Success Stories
Very often, the first question prospective patients ask is, Can you effectively treat my condition? The following stories speak to our ability to successfully provide our patients with the relief, comfort, and hope they deserve.
Controlling Severe Pain and Menstrual Bleeding in a 40-year-old Adenomyosis Patient
Condition: 40-year-old woman with a diagnosis of adenomyosis, endometriosis, and PCOS who was complaining of severe lower abdominal pain (8-9/10) with heavy, prolonged periods, up to 25 days. When she began treatment with us, she had been to see both her OBGYN and a gastroenterologist, and another acupuncturist who were not able to offer her much in the way of successful treatment. Her OBGYN was advocating a partial hysterectomy, which she was hoping to avoid so that she could have another child.
Treatment: Our primary goal was to immediately control the pain and stop the severe bleeding that was leaving her anemic and very weak. We began with treatment 2 times per week using electro-acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine every day.
Results: After the first 3 electro-acupuncture treatments, her pain levels went from 8-9/10 to 3/10, and after the 5th treatment, she no longer complained of pain. We used the herbal medicine to focus on controlling her heavy bleeding. After 1 week on herbs, her bleeding stopped completely, and after another 3 weeks, she had a normal period with moderate bleeding and only mild cramping pain. Her period only lasted 5 days total. We have been working together now for 4 months and have restored a normal menstrual cycle, and her latest ultrasound showed that her enlarged uterus has reduced by 25% in size.
Preparation and Recovery For Spinal Fusion Surgery in 76 Year-Old Woman
Condition: In early 2025, a 76-year-old woman came to our clinic complaining of severe back and leg pain that prevented her from walking for more than a few minutes or from being able to work as a quilting artist. She had a diagnosis of severe scoliosis of the lower 10 vertebrae that had resulted in many disc herniations that were compressing nerves in her spine. Although she was in severe pain and was experiencing loss of function in her legs, she was adamant about avoiding spinal surgery. She had used acupuncture in the past for pain, and she was hopeful that we could help her restore function and eliminate her pain.
Treatment: We began with an aggressive treatment plan of electroacupuncture 2 times per week, Tui Na medical massage weekly, and Chinese herbal medicine in addition to physical therapy exercises that she did at home. After 8 weeks of this plan, she began to make significant strides toward regaining leg strength, climbing stairs in her home again, and reducing her pain. We moved on to a plan of electroacupuncture 1 time per week for 12 weeks, Tui Na medical massage once every 2 weeks, and continued Chinese herbal medicine.
Results: After 6 months of combined treatments, she had made significant progress in reducing her pain, increasing her leg strength, and returning to creating her art. However, upon reviewing her latest MRI, it became clear that the damage to her spine and the resulting nerve compression was just too severe to be fully healed by acupuncture alone. We counseled her to reconsider the proposed spinal fusion surgery while she was still young and strong enough to make a full recovery. We recommended an ongoing treatment plan that would continue to control her pain and improve her leg strength to give her the best chance of a quick recovery after surgery. In December 2025, she underwent surgery on her spine, which resulted in the fusion of 10 vertebrae with over 60 screws and 4 rods to support her spine. Amazingly, after surgery, she was up and walking unaided after only 2 weeks and returned to our clinic in 4 weeks for treatment to aid in her recovery. She reported only needing opioid painkillers for the first 2 days after surgery and then only needed Tylenol for another 2 weeks to help with the pain. She drove herself to her first appointment back at our clinic and got on and off the table without assistance. Her doctors were amazed at the speed of her recovery. She was very thankful that we had convinced her to finally consider the spinal surgery and wished she had done it years earlier. We continue to treat her as part of her ongoing recovery.
Treating Hot Flashes and Insomnia Without Hormone Replacement Therapy
Condition: A 57-year-old woman was experiencing hot flashes, with a recent increase in both intensity and frequency. She was waking 3–4 times each night, drenched in sweat and struggling with extreme heat. During the day, she experienced 3–5 hot flashes, which were more manageable but still disruptive. Because of a family history, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was not a suitable option.
Treatment: The treatment plan consisted of weekly acupuncture sessions combined with Chinese herbal medicine over six weeks.
Results: After six weeks, her nighttime hot flashes decreased to twice per night, with less severe sweating, and she reported feeling more rested. She continued herbal treatment alongside monthly acupuncture for an additional three months. By the end of this period, she was free from hot flashes both day and night and was discharged from care. Three months later, she returned with a mild recurrence of hot flashes. One month of herbal therapy resolved her symptoms, and she has remained hot-flash-free since.
Supporting Recovery and Enhanced Quality of Life After Breast Cancer
Condition: A 45-year-old female, a longtime fertility patient, was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer and tested positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation. She underwent a double mastectomy followed by radiation therapy.
Treatment: Her treatment goals included managing post-surgical pain, reducing side effects of radiation such as hot flashes and night sweats, and addressing the emotional challenges of coping with a cancer diagnosis. The treatment plan incorporated acupuncture, Tui Na Massage, and cupping therapy.
Results: Now more than one year cancer-free, the patient recently underwent breast reconstructive surgery. Current treatments focus on restoring full mobility of the arms and torso, as well as using acupuncture to improve the appearance and healing of surgical scars.
Enhancing Ovarian Response in a 37-Year-Old IVF Patient
Condition: We began working with a 37-year-old patient who came to us during her third IVF egg retrieval cycle. Her previous two retrievals had each produced only one egg – and unfortunately, neither resulted in a viable embryo. Preparing for her final retrieval covered by insurance, she now wanted to give herself the best possible chance. New to acupuncture, she decided to try it as part of a last, all-in effort.
Treatment: Our goal was clear: to increase her ovarian response and improve her chances of producing viable eggs. We began treatment with acupuncture twice a week for one month, leading up to her stimulation cycle, then continued with weekly sessions throughout the retrieval process.
Results: By the time of retrieval, she had developed three follicles – two of which were mature and viable. Both fertilized, and one developed into a healthy, transferable embryo. She continued weekly acupuncture through her first embryo transfer, which was successful. That embryo became her healthy baby boy.
Achieving a Healthy, Full-Term Pregnancy After Recurrent Miscarriage and Infertility
Condition: A 38-year-old woman came to the clinic after struggling with infertility and two heartbreaking miscarriages. She had previously worked with other acupuncturists but hadn’t seen success, and by the time she arrived, she was understandably anxious, afraid to hope, and afraid that another pregnancy might end in loss.
Treatment: Her goal was simple but deeply emotional – to conceive and carry a healthy baby to term. We established a treatment plan of weekly acupuncture sessions, which she continued throughout her pregnancy.
Results: About six weeks into care, she became pregnant. The pregnancy was relatively uneventful – she experienced some morning sickness and digestive discomfort in the first trimester, which acupuncture helped to manage effectively. At 34 weeks, her baby was in a breech position. We taught her how to use moxibustion at home, and she was able to turn the baby safely before delivery.
Improving Physical Symptoms and Emotional Well-Being After A Car Accident
Conditions: A 58-year-old female patient sought treatment following a severe motor vehicle accident that resulted in significant head trauma and neck injury. In the months after the accident, she developed panic attacks and intense anxiety, especially triggered by leaving her home or driving. These symptoms severely impacted her daily life: she was unable to work, drive, or perform routine tasks like grocery shopping or visiting friends. Additionally, she suffered from severe post-concussion headaches, nightmares, and radiating pain from her neck down to her hands. She had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Treatment: We employed a patient-centered, gradual approach to acupuncture and integrative therapies to treat the patient’s complex post-traumatic conditions. When she first came to the clinic, she was fearful of needles and worried about experiencing panic attacks during treatment. To accommodate her anxiety, we initially used gentle needling techniques, gradually helping her become comfortable enough to receive full acupuncture sessions lasting about one hour.
Results: Following a few sessions, her needle-related anxiety dissipated, allowing for more comprehensive treatments. Over the course of nearly one year, she made significant progress toward reducing panic attacks, managing headaches and nightmares, and minimizing neck pain. She now continues maintenance treatments every few months to manage occasional increases in discomfort.
Results achieved are on a case by case basis and are no guarantee of success for all patients or conditions treated. We can make no guarantees of success and none is implied.