
Leigh Gilkey
Owner & Practitioner, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.
Leigh was introduced to acupuncture as a patient in 2002. It was a last resort to dealing with a chronic digestive problem after exhausting all familiar medical treatments. This began her journey to healing, not only her digestion, but avenues she did not know acupuncture could help with.
After graduating with her Master’s of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine in 2010, she opened Essential Acupuncture Chicago. Her continued studies and life experience have formed her specialization in Women’s health and Trauma/Mental/Emotional health.
Her practice is rooted in the classic texts of Chinese Medicine. She is thankful to her teachers, to those who came before them and all who have kept the tradition of Chinese medicine alive.
She believes there is healing, in many forms, to be discovered in each and every body.
Leigh is a member of ILSA, Illinois Society of Acupuncturists and is NCCAOM certified.

Siri Michel
Owner & Practitioner, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.
Siri grew up with acupuncture and herbal medicine. It has always been her primary healthcare choice to address all aspects of health and wellbeing. After going through a particularly challenging time in her life, during which acupuncture played a pivotal role, she decided to pursue it as her next career so she could help others as she had been helped.
Siri has a special focus on treating pain of all types so that people can get back to living their lives with more ease. She also loves to help people who have sinus issues that haven’t been helped by typical medical routes.
Siri has done training in Tao Science Life Transformation systems and offers Tao Science customized self-forgiveness practices through the lens of Chinese medicine. This offering is available in person or remotely.
Siri loves to collaborate with her patients to find and share self-care tools and information to empower them in their own care.
Siri completed her 4-year, 3,000-hour MSTOM degree at Pacific College of Health Sciences in 2012. She is NCCAOM certified and a member of the Illinois Society of Acupuncturists (ILSA).