Acupuncture for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome/TOS

I had been seeing an acupuncturist for depression, low energy and digestion issues. I was unable to schedule with my regular provider so I made an appointment with Monica. It was life changing. She really took the time to listen to me and about my life. Monica explained, in detail, the theory behind acupuncture and Chinese medicine and how it could be useful specifically for me. The anticipatory guidance she gives before inserting each needle gave me a relaxed and in control feeling. Although I had been getting weekly treatments for 6 months I had never had someone get the QI! This was amazing and took my acupuncture experience to a new level. Soon, thereafter, I had intense stomach pain that I believe to have been associated with my gallstones. I left work to head home but was unable to make it to the bus. I called Monica’s office and although it was the end of the day they told me to come right in. Once there Monica gave me her full attention and began to do an intense treatment. Within twenty minutes I was feeling better. After the treatment was over she had me just relax until my husband was able to drive in to pick me up. My original appointment with Monica was meant to be a stand-in but I have yet to return to the previous provider and consider myself a loyal patient.

Monica-You've done it again! My back is 100% after yesterday’s acupuncture! Thank you!

I recently had a baby and struggled with producing enough milk. I went to see Monica in hopes that acupuncture would be the solution to this most stressful situation. After each acupuncture treatment my breasts were immediately filled with milk. With continued treatment my milk supply has vastly increased and I am not struggling with milk production anymore.

You are the best Monica! Thank You for your continued commitment to patient care.-

I have always had irregular periods and was concerned about the possibility of ever getting pregnant when the time came in my life that I wanted to start a family. I asked each new doctor I saw throughout my late teens and 20's and they all shrugged off my concern, didn't give a good answer, and didn't seem to care. This was very upsetting! So when my husband and I decided it was time to try getting pregnant, I knew that Western medicine was going to be the last resort. My husband had previously seen Monica for back pain and I had heard that acupuncture is good for infertility, so we decided to give it a try and I made an appointment to see her. Monica was so caring and took the time to explain what she was doing since this was all so new to me. I really looked forward to my appointments and enjoyed the time to relax. She suggested two kinds of Chinese herbs that I took at different times during my cycles. I was already charting my temperatures and could see a noticable difference after starting the herbs! After 3 months of acupuncture treatments and herbs, my cycles became regular. Four months later, I'm pregnant!!

As a tennis player and tennis teaching professional my joint health is essential to my ability to stay employed! I went to a podiatrist who misdiagnosed a " foot injury " and wanted to perform surgery which included cutting out part of my sesamoid bone.

Luckily, I went to see an acupuncturist who evaluated me through a thorough physical exam and was able to tell that I had lost cartilage in my joint, which caused a bone collision - which lead to inflammation. After my first treatment I was feeling 80% better.

After my 3rd appointment I was 100%. The acupuncturist explained that my healing process involves better circulation and a natural anti-inflammatory diet along with his deep tissue massage of the foot and the surrounding area from the knee to the calf which would all play a part in better health and functionality of my joints. I recommend acupuncture to all of my students, colleagues in the tennis profession and family members.

I first saw Monica when my ENT sent me for some hearing loss caused by a virus in my ear. I had long since stopped going to acupuncturists because I didn’t like the needles. Monica’s treatments not only improved my hearing, but helped me overcome my aversion to the needles. Monica is a natural healer and is super understanding and gentle with “needle wimps.” She has a special technique for inserting the needles that is way more comfortable. Monica is particularly skilled at explaining Chinese Medicine and acupuncture in terms that people indoctrinated in the Western Medicine approach can readily understand. I’ve also seen her for digestive issues, sleep, bladder infections, and sports injuries. She has been helping me for years, and I would strongly recommend her.

When I began acupuncture, I had an open mind. I also had terrible digestive disorders. Through a regular schedule of accupunture and herbal therapy, the pain and discomfort that was a daily occurance in my life, is now just a memory. Monica has a holistic and realistic approach to wellness. I believe that her style of care allowed my body to heal itself. Receiving accupucture is a commitment I made to myself to realize how well I could be. Not only did it release and direct my body's healing energy, it also helped me to feel a sense of partnership with Monica, a feeling I have rarely had with health care providers. This experience has dramatically improved my life. Thank you!

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.

I started seeing Monica after working with two other acupuncturists for infertility over the course of nine months without any success. She came highly recommended and I was impressed right away with how she explained her philosophy on treating infertility with acupuncture. She put me at ease by giving me practical advice and by explaining why and how she would use each acupuncture point. She also addressed diet and herbs, which were important to me. I left my first treatment feeling encouraged, optimistic, and more cared for than I had with previous practitioners. I started seeing her weekly and was amazed when only two weeks later I was able to shift my care from infertility treatment to maternity treatment! I continued to see her for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, which was extremely helpful both for sustaining the pregnancy and for reducing nausea. I would strongly encourage anyone in a similar situation to seek Monica’s help!