Helping to heal through acupuncture: Siri Michel, L.Ac
After the last few years, we could all use a bit more resources for healing. To find out how to get pain relief and hormone balancing right here in Wicker Park, our
team chatted with Siri Michel, L.Ac, Owner of Elevate Your Health Acupuncture & Wellness.
What inspired you to work in the wellness space?
I’ve been in the alternative medicine space since I was a child. I grew up with herbal medicine, acupuncture, and chiropractic.
When I was getting divorced and reinventing my life, I asked myself what would I really like to do?
The answer: helping people heal.
Traditional East Asian medicine is my vehicle for doing that.
At Heyday Homes, we’re passionate about supporting female entrepreneurs and small businesses. Our spotlight series aims to introduce clients, family, and friends to local businesses in the area in effort to build community. We hope you enjoy this interview and learning about Siri’s work as much we have!
Name: Siri Michel, L.Ac, Owner of Elevate Your Health Acupuncture & Wellness.
Did you have any mentors that helped you along the way, when you were first getting started?
When I first started out, I was inspired by professors I had in school, but you know what? No one teaches you how to run a business in acupuncture school! I quickly had to pivot and find someone who could help get systems in place to be able to do what I love and support myself financially.
What do you like most about your line of work?
What I like most about my line of work is transforming lives and helping people heal. That sounds a little dramatic, but if you have been in pain for months or years and now your pain has been reduced even 50% or you are only getting 1 migraine a month instead of 4, it is truly life changing.
What is your top challenge as a woman in health + wellness?
From a systemic perspective, I haven’t encountered overt challenges specifically related to me being a woman. I do think there are covert challenges that are subtle and related to women being considered experts in any field. On a very personal level, but I believe speaking to women in general, I have been challenged to know my worth and not be afraid to have rates for services that reflect that.
Do you have any advice you would give to others about being in the health + wellness industry?
Talk with other people who are doing what you want to do so you can learn more about the business back end of things before investing potentially a lot of money and time into something.
Just for fun…
What is your favorite thing about your neighborhood?
I love my UK Village neighborhood where everything I want & need is within walking or biking distance.
What is your morning routine?
First thing I do upon waking is drink a large glass of room temperature water. Second thing is to make the coffee, always stovetop espresso with my Moka stovetop espresso pot. Third thing, brush the cat & have play time. Meow! And, now that I am in that perimenopausal/menopausal space, I make sure to have protein within 30 minutes of waking which is huge for so many things among which are muscle maintenance, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic health.
3 Words that define your design style?
I don’t have 3 words which I think means I don’t have a specific style. My biggest concern is that my surroundings are comfortable because it is very important to me that my home be a refuge. That being said, people who know me well know that I secretly love sparkly things.
WHEN YOU NEED A WELLNESS RESET, WHAT DO YOU DO FOR YOURSELF?
If we are talking about a single day, I make sure I have nothing scheduled on my calendar, have a very low key lounging type of morning where I let my body and mind be my guide for how I want my day to be. This will often include giving myself the gift of laying on the couch and reading as long as I want to.
DO YOU HAVE NON-NEGOTIABLES THAT YOU DO EVERY DAY, WEEK OR YEAR?
What a great question! I don’t think I do. Is that weird? Does drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning count?
