CASE 1

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,

Charles W. Patrick

 
 
 
 

A man suffering from chronic sinus infections

CASE 2

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,

Dwight Gardner

CASE 3

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

CASE 4

A woman with painful heel spurs

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.

Joan Sanborn, RN
Certified Electrologist

A young woman with amenorrhea

CASE 5