Best Acupuncturist — Martin Herbkersman

Runner-Up: Palmetto Acupuncture and Holistic Health Clinic

When modern medicine isn’t delivering desired results, the solution may be to return to ancient and traditional practices, such as acupuncture. Martin Herbkersman has more than 20 years of experience and training in a fusion of traditional Asian medicine, biomedicine and more. Chief among his priorities is swift and effective pain management for everyone. His convenient downtown office on Sumter Street offers the latest techniques in alternative treatment in combination with the time-proven efficacy of Chinese medicine.

Honorable Mention: Anew Healing, Dr. Alexa Black

Best Audiologist /Hearing Center — Lexington ENT & Allergy

Runner-Up: University of South Carolina Montgomery Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic

It’s not the center for anthropomorphic forest guardians like Treebeard — these doctors handle ear, nose and throat issues. Apart from allergies indicated in their name, this practice also helps with audiology, including hearing tests, assistive listening devices, hearing aid selection and programming, and even device repairs. In other words, they’ll help you become reengaged in the world around you, if you feel that you’re missing out on conversations, lectures, even live music and just the nuances of everyday conversation.

Honorable Mention: Carolina Health and Hearing, Midland Hearing

Best Barbershop — Devine Street Barbers

Runner-Up: Circa Barber Shop

The days of a shave and a haircut for two bits, or the offer of two chairs, no waiting at Floyd’s may be long gone, but Devine Street Barbers tries to maintain some of the craft and professionalism in men’s grooming from yesteryear, identifying as artists who honor the tradition. Located only a few blocks from Five Points, near the Publick House and Backstreet’s, they assure you that services are never rushed and quality always wins over quantity.

Honorable Mention: Frank’s Gentlemen’s Salon, Southern Cuts Barbering Company

Best Chiropractor — Columbia Family Chiropractic

Runner-Up: MaxLiving Chiropractic

Feel that back twinge while you were mowing the lawn? Got neck pain that’s a pain in the neck? Columbia Family Chiropractic can get your back, back moving again. They’ve got a highly trained staff that takes a holistic approach to chiropractic care, taking into account your daily habits, activity, body composition and goals to create an individual treatment plan.

Honorable Mention: Dean McCaughan, Midlands Health Center, Dynamic Chiropractic and Functional Movement

Best Counselor or Therapist — Jill Smith & Associates Counseling

Runner-Up: Jefferson Wellness & Consulting LLC

Choosing counseling for your mental health is a good idea. Using Jill Smith & Associates Counseling to do so is a GREAT idea. Smith & Associates offers individual counseling, marriage counseling, family therapy, including therapy for kids and teens, gender affirming counseling, trauma therapy and group therapy, among other vital mental health services.

Honorable Mention: Everyday Wellness, Melissa Gainey, LPC

Best CrossFit — Carolina CrossFit

Runner-Up: Cottontown CrossFit

When summer hits the South, you have to wear less clothing. We don’t make the rules. And if your winter bod needs a summer bod transformation, Carolina CrossFit can get you tight and toned. Your journey to better health, a happier life and about 20 gallons of sweat begins at Carolina CrossFit.

Honorable Mentions: Warrior Axe CrossFit, F45 Training Forest Acres

Best Day Spa — Sculpted by WH Aesthetics

Runner-Up: Fiddlefig Day Spa

You work hard all week; it’s time for a little self-care. And we mean a spa day! Sculpted by WH Aesthetics is THE spa experience of the Midlands. Relax and get ready to look and feel your best with Botox and Dysport treatments available, dermal filler, facial services, brow and leg waxing, laser hair removal, IV therapy and more. You’ll feel revitalized walking out of Sculpted by WH Aesthetics.

Honorable Mentions: Stay Serene Head Spa, Holistic-ish Collaborative

Best Dentist — Marc Berger Choice Dentistry

Runner-Up: 32 Dental, Dr. Shivani Patel

How long has it been since you’ve had those chompers cleaned, friend? Marc Berger Choice Dentistry awaits. They offer preventative appointments, restorative and cosmetic dentistry, a full range of services from crowns and bridges to root canal therapy, and they’re proud to be a family dentistry, so the kids are welcome, too.

Honorable Mentions: Forest Drive Dental Care, Family Dental Health

Best Dermatology Practice — Columbia Skin Clinic

Runner-Up: Carolinas Dermatology & Plastic Surgery

Who else would you trust with your skincare needs more than the most experienced dermatology group in the region? That would be the Columbia Skin Clinic, whose expertise includes everything from skin cancer prevention and treatment, medical dermatology, surgical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology and aesthetic services. And they strive to design a treatment or regimen plan that works for your individual needs. You look better already.

Honorable Mentions: Columbia Dermatology & Esthetics, Faces by Etosh

Best Esthetician — Kathy Miller, Sculpted by WH Aesthetics

Runner-Up: Jocelyn Perez Skin

When the temps hit triple digits, scrubbing your face with a washcloth isn’t going to cut it. Keep your skin fresh and healthy by requesting Kathy Miller at Sculpted by WH Aesthetics. Kathy is trained as a Licensed Esthetician/Laser Specialist, and our readers say she’s got the magic touch when it comes to hair removal, facials, chemical peels and much more. Time to get your glow up.

Honorable Mentions: Patrice Fashion, Face Forward with Fashion, Georgia Woodard, Peche Skin Co.

Best Eye Doctor or Group — Columbia Eye Clinic

Runner-Up: Sansbury Eye Center

Are you having to hold the phone right up to your eyes to read this? You picked the right entry to squint at, my friend, because Columbia Eye Clinic can get those peepers back to 100 percent. With four different Midlands locations standing by, Columbia Eye Clinic can handle everything from basic eye exams and checkups to cataract surgery and glaucoma treatments. If you have eyes, Columbia Eye Clinic can treat them.

Honorable Mentions: Ingram Comprehensive Eye Care, Cathy Cannon

Best Family Practice — Lexington Family Practice

Runner-Up: Chapin Family Practice

Nothing’s more important than the health of your family, and when it comes to the right family practice to trust, Lexington Family Practice stands above the rest. They handle preventive care and well visits, same-day sick appointments, women’s health services, in-office labs and minor surgical procedures, all under one roof. Trust your family’s care to the highly trained professionals at Lexington Family Practice.

Honorable Mentions: Harbison Medical Associates, Noreta Family Medicine, Melissa Boylan

Best Fitness Studio — Pilates Sculpt Studio

Runner-Up: Basecamp Fitness Columbia

Locally owned with two Midlands locations, The Pilates Sculpt Studio uses the latest pulse-and-burn technology to get you toned and feeling your strongest. With classes for all levels of fitness buffs, the knowledgeable team at Pilates Sculpt Studio will put you through the ringer on their top-of-the-line reformers. New to the workout? Take their free introductory class to see if feeling the burn is right for you.

Honorable Mention: Powerhouse Pilates, Beats Barre Studio

Best Gym — Planet Fitness

Runner-Up: The Pilates Sculpt Studio

There’s a reason that seeing the Planet Fitness logo doesn’t fill you with dread like other exercise spots. Planet Fitness is a gym for laidback folks like you and me who need to hop on the treadmill or lift weights in a judgement-free, low stress zone. You’re in charge of your workout plan, and you decide when to go. That’s why Planet Fitness is still on top.

Honorable Mentions: EQ Fitness and Physical Therapy, Burn Boot Camp — Lake Murray

Best Hair Salon — Hyde Salon

Runner-Up: Salon 611

Need a post-breakup glow-up or a killer new ‘do for a night out? Hyde Salon is where you can get both. Get yourself a basic cut-and-style, highlights, lowlights, a full-on bleaching or a new, groovy cut. The gentlemen can finish up with some beard detailing. You will walk out of Hyde Salon looking (and feeling) so fresh and so clean.

Honorable Mentions: Haven + CO, Elevate Salon

Best Hair Stylist — Lexie Ivanko

Runner-Up: Jessica Roth

Lexie is the Master Stylist at Hyde Salon — Columbia’s Best Hair Salon. Whether you’re looking for a refresh or a completely new look, Lexie is there to guide you through the potentially life-altering decision of getting a new hairstyle. What makes Lexie stand out is her commitment to making her clients walk out of her booth with newfound confidence — and a lot less split-ends.

Honorable Mention: Keighley Saylor, Macey Campanella

Best Holistic Health Provider — Everyday Wellness

Runner-Up: Roots Integrative Medicine

Medical practices aren’t the only places that offer health services. The Midlands favorite holistic healers, Everyday Wellness, provide an array of products to help your health. In addition to various styles of yoga and massage therapy, Everyday Wellness also provides counseling and life coaching services to serve both your mental and physical health.

Honorable Mentions: 1 with Nature Therapies, Life’s Natural Essence Massage Spa

Best Home Health Care Service — Hands and Hearts Home Care

Runner-Up: Comfort Keepers

Finding home care for your aging family member is difficult enough without having to worry about trusting that care. Hands and Hearts Home Care has a sterling reputation as a home health care service, with a sympathetic and skilled staff and a dedication to finding the right fit for your loved ones to make the transition as seamless as possible.

Honorable Mentions: McLeod Home Care, Right At Home

Best Hospital — Lexington Medical Center

Runner-Up: Prisma Health Richmond

You might think a hospital is a hospital, but people in the Midlands feel differently. When it comes to emergency care or the treatment of a serious illness or injury, our readers trust Lexington Medical Center above all others. Sure, most hospitals have the same equipment and services, but Lexington Medical Center has the trust of the people, maybe the most important thing a hospital can have.

Honorable Mentions: MUSC, Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Hospital

Best Lactation Support — The Latch RN/ DBA Bornwell Newborn Services

Runner-Up: Columbia Lactation Care

Deciding to use a lactation service is an important moment for any new mom, and The Latch RN/ DBA Bornwell Newborn Services is the most trusted name in lactation support. Their internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultants help with all infant feeding issues, including prenatal consultations, breastfeeding, pumping, bottle feeding and formula.

Honorable Mentions: Milk and Milestones Pediatric Feeding Services, Baptist Parkridge

Best Massage Therapist — Shannon Livezey, Avodah Massage Therapy

Runner-Up: FLOW Massage

It’s time to give those sore muscles and joints a break and let Shannon Livezey at Avodah Massage Therapy take the pain away. Enjoy an array of services including integrative massage, pre-natal/postpartum massage, facial and neck massage and even massages for Mom and baby. The magic touch awaits at Avodah Massage Therapy

Honorable Mentions: Stephanie Cummings, Kenne Nieves

Best Med Spa — Sculpted by WH Aesthetics

Runner-Up: About You Aesthetics

A spa day isn’t just about relaxing. Some spa days are for getting your skin, body and mind in the best shape possible. Sculpted by WH Aesthetics provides services like microneedling, deluxe peel & glow treatments and weight loss management, making sure you look and feel your absolute best.

Honorable Mentions: Moongate Spa, Vivid Aesthetics

Best Med Spa Practitioner — Whitney Huttenlocker, Sculpted by WH Aesthetics

Runner-Up: Lauren Coggiola

How good is the spa staff at Sculpted by WH Aesthetics? They top the polls just as often as their parent company does, and they even landed another employee in the Honorable Mentions just for good measure. Whitney Huttenlocker is your guide to better skin and body health at Sculpted by WH Aesthetics. She’s got the skills to revitalize your body, mind and soul.

Honorable Mentions: About You Aesthetics, Jillian Foley at Sculpted by WH Aesthetics

Best Nail Salon — Canvas Studio

Runner-Up: JOCO Nail Studio

Turns out that Columbia’s most unique nail salon is also its most popular. Canvas Studio takes an innovative approach to doing nails; it’s a non-traditional, appointment-only salon where all are treated as equals and clients feel truly seen and cared for. With an array of services and the personal touch, Canvas Studio is the go-to nail salon around these parts.

Honorable Mentions: Brushed Nail Studio, Lee Nails

Best Orthodontist — Indigo Orthodontics

Runner-Up: Davis Orthodontics

Let’s face it, there’s a lot of anxiety involved in going to an orthodontist, both for financial and physical reasons. But at Indigo Orthodontics, their personal approach, patient-positive mindset and expertise combine to lower your anxiety and concentrate on what’s really important: Making your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.

Honorable Mentions: O’Leary Orthodontics, Christopher C. Jernigan, DMD, PA

Best Orthopedic Practice — Midlands Orthopedics & Neurosurgery

Runner-Up: Prisma Health

You don’t need to be a runner to know that foot health is important, especially if you’re having issues already. Midlands Orthopedics & Neurosurgery can handle a wide array of issues including foot and ankle surgery, joint injury diagnosis and treatment, hip replacement, spinal surgery and much more. You’ll have a bounce in your step in no time.

Honorable Mentions: Dr. Michael Tucker, Lexington Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Best Pediatric Care — Sandhills Pediatric

Runner-Up: Palmetto Pediatrics Downtown

Nothing is more important than the health of your children, and that’s why choosing pediatric care is so crucial. Sandhills Pediatrics offers experience and peace of mind, along with services from birth through college age, and they do so at five different locations around the Midlands.

Honorable Mentions: Pediatric Associates, Ballentine Pediatrics LLC

Best Personal Trainer — Tara Zigdon

Runner-Up: Cody Perrot

Some of us need a good motivational butt-kicking to exercise like we should, and that’s what personal trainer Tara Zigdon is here for. The Pilates Sculpt Studio owner and instructor has been involved in athletics since the age of three and now, as a fully certified Pilates instructor, she’s worked with hundreds of clients to help them attain their fitness goal. Get ready to sweat!

Honorable Mentions: Aly Beaulieu, Wesley Newsom

Best Pharmacy — Hawthorne Pharmacy

Runner-Up: Landy’s Pharmacy & Gifts

You’ll notice the No. 1 in Columbia pharmacy isn’t a Walgreens or CVS. People like the personal touch of Hawthorne Pharmacy. But that’s not all. Hawthorne can compound prescriptions for you or your loved one, and they can even help with family medicine and medical equipment for your home. That’s because they’ve been the first name in pharmacies since 1949.

Honorable Mentions: Medicine Mart Pharmacy, True Pharmacy

Best Physical Therapy Practice — Ascent Total Performance

Runner-Up: Pinnacle Physical Therapy & Personal Training

Got a nagging injury that you need to rehab, or a part of your body that’s sore and needs some TLC? Ascent Total Performance gets you healed up right. They can work on ACL tears, arthritis issues, balance and gait disorders, elbow, wrist and hand pain, foot or ankle pain, shoulder injuries and much more.

Honorable Mentions: Salerno Sports Therapy, EQ Fitness and Physical Therapy

Best Piercing Studio — Immaculate Body Piercing

Runner-Up: The Piercing Parlor

Take a look at that lonely earring or that despondent nose ring. Those poor accessories need company! It’s time to add some body modifications, and Immaculate Body Piercing is the place to do it. They stock a wide variety of top-notch jewelry from Anatometal, BVLA, Neometal, Industrial Strength, Pupil Hall, Alchemy Adornment, LeRoi, Body Gems, Modern Mood, Junipurr, Buddha Jewelry and more.

Honorable Mentions: RAW Body Piercing, Hiz & Herz Piercing Lounge

Best Pilates — Club Pilates

Runner-Up: The Pilates Sculpt Studio

How could Club Pilates NOT be the best place in town for pilates? They’ve formed a CLUB! Club Pilates has classes for everyone, from an easy-going 30-minute Intro class to the tougher Reformer Flow and Cardio Sculpt programs. And if you just need to tone up, the Control and Suspend classes will be right up your alley.

Honorable Mentions: Powerhouse Pilates, Level Fitness Studio

Best Place To Be Born — Lexington Medical Center

Runner-Up: Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Hospital

Ok, you don’t technically choose where you’re going to be born, and sometimes your parents don’t, either. But Lexington Medical Center is where most people in the Midlands would want to enter this world. And judging by their other Best of Columbia appearances this year, that makes total sense; people trust Lexington Medical Center.

Honorable Mentions: Prisma Health Baptist, Prisma Health Richland Hospital

Best Plastic Surgery Clinic — Plastic Surgery Consultants

Runner-Up: Carlin Plastic Surgery

Whether it’s an elective surgery to get you feeling confident, or work to repair what may have been lost in an accident, Plastic Surgery Consultants is the place to go for transformation. Whether you’re looking for facial, breast or body procedures, there are experts on hand to make you look your best. And gentlemen, they have similar services for you, as well.

Honorable Mentions: Dr. Leppard, Carolinas Dermatology, Lefkowitz Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics

Best Tattoo Artist — Stephanie Melora

Runner-Up: Wayne Munn

Getting a tattoo is a fun idea, but it’s serious business. This is going to be on your skin forever, so you want it done right. Her Southern Cypress Tattoo shop awaits in Five Points for your most creative designs or meaningful words. And you’ll have no regrets afterwards.

Honorable Mentions: Robby Justice, Justice Ink Tattoos, Matthew Toto Davis

Best Tattoo Studio — Ophidian Tattoo

Runner-Up: Binge Ink

If you’ve got a tattoo design idea that’s a little off the beaten path, Ophidian Tattoo might be the perfect spot for you. Founded in 2020 by Shannon Purvis Barron and Chelsea Owen, Ophidian is a women-owned shop that prioritizes comfort, inclusivity and artistry. They pride themselves on being an untraditional tattoo shop, and their all-women team is top-notch.

Honorable Mentions: Robby Justice, Justice Ink Tattoos, HWY 1 Tattoo Co.

Best Urgent Care — Lexington Medical Center

Runner-Up: Prisma Health Urgent Care Columbia

Once again, Lexington Medical Center is the first name on people’s lips in the medical care field. This time, our readers chose Lexington Medical Center as their preferred urgent care facility. That means for anything from minor injuries to serious infections or illnesses, the most trusted name remains the same.

Honorable Mentions: Veritas, MedCare

Best Waxing Studio — Wax Therapy

Runner-Up: Brazilian Wax & Spa by Claudia Harbison

Since it seems like swimsuit season runs year round now, it might be a good idea to have Wax Therapy on your speed-dial. LeAnn Hampton, the founder of Wax Therapy, is a skincare enthusiast with advanced expertise in body waxing. A native of Columbia, she combines this know-how with personalized service, ensuring every client leaves feeling confident and rejuvenated.

Honorable Mentions: Fiddlefig Day Spa, Wicked Esthetics

Best Yoga Studio — Studio Fire

Runner-Up: Level Fitness Studio

If someone’s telling you to loosen up, perhaps they just mean it’s time to grab that mat and get back into yoga. And Studio Fire is the best place to do that. Studio Fire offers an all-encompassing instruction model, offering group fitness and classes using vinyasa yoga, sculpt, hiit, dance cardio, resistance training, stretch and breathwork. Namaste right here at Studio Fire.

Honorable Mentions: Fit Columbia, Rooted Yoga