Acupuncture for Rheumatoid Arthritis

I recently had a ganglion cyst near my wrist and went to see Monica for treatment. As a percussionist, I count on the health of my hands, wrists, and arms to be able to play so it was really important to me. Monica was very professional and reassured me that acupuncture could help me. Two treatments later, the cyst was gone and has not returned! I would recommend Monica without hesitation and have continued to see her for general health and wellness.

I've suffered from chronic neck pain for many years. Since all my previous treatments didn't seem to help, I decided to try acupuncture. After a few treatments with Monica, I began to feel better. I continued to see her for several months. My neck pain has diminished; I have more energy and a more positive outlook toward my health and well being. I not only like Monica's holistic approach, but her gentle and caring nature with a keen ear for listening. I was extremely afraid of needles and now I look forward to my treatments! Thanks Monica!

My good friend recommended Monica to treat my increased PMS symptoms-- extreme irritability, emotional swings, etc. Since my physician frustratingly advised more hormones to treat my hormonal fluctuations, I decided to meet with Monica to learn more about acupuncture. At my first appointment, Monica patiently and kindly listened to all of my questions and hesitations, including the often-asked: Will it hurt? It didn’t -- and I’ve continued to seek treatment from Monica for months now, with a personalized schedule based on my cycles. My PMS mood swings have stabilized and have greatly reduced, barely registering each month since I’ve begun treatment. Additionally, Monica has been treating my torn ACL as well, and I’m now able to run and participate in activities that were unthinkable prior to my acupuncture treatments. Each time I see Monica, she makes me feel like I am her most important client I and can’t recommend her thoughtful and personalized approach more.

I suffered a rotator cuff impingement, and physical therapy wasn't helping -- in fact, it seemed to make it worse. I decided to try acupuncture, and the results were really surprising. After 3 treatments, I recovered movement in my shoulder, and the pain greatly decreased. Six treatments later, my shoulder feels fantastic, and it functions normally again. It's been a great way to heal and recover.

What years of traditional medicine and hormone replacement therapy couldn't help (hot flashes & night sweats), Monica and acupuncture improved literally overnight. My life-long insomnia and sleep problem has been eliminated in only a couple of months. I have an improved quality of life both physically, and emotionally. Monica is a physician and a therapist rolled into one.

I found out I was pregnant February 2007. My husband and I were thrilled. Sadly I lost that pregnancy at 15 weeks. We were devastated. After a few months I fell pregnant again but sadly it was an ectopic pregnancy and we had to terminate it. We then tried for about a year without success. Finally 13 months after my last loss I realized I was expecting once again but again I suffered another miscarriage. About this time I learned from a friend with fertility issues that she was able to conceive and carry a full term pregnancy after undergoing acupuncture treatment. So even before I got pregnant for a 4th time I went to see Monica. I am really glad I did. I fell pregnant a lot quicker after I started acupuncture and I had weekly treatments throughout the first trimester. I believe it made all the difference for me. I experienced an uneventful pregnancy for the first time and my son Nicholas was born January 2010!

When I first met Monica, I was new to acupuncture, but desperate for help with chronic migraines. I received treatment weekly for several months, and was very pleased, both with the outcome (dramatic reduction in frequency) and Monica’s approach as a whole. Monica’s bedside manner is wonderful, she is calm and kind, takes time to ask questions, and will adapt her plan for treatment to incorporate additional ailments (ie adding an additional site for stress or congestion). Much to my surprise, I often fell asleep during the treatment and enjoyed a deep relaxation. 

As I was preparing for the birth of my daughter, my doula suggested acupuncture as a way to prep the body for labor. Excited by this prospect, and encouraged that acupuncture is one of the only treatments that has been researched and shown effective, I again sought Monica’s help. I found the sessions relaxing and Monica graciously offered additional support and resources for pregnancy, the post-partum period, and breastfeeding. The plan was to start gentle labor preparations at 36 weeks, and move to more active preparation/induction if it became necessary. This round of acupuncture was a quick one, as I only made it to 2 visits before labor began all on its own... a healthy 2 weeks early :)  I’ve been quite pleased with the care and treatment I have received from Monica over the years. I have highly recommended her to friends and clients, and will continue to return to Monica myself as need.

My husband and I had been trying to conceive for over a year.  When we first moved to Seattle last fall, I found the Downtown Seattle Acupuncture website and read about the benefits of acupuncture for fertility.  I went to see Monica for about a month of treatment, and then I got pregnant!  It happened fairly quickly. Thank you so much Monica!

If you have not tried acupuncture then you are truly missing out on better health. I was asked by my doctor if I would like to try acupuncture. They could not help the pain I was having and I could hardly walk. I had to really think about it for a while because I thought needles weren't for me, but I was in so much pain that I decided to try acupuncture at least one time.

After the first visit I was so impressed: would you believe that I can even go to sleep while having the treatment? I feel so much better after an acupuncture treatment that I have continued going because Monica has also worked on other parts of my body (arms, shoulders, hips) for better health. (Note: this patient has received bi-weekly acupuncture treatments since 2002.)

Monica and her office staff are so nice that it is a pleasure to go. Monica is so gentle and kind and really listens to you. She has even called me at home to check up on me when I have been ill. I have never had that kindness from a doctor before. I could go on more but I will end in saying that everyone should try acupuncture at least once!