Acupuncture for Piriformis Syndrome

My husband and I were trying for over a year to get pregnant without success. I was seeing an acupuncturist at the time but nothing was happening. We both starting seeing Monica and within 3 months, I was pregnant! Now we eagerly await the birth of our first child.

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 came to Seattle Acupuncture seeking help with high cholesterol and to avoid the common practice by traditional medicine of treating the problem by prescribing statin drugs. Since seeing Monica over the past year for acupuncture and Chinese herbal supplements, I am pleased to report that my cholesterol is now down over 20 points overall and the particle numbers (a more significant indicator as determined by an NMR test) have also come down 200 points. These are very positive result! Also, new research shows many negative outcomes for post-menepausal women who take statins, which confirms my reluctance to treat the problem with traditional medicine. I am optimistic that continued treatments with Monica will bring even greater positive results.

After a painful fall a few years ago, I acquired back issues. On top of that, I tried for a few years to conceive. I’ve tried many different things to help with both issues to no avail. I knew I needed a change and so I expanded my research and found Monica. Whenever I meet with Monica, she always spends time to discuss how I am and, more importantly, how she will be treating me and why. Monica’s attentiveness, along with the confidence I’ve gained from her knowledge and skills, has allowed me to relax and my treatments to become effective. Thanks Monica! I'm happy to say that after a month and a half of treatment, I found out I’m pregnant and feel blessed with the path that has lead me to this place. I cannot wait to meet my baby soon!

As a retired ballet dancer, I have suffered through a lot of lower back and neck pain as I age. I still enjoy taking ballet class and the treatments I receive from Monica have not only helped to relieve the chronic pain, but also are helping to restore some of the flexibility I have lost over the years. Monica’s background in dance is an added plus as she understands dancers, and athletes for that matter.

Monica is very thorough in her assessments at visits, going over current conditions and keeping track of progress made from past visits. She explains the treatment plan for the session and the reasoning behind the placement of needles as well as the larger, long-term needs and benefits of the treatment plan.

I would recommend Monica to anyone seeking acupuncture, particularly those who are dealing with sports-related (or dance-related) issues. She is thorough and thoughtful and I really value what her treatment has given me back in terms of my ability to still be able to dance and enjoy doing so.

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!

I've found that acupuncture, coupled with herb supplements that Monica recommended, have helped treat and control psoriasis in surprising ways. I had tried various steroid- based traditional treatments from my doctor, and they're pricey and not very effective. Psoriasis isn't something 'curable,' but acupuncture and herb treatment has greatly reduced my skin issues and has been abundantly helpful.

When I have been in the early stages of a cold, Monica has treated me and collapsed the cold to be short and mild. It is a great relief to know the misery of a cold, that used to seem inevitable, can -- with Monica's special acupuncture treatments -- be derailed and I can get back to an active life.

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!