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Acupuncture for Menstrual Cycle Issues

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Health & Medical > Alternative Medicine > Acupuncture for Menstrual Cycle Issues



Need herbalist for perimenopausal symtoms

Jan 2007

I am looking for a Chinese herbalist that someone has had success with coping with perimenopausal symptoms such as sleeplessness, hot flashes and the usual emotional stress associated with the decrease in hormones. While I understand there are over the counter herbs, I would prefer to find a herbalist who perhaps could make a mix of compounds specific to me. Many thanks for your recommendation. anon


Charlene Leung is an herbalist and acupuncturist. I have seen her for similar issues as yours, just for herbal consultations and have found her treatment effective, and her very professional, competent and caring. Her office is on Stannage, near Solano in Albany, ph # 559-9038 Yvonne
I can recommend Sara Rankin. L.Ac. She is a Chinese Herbalist and an acupuncturist. You can email sara@almaacupuncture.com or phone (510) 593-7514. David
I can highly recommend Dennis VonElgg. He is an accupunturaist and chinese herbalist who specializes in working with women. He's very comfortable and easy to be with, and I found great results with him. His office is located at Telegraph & Woolsey his contact info: (510) 883-1340 http://www.vonelgg.com/dennis/index.htm anon
I have been treated by Don Gates, a licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist, for years now. He treated me when I went through menopause and the acupuncture as well as the herbs really helped to control the symptoms and make the transition easier. He has also treated a number of my friends for pregnancy related issues, injuries, and other random diseases. In fact, he treats my 2 year old son quite frequently and has excellent herbal remedies for children, including a great formula for ear infections. I highly recommend him -- he works in Oakland, on 41st street near Broadway. www.eastbaytcm.com is his website. 510 428 9430 is his phone. Tamar
I work with a wonderful herbalist/ accupuncturist. Her name is Maureen Raytis and she is in Oakland, right near the Grand Lake theater. She specializes in women's issues and infertility but can help with the gamut of medical and emotional needs. She is also very open to integrating Western medicine with Eastern, so she will not immediately tell you to stop all of your medications, etc to work with her. She has helped me greatly with asthma and has helped my 16 year old daughter regulate her period so that she did not have to be on birth control pills forever ( the gynecologist's treatment recommendation for too frequent periods ). I recommend her most highly. Elizabeth
I feel for you! There is a great herbalist in Alameda named John Nieters. He has treated many women in your situation. You can call him at 510-814-6900 and his address is 1201 Lincoln Ave, Alameda. Tracy
John Nieters, Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist has a clinic in Alameda and he is wonderful with women's health. He is very compassionate and a strong listener. He has taught herbal medicine at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Science for many years and he has a weekly health radio talk show on KEST 1450 AM. You can find more about him on www.johnnieters.com or call his office 510-814-6900 . I drink a custom blended herbal tea that he made for me daily and I notice a huge difference in my health and well-being when I drink it. Jen

Accupuncturist for PMS/Hormones

April 2005

After giving birth to my two kids my PMS has gone from a mild 2 to a raging 20 on the PMS scale. I've tried numerous natural remedies (extra Calcium, flax oil, exercise) and am now taking 10mg of Sarafem (Prozac in a pretty purple box)two weeks before my period on the advice of my gyn. It helps a little and I could increase the dose, but I would love to find an accupuncturist to help me stabilize my hormones. Is there an accupuncturist you would love to recommend? anon


you might try using progesterone cream (emerita brand, you can buy it at whole foods). worked wonders for me.
Acupuncturist Katie Mink in Berkeley (849-1809) is a gifted healer who has helped me clear out severe menstrual symptoms and in general, supports my overall good health! She is also an Acutonics Practitioner which uses sound (tuning forks) to heal. Her treatments are extremely nurturing and she listens/hears you on many levels to treat you accordingly. P.S. I also noticed a difference in my hormonal balance when I added Borage oil to my regimen of ''good'' fats. Kamala
I would highly recommend Nancy Rakela. After having my son, I suffered from incredible muscle and joint pain. After five sessions the pain was gone and my hormones seemed to have adjusted much more quickly than prior to treatment. I have been to her for numerous other items and she is truly amazing. I feel she is also very honest about what she/acupuncture may or may not be able to do for you. dolby
I have a fantastic acupuncturist whom I have been using for over 10 years now. I started with her when I was pregnant with my second and constantly nauseated. She has done a lot of great things for me around hormonal issues: the nausea, hormone- related migraines, pms...not to mention other medical/physical issues. She has offices in Oakland and Berkeley and I have always found her prices very reasonable and I believe she can take some insurance as well. Her name is Dr. Mary Curry, and her number is 510.635.8886 Best of luck! nas
Dr. Anita Chen Marshall in Alameda on Clinton Avenue has restored my life to me through her techniques of acupuncture. Joint, heel spur pain, and general overall aches and pains are minimal at best. I have had seven sessions and it is amazing how my mobility and lack of pain has given me new energy. Anti- inflammatories and pain killers gave temporaary relief only. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HER. Avie
June 2004

Re: counseling/perimenopause
With respect to perimenopause, I can highly recommend Jay Sordean, a licensed acupuncturist and naturopath with more than 20 years experience. With the mysterious symptoms I was having due to perimenopausal changes in hormones -- as well as a physical injury of my wrist (carpal tunnel) -- I have had great results with Dr. Sordean. My ''western doctor'' told me I needed a shrink. Jay Sordean helped me balance my hormones and the way my body accesses and uses food -- much better. Thyroid, sugar, and hormone issues are interrelated and he helped sort those out with me. I've referred many others to him for help as his knowledge of acupuncture, herbs, nutrition, western medicine, and homeopathy is integrative. Nancy


Always had irregular periods, want to correct

Feb 2003

I have seen a number of posts recommending acupuncturists for infertility issues. I have always had irregular periods and had been on the pill for years so it wasn't an issue until I wanted to become pregnant. I ended up getting pregnant via clomid and now have an 18 month old daughter. We are thinking about trying for a 2nd child in 6 months or so, but until then, I would like to correct any ovulation problems that are causing the irregular periods. I would love to have a regular cycle so I don't need to go on the pill again. Has anyone used acupuncture to correct irregular cycles and did your cycles become regular on a long- term basis? I realize that alot of people use acupuncture to get pregnant but I haven't heard much about how it helps AFTER the delivery. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. anon


I used acupuncture to help regulate my cycle and lessen PMS. I found it incredibly helpful and the results longterm. My pregnancy and postpartum were healthy and easy as well. I saw Dennis VonElgg in Berkeley, he has an office in Lafayette also. His # is 872-0895 or www.vonelgg.com. He was very compassionate, attentive and aware, I found him to be knowledgeable and easy to talk with. I highly recommend him. cb
I bet that any of the acupuncturists you've seen recommmended for infertility will also be very good to help you regulate your period. Check out the list again. In the meantime, I highly recommend Carla Dalton who works in North Berkeley. Her phone is (510) 524-4812. Carolyn
This is not exactly the same, but I went to see an acupuncturist after I had been bleeding heavily for 8 weeks after a miscarriage. I had been to the doctor and been told that the only way to end the bleeding was to either wait for however long it took or take birth control pills to slam my body into shape, which seemed a bit harsh, seeing as it was struggling so much already. I was also unhappy because I was incredibly anemic and yet the attitude was, take iron pills or do the therapy we recommend. Period.

So I went to see an acupuncturist my mother recommended, a highly- skilled Chinese man in San Francisco named Dr. Lai. He had been working on a family friend's eyes for years, basically keeping her vision going as long as he could (she was becoming legally blind).

He took one look at me, shook his head in distress, and told me I was too weak for acupuncture; instead he prescribed Chinese herbs (which his wife dispenses from the drawers covering a complete wall). I went home, followed the directions, and within 48 hours had stopped bleeding entirely. Within a week I felt better than I had before I was pregnant! I still look back with wonder at the sense of vitality those herbs gave me in such a short time; they really built up my blood quickly.

To make a long story short, he got me back on track and I conceived a child after six more very regular and manageable periods. I cannot recommend Dr. Lai enough; he is an excellent doctor and a very kind man who doesn't see the body as some kind of machine separate from the rest of you.

He is located on Geary Blvd, across from Kaiser near the hill where the old Sears building is. I don't know the address but I believe he is in the phone book. If you can't find him, you can email me and I will find out for you. Heather


I highly recommend my acupuncturist for irregular periods, among many other things, her name is karen Cutler, her office # is 510-654-3873. She is very skilled, and knows a lot about diet and other things that all contribute to the woes of womenhood!! Plus, I love her to death, I think she's great! I started with her last summer, and I have no complaints!! good luck jennifer
I tried acupuncture for irregular periods, and it didn't really do anything to regulate them, but it helped relax me. The best thing I got from it was the nutritional advice. I heartily approve of the whole-body approach to medicine that is offered by acupuncturists. The one I saw made me chart out what I ate for a week, then gave me advice on what to cut down on, eat more of, etc, since the hormonal stuff is pretty closely tied to nutrition. Maybe if I had followed the advice, it would have worked! It certainly couldn't hurt, but wasn't the miracle I was looking for. I ended up taking Progesterone since I can't stand to take the pill (makes me have constant 'morning sickness'). But for the few months I was on Clomid, it regulated my period as well as the Progesterone. Good luck! anon

Help with raging hormones

October 2002

I have been on anti-depressents for years and was doing fairly well until I had a miscaraige several months ago. Since then, it seems my hormones are all the rage. I am looking for a practitioner who is versed in meds and hormones and I am open to non-western therapies (vitamins, herbs, etc.). I have a great therapist and I know about nutrition and exercise, so really am just looking for a practitioner, not advice. Thanks to all.


I would recommend you see Pam Heaton, an Acupuncturist on Park Blvd in Oakland. After I had a child, we realized that many of my mood fluctuations could be attributable to homonal imbalances. She's given me herbs to take that have really helped. She has a long waiting list; so if you're thinking of going this route, get your name on her list now.
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