes sure none of the acupuncture points are bothering you before she leaves the room, and has soothing music on, and will give you a bell that you can ring if you need her to come back in before the time is up.
One thing that I LOVE about Erika is that she worked for years as a massage therapist before she became a licensed acupuncturist. I started my treatment for severe muscle tension in my back and neck because of sitting at the computer and working at a desk and reading a lot (I can feel it building now…) Once she comes back in to remove the needles, she’ll use her massage knowledge to continue to work the tension out of the muscles, sometimes for a good 5 – 10 minutes. It’s a great bonus! I always leave feeling not only more physically relaxed, but mentally and emotionally calmed.
Erika is also very knowledgeable about Chinese medicine and alternative treatments, and not only works to treat whatever health issue you might have, but explains what is happening in your body from an alternative perspective. Ask her any question, and she’ll take the time to explain it from a perspective that is so enlightening, in a way that makes so much sense when compared with the traditional western approach to medicine. She also has plenty of Chinese herb supplements that she may recommend depending on what you’re dealing with.
I highly recommend Erika Novak to anyone who is considering acupuncture treatment. She also takes several kinds of insurance, and lucky for me, acupuncture is covered under my medical plan! If you’ve never tried acupuncture, consider it. Erika will make you a believer.