"I had tweaked my back / SI joint 2 weeks ago helping a friend move and from neglecting my daily  core / ab exercises. I called Melissa after 5 days of limited mobility and moderate to severe pain. She scheduled an appointment the next day.

My treatment was acupuncture with electric stimulation, cupping, and massage. Melissa also traced the symptoms to a tight piriformis muscle.

I felt immediate relief from my symptoms, and now 3 days after I feel not only healed, but improved. I just completed a gym workout and my back was not an issue; not even a thought on my mind.

I've received many massages, and they've felt good and were relaxing, but Melissa's was the first therapy treatment that I actually felt was therapeutic. I feel like my back is stronger now.  

She has an excellent grasp of the physical issues posed by my fitness routines (runner and bike racer) and I will go back again soon, because of the real improvement by her treatments."

- Matt S.

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"Melissa is fantastic!  I've had chronic neck and back pain for 20 years (two bulging cervical discs, Degenerative Disc Disease, severe scoliosis with an 8 level spinal fusion, and SI Joint problems). I see a board-certified Pain Management M.D. on a monthly basis, and meds drop my daily pain from an 8+ to around 3.  Rather than have meds affect my concentration, I look to non-med treatments to help with the remaining pain.

I've seen several acupuncturists over the last 10 - 15 years, and I've gotten some amount of relief from all of them, but Melissa's treatment combination is giving me long-term benefits.  

I found Melissa on Yelp when I had had a headache for 3 days.  She was able to fit me in that day, and by the end of that first treatment the headache was gone, and the cycle was broken. It also alleviated some of the pain and muscle spasms in my neck and back that I have on a daily basis, so I'm continuing the treatments, and focusing more on those areas.

Melissa's treatment for me is a combination of acupuncture (with and without electrical stimulation), massage, and cupping. I've done a couple treatments with her at this point, and my neck has gotten loose enough to pop every day. I haven't been able to do this in 6+ years. The acupuncture with e-stim has decreased the pain in my SI joints significantly.  

What chronic pain patients need to understand (if they don't already), is that pain management therapies generally take time and multiple treatments, regardless of whether they are based in traditional or eastern medicine.

Standard physical therapy is usually 2-3 times a week for 4-6 weeks (I've done multiple runs of that with very little relief). It isn't out of line to expect that acupuncture would require more than 4 treatments. For me it's helping after two treatments, but everyone is different.  

As far as the price: my copay for a specialist M.D. is $50 and my copay for one time of bi-lateral SI joint injections that lasted two weeks was $353 (the total to insurance was $1200).  Acupuncture gave me more relief. Your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) might reimburse on acupuncture for medical conditions (mine does).

And if you are afraid of the needles.... get over it.  They are tiny needles, and you really feel very little."

- Dinah S.

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"I have been seeing Melissa for nearly 5 years for massage therapy and was quite pleased when she received her certificate for Chinese medicine/acupuncture, so that I could benefit from the acupuncture therapy as well.  I am a triathlete and bike racer and train 20+ hours a week.  I was seeking out Melissa’s expertise on recovery methods and she suggested the “recovery acupuncture” treatments.  At first I was a little skeptical, but even after the initial treatment, I could tell my energy levels were a bit higher.  After a few more sessions, I noticed more improvement in my recovery and was able to train at higher quality levels than before.  To even test this theory further, I decided not to do treatments for a little over 2 weeks, mainly due to time constraints, but was shortly calling Melissa to get me back on schedule as I had definitely noticed a decrease in my energy levels and I was not recovering as quickly from strenuous workouts.   I recently had another session and was feeling more balanced, energetic and enjoyed a higher quality workout.  I will keep the weekly sessions as part of my recovery routine."

- Cheryl M

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"Just want to say thanks for your perseverance in figuring out what was needed to relieve the pain in my lower back.  Massage over the past weeks was beginning to help with pain that caused many sleepless nights.  But your use of massage, acupuncture and electronic stimulation finally did the trick.  Sleep without waking up due to lower back pain!
 
Thanks again for all your kindhearted attention and help."
 
- Ed C

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"I have had sinus problems and infections for as long as I can remember and was chronic user of OTC medications like Claritin and Zyrtec.  I've know Melissa for a long time as a massage therapist, and decided to give her acupuncture and Chinese herbs a try.

I was truly amazed at the results!  I began treatment on 07-07-09 (at the tale end of an infection) and had seven weekly treatments plus herbal supplements since.  The infection went away (without antibiotics) and I have been off Zyrtec for about 2 months and have have no significant reoccurrence.  Now I am on maintenance for acupuncture, taking the herbs as needed, and I'm looking forward to continued wellness."
 
- Marsha S.

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"Melissa, I can't thank you enough for all your support, you're truly amazing and I will continue to recommend you to anyone who lives in South Denver because your services and accommodation with my 2 session has helped a great deal and I can only imagine in time how much we can accomplish with the rest.
 
Again, thank you kindly for your support!"
 
- Desiree A.

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