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Meet Martin Herbkersman
Martin Herbkersman, MTOM, D. Ac, DIPL. OM practices acupuncture at the Palmetto Acupuncture Clinic in Columbia, South Carolina. He is an Acupuncturist (SC), a Doctor of Acupuncture (RI), Licensed Acupuncturist (CA) and is board-certified in Oriental medicine. He earned a master's degree (MTOM) from one of the finest acupuncture schools in the country, Emperor’s College of Traditional Oriental Medicine in Santa Monica, California. This comprehensive four-year program included rigorous academic studies in both traditional Oriental medicine and biomedicine. Martin Herbkersman completed over 1,000 hours of clinical study, which included inpatient hospital training at Daniel Freeman Hospital in Marina Del Ray, California. In his hospital work, he spent a six-month rotation in an integrated medical setting working with medical doctors and nurses treating a wide variety of illnesses in the transitional rehabilitation, addiction and psychiatric wards. His work in the Community Clinic was just as rewarding and busy, treating hundreds of patients with conditions from the acute common cold to the most serious stages of cancer. As he completed his clinic and hospital work, he and his wife Scarlett and their three children decided to rejoin their families in South Carolina, bringing with them this amazing system of medicine. He and his wife have since added a fourth and fifth child to their family. Currently he treats patients full-time in his clinic on Sumter Street and he is working with Dr. Whitman-Elia, a fertility specialist, to enhance the efficacy of conventional fertility treatments to improve outcomes with assisted reproductive technologies. He has also worked with the Army's Warriors in Transition Unit (WTU), treating the physical and mental pain that our soldiers have endured during their time in service to our country.
Martin Herbkersman has over 11 years of clinical experience and is National Board Certified (NCCAOM) in acupuncture, herbology and Oriental medicine. He is currently one of the very few practitioners in South Carolina to be National Board Certified in Oriental medicine, which requires additional training and a comprehensive knowledge of biomedicine and herbal medicine, as well as traditional Chinese medicine. He worked diligently for a new law governing the practice of acupuncture in South Carolina and his work has paid off. This new law legally defines and increases public accessibility to acupuncture, and protects the people of South Carolina from unqualified practitioners by requiring national certification in acupuncture and high minimum standards of education. He is currently the chairman of the South Carolina Acupuncture Advisory Committee to the Board of Medical Examiners. He also served as president of the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM). He holds licenses in California, Rhode Island and South Carolina.
Meet Alison Beard
Alison is a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese medicine herbalist with a deep interest in making natural medicine a part of more people’s lives. She grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, and later attended Butler University to run track and cross country and earn her B.A. in English. Her years of participation in athletics helped her gain valuable insight into the dynamic nature of human health and vitality and this started her on a path of discovery that would eventually lead her to earn a Master’s of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at the AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine in Austin, Texas.
While in Austin, she interned in an integrated health care center at Seton Williamson Hospital and also treated patients at Heritage Duval Gardens Nursing Home. In addition to her training in traditional Chinese medicine, Alison has studied neoclassical pulse diagnosis with Will Morris, Ph.D., DAOM, LAc. and has completed a series of workshops on Master Tung's acupuncture with Susan Johnson, LAc. In 2014, she completed a 2 year advanced course in Chinese herbology with Sharon Weizenbaum. In addition to the practice of acupuncture and Chinese herbalism, she also incorporates functional medicine diagnostic techniques and treatment into her practice.
Alison is National Board Certified (NCCAOM) in acupuncture, Chinese herbology and Oriental medicine, which requires standards to be met in both the fields of Oriental medicine and biomedicine.
Alison is excited to be serving the greater community of Columbia by providing compassionate health care with the ultimate goal of encouraging healing, well-being, and transformation in people’s lives.
Contact Alison by email: alisonbeard@palmettoacupuncture.com
Meet Meghan Cole
Meet Stephanie Stewart
Stephanie Stewart was born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She attended Mesa Community College pursuing Forensic Science. It was then when Stephanie found her passion for the study of the human body and the repair of chronic injury.
She moved to the Palmetto State to support her family and further her goals to assist and serve others. While working as an office manager she observed the amazing benefits of alternative therapies including massage therapy. During this time that she found her true passion in life.
Stephanie went to school to become a Licensed Massage Therapist, and began practicing in Columbia, SC. She founded Desert Escapes Massage Therapy where her work has included post surgery therapy, sports rehabilitation, geriatrics, Swedish and Thai massage, reflexology, prenatal therapy, cupping, hot stones, blading, intense stretching, and the use of rock tape.
Working with top of the line essential oils is a daily ritual for her personal wellness as well as sharing the knowledge and benefits with her clients. She's been a certified essential oil distributor since 2012. During her professional practice, she has received exemplary feedback regarding her intense stretching, trigger point therapy on lower back, shoulders, neck, and reflexology work.
Stephanie strives to serve each and every client, finding the ideal approach for the client's particular needs. She is an excellent fit for the holistic approach at Palmetto Acupuncture and Holistic Health Clinic.
