Erika’s practice is informed by over 20 years of using and understanding the body through dance. During her dancing career she sustained many injuries, and one of her quickest recoveries was the direct result of acupuncture treatment. Erika’s education and personal experience has been instrumental in helping and treating her own patients.
Erika was an intern with Master Practitioner Arya Nielsen, author of Gua Sha: A Traditional Technique for Modern Practice, at Beth Israel’s Continuum Center for Health and Healing for one year. Ms. Nielsen is at the forefront of research on the effects of acupuncture and Gua Sha.
Erika is also regularly on the CBS local TV news show The Couch, talking about and demonstrating Acupuncture and other holistic remedies.
When she is not working at 16th Street Acupuncture she stays active by playing tennis, taking dance class, Soul Cycle, yoga and reading up on the latest research in healthcare.
The expert training in a full range of techniques that Erika has received from master practitioners enables her to utilize a range of treatment options tailored to the specific needs of each patient. This, combined with her compassionate spirit, facilitates the health and well-being of each person she treats. Erika’s growing New York City practice was created to offer a sanctuary for healing and support.
Using East Asian medical philosophy, which she continues to study, her mission is to assist individuals who are dedicated to taking steps toward personal enlightenment and power, and using this power to put their lives into balance.
Leaving her background in economics and corporate life behind, Samantha received her Master of Science degree from Tri-State College of Acupuncture where she was trained in four different styles of acupuncture, as well as biomedical physiology and pathology. She has over 3,000 clinical and didactic hours in the acupuncture styles of Acupuncture Physical Medicine (APM), Kiiko Matsumoto Japanese Acupuncture (KM), Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM). Samantha interned with the president and founder of the college Dr. Mark Seem, who pioneered the APM style, integrating the use of trigger point dry needling with traditional acupuncture. Using this style of practice, alongside adjunct therapies such as cupping, gua sha, electric stimulation, and manual manipulation, Samantha has helped many athletes, dancers, runners, and fitness enthusiasts return to physical health after injuries, repetitive strain, and physical or mental exhaustion. Samantha draws on her own experience as a dancer and dealing with her own injuries to inform her treatments.
Samantha continues her education under the mentorship of Master Practitioner Timothy Aitkin LAc, who practices a tradition of acupuncture rooted in ancient Taoist philosophy and classical Chinese pulse diagnosis. By using this style of diagnosis and treatment, Samantha works with patients targeting deeper issues of depression, panic attacks, chronic pain, and healing past trauma. She also uses the subtle information found in the pulse to inform treatments for general wellness and preventative health.
Samantha is dedicated to her craft and passionate about cultivating a wide range of healing practices to integrate into her treatments. Some modalities she has trained in over the years include:
Classical Chinese Pulse Diagnosis in the tradition of Dr. John Shen and Leon Hammer; Essential Oils one-year intensive training studied under Daoist Master Jeffrey Yuen (88th Generation Jade Purity Yellow Emperor Lao Zi School); Chinese Herbal Medicine one-year intensive training at Tri State College of Acupuncture; Reiki certification Level 2; Craniosacral Therapy; Neurolinguistic coaching studied under Master Hypnotherapist Melissa Tiers
Samantha strives to serve her community and bring Chinese medicine to where it is needed, most recently completing a medical service mission to the Himalayas in the Humla Region of Nepal.
Samantha is licensed in New York state and an NCCAOM Diplomat.
Je Lim Song completed a facial cosmetic acupuncture course and received the certification, F.A.C.E (Facial Acupuncture for Charm and Elegance) in Korea. Also, she received certifications in Sa-Am acupuncture and Korean Medicine Mental Health by Donguibogam Academy in New York.
Je Lim Song has treated a wide range of conditions including chronic and acute pain, digestive issues, insomnia, migraines, anxiety, depression, stress, allergies, gynecological issues, neurological issues, and various health problems. Additionally, she was trained in different types of acupuncture such as Abdominal acupuncture, Master Tung’s acupuncture technique, and Master Richard Tan’s balance acupuncture. She is also experienced using adjunctive therapies including moxibustion, cupping, electroacupuncture, and auricular acupuncture.
Je Lim had a great experience at an off-site internship at The Institution for Family Health-Sidney Hillman/Phillips Family Practice, which introduced her to the field of integrative medicine and allowed her to gain first-hand experience working alongside medical doctors providing the best options for patient care.
Continuing her education with gaining traditional East Asian Medicine experience will help enhance and broaden her profession and become a multidisciplinary practitioner. She believes this journey will help her future approach on how she can contribute as an East Asian medical practitioner to educate her patients with all the resources for their well-being.