CASE 1

A man with arthritis and post-surgery pain

April, 2009

For 18 years my business involved walking on concrete up to 15 hours for as many as 3 or 4 days in a row.  Over the years I developed arthritis in my knees which started grinding down the cartilage in left knee.  I had arthroscopic surgery and injections and nothing seemed to help.  One day I was watching a show in TV about acupuncture and decided to try that for my knee.  After looking at a number of different Acupuncture Clinics in the Houston area, I chose Dr, Heidi Lihe Xu.  Her web site gave a lot of information and she also has had over 40 years of practice in China.

By the time I started going to her, I had totally destroyed all the cartilage in my knee so I was bone to bone and had pain in every step.  I could go in and get a treatment about once a week and do just about anything I wanted to do with just minimal discomfort.  Eventually I had a total knee replacement but I feel like the treatments I received Heidi allowed me to put off the surgery for about a year and a half.

Once I had the surgery and the stitches were removed I started going back to her about the same time I started therapy.  Anyone who has gone to therapy after major surgery or an injury, knows its tough and there is a lot of pain involved.  Because of the acupuncture treatments I had very little pain during therapy; my swelling went down in about half the normal time and I was out of therapy about 3 weeks early.

I have also had treatments for pulled muscles, shoulder pain, back pain and even a toe that hurt so bad I couldn’t bend it.  I every case acupuncture worked.  I’ll be the first to admit that it doesn’t make any sense to me and I sure don’t understand it.  But it works.

Robbie Miller

A man with lower back pain

CASE 2

September 1, 2006

I have suffered from lower back pain since 1997 only due to stress and not any kind of an injury.  It hasn't been chronic but approximately twice a year my lower back gets tight and really hurts.  I tried the standard procedure of heat, ice! , Tylenol and any other pain reliever on the market and over time the pain would go away.  I finally went to an orthopedic surgeon 4 years ago.  No injuries were noted; I just started some physical therapy.  It worked as long as I did my required exercises.

On August 10, 2006 the pain returned and a fellow employee highly recommended Dr. Heidi Xu.  This time I was determined to try something different.  I call Dr. Heidi Xu and she saw me that afternoon.  We talked a bit about my problem and she examined my back.  She noted how twisted the nerves were.  She started treating me with a tiny amount of electrical shock that I controlled.  It doesn't hurt at all.  She found pressure points in the spine by touch and began to use finger and palm pressure to straighten the nerves.  After working on me while sitting up, I laid on my stomach and she continued working her fingers and hands on my back.  Later I sat in the chair and she continued on my back again.  The final step is to lie on my side with a heat lamp near my spine and take a relaxing nap for 20 minutes.

It's the most relaxing trip I ever had to any doctor.  After only six treatments as described above I feel better than I have in ten years.  I sleep better and can stand longer without any pain.  Dr. Heidi Xu really helped me and I would highly recommend her to anyone.  If I ever get the slightest bit of back pain again, I'm calling Dr. Heidi Xu.

Thanks,

Vic Plaster

CASE 3

A woman with insomnia

A woman with painful heel spurs

CASE 4

CASE 5

A 52 year old man facing major back surgery

I have suffered from herniated discs at L4-L5, L5-S1, and L3-L4 as diagnosed by an orthopedic surgeon since 1983; furthermore, I experienced spondylolisthesis of 7mm and severe pain in my lower back, legs, and groin.  I also experienced numbness in my legs due to the presence of a cysts in a nerve foramen and bone spurs in my spinal canal.  The numbness was transient but when it was present I required aid from my family to get up from the floor.  My movement and lifestyle was severely limited to the point of working from home because I was unable to operate the accelerator and brake of a car.  I was scheduled for a 360° spinal fusion for L4-L5 and L5-S1 on August 11, 1997 and had banked 2 units of blood.  However, I canceled this surgery date on August 11 because at this time I was completely pain free and the numbness was no longer present.  Furthermore, the muscle atrophy that had occurred in my legs and back was diminishing.  Why?

On June 6, 1997 I began my initial visit with Dr. Heidi Lihe Xu, OMD -- an Oriental Medicine Doctor.  Dr. Xu proceeded to do a through history of my symptoms.  Those related to my back and my other physiological functions.  She examines my tongue, pulse and the spine and my X-rays.

Dr. Xu treated me by Electric Acupuncture, Heat Lamp, Laser and Tui Na, which is a Chinese manipulation where by she repositions the spine to the proper alignment as well as the discs.  I was also given Chinese Herbal Therapy which I took as tea daily.  For the first month, mostly I went every day to receive treatment.

I was released to return to work on Sept. 2, 1997.  During my healing time with Dr. Xu, I began a walking program as well as the exercises she told me to do to strengthen my back muscles.  By that time, I was walking up to 4 miles a day with no pain.

Currently it is November 15, 1997 and Dr. Xu has now told me I have one more week with my herbs, and when I return for a 2 week check up she will determine whether I can extend my further check ups to once a month.  I cannot express to you what a blessing Dr. Xu has been to me, especially since I am aware of the enormous number of people who undergo surgery only to find that they are still in pain (10- 40% of patients who undergo surgery in the US continue to suffer symptoms 4 years after surgery).

I hope this helps those of you facing the knife and rehab.  If you are in Houston, Texas I urge you to contact Dr. Heidi Lihe Xu at 713-974-0556.

Sincerely,

A man suffering from chronic sinus infections

CASE 6

I have suffered with chronic sinus infection for several years. Left untreated with antibiotics, the damage is cumulative.  By the time I finally decided to go to an ENT specialist I was in desperate need of relief.  I made several visits to one particular specialist.  After traditional treatments of injections and medications, and finally the expense of a CT scan, I had gained no comfort or relief.

In the meantime, I had taken a new job.  While waiting for the new insurance to become effective, I decided I was going to see a new specialist.  I was determined to settle for nothing less than surgery to alleviate my suffering. I shared this decision with a friend and co-worker at my new place of employment.  This friend told me about the miraculous relief that his girl friend had received from acupuncture performed by Dr. Heidi Lihe Xu for chronic migraine headaches.

I thought I would be the last person on planet earth to ever try an alternative treatment like acupuncture.  In spite of that, I decided I would give Dr. Xu a try.  If I didn’t get any relief, then I could still make an appointment to see a new ENT.  I didn’t have anything to lose but time and money, and by then I was ready to expend whatever it might take for some relief.

So, not knowing much about acupuncture, I poured over site after site on the Internet trying to educate myself a little bit before making a final decision.  I was really amazed at all the testimonies I read describing how acupuncture had been such a great success for so many people.  There were several that claimed almost miraculous results.

I finally gathered enough information to make the call for an appointment to see Dr. Heidi Lihe Xu. I made my first visit about the middle of January 2001.  By the time I arrived for my first session, I was determined to get better from whatever treatment I was going to receive.  Heidi told me that it would take more than a few visits for me to start noticing significant results, due to the fact that I had waited so long to seek treatment for this chronic sinus infection.  I continued coming back for a total of seventeen treatments.

My acupuncture treatment is now complete, I feel like a new person.  I am sleeping through the night for the first time since I can remember. It is now the end of April 2001 - right in the middle of allergy season.  I am not plagued with the usual sinus problems that I have come to expect this time of year.  I know that seventeen visits may seem like a lot, but I am so thankful I didn’t seek surgery first.  Many people have since shared the honors they suffered from sinus surgery, often with repeat surgery needed.

I am greatly satisfied with the results.  I highly recommend trying acupuncture before submitting to the surgeon’s scalpel.  Making the decision to call Heidi Lihe Xu was one of the best things I have ever done for myself.

Sincerely,

CASE 7

A woman with back pain and numb extremities following a car accident

I had some back problems for a few years that caused pain and numbing.  My general doctor only prescribed pain killers and the chiropractor provided only minor relief.

In Oct. 2000 I was in an accident (rear - ended) which exacerbated my problem.  Any activity, for example to cut up a salad caused my neck, right arm, and  finger numbness or tingling; standing or walking a few minutes caused back and left leg pain and numbing.  I couldn’t lift anything.  An MRI showed my cervical and lumber spine canal stenosis, disc herniation, and degenerative changes.

After the receipt of Chiropractor and Physical Therapy treatments for eight months with no real changes, I thought about acupuncture treatment.  Fortunately for me, I found Dr. Xu.  She was empathetic, knowledgeable and effective.

Dr. Xu treated me by Acupuncture with electric stimulation (electroacupuncture), Chinese manipulation (Tui-Na), Heat Lamp and Chinese Herbs.  After several treatments, my neck and arm pain lessened; I could do some house work, and walk more.  After twelve treatments I no longer had neck and arm pain.  I received 25 treatments over two and half months period of time.

I can now walk for 20-30 minutes without pain or numbing.  My neck pain is non existent and the numbness which had been spreading throughout my whole leg was brought under control.  I am confident that if I had not moved away and continued my treatment with Dr. Xu, I would have felt even better by now.

Joan A. Murphy

A woman with painful heel spurs

CASE 8

In 1985 I was informed by a podiatrist (foot doctor) that I had two huge heel spurs on each heel.  I didn’t have any problems with them until after the birth of my daughter in 1993.  By September of 1994 I was in agony with my right heel and unable to walk during daily activities without stabbing pain.

I went to a renowned foot doctor in California who specialized in athletic injuries.  He tried many injections of cortisone to alleviate the pain.  By November of 1994 I had successful surgery in the right heel.

By August 1998, after we had moved to Houston, I developed severe pain in my left heel.  Again I was having difficulty bearing weight.  I was devastated because I was unaware of a foot surgeon with the same reputation as the doctor in California.  As a RN and health professional, I know that heel spur surgery carries many risks, one of which is that the heel pain can be made much worse.

One day the thought occurred to me that acupuncture could help my problem.  I understood that acupuncture promoted healing, in addition to decreasing inflammation.  This was just the prescription I needed.  I checked the yellow pages and found Dr. Heidi Lihe Xu.  She implemented electro-acupuncture (pain free, needle free acupuncture), low level laser therapy,Chinese herbalism and herbal foot soaks.  In September of 1998 I received 16 treatments from Dr. Xu.  I was completely healed and able to resume running and hiking mountains without any heel pain.  I was thrilled that this healing was accomplished without painful surgery and the risk of post surgical complications.  At the time of this letter, October 2002, I am still able to do all my activities, including running and hiking, without any pain.

I have referred many patients and friends to Dr. Xu and they tell me they believe she is truly a miracle worker.

CASE 9

A young woman with amenorrhea

I received my first menstruation when I was 12 years old, now I am 17 years.  During the past 5 years my monthly periods were irregular and delayed.  A classmate had the same problem as I did and she resorted to taking birth control pills to regulate her period.  I had heard from others that taking birth control pills for this problem could lead to infertility and side effects.  I did not want to take the risk so I looked for another alternative.

On  September 13, 2003, I visited Dr Xu because she specializes in acupuncture and herbal medicine that balances the body.  Dr Xu spent a lot of time with me and asked many questions regarding my symptoms and condition, took my pulse, and looked at my tongue.  From this she determined that I needed to take 3-6 months of herbal medicine and watch my diet.  She warned me though, that because the herbs were concentrated with no artificial additives the taste would not be delightful to my taste buds.  I agreed to go along with anyways.

After taking five weeks of the herbs I saw my first regular period on November 15, 2003 and it lasted one week.  Continuing with the treatment, I began to see a regular pattern to my monthly periods.  By April of 2004 (6 months on herbs) my periods were on time and regular.

This experience is one that I am glad to share with those who currently suffering with the same problem.  If you are looking for a solution to irregular periods then do consider Dr Xu's individualized herbal treatments.  Dr Xu's herbs  are safer than birth control pills, use only natural ingredients, and produce faster and more effective results by balancing your body.

K.T.