"Three Qi Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture & Herbs, has been a small miracle for me/us. I first came to acupuncture looking for help with depression, but I must admit I was a little skeptical that it would help. I had seen how effective Matthieu’s acupuncture had been for my stepfather during a bout of sciatica and because I didn’t want to try anti-depressant medications, I was willing to give it a try. The depression stemmed from the fact that my husband and I had been trying for the previous 7 years to start a family and after four years of no success whatsoever, followed by three years of multiple miscarriage, we were beginning to lose hope but unwilling to stop trying hence the reluctance to take conventional medications in the event I did get pregnant. At almost 39 years old, time was not on our side so even though the miscarriages made me more depressed we were going to go down fighting! Matthieu and May were wonderfully supportive and to my great surprise the acupuncture sessions really did help with my depression and even though I did conceive and have another miscarriage during my treatment I dealt much better with it than I had previously without the acupuncture.
By the summer of 2004, my husband and I had pretty much given up on hopes of having children of our own, in one last ditch attempt we wondered whether acupuncture might help me both to get and stay pregnant? It was certainly a lot less invasive than some of the western medical approaches we’d tried up to that point and considerably less expensive! Once again Matthieu and May were wonderful and while they didn’t want to make any promises we started a regime of Chinese herbs and acupuncture in the September of 2004 and I started recording my BBT (something that had never worked in the past for me) in order to identify my most fertile days.
Within the month I was pregnant, but barely able to acknowledge it given my past history of losses. With weekly acupuncture sessions and twice-daily Chinese herb regimes I made it through the first trimester without any spotting. As each week passed our spirits and confidence rose, and by about the middle of the second trimester I was able to wean myself off weekly acupuncture sessions and visit just monthly.
Our first child, a daughter (which Matthieu correctly predicted in my pulse weeks before an ultrasound could have picked it up) was born happy, healthy and gorgeous, exactly 9 months later, after a textbook natural delivery (June 2005) without any drugs. Since then we have been blessed with another beautiful little girl (February 2007), once again with the help of acupuncture and herbs. Our experience with Matthieu & May has been life transforming!"
-B. Family
"Last year, I was suffering from chronic rectal bleeding due to internal hemorrhoids. After several courses of hydrocortisone suppository therapy and a colonoscopy, I made the decision to have the hemorrhoids removed surgically.
My surgery was performed by a gastroenterology surgeon with very good credentials. Post-surgery, I reported experiencing a high level of pain, slow recovery and continued rectal bleeding from the surgical wound. Over the next few months, I had a few appointments with the surgeon who was surprised by my slow recovery and continued bleeding. On my last visit to the surgeon, another surgery was offered as an option to try and stop the bleeding.
By this point, I was tired of being prodded and explored. I did not want to go through another experience like I had with the first surgery. There were no guarantees.
I had been treated with acupuncture in the past for musculoskeletal conditions and have always thought highly of traditional Chinese medicine. So I made the decision to take control of my healthcare treatment by traveling down the less conventional route.
I made an appointment with May at Three Qi Oriental Medicine to be evaluated and to receive treatment. Right from the beginning, I knew May knew what she was doing. She was able to accurately diagnosis my problem from a traditional Chinese medicine viewpoint using the pulses and tongue examination. Since I had very low spleen chi, I was given an appropriate acupuncture treatment and prescribed three medicines that would be my ‘saving grace’ over the next few months.
One medicine in particular, Yunnan Bai Yao, immediately changed my life for the positive. I only had to take two doses of the Yunnan Bai Yao when the rectal bleeding stopped altogether. This medicine was used to treat my more emergent condition of bleeding until the more preventive treatments could take effect. Another medicine was taken to improve and accelerate the healing process at the surgical wound site. And another medicine, Central Chi, was taken to raise my spleen chi.
I consider this powerful combination of medicine as an incredible experience in health care that has forever changed the way I view healing the human body. You see, I am a part of the western conventional medicine institution. I am a pharmacist. And while I have always been broad-minded and open to other sources of healing, this personal experience has me convinced that our conventional medicine approaches of going directly to the problem and surgically or chemically eliminating it, does not always fit into the healing paradigm.
I want to personally thank May for all that she did for me. She is a true healer in mind, spirit and body. I will always be indebted grateful to her for the change that she has made in my life."
-B
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"I began seeing Matthieu at Three Qi in March of 2007. Previous to receiving acupuncture treatments from him, I had experienced four years of almost nonstop upper respiratory infections: colds and sinus infections. I had tried surgery, all sorts of western medications, western herbs, homeopathy, and various other remedies. I had even been to see other acupuncturists, with limited success.
After just a few visits I began to feel better, and the eight months during which I have received treatment by Matthieu have been my healthiest in years. I have had only one significant upper respiratory infection in this time period, which happily brings me much closer to the 3-5 colds per year caught by normal adults! I have also experienced a significant reduction in headaches, both migraine and non-migraine. In addition to relief from these two conditions, I have more energy and a clearer head. The difference in my health has been a revelation, a life-changing event, and there is not a day that goes by that I am not appreciative of this new sense of well-being.
During the treatments I experience a feeling that important work is being done, the feeling is gratifying and the treatments feel helpful. I have seen several other acupuncturists who run the gamut from touchy-feely to down-right domineering, yet Matthieu strikes a beautiful balance between pleasant respectfulness and confidence in his trade. I would recommend Three Qi to anyone who is serious about his or her health."
- C.F., female, 34, graduate student
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"After four miscarriages, I had begun to lose hope of ever having a child. May Liao used acupuncture, chinese herbs and moxa to nourish and strengthen my body, and to help my menstrual cycles return to a state of health and balance. The treatment also helped me to work through my grief over my losses. We worked together to get my body (and emotions) balanced and ready to conceive again and carry to term. Almost immediately after we determined that I was ready to try again, my daughter was conceived, and I continued acupuncture throughout the pregnancy. May focused on points to help me hold the pregnancy and to help my baby grow. Today, I have a beautiful, healthy and very happy nine-month-old girl. Words cannot express my gratitude to May for helping me and my husband to have a family. I will definitely work with May again when we are ready to try to have another baby.
After my breastfeeding daughter reached six months of age, my milk supply began to dwindle. I followed all ther recommendations of the lactation consultants and the local breastfeeding support group leaders, but still my battle to maintain any kind of adequate supply required constant vigilance and effort, for a paltry return. Neither my daughter nor I were ready to end our breastfeeding relationship, but my baby was clearly unhappy with the inadequate milk. I was concerned about her slowdown in weight gain.
Within 24 hours after one targeted acupuncture treatment to help my milk supply, my daughter's wet diapers had increased dramatically, she stopped crying at the breast, she was nursing longer and I could hear many added minutes of additional "swallowing sounds" I don't pump, so I can't measure the increased quantity of milk production, but my satisfied daughter is the only measurement I need. I am confident now that, with the help of acupuncture, we will make it to our goal of breastfeeding for at least one year.
My baby and I thank you, May!!!"
- Christine Gresser, human resources consultant
and now, stay-at-home-mom
"I was treated by Matthieu after surgery for a serious ankle fracture. Both bones in my right ankle were broken and needed surgical repair with steel plates and screws. Matthieu was able to begin acupuncture, moxa, and massage therapy on me shortly after surgery since I was in a plastic removable cast. My healing was greatly accelerated by this treatment and also a variety of herbal and dietary recommendations that he made to me, which I followed rigorously. My Doctor and Physical Therapist were amazed with my swift healing. I was less amazed. I could tell immediately that his treatments were helping me. I highly recommend him. A few times he performed techniques that completely removed the pain I was experiencing, so amazing! I recommend his work without any reservation, and have continued to use techniques that he taught me for treatment of other injuries, and my general health."
- Lars Chellberg, Visual Artist
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"Dear, May,
I've been meaning to write this to you to express my gratitude to you as a healer and as a person. You really "stuck" with me as I came to you week after week when deep pain was "stuck" in my body. You listened, you affirmed and you gave me great advice to trust my body to heal itself and to come into balance in its own time. You helped me embrace the moment, this wonderful moment. You reminded me to Pause, Relax, and Open and it has opened my eyes to realize that this really is what it means to take the path of least resistance, to be the observer, to stand back and watch and relax and open to the situation and take the kernels of truth and to not fight or resist the experience. You are a truly gifted healer and my pain went away with your help and expertise and I am totally grateful to you once again. Thank you for being a safe refuge. You are always there for me, a clear channel, a focused healer and a most compassionate human being"
-Lisa
"After a typical prescription antibiotics from an allopathic physician, I was encouraged to seek Matthieu’s help with a serious spider bite reaction. What started out as a wound on my finger progressed to swollen lymphnodes, very uncontrollable chills (frozen gut), debilitating back pain, headaches and a full body rash which I think surprised even him.
I called on Matthieu for help at the urging of my yoga instructor. I went to him with complete confidence that I would begin to expel the spider’s toxin. At my first treatment he “thawed” my stomach by heating the acupuncture needles –a wash of deep warmth poured through my core and I finally relaxed. I was sent home with warming herbs to drink. At my 2nd visit, Matthieu concentrated his efforts on my bite wound, swollen lymph nodes and back pain, encouraging the toxin to disperse. I was sent home this time with helpful poultice herbs. At my next visit, I had developed a detoxifying rash that I would describe as hives –swollen, red, and really itchy! I had almost immediate relief and cooling. I returned for my last treatment a week later to complete the healing.
I can confidently recommend Matthieu’s healing and will return to him the next time I am confronted with such a challenge. I am most grateful."
- Jill Meyer
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"I doubted 5000 years of proven effective medical treatment, until yesterday. I have been unable to move without pain for as long as I can remember. I figured that it was an old wound come back to haunt me. I had a tractor roll over on me when I was a kid and figured that, at the rate the pain and dysfunction my legs and hips were degrading, combined with my latest diagnosis, I would be unable to walk in a few years, tops. To put it quite simply, my hips and legs were my bane.
Being at ropes end, and grabbing at straws, I made the decision to go to an acupuncturist. The thought of some one, anyone, sticking me with needless left me sleepless the night before. Further, I knew the lady was of oriental background and being my ex-wife is half Japanese… I had visions of things going very bad. Needless to say, the uncomfortable did not begin to describe how I felt.
Much to my surprise, May changed all that. She talked to me and not at me like the doctors I have been seeing. She asked questions. Real questions, and not just the standard, ‘how do you feel’ questions. Before I went to visit May I did a crash course of internet acupuncture study and hoped that I got at least some of the basics down before I was going to allow my meridians to be redirected by anyone! And that whole needle thing still had me on edge.
I am a patient that asks questions. I ask questions about everything. What is that for, why are you doing that? What is it for? Why? Most nurses ignore me. Most doctors grunt or give me some half-ass answer that makes me want to commit assault and battery. May Liao was different. She took the time to answer each and every question. She slowed down and talked to me. The needle wielding monster of my dreams became a soft spoken, gentle, concerned participant in my treatment. Let me say that another way, because I believe it to be of the utmost importance. Instead of doing things to me, we worked together in order to achieve a very beneficial outcome. I can say that for the first time in my life, a person worked with me, and gave one hundred percent of themself, to get where I wanted to be.
What I can tell you is this, I hobbled into the office. I walked out of the office virtually pain free. Don’t get me wrong. I was not doing handstands, but I walked up and down a flight of stairs, pain free. Something I have not done in longer than I can remember. I am not sure exactly why I would doubt 5000 years of proven medical treatment other than my own fears. What I can say, is that I am very glad that I overcame my own fear and took action."
-Michael M.
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"When all else fails
Why I tried acupuncture:
When I saw the radiant look on my daughter’s face after a session-
Now I recommend it to all my friends. I try to describe the needles.
Several times I have been so relaxed or in a wake/sleep state that I had visions that pertain to wellness.
I tell my friends, skeptical friends as well.
The increased energy and ability to breath deeply and clearly is overall beneficial. Details of healing in my ankle, thumb and other arthritic areas, temporary diarrhea, shoulder, are equally important.
Very helpful to my husband and daughter.
The brief massage, the medicines, recommended tea, granola bars, diet cookies, atmosphere are all included in the overall benefit of a session.
So Thank You!"
-Susan H., 58 years old, female, homemaker, Christian educator
"I discovered I had a rare nerve disease when I was a teenager, but the doctors were not able to give me a diagnosis until my late twenties because no one knew what it was or what was causing the symptoms. Turns out it was an incredibly rare peripheral nerve disorder with no cure. Fortunately however, it falls into the category of 'nuisance diseases', which means despite not having a cure, it's livable. Which brought me to the question, how?
After years of head scratching over how to treat the problem, which involves my arms, hands and fingers to become very numb and non-responsive for weeks at a time, I turned to Chinese Medicine, as literally a last alternative.
Admitfully, the idea of being pricked by needles frightened me at first, and I was skeptical whether or not such a practice could really make a difference for my temporary paralysis. I knew absolutely nothing about acupuncture or herbal medicine before walking in the door. And I was surprised to not only find the treatments actually helped, but they also made me very aware how disconnected I was from my body.
It was almost as though the acupuncture was tapping into areas that had been closed off internally. The needles stimulated certain nerves - kind of like shaking out dusty carpets or opening an attic window.
The needles were not painful and didn't leave any marks. It almost felt like a massage that's how much it didn't hurt. There was a slight tingling sensation, barely detectable. Overall, I went in a skeptic and left a believer. I don't know the hows or whys it benefited me, I just know it did, and would absolutely recommend it to anyone seeking an alternative medicine."
- Alina Mroczkowski, Writer
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"I sought acupuncture treatments mainly for back pain and asthma & allergies, but also for a general fine-tuning of my system. During the treatments I felt relaxed overall. I could feel the effects immediately on the respiratory system. I could breath easily as soon as the appropriate point was treated. I grew up being treated via acupuncture and am a big believer. I've been treated by several therapists and found Matthieu to be very delicate, dedicated and caring. Of course I would recommend acupuncture to others."
- Flavia Souza, Filmmaker
"I was at a transitional and stressful point in my life, ending a relationship and uncertain about my career. I felt depressed and anxious and was having trouble sleeping. I began weekly treatments and was amazed by the immediate and long-term effects the acupuncture and herbs had. During the treatments, I felt a sense of release of the frustration that I held for a long time. And, after the treatments, I felt at peace, as if a great burden had been lifted. The problems that had seemed overbearing in my life, or that made me feel helpless, were put into perspective, and I felt like I could deal with them. My sleep also improved and became more sound. Overall, the acupuncture treatments kept me both grounded and uplifted throughout this period. I have no doubt that the treatments enabled me to approach this time of my life with an open heart and clear mind."
- Helen Kuo
"I sought treatment from May Liao for allergies, sinus problems, and insomnia. During the treatment I felt extremely calm and relaxed, and was very impressed by May's professional, competent, and soothing manner. Her extensive knowledge of Chinese medicine and skill with acupuncture were apparent, and I particularly appreciated her thoughtful and clear explanations about what symptoms each point she was treating would affect. After each treatment I felt cleansed and rejuvenated, and saw marked improvement in most of my symptoms. I would definitely recommend acupuncture and herbs to everyone, particularly if they are lucky enough to see a practitioner as wonderful as May."
- Cornelia R, MSW
"I came to see May Liao because I had been diagnosed with a borderline under-active thyroid and, rather than taking Synthroid immediately, I wanted to try alternative therapy. I saw May for a combination of acupuncture and herbal treatments. I was amazed at the results. Symptoms that I never even knew I had disappeared (low body temperature, frequency of urination, dry skin, thirst, hair loss, loose stools) and I gained an overall sense of well-being. In addition to her obvious knowledge of Chinese medicine, May's manner is serene and reassuring and the environment she creates is comfortable and nurturing. My only regret is that she moved away from New York and I have to travel so far to see her."
- Evangelia Costantakos, Actress/Vocalist
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