I am a young woman who has suffered with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia for over three years. Over that time I've been on methotrexate, steroids, Enbrel, and a variety of other medications to try to help control my condition, none of which have been particularly successful.
I never bought into the idea that rheumatoid arthritis was a lifetime sentence. And I've been trying to heal myself for the entire three years. I had some success with changing my diet, exercise, and lifestyle. I stopped having flare ups when I stopped eating wheat for instance. I had also been able to get off the enbrel shots when I started drinking green drinks and cut out several other foods I found affected my joints.
However, I wasn't seeing any more results with diet alone, and decided to try acupuncture at Steve's office.
I went into his office with daily, constant pain. I could barely use my elbows and my knees and back would occasionally act up as well. I was taking 7 methotrexate (a high dose according to my rheumatologist) and getting occasional shots in various joints to try and lessen the swelling.
The first time I went in, I was a bit nervous - even though I'd had an acupuncture treatment once before. But Steve was relaxed, knowledgeable, and had such an easy way about him, that the feeling quickly passed. The treatment itself was much simpler and less involved than I'd expected - just a few needles I could barely feel. But I left feeling relaxed, calm, and less stressed than I'd felt in several months.
I would like to say that healing of my joints was instant, that all the pain went away immediately, but that's not exactly how it worked for me. I can say that that even with the first treatment, I did feel like something had shifted in my body, but the change in my joints took a few sessions.
The healing of my joints was gradual, a process I didn't even realize was happening until it had come. By about the third week, I started to notice I felt lighter, my back didn't act up as much, my elbows straightened out a bit more. Not only did my joints begin to improve, but I felt more clear headed, and more at ease.
The second month only got better. My joints started straightening out completely, I stopped having chronic inflammation in my elbows, and my pain was becoming less in weekly stages. I even called up my rheumatologist and asked if I could lower the dose of methotrexate somewhat. Slowly and surely my energy, my hopefulness, and my vibrance was coming back. I felt as if I'd been given a new lease on life.
I'm at the end of my third month of treatment now, and feeling better than ever. I'm now down to taking only three methotrexate, and wouldn't be surprised if I am able to stop taking it entirely over the next few months. I haven't had a day in the last month that I couldn't use my elbows and I have had no inflamed joints since starting the treatment. My days of getting shots to correct inflammation are over.
I have been so impressed with Steve's wisdom and his healing ability that I've even decided to become an acupuncturist myself.I have been given a gift that's value can not be summed up with words. But for those of you who understand what living with rheumatoid arthritis means, perhaps this will do: The pain is gone.
Steve has given me back my life, both physically and spiritually, I can't truly repay that gift, but perhaps one day I can pay it forward and help others in the same way.
Thanks,
Amanda
Trigger Point Specialist Extraordinaire is how I think of Steve Phillips. My first visit to the Acupuncture Clinic brought relief. I had been off from work for nearly three months with muscle strain/tendon pain in my forearms. Virtually complete rest of the forearms was the prescription for curing this problem and although helpful did not get me to the point of returning to work. Since I am in front of a computer all day I could not do my job or much of anything else that required use of my forearms, which is just about anything. I discovered through Steve there are trigger points in the forearms and once the trigger points are targeted, the acupuncture does its magic. I was so very happy to return to work and I truly attribute this to finding this miraculous treatment and the very kind and caring specialist who administers the care. Thank you so very much, Steve.
Joan
Steve,
I really hate needles! That tells you how difficult it was for me to go to an Acupuncturist.
My husband had gone to Steve Phillips with great success, so I gave him a try. I had tennis elbow and was in a lot of pain. After five visits, the pain was gone and it never came back. My next visit, some years later, was for shoulder pain on one side and arm pain on the other side. I waited three months to call Steve. By that time, the pain was severe. Again, five visits and it was gone.
I am now seeing him for lower back pain. I have no doubt that it will gone soon.
I have recommended Steve to several friends. They have also been relieved of their pain.
I still hate needles, but continue to go to Steve for permanent relief of my aches.
—Evelyn J.
I am writing this sincere and thankful endorsement of acupuncture treatment in general and Steve Phillips in particular. I began my treatment nearly a year ago for unremitting pain in my right forearm and elbow area that had originated about four months earlier as a result of a lifting injury. Visits with my primary care doctor and medications had not resulted in any significant improvement in my pain level or return of function. Steve was able to provide pain relief after just one visit and within about 3 to 4 treatments the pain was entirely gone. As my elbow treatment was occurring, I had a recurrence of some back pain that was related to a disc compression and sciatica nerve related pain. Steve was able to begin treating this back pain as he was completing the treatment for the elbow. Because these two treatments were so successful and helpful to me, I asked Steve to work on other pain issues in my shoulders with excellent results. The most recent treatments Steve has provided are focused on Carpal Tunnel issues that have developed over the last year. Acupuncture treatment has succeeded in addressing this condition as well. In addition to the acupuncture, Steve offered suggestions such as specific stretching exercises which were helpful in preventing a return of the pain issues in my shoulders, elbow, arms, and wrists.
Steve is an exceptionally knowledgeable practitioner of Acupuncture who has a very professional manner that inspires trust and confidence. His training, his confidence in the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment, and his genuine interest in the overall well being of his clients are all key aspects of his successful treatments. He is an excellent listener who gives his full attention to each person who consults him for assistance. He has the ability to answer questions in a comprehensive and understandable manner that lets his clients know that he has clearly understood their concerns and that encourages the type of additional discussion that enhances treatment decisions and effectiveness.
Finally, Steve offered numerous recommendations that have assisted me in altering my lifestyle in ways that have enabled me to begin losing weight and to eat in a manner that is much healthier. One extremely positive outcome of following Steve's advice and guidance in lifestyle changes has been significantly improved management of my diabetes reflected in blood glucose levels that are more frequently in the normal range. In addition, I think the acupuncture treatment has improved my immune system and resistance to illness such as colds and flu caused by viruses.
Steve has been a pleasure to work with in so many ways. He is personable, professional, flexible, friendly, knowledgeable, and wonderfully competent in performing acupuncture treatments for a wide variety of issues. It has been a pleasure to work with such a caring and competent acupuncture provider and I whole-heartedly endorse and recommend him as an exemplary person and acupuncture practitioner.
Stephen Grouell, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
I have been treated with Acupuncture for the past 10 years. I originally started using Acupuncture to help manage the pain from sciatic nerves in my lower back from a disc problem. When my tendonitis in my elbow flared up Acupuncture helped that as well. I suffered a bad fall and broke my tibia and femur; Acupuncture has helped manage the pain that radiates in my knee and leg. Acupuncture even helps with the common cold.
Linda S.
Sacramento
I started seeking alternative treatment for my tendonitis of the elbow which I had substantiated from a work injury. I have tried physical therapy along with a chiropractor in the beginning with no effect. It was acupuncture which helped to relieve my pain. I could feel the improvement after a few treatments. Dr. Phillips, and experienced acupuncturist, came highly recommended by Kaiser Hospital. The treatments were relaxing both mentally and physically. I would highly recommend Doctor Phillips for anyone suffering from chronic pain conditions.
Ken K.
I have been going to Steve Phillips for several years. I am 57 and have found relief for various injuries, including "tennis elbow" and a too-stretched glute muscle.
He has also treated me for allergies, sinus problems, bladder infections and premenstrual symptoms.
Once a month "energy balancing" treatments have helped keep me very healthy for the last few years.
When I was younger and one of my three children experienced continual ear and sinus infections, I grew tired and concerned about all the antibiotics he was consuming. I took him to Dr. Phillips when he was three or four years old. After a year of treatment he has had, to date, no problems. His immune system is very strong and at 18 years of age, he is very healthy.
I cannot recommend Steve Phillips more highly.
I also want to thank him for informing me of acupuncture for age-related problems of the face. It took at least five treatments before I began to notice improvement. But there it was—especially in the texture, the brown lines, and the sagginess of my skin. I had a lapse of treatment for a few months, but my skin seemed to stay firm. I have begun sessions again with Steve for continued improvement.
Diane A.
