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
Although I am only in my early 50's, my arthritis problems started about 10 years ago and significantly worsened over the past year. Most significantly affected were my knees, ankles and wrists/hands. After being told by a physician that I "just have to learn to live with arthritis", I decided to try acupuncture.
I have been receiving treatments from Steve for several months. I didn't notice that much difference after the first two treatments, but I was amazed at my improvement after the third treatment. The pain and stiffness in my knees completely disappeared. Over the next treatments, my ankles and wrists significantly improved, as well. At this point, I am not taking any pain medications for my arthritis and I can say I am mostly pain-free. I don't know how it works, but it does.
I would highly recommend Steve's acupuncture skills and acupuncture in general. My results are far beyond what I expected and I am very grateful.
Michelle Turner
Steve Phillips has applied acupuncture on me many times for my knee arthritis, hay fever, and other health issues. He has helped me more than the other acupuncturists that I have been to.
He is kind and also uses TLC to work on his patients.
I enjoy my visits and we joke sometimes. I highly recommend him.
Kaye
My name is Mary Overton and I'm 59 years old. In June 2001, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.
In the last 9 years I have taken pain medication, injections to my spine and I've also had two knee operations, Every day I live with pain in several parts of my body. The pain has also caused my blood pressure to rise to alarming heights.
I have been concerned about taking all the medications prescribed to me and possibly causing damage to various organs. I decided to talk to someone in the physical medicine department at my local hospital. I learned that my hospital no longer offers acupuncture to patients seeking long term treatment. So I decided to seek treatment outside of my medical facility and I received a referral to Steve Phillips, M.A., L.Ac.
I've been receiving acupuncture treatments once a week, one hour per session, for six months now. I've had great success and feel that I have already met my goals of taking less medicine and feeling more energized. I'm living with less pain and am a lot happier in my life.
I would highly recommend that if you're experiencing these types of illnesses. Please seek help and strongly consider acupuncture as an alternative to conventional medication. I'm sure you'll be as pleased as I was with the results.
If you're looking for a professional, understanding and dedicated acupuncturist, I strongly recommend Steve Phillips. He has done wonders for me. Thank you Steve for helping me feel better.
Sincerely, Mary Overton
My first few visits to see Steve were initially to work on lowering my blood pressure. As he began to question me about any further complaints, I revealed my most recent bouts with recurring pain and stiffness in my knees due to what my doctor has diagnosed as arthritis. After just a few treatments, targeting not only my blood pressure but also my knees—what a difference!
Before, I was not able to get up and down from a chair or in and out of my car without discomfort. I can now do so easily and am now beginning to take short walks without a backlash of pain. I so appreciate his level of skill and knowledge. Thank you, Steve.
Mary Olsen
Steve Phillips has performed acupuncture for me for many years treating the osteoarthritis in both shoulders which has eroded the cartilage in the shoulder joints.
This condition creates pain from the right elbow to the left causing pain across my shoulders, into my neck, and creates great difficulty in performing many tasks of daily living.
The acupuncture treatments aid greatly in the control of pain, allowing me to live a fuller life despite the problems caused by the osteoarthritis.
Steve also treats other bodily conditions arising from use and abuse related to activity stemming from my profession as a registered nurse and activity of daily living.
I highly recommend Steve to perform acupuncture for the myriad of bodily problems occurring from daily life, to enjoy relief of pain, release of tension, reduction of stress level, and overall bodily rejuvenation.
Lois Mikelson, R.N., M.F.C.C., Ph. D, and Reiki Master
It is with pleasure that I am writing this testimonial regarding Steve Phillips. I have known him for several years and have come to respect him greatly.
He has done wonders for my back that had been injured years ago in a car accident. He has also helped my osteoarthritis. Steve has proven to be good at everything he tackles.
I can honestly say that Steve is the best acupuncturist I have ever met. Being a nutritionist and having been all over the world, I have come in contact with many in this field. His great knowledge has come from studying abroad in other countries, including China.
Steve is well versed in bodily ailments as well as supplements and other herbal solutions.
For anyone seeking help in the field of acupuncture and herbal medicine, Steve would be the number one choice.
Sincerely, Lois W., age 91
Over the past several years, I experienced continual pain in my hands from arthritis in my thumbs and two "trigger fingers" on each hand. The medical term for this is stenosing tenosynovitis and it causes the fingers to lock up when flexing. I tried cortisone shots with no relief and surgery was the next step. I was resigned to living with pain until my husband suggested I try acupuncture. After a couple of months of weekly visits with Steve, the fingers no longer triggered and the pain in my thumbs disappeared. I am now a strong advocate of acupuncture.
Pat B.
I want to say that I was skeptical about acupuncture at first. I'd been in medical training where we had to practice injections on our classmates, and I don't mind telling you that it hurt sometimes. The idea of putting needles in me all over the body was not what I was looking forward to.
I received a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia years ago and work with constant aching pain all over the body with this there are daily headaches for me. Then recently I was diagnosed with bilateral hip arthritis and bursitis and had trouble walking. This last diagnosis was the final straw for me and I called Steve in desperation. After about 6 treatments, I am walking well (unless I sit too long but it's not as long to get up as it was). The Fibromyalgia pain has lessened and the flairs that I have had are not as bad nor last as long as they did before. AND I now have the occasional headache that lasts for a day maybe and is easily treated with a Tylenol or aspirin. (before these OTCs would just take the edge of the pain away). The intensity being less than 1/2 of the original headaches.
I am definitely a convert for acupuncture!!! Thank You Steve for showing me what it can do.
Steve, I hope this is what you were looking for! and the best thing… it's all the truth.
Karen Goldsmith, C.M.T.
In 2004 I began acupuncture treatments with Steve Phillips for muscle pains related to arthritis in my leg and hip. Very often I have limped into his office, and then walked out as if there had never had a problem. During those visits he would often treat a stiff neck as well as a sore thumb which was interfering with piano performances.
Sometimes he has combined treatments for carpal tunnel with a basic energy treatment which has never failed to improve my spirits. Presently, he is treating me for IBS symptoms and there has been much improvement in just three sessions. In addition, after a recent total hip replacement, he is treating my lower back (sacroiliac joint) and helping my knees to recover from misalignment pains which resulted from compensating for that worn out hip.
I am very grateful to Steve for taking away so much pain and diminishing the need for medication, and for doing so with good humor, a very caring heart, and much professionalism.
Many thanks, Steve…
Linda D., age 66
Testimonial for Steve Phillips
I have been seeing Steve for several years for treatment of arthritis in my left ankle, right knee, both thumbs and lower back. In addition, he keeps my Sacramento allergies at bay by treating my sinuses.
I firmly believe that the acupuncture treatments have helped to keep my arthritic joints moving so that I can swim, do aerobic exercises and lift weights with little discomfort. I am sure that left untreated, my joints would freeze up and leave me very unhappy.
Steve and I have many great intellectual discussions and some that are less intellectual, and there are some that are, as he said last week, "a poke and a joke." My appointments with Steve go by very quickly, either because we are talking or because I feel safe and relaxed enough to take a quick nap.
I would not hesitate to recommend Steve to anyone for acupuncture treatment.
Virginia E. Maulfair, Ed.D.
For many years I suffered from severe allergies that would last for months. No medicine or over the counter drug could relieve my symptoms. In desperation, I decided to visit Steve Phillips and try acupuncture. After receiving one treatment from Steve, my symptoms went away within one week! I have also used acupuncture for relieving knee and hand arthritis, with great results! Regardless of what ailment I have, Steve always prescribes the right acupuncture treatment, which enables me to stay healthy and physically active at age 52. I have and will continue to refer people to Steve, so that they may experience the same benefits I have from his quality care. Thanks again Steve!
Dan B.
Sacramento, California
Acupuncture has helped me immensely with ongoing chronic health issues. The treatments provide me with significant relief from arthritis by improving mobility and joint stiffness. I have also experienced relief from sinus discomfort. Acupuncture, with its gentle and natural approach, gives me a peaceful sense of well-being.
I recommend that people give acupuncture treatments a try and see for themselves the benefits.
Geri M.
