Acupuncture treatments for me are working

In January 2006 I underwent a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass at Kaiser Hospital in South San Francisco. The pre screening, counseling and ultimately the surgery went according to plan and was very successful. It probably saved my life due to the morbidities I was dealing with. And “yes”, I would recommend this procedure to others if they had the right reasons. And “yes”, I would recommend the Kaiser team there to friends and family.

Unfortunately when I awoke from surgery I felt a very uncomfortable pain in my left shoulder. It has taken me all this time to finally get some type of real relief. Medical doctors have prescribed Salsalate, Lyrica, Vicodin, Tramadol, Celexa and other OTC INSIDS. All of these would provide a temporary solution but the pain always seemed to return. One MD advised me I had minor RA in my shoulders confirmed the diagnosis with a scan and surgery was advised. I was at wits end! I did not want additional surgeries.

Reading on the web, I discovered other Post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients were experiencing similar shoulder and neck pain. I am not sure there is a solid connection between the two but to me it is just too coincidental. I was tired of sleeping in the chair at night since every time I would lie down in bed the chronic pain would return. My life was hell.

Browsing on the web for alternative solutions I located Steve Phillips and emailed him for his advice. My first acupuncture treatment provided immediate relief that evening. Followed by sessions every 2 to 3 weeks my pain level has dropped considerably. As of this testimonial I am now on 4 week cycles. And I am not taking any of the drugs I was previously taking for pain control. I have continued the use of Trazadone to help me sleep since my sleep patterns were all out of sync.

I plan to continue to receive my acupuncture treatments and manage my chronic pain, and not let the pain killers manage me. Acupuncture treatments for me are working and I am not reluctant to refer anyone to Steve or his peers around the country.

This last weekend I actually did yard work, no pain and I was able to get a good night’s rest.

Thanks Steve…

Bruce Borton
Citrus Heights, CA

Treated (for): Shoulder Pain, Pain Management