Meet Dana : Seattle Acupuncturist

Meet OMC Collective Member Dana of Esva Healing. Dana is an acupuncturist with a master’s in East Asian medicine and mother to 2 daughters, Nova & Rhea. With her experience of conception, pregnancy, delivery and postpartum, her hope is to guide women to have success stories of their own.  

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How long have you lived in the Seattle area? Where are you from/why did you move here? What do you do for a living? Have you always done this? 

I originally hail from a small dairy farm in Iowa. I moved to SF in 2002 and stayed there until moving to Seattle in 2011 to go to Basytr University to study Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine. I’ve had many jobs in my lifetime. Farm girl was my first then I moved on to being a babysitter, I worked at a sock factory, waitressing at many different places, I’ve worked at farmers markets, I was a gift wrapper for a Christmas season, I was a dental assistant for 8 years and I owned a holistic personal chef business in SF for 5 years before settling into my acupuncture medicine career. I feel all these jobs somehow led me to pursuing my career in acupuncture. I’ve received continuing education in pain management, cosmetic acupuncture, fertility and women’s health, birth educator, point injection therapy and addictions. Besides working at Esva Healing, I’m also the resident acupuncturist at 3 assisted living facilities and the acupuncturist at Vixen Spa and Boutique. I like to say I cover birth to death and everything in between. 

How would you describe your work? What does this mean to you?

I’m a very hands on acupuncturist. I’m addressing issues with the entire body system and not just why someone is coming to see me. People often associate acupuncture with pain but there are so many uses for it. One of the reasons why I love this medicine is the different approaches and modalities of acupuncture. I feel like I can constantly learn something new that will make me be a better practitioner. I love learning about my patients and educating them. I try to create a safe and intimate space where we both have mutual trust and respect for each other. 

Why did you decide to pursue this career?

I started seeing an acupuncturist in SF years ago for issues I was having with my menstrual cycles. I was blown away by how much better I felt after receiving treatment. These were issues I had struggled with for years and thought it was something I was just going to have to live with. I told myself if I ever ended up in Seattle, I wanted to study at Bastyr. I finally got that opportunity when my husband got a job offer here. 

What does the term “Boss Mom” mean to you?

I think “Boss Mom” means something different for everyone but for me it’s trying to juggle my desire to run a business and work while also making sure I’m available for my family. I have a 4 yo and 2 yo daughter. It’s not easy trying to juggle it all. We have a lot of wheels constantly in motion and this year has thrown a curve ball for all of us. I’m thankful I have a business partner who I can rely on for business and personal support. We often trade off watching each others kids while the other one can work so either we’re seeing patients or watching 4 kids. In between all of that I’m figuring out my kids schedules, my work schedule at 5 different locations, keeping ahead of laundry and household chores, meal planning and prepping and overall being present for my kids and my patients.  

What does success mean to you?

Making sure my kids are happy and they know they are loved and supported. I take a lot of pride in my work so it’s important my clients are happy with my services as well.   

How do you balance being an entrepreneur & a mom?

I’m still trying to figure that out haha. We take it 1 day at a time but I wouldn’t be able to do it without my husband and business partner. I don’t have family here so we have limited help. It’s often my husband watching kids while he’s trying to work from home or Brittnie watching kids so I can see patients or scheduling patients in the evenings and weekends. I’m often trying to get multiple things done with kids on me. 

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I didn’t know. It took me many years to figure that out. I wasn’t that kid who knew what they wanted to be when they grew up but I’m happy I ended up where I’m at 

What is your greatest personal skill/trait?

Hard working. Growing up on a dairy farm, you learn that skill real quick.  

What is your favorite gift to give?

Cortisol manager and earrings 

 To receive?

Something I wouldn’t spend money on for myself  

What is your favorite activity to do with your kid in Seattle?

Explore the city and go on new adventures. We got paddleboards last summer and that was a highlight for us. My 4yo was super resistant at first but by the end of the summer she was a champ. I’m hoping to get out camping more this summer. We’ll see what COVID brings. I miss going to concerts and taking my kids to see live music    

 When you get a quiet moment, what do you like to do the most?

What’s a quiet moment?!? Haha I like to sit in my yard and embrace the stillness or take my dog for a walk, just me and Penny (my dog). 

How do you practice self-care?

To be honest, I don’t and it’s something I’m working on. I’ve currently started doing some workouts at home again so movement in any form is self-care for me. It helps to clear stagnation physically and mentally. 

Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you? 

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” I’m constantly reminded of this when my kids mimic my behavior or something I said. Parenting is constantly being held responsible for your actions.

Learn more about Dana & Esva Healing by following them on Instagram!