EriKA's Story

Erika MacMillan is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist who has had a life long affinity for helping people to find their own sense of inner peace as well as physical and emotional wellness.  Her personal life journey has included both joyful and challenging experiences, and has lead her to the work she does today.  Her desire for a holistic way to care for the body has long been rooted within her own personal path.

As a top-tier athlete in Canada, Erika embarked on quest to swim in the Olympics. Her goal was within reach when the doctors decided that she could no longer avoid having major reconstructive surgery on both knees.  Years of physical therapy followed.  Ultimately, she was unable to continue her intense training regime and she was left in physical pain as well as emotional disarray.  This challenging experience helped her to understand the deeply intertwined relationship between the physical body and mind.

In her own personal search to find low-impact activities that would create physical strength and emotional balance, Erika discovered a (at the time) brand new practice called Pilates.  This was her first exposure to a more gentle type of exercise that also focused on the breath and mind-body connection.  She enjoyed Pilates so much that she quickly became certified and started a studio to share its benefits with those who were also searching for an activity that exercised both their body and mind.

Unlike Pilates, it was not Erika's own pain but instead her son's that brought her to acupuncture and Chinese medicine. 

At the age of 10, Erika's oldest of 3 children, developed severe digestive problems. This undiagnosed condition required countless hours in the hospital, numerous doctor visits, a multitude of tests and numerous medications. After three years of unsuccessful attempts to solve this medical mystery, symptoms of severe anxiety and depression crept in.  With these new issues presenting themselves, Erika's son began a barrage of new medications, many of which clearly had dangerous side effects of their own, including the exacerbation of his existing symptoms. It felt like they were on a hamster wheel and couldn't get off as they worked their way from one medication to the next. The stress mounted as Erika desperately searched for ways to help her child.  Her son's condition was so debilitating that he was unable to even go to school for several years.

Erika's sole mission became trying to find anyone or anything that could help.  She opened her mind to any type of treatment she could find research on.  After years of ineffective medications and failed therapies, Erika found acupuncture.  In conjunction with Chinese medicine, acupuncture was successfully about to reduce and eventually eliminate her son's anxiety and depression. As his nervous system calmed down, his gut began to heal. With his energy and motivation finally restored, he was able to to employ simple lifestyle changes, graduate from college and is now looking to complete his MBA.   

As news spread of her son's dramatic recovery, Erika began receiving calls form other mothers whose children were suffering from anxiety, depression and other physical ailments that were unable to be addressed by conventional medicine.  As time passed and inquires grew, Erika heard her calling - to study acupuncture in order to share this powerful holistic tool to heal the body and mind.  Magenta Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is the culmination of Erika's deep understanding of the mind-body connection, her overwhelming appreciation of the healing power of acupuncture and her profound gratitude for the full recovery of her son.  She truly loves to connect with each patient and partner with them in their healing process. She listens with compassion and empathy to each person's story and creates a completely customized treatment plan that will deliver the best possible results.  Her ultimate goal is to help you reconnect with your body's own incredible power to heal - emotionally and physically. 

eriKa's EXPERIENCE

Erika is a nationally board certified practitioner of Oriental Medicine, earning her Diplomat of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and Master of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (M.A.O.M.). She earned her Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine from The American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine in Houston, Texas. After graduating, she gained experience working in a hospital environment, as an acupuncturist at Methodist Hospital.

eriKa's Philosophy

Erika believes that each patient is an individual with unique needs. She listens intently to her patients in order to develop a detailed picture of each person’s overall health and distinct needs. From this relationship, she is able to develop a thorough treatment plan that not only addresses the current symptom(s), but more importantly, the root cause of the condition.

In addition to acupuncture, Erika uses other proven techniques within the system of Chinese Medicine, enabling her to treat a wide range of conditions, which can come from both physical and emotional imbalances. She also provides her patients with tools (diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes) that help empower them to increase their own well being. This enables her patients to achieve effective and lasting results. 

Your unique health care situation is of the utmost importance. Erika is happy to answer any questions you may have regarding how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can benefit you. Together, she would like to work with you toward achieving your health and wellness goals.