- David Lee Acupuncture Clinic166 N. Moorpark Rd.
Suite # 201
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360805-497-6200
Uncategorized
FREE Acupuncture Q & A Workshop
Have you benefited from acupuncture treatments but still aren’t sure how it works? Are you interested in Oriental medicine but want more information before getting treatment?
Whether you are a self-taught expert or inquisitive novice, Dr. Lee invites you to the Q & A Workshop. Speak directly with Dr. David Lee and associate Dr. Cheol Kim as they answer your questions about acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Light refreshments will be provided. Sign up today at the clinic, call 805-497-6200, or send an email to contact@davidleeacupuncture.com. Bring your friends!
Date and Time: Every Thursday 6:00 – 6:40pm
Clinic Location: 166 North Moorpark Road, #201
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Dr. Lee’s Case Study #24: Shoulder and Arm Pain
Patient: Female, age 56
Complaints: Chronic left shoulder pain with boxing as a hobby and dog walking as a profession.
Treatment Process: The patient had noticed slight improvement with the first treatment until the second visit 5 days later. The same acupuncture points were repeated on the second visit, the patient reported that the left arm pain immediately inflamed after the but the next day it was better than before she started acupuncture. A different acupuncture point combination was given on the third visit. On the fourth visit, the patient reported a daily incremental improvement with an overall improvement of 75%. The patient was given instruction for self-administered acupressure to use at home and the pain continued to decrease.
Discussion: It is difficult to tell whether a treatment is correct when there is a slight improvement. Often, an alternative acupuncture combination is given to compare the relative difference. In this case, the second option had resulted in a much more significant improvement.
Disclaimer: Acupuncture results may vary since each individual case is different.
Dr. Lee’s Case Studies #14 and #15
Hello,
Below are two successful patient cases with plantar fasciitis and hot flashes. The intention of sharing these cases is to increase awareness within the local community about the benefits of acupuncture.
Case #14: male, age 49, sales
Chief complaint: Plantar Fasciitis
Complaints: His bottom of right foot feels as if walking on a rock. The pain began one year ago, constant since 3 months ago. Orthotic pad and insert do not significantly reduce the pain.
Treatment process: The patient had 5 acupuncture treatments so far. First visit relieved most of the pain in the first two days, and there was slight pain on the third day. After the second visit, the patient reported an overall 25% improvement. The pains were less by 60-70% by the fifth visit. He can do his regular exercise at the gym and play golf without the pain significantly increasing. The pain resolves quickly after aggravation.
Discussion: Having ability to walk comfortably is an important factor integrating various life demands throughout the day. It not only helps to accomplish necessary personal tasks, but contributes to a better quality of health through movements and proper exercise.
Case #15: female, age 62, consultant
Chief complaint: hot flashes
Complaints: Hot flashes were triggered after a total hysterectomy 11 years ago. The frequency is at ten times a day in addition to body being constantly overheated. She throws off bed cover 3-5 times every evening. Night sweats are limited to minor dampness in the arms. Headaches since childhood. Since one year ago, they occur 5-6 days a week lasting for 3-4 hours at a time.
Treatment process: The patient had magnet therapy four times in a period of 8 days. Magnets were strategically placed on the acupuncture points for 24 hours. After the first placement of magnets, the hot flashes were reduced down to twice that evening and a few times next day. By the third visit, both her headaches and hot flashes were gone by at least 80% in frequency, duration, and intensity.
Discussion: The patient was given instruction to place magnets on herself only at night before bed so that the therapeutic effect continues. She is expected to recover eventually from most of her hot flashes and headaches as she continues self-treatment for a month or two. The reason for a good prognosis is that her age is 62, which is past hormonal transition period. And headaches tend to go away with series of treatment.
Disclaimer: Acupuncture results may vary since each individual case is different.
Sincerely,
David Lee
Ph.D. in Oriental Medicine
Licensed Acupuncturist
166 N. Moorpark Road, #201
Thousand Oaks, CA
805-497-6200
www.davidleeacupuncture.com
Dr. Lee’s Case Studies #12 and #13
Hello,
Below are two successful patient cases with neck stenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. The intention of sharing these cases is to increase awareness within the local community about the benefits of acupuncture.
Case #12: female, age 58
Chief complaint: Cervical stenosis
Complaints: Cervical stenosis, a narrowing of spinal tunnel in the neck, from C3 to C7 level. It caused headache, upper back and neck stiffness, limited neck flexibility and numbness in hands. She often wakes up at night with headaches. It was difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position for her. She also had minor impingement in left shoulder.
Treatment process: The patient had a total of 19 treatments, twice a week. With the first treatment, the patient found that the numbness in her hands overnight was less than usual. She noticed less intense headaches after the second treatment. The third treatment relieved neck tension and increased range of motion. Continued treatments relieved additional symptoms in intensity, duration, and frequency. Since the 15th visit, the pains had diminished by at least 90% and the neck range of motion is almost back to normal. The left should pain is gone. She is continuing treatments to ensure stability of the improved state.
Discussion: Often, it is easy to perceive acupuncture for only pain relief, especially when an anatomical issue is evident. Acupuncture is used to recover from the problem as much as possible. The response varies but acupuncture is worth a try when there seems to be no other alternative.
Case #13: female, age 48
Chief complaint: Rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia
Complaints: Daily symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, especially worse in mornings and rainy days. The strong side effect of abdominal discomfort from medications prompted her to try acupuncture for two months before resuming treatments with her primary physician. MRI showed inflammation of hands. Rheumatoid factor and CRP (C-reactive protein), which detects inflammation in the body, have been high for 7 years. She was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 16 years ago. Stress made irritable bowel syndrome of abdominal bloating and diarrhea worse. She had severe headache and neck pain every 4-6 weeks with vomiting.
Treatment process: The patient came in for acupuncture twice a week in the first two months and then once a week since two months ago. Along with body type diet regimen, she was given an instruction on self-treatment using acumagnet therapy, which she used most evenings. All symptoms improved slowly and incrementally. The most recent blood test showed rheumatoid factor down by more than half and C-Reactive protein was down from 12-19 mg/L to 3.4 mg/L. The subjective improvements are as follows. She can do physical exercises at gym without causing increased pains or inflammation. Her rheumatoid symptoms of stiffness in joints are much less in the mornings. Frequency and intensity of headaches are less. Her energy and stamina are better maintained throughout the day. High family stress is not aggravating pains and irritable bowel syndrome. Fibromyalgia mental fog and pains are less.
Discussion: Acupuncture is not a replacement for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. However, it is necessary for some who need improvement in addition to medication regimen or whose body responds with severe side effect from medications. It is encouraging to confirm improvement using an objective blood data that reflects subjective relief.
Disclaimer: Acupuncture results may vary since each individual case is different.
Sincerely,
David Lee
Ph.D. in Oriental Medicine
Licensed Acupuncturist
166 N. Moorpark Road, #201
Thousand Oaks, CA
805-497-6200
www.davidleeacupuncture.com
Dr. Lee’s Case Studies #10 and #11
Hello,
Below are two successful patient cases with menopause symptoms. The intention of sharing these cases is to increase awareness within the local community about the benefits of acupuncture.
Case #10: female, age 52
Chief complaint: Hot flashes and night sweats
Complaints: Hot flashes and night sweats began two months ago due to menopause. She was having hot flashes every hour during the day and profuse sweating at least once per night. Because she had leukemia and was treated until 5 months ago, hormone replacement therapy was not an option due to its reputation related to development of cancer.
Treatment process: The patient began acupuncture and magnet therapy one year ago. There was no significant relief until the third visit, when she saw significant relief of the hot flashes and night sweats. By the 7th visit, her menopausal symptoms were relieved by at least 95%. The clinic visits were at twice a week initially and were tapered down to once a month. She was given magnet instruction on self-treatment, which had continued to relieve most of the menopause symptoms.
Discussion: In the past, the menopause symptoms were considered a gift from mother-nature and should be embraced as such. In reality, it disturbs normal living due to irritability, insomnia, fatigue, and dryness that lasts for an average of 6 years. Average American women have beginning of menopause symptoms at age 48. They are not relieved until age 54. Many have the symptoms in early 40s until age 60. One eighth of female population is having hot flashes now. With acupuncture and magnets, menopausal symptoms can be significantly relieved or even eliminated without a concern for unwanted side-effects.
Case #11: female, age 51
Chief complaint: Medication induced hot flashes and night sweats
Complaints: Daily hot flashes and night sweats almost every evening since taking Tamoxifen, a breast cancer preventative, for over 4 ½ years. She had to take it for another 4 months. Both knees were painful when jogging.
Treatment process: The patient received acupuncture and magnet therapy for a total of 15 visits at a rate of twice a week, eventually tapering down to once every 3 weeks. The hot flashes and night sweats were immediately relieved with the first treatment and 90% were gone by the 6th visit. Both knee pains were gone after 4th visit and she was able to compete in a half marathon without any discomfort.
Discussion: Not only for natural menopause, acupuncture and magnet therapy are also helpful for the medication and surgically induced menopausal symptoms. Even with medications that prevent production of estrogen and surgery that remove both ovaries, relief is entirely possible without carrying risks. Acupuncture and magnet therapy provide this solution.
Disclaimer: Acupuncture results may vary since each individual case is different.
Sincerely,
David Lee
Ph.D. in Oriental Medicine
Licensed Acupuncturist
166 N. Moorpark Road, #201
Thousand Oaks, CA
805-497-6200
www.davidleeacupuncture.com
Dr. Lee’s Case Studies #8 and #9
Hello,
Below are two successful patient cases with osteoarthritis and foot pain. The intention of sharing these cases is to increase awareness within the local community about the benefits of acupuncture.
Case#8: female, age 84, retired
Complaint: Osteoarthritis. Aches and pains all over the body due osteoarthritis, especially in the neck, low back, hips, elbows, hands, and knees.
Treatment process: The patient has been receiving acupuncture for 14 months. The initial visits were at twice a week for 12 weeks and then once a week after that. Her pains were significantly relieved. Her body felt lighter and walking was smoothly. Once a week acupuncture visits help to maintain her ability to do physical activities at home and outside. The pain still comes back easily when picking up objects from ground, putting up Christmas lights or sitting for more than an hour at a dinner meeting. But the pain is significantly reduced for several days after each acupuncture treatment.
Discussion: For the elderly, it is more imperative to maintain their livelihood and independence. Not only is there increased physical ability at home, she continues to volunteer at a local nonprofit organization, which gives her joy and continual sense of purpose. Management of pain with acupuncture is a tremendous assistance for her.
Case #9: female, age 54, sales
Complaint: Right foot pain radiating up to shin. Original injury was one year ago from twisting the foot while gardening. The pain lasted for 2 months. She reinjured the right foot two weeks ago. The pain was severe enough to get an x-ray, which did not reveal any fracture. She was also at the tail-end of cold with symptoms of mild cough and nasal discharge.
Treatment process: The patient only received 3 acupuncture treatments. The first treatment had immediately dried up the sinus, which was an indicator of a correct treatment. After the second treatment, the foot and shin pain was completely gone even with gardening.
Discussion: Sprain and strain of the foot and ankle is the easiest condition to treat using acupuncture. Because acupuncture is holistic, it treats disparate issues simultaneously.
Disclaimer: Acupuncture results may vary since each individual case is different.
Sincerely,
David Lee
Ph.D. in Oriental Medicine
Licensed Acupuncturist
166 N. Moorpark Road, #201
Thousand Oaks, CA
805-497-6200
www.davidleeacupuncture.com
Dr. Lee’s Case Studies #6 and #7
Hello,
Below are two successful patient cases with plantar fasciitis and knee/ankle pains. The intention of sharing these cases is to increase awareness within the local community about the benefits of acupuncture.
Case #6: Female, age 59, consultant
Chief complaint: Plantar fasciitis
Complaints: Constant tightness and soreness on balls and lateral sides of both feet even with orthotic inserts in her shoes. She also had 2 rods attached to spine, which corrected the scoliosis but there was still significant stiffness and pain.
Treatment process: The patient noticed some relief in both spine and feet on the first visit. The relief lasted into the following visit, 3 days later. She came in for acupuncture twice a week for the first nine visits and then tapered down to once every two weeks for the next 7 visits. The improvement was close to being linear, with each week being better than the previous week. When she had hardly any pain in the feet for several weeks, she came in once a month for maintenance. She reports feet pain from time to time but it is temporary and does not disrupt her daily activities.
Discussion: The recurrence of plantar fasciitis was minimal after two months of treatment. The rods and deterioration in spine prevented significant relief of the spinal pain but she has some relief.
Case #7: Female, age 83, retired
Chief complaint: Swelling and imbalance of knees and ankles.
Complaints: The patient has swelling in both, especially in the left. MRI showed no presence of arthritis and ultrasounds showed no presence of blood clots. She has chronic right low back pain and sciatica. MRI showed stenosis and arthritis. She broke her right ankle two years ago and left ankle two months ago, which have not completely healed and are causing pain and further instability. She uses a walker for ambulance. She has left foot and left calf tightness and cramping. All these issues compound her instability, causing her to fall 3 times in the last 2 months.
Treatment process: The patient is receiving acupuncture twice a week. After only 5 visits, she has significant relief of low back, sciatica, knees, and ankles pain. Swelling in both knees is noticeably less.
Discussion: Although the patient is elderly and has joint/nerve/muscle problems due to old age, her significant improvement shows that her body’s potential for improvement is still present. Tapping into this body’s ability to self-heal with acupuncture is amazing and satisfying.
Disclaimer: Acupuncture results may vary since each individual case is different.
Sincerely,
David Lee
Ph.D. in Oriental Medicine
Licensed Acupuncturist
166 N. Moorpark Road, #201
Thousand Oaks, CA
805-497-6200
www.davidleeacupuncture.com
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Shingles, Herpes
Patients notice significant improvement after 3 or 4 acupuncture visits. Continued treatment up to 1 or 2 months help full recovery and prevents recurrence.
Shingles is an opportunistic viral proliferation in a compromised body. The dormant herpes zoster virus attack the nerve endings because the weakened body cannot effectively keep the virus in check. Acupuncture relieves pain and inflammation while assisting the body come back to its healthy state quickly.
Headaches, tension, migraine, cluster
The patient notices significant relief within 3 weeks,and total course of treatment is between 2-3 months.The goal is to reduce intensity, frequency, and duration.
A headache is any pain in the head, the discomfort of which can vary greatly. It may be dull or sharp, throbbing or constant, localized to a small area or engulfing the entire head. Some people suffer headaches only occasionally, while for others the problem is chronic. For some 20 million Americans each year, the pain of headache is severe enough to warrant a visit for treatments. And according to government estimates, some 64 million workdays are lost due to various types of headaches.
Possible causes include: stress, fatigue, blocked sinuses, allergies, overuse of alcohol and tobacco, adverse reactions to medications, before or during menstruation, changes in the weather, certain foods, irritated or inflamed blood vessels in the scalp
Julia H.
Since I was 12 years old [now age 54], I started with migraines. Over the years, my headaches worsened. For the past 11 years I’ve been getting them 3-4 times a week, without being able to control it. I’ve been to several doctors, they’ve prescribed different medications and nothing seemed to help. I also had a scan of my brain, and nothing was found.One day my niece told me about you. She said you have helped her in the past and highly recommended you. I was first in denial. I thought about it for 2 weeks before having my first consultation with you. My first week with the herbs didn’t make me feel any different. I still continued with my headaches. I decided to try one more week. If I didn’t feel a change I was going to stop coming to you. I am extremely happy to say there has been a whole new change with my life style. Now I can get up from bed and go on with my everyday duties. I still get slight headaches but not to an extreme that I can’t get up from bed. You have helped me a lot. I thought that there was no way to control my migraines. I thank God and you for all your help and patience you have for me.
Jennifer M.
I have had headaches for at least 15 years. Most days I would wake up with a headache and would go to sleep at night with the same pain. I have been treated by David Lee one or two times per week for the last six weeks, and my headaches are gone.
Yuka F
I started feeling the pressure around my eyes and around temples [few months ago]. First, I thought something was wrong with my eyes. I bought an eye drop. I was taking Tylenol every 4 hours (for almost solid 2 months!). Someone thought that I had sinus infection. I was treated with antibiotics at 2 separate times. One the first day I experienced acupuncture treatment, I noticed that I did not take Tylenol all day. (wow!). My headache was almost gone by the 3rd treatment. I am also taking herb powder mix given by Dr. Lee. I feel so much better now.
