Five Element Acupuncture with Dava changed my life. I'm a Type A, go-go-go, mile-a-minute workaholic. I've suffered burnout many times where I can't find the energy for life's basic tasks. A few months ago I reached a breaking point where this lifestyle, paired with my own personal challenges, became very taxing and overwhelming. The improvement I've experienced with Dava in just 6 short weeks is far greater than anything I ever achieved with therapists over the years. I never imagined acupuncture would be the path in which I find personal growth, emotional strength and enduring energy. Dava is a true master of her craft. With her expansive knowledge and wisdom, she tailors each session to your individual needs. She is both nurturing and professional, a gifted healer and guide. Dava is a blessing. I trust her implicitly and I recommend her sincerely. read more

Deva is a wonderful accuponcture therapist who've helped overcome inflammation of the body and supported me in the most challenging times of my life. I highly recommend her. read more

Posting this review is from my anonymous account because I'm sharing personal info, in case that is helpful for people with similar medical conditions or identities: I have been seeing Dava for acupuncture on and off for around a decade. She has been both my primary practitioner and a consulting practitioner when I've lived out of state and wanted her to stay involved in my treatment plan with local acupuncturists, herbalists, and other holistic providers. I've relied on Dava primarily for my issues with chronic pain stemming from a genetic illness, neurodivergence, fatigue, stress, depression, burnout, PTSD, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and hormonal dysregulation. I would also recommend her to anyone who is LGBTQIA+. I am trans/non-binary and she has always supported my identity and my pronouns. She was also instrumental in helping me recover from a traumatic brain injury following a serious concussion, which had left me with cognitive impairments that impacted my career and my social relationships. After almost a year post-injury of struggling to hold my life together, three months of twice-weekly treatments with Dava made me feel like myself again, and I was able to return to work, family, and friendships more present and productive than ever. She also used a very effective approach (called the NADA protocol) for treating withdrawal when I was quitting smoking. I particularly love Dava's expertise in the "five element" style, which takes a "body mind spirit" approach as opposed to some other styles which are simply focused on physical pain or other issues. We've had frequent treatments where I come in complaining of fatigue or pain, only to realize through our treatment that those issues are deeply tied to emotions like grief or anger that I am actively avoiding. Inversely, she's also helped me release emotional reactivity I was focusing on that I then realized was tied to physical challenges like insomnia or digestive issues. Her treatments really help me feel better on multiple levels, even ones I didn't know needed healing. It's clear to me from my treatments with Dava that she is deeply insightful, caring, and dedicated to her practice. 100% recommend all the way. read more

highly recommend. Dava is a wonderful listener. She truly understands the mind body connection. When I have a treatment with Dava it is the most calm my mind ever feels. I often go in with one concern but address many that weren't on the surface. read more

BEWARE OF THIS PRACTIONER (!) if you are someone who experiences multiple intersections of systematic oppression. DAVA IS NOT DOING THE WORK and this is not a safe space to entrust your precious body, mind, spirit into. Dava created harm rather than good in my experience with her. +ENTITLED: I went to Dava after the death of two people who are deeply important to me. Instead of feeling supported and cared for by a thoughtful practitioner, I was met with harsh words and ideas from Dava about how I should be grieving, living and processing my days. No one has the same experience of grief, but Dava suggested a grocery list of things along with solicited advice on how I should be aiming to "feel better." I never went to see Dava to "feel better," I went to feel nurtured, to establish a sense of release, to face my grief, to balance my body and perhaps over time, not immediately feeling better would be a result of these actions. +NOT A LISTENER: Dava ignored the things I was already doing for myself in my process of grief and kept pushing ideas onto me. She even went as a far as to say that I was weak in the way I was grieving because it didn't reflect the things she should I thought I should be doing within her timeline. She told me that I needed to find my strength (clearly she is unaware of the strong black woman trope). Dava barely listened to me and completely ignored my boundaries in favor of giving unsolicited advice. When I was unable to accept her suggestions as something that could work for me, she became agitated, claimed she was trying to help me and that I had asked her for advice (places blame onto me, typical move). I never asked Dava for advice about my life choices or how to grieve. I asked Dava about the treatment and if the timing was right for the compounded trauma I've experienced. +LACK OF BOUNDARIES: Dava fished and crossed boundaries, asking vulnerable questions that she had no business to ask because she is not a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I shared some sacred things with her so she could simply listen and SEE ME, not for advice. But Dava never did the work of attempting to establish trust with me. We met only twice and she was asking me deep questions without being there to receive the answers.This is not my first time receiving acupuncture or working with a holistic health practitioner, so I have experience with the type of questions that are appropriate to ask and there are always boundaries established. I have NEVER been pushed as much to share such intimate details of my life with someone who I just met under the guise that this information would help them care for me. But instead, Dava used my vulnerability against me and infused the conversation with criticism. +DANGEROUS: Dava has not done enough work to responsibly care for Black, Brown and Indigenous people. For those of us coming from and surviving lifetimes of trauma, systematic oppression and grief that feels impossible - we need to be cared for by people who see us. Not to mention, for those of us who are experiencing multi levels of grief and violence every single day, we do not need to be met with more harm. That harm can be verbal, emotional, physical, financial, psychological, social and spiritual. Most of us do not have the ability to choose our experiences/our circumstances. We have agency, but not everything is in our control, even if it might seem so simple as taking a small action towards our health. When I explained to Dava that I lived in a racially hostile neighborhood/state, she suggested that I should look in other areas (was she going to pay my rent?) and went on to list neighborhoods she claimed were "better" (gentrified) and full of millennial and LGBTQ folks. I guess she is missing the fact, that even millennial and people who identify as LGBTQ can also be born privileged. +PRIVILEGE: She ignored my agency. Because Dava spent so much time throwing prescriptive ideas at me, she missed the fact that I trust myself and I shared my experience of grief with her, not so that she could be my savior, but so that she could assist me through a horrendous time via the medicine of acupuncture. Even though I am in my 40's Dava, spoke to me like she was my mother and I her child -- calling me honey, not in a kind way, but in a "let me tell you how it is," kind of way. Grief is not pretty. Don't try to save people from their grief and begin by listening to them, their needs, their boundaries, their experiences and perhaps ask them what they need, ask them if it's ok to give advice, ask them if they feel comfortable sharing certain personal information. Learn to build trust. Your degrees and training don't give you automatic access to a person's body, mind or spirit, even if they do come into your office for the medicine. Consent and listening is the foundation of care and so is doing the work if you are going to see patients who are not in your socio-cultural background. read more

I have enjoyed my Qigong classes with Dava. She uses detailed explanations that guide the mind and strengthen the intent of each movement and series. As a Qigong instructor / practitioner myself, I feel my weekly class with her nurtures my personal practice and strengthens my own ability to offer a deeper experience for my students. read more

Deva is the real thing ! I have tried acupuncture many times and all over the world, but only after the first session with Deva I have realized that I have never experienced the real meaning of acupuncture before. read more

Dr Dava Michelson is very professional, knowledgeable, caring, a great listener. I attended three sessions with her and I've noticed she would really pay close attention to details during the evaluation and follow up sessions. She is an expert in different oriental medicine modalities and applies them according to your needs. She considers not only the physical aspect, but also emotional, mental and spiritual levels in the healing process. I'm already feeling better however, I will continue visiting her during the change of seasons when there is shift in energies in the environment and in the body. I would call this Preventing Oriental Medicine. I highly recommend Dr Dave Michelson!! read more

Dava's healing abilities are a gift that fortunately she shares with others. Her calming energy adds to her fascinating understanding of the body and the abilities of acupuncture and other unique practices. On a more logistical note, her scheduling flexibility is beyond that of most practitioners which is really helpful. read more

Dava is an amazing acupuncturist. I have been going to see her for a couple of years now and thoroughly enjoy my treatments. Dava teaches Qigong online and that helps bring calm into my day. read more

Along with hard work and practice, Dava has a very special gift! Really enjoyed my first session with her and looking forward to my second. She also has been doing Zoom Qigong classes 3 days a week that really great as Well. read more

Dava is a true healer. She carries that archetypal mother energy. She listens deeply and is not only intuitive in her approach, but also incredibly versed in the anatomy of the body. Any time I visit her for a session, I learn so much about my cellular functions. She helped me heal my endometriosis, both physically and emotionally. I am a better person today, because of the way she guided me back into my self. Beyond the physical results, I've become a better communicator and more gentle human. I've gone to Dava for 7+ years now and recommend here endlessly! Her space is charming, spotless and easy to get to. Basically, it's a little retreat from the outside world. read more

A deeply healing experience. Whatever you need you will get. Dava is a mother to us all. She is intuitive, strong and very knowledgeable and has a lot of experience. I have know her for 32 years and have been seeing her for 16 years as an acupunturist read more

Dava is amazing. I went for my first zero balancing appointment and was completely amazed and how I felt afterwards. It's subtle yet incredibly beneficial. I highly recommend Dava! read more

Dava is a fantastic Accupuncture Practitioner. Her bedside manner is one of genuine interest and full engagement. Dava takes her practice seriously and regularly seeks out new knowledge to implement with her patients. I regularly see her for many reason and have found comfort, healing, and relief from a variety of issues. She's easy to work with and schedule appointments with - sometimes same day when needed. I regularly recommend Dava to friends and family. My one piece of advice is about Accupuncture in general. Most see an Acupuncturist for a long-time problem. When things take a long time to develop or have persisted for a while they typically take a few sessions to be healed. Patience and an open mind to Dava's recommendations have consistently been the key to my healing (even when it's outside my comfort zone). read more

I was going through a rough transition period last year (job, body, etc) and I sought help from Dava. I tell you, she was amazing, and she was the main reason I was able to gain peace, insight, and finally forgiveness in my life. From our first session of Zero balancing, I felt so much more ... balanced. Seems crazy but it was true. She is smart, sensitive, and such a giving, wonderful person and healer. Not much more to say other than wellness is not the absence of disease. Go see her! read more

My acupuncture sessions with Dava truly have been such blessings. She provides such a safe space to heal. I highly recommend her. Dava goes above and beyond to provide comfort and nurturing. Each session I leave with a new sense of calm and connection within my mind and body. read more

To anyone who is reading this review, If you are thinking about seeing Dava go for it , she is an outstanding acupuncturist and a special human being, If you need true healing, then this is your place. I met her "coincidentally" just when I needed help, as I went to her for the first time, it felt like I have known her all my life, her genuine care and sincere kindness held me in a safe place, I started feeling better even before I received her treatment, she always combines her superb skills with her intuition and delicate sensitivity to what is happening. I highly recommend her as a healer, as she will address ALL of you, not just the physical but very importantly the emotional, mental and spiritual, She creatively and with great skill eases whatever physical issues I have, and help me find my center every time I lose it, and I am confident she will do the same for you. read more

Dava is an incredibly intelligent and intuitive practitioner. I have seen her on multiple occasions for different health issues and feel much better every time I see her. She is extremely attentive to my needs and treats me with so much compassion. Her technique is very gentle but very effective. I would highly recommend her! read more

I had a distance qigong session with Dava and I left feeling connected to the earth, the universe and life itself. Even though I wasn't sure what to expect at first I can tell you when the session was over I felt this blissful calm about me. The conversations after showed me how well in tuned Dava was to the needs of my soul. She pointed out problems I had been experiencing and comforted me by telling me she has done energy work exactly on the pints I knew were needed. Her work is truly the work of the divine. You will leave each session knowing your soul has been nurtured. Can't wait to book my next session with her!! read more

Dava has an extraordinary ability to tune in to energy blockages and to work her magic to restore vitality where it has been stagnant. I leave her treatments feeling restored, refreshed and back to my energized self. read more

Dava is a real healer! I came in to her office not knowing what to expect from a Zero Balancing session after reading about it in a book and finding her name on the Zero Balancing website. Soon after we got aquatinted she was already helping me with feedback on my posture and taught me a new breathing technique that is really helping me to this day. After the Zero Balancing session I felt a new sense of space in my mind and body that I've never been able to achieve on my own due to years of pain as a result of getting hit by a car walking across the street at 17. I did the recommended 3 treatments of ZB and each treatment lifted a weight off my shoulders I did not think was ever going to leave. Since I've started started acupuncture treatments with her to clear energy blockages and recalibrate my chi! I'm very excited to see what comes from continued treatment with her, I've come to trust her opinion very much and am open to her suggestions on my wellness as a rule. If you are thinking about making an appointment, hurry up to the new you and be open to the possibility of a smooth existence and just feeling comfortable and good. read more

I echo the accolades about Dava's wisdom, knowledge, expertise, skill and empathy. I would like to focus on her humanity, goodness, generosity and kindness. She is truly extraordinary, and engages deeply with her clients. I always leave her presence feeling healed, nourished and elevated. A special mention for her virtual qigong class: not only is the class excellent For my health and well-being, I also learn a lot because Dava always teaches. read more

Dava is absolutely amazing!! I'm from California and was on my way to Florida for vacation. That morning of my flight to Florida I tweaked my back. I desperately called all acupuncturists in the South Beach area hoping to get an emergency appointment so I can enjoy the rest of my vacation. Dava was the only one who answered immediately and was willing to see me the very next day. Dava was literally heaven sent and after my appointment realized I was meant to meet her. Dava did 5 element acupuncture on me, a form of acupuncture I was not familiar with. Let me tell you, this style of acupuncture was LIFE CHANGING. Dava explained the emotional reasons as to why my lower back gave out and everything she stated definitely resonated with me. I highly recommend Dava and suggest everyone experience her 5 element acupuncture. It will forever change the way you see your body work and the energies within it. read more

Great!! Dava Balanced all my body. I was in pain. In a few seasions i got totally energized!