Testimonials
I injured my back trying to carry too much laundry down the basement stairs. I went to Urgent Care twice and they gave me Vicodin and Flexaril to alleviate my pain. Neither of them helped! They just made me sleepy and gave me a headache. After seeing me in pain for almost a week, my husband, who is a massage therapist, suggested that I go to an acupuncturist. I was kind of scared of the needle aspect, but I was willing to try anything to get rid of my pain. Kat helped me almost immediately. I still had pain, but it was lessened as each day and week went by. She put me on a healing diet, prescribed cleansing vitamins and put little tacks on my elbows and legs. She also used magnets to help releive my pain. I had more energy after each visit. My husband got massages while I was getting acupuncture, so he was happy to go along with me. I've been telling all of my friends about Isthmus Acupuncture and have suggested that they go there instead of taking medication. Kat has helped me so much. I'm now going periodically for a "tune up" and I continue to feel energized after going. They have great recipes too!
Helen
I had tried IVF twice and we were unsuccessful both times. We had enough money and embryos for one last try. Our physician suggested I try acupuncture. I started acupuncture with Kat in May of 2007. I was unsure about the procedure, but thought I would give it a try. After just a few sessions I was feeling better and the side effects of all the hormones were less. I thought by the end of June, 'This just might work.' I kept up with the diet restrictions and vitamins suggested. On July 7th we transferred our last four embryos had acupuncture – then prayed and waited. Two weeks later we had our pregnancy test. It was finally positive. Two weeks after that I saw our son's heartbeat for the first time on ultrasound. The pregnancy went smoothly and we delivered a healthy boy at 37 weeks on March 6, 2008. Thank you Kat for being an integral part of bringing us our boy. He is a joy and we are grateful for everything you did.
S.H. and S.H.
My Raindrop Therapy Massage treatment from Sabrina was amazing. Not only was it incredibly soothing, but it was healing -- it felt as if my body's energy was being cleansed and strengthened. I left with a deep feeling of relaxation and wellness that has stayed with me ever since. She truly is gifted at what she does!
K.M.
I had an acupuncture session with Kathleen to help turn my baby from breech position. She gave me moxabustion sticks to use at home. I used them twice and the next day had an ultrasound and the baby was turned head down. He is still head-down and doing well! Thank you very much for helping us!
T.S.
After 3-1/2 years of trying to have a baby, two years of which included Western fertility treatments, we were frustrated, heartbroken and ready for a new approach. My body was a wreck. Western medicine had achieved conception, but had resulted in miscarriage. Our doctors said we should just "keep trying until it sticks," but I couldn't put my body, my heart, or my husband through that again. It was time to move on.
At my very first appointment at IAC, Michelle uncovered issues that Western medicine simply isn't trained, or equipped, to look for. In my case, they happened to be the very reasons I couldn't conceive and maintain a pregnancy. My body was unbalanced and in no shape to provide the healthy, nurturing environment that a baby needs in order to grow. And so I began a fantastic journey toward health by way of acupuncture, an herbal routine, nutrition, massage and biofeedback.
After a lot of hard work and outstanding care at IAC, we finally achieved a healthy pregnancy. I was unbelievably nervous! And yet, I knew that my body was finally able to provide that nurturing environment for our baby. The IAC staff was wonderful about working with my Western OB to make sure I was getting exactly what our baby and I needed to stay healthy and strong. I looked forward to my weekly acupuncture appointments during those early months as my touchstone and reassurance that everything really was O.K. I knew that Kat literally had her fingers on the pulse of my pregnancy and if anything in my body started to become unbalanced, we could balance it again. The expertise of the IAC staff helped me stay sane during a time when worry was a constant companion. As an added bonus, I was also able to help control my severe nausea during my first trimester through techniques that the IAC staff taught me.
Today, I am a very healthy 2 months postpartum and my husband and I have a gorgeous, healthy, vibrant little girl who is the light of our life! We are so grateful to IAC. They not only helped me change my long-term health and habits, they helped us to achieve our dream of a family!
Jenny S.
My husband and I had been trying to conceive our first child for 16 months when I went to Michelle on the recommendation of a friend. With her educated guidance, I began my treatment of acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and a change of my diet that included switching to organic foods and foods that, based on Michelle’s TCM diagnosis, would work toward my greater health both reproductively and overall.
With the above treatment as well as the discontinuation of my grocery store-bought multivitamin and the addition of a food-grade, high-quality B-complex vitamin, my daughter was born on September 13th. She was my dream come true and the perfect end to my long journey. Even one year later I am in awe of her.
I'm now 17 weeks pregnant with my second child after no additional treatment. My body was able to conceive naturally and easily even though conventional medicine would have labeled me advanced in maternal age. It's a relief to know that my body now "knows" what to do after the help of TCM during my first pregnancy. I will be forever grateful to Michelle and her staff for the care and compassion they extended to me. Without them I truly believe my husband and I would either still be trying or would have had to move on to the more invasive Western treatments we were trying to avoid. I would highly recommend Michelle and TCM to anyone having difficulty conceiving or wishing to maintain a healthy pregnancy.
Carrie S.
Dear Michelle,
I am writing this letter to pay tribute to you and Isthmus Acupuncture Center. In the past two years, you have listened to me tell you about myself, felt my pulses, and looked at my tongue. Then, you performed acupuncture and created custom herbs that keep me happy and very healthy. I have not seen a doctor for an illness since taking your herbs.
With that taken care of, I wanted to concentrate on my skin. The skin around my eyes and neck were beginning to look less than great. You recommended I see Chandon Williams in your office for facial acupuncture and skin care. Since then, I have seen an improvement each month for the past three months. I look forward to continued improvements.
Thank you, Michelle, for creating a place that is beneficial in so many ways. I highly recommend you and Isthmus Acupuncture Center.
Elaine M.
I suffer from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and recently the symptoms had become more frequent and severe. The medication was not helping and I was frustrated with the lack of relief. A colleague recommended the Isthmus Acupuncture Center as a possible resource. I met with Kathleen and was amazed at the results. After my first visit, my episodes went from daily to one over the next seven day period. Over the course of the last three months, I have had a total of five episodes. I am very grateful to Kathleen; she has given me the ability to live a normal live without the constant worry of IBS episodes. Thank you, Kathleen.
Diana
I received my first treatment from Kathleen one morning after I started spotting 6 weeks into my pregnancy. Her quiet reassurance and professionalism were as instrumental as the acupuncture needles in calming my nerves, and helping me to believe that everything was okay.
She is a perfect fit to the caring, supportive atmosphere that is an integral part of the Isthmus Acupuncture Clinic.
6 weeks later, I'm delighted to say that my pregnancy is progressing wonderfully, and I continue to see Kathleen for my first trimester weekly appointments when my schedule allows.
S.V.
My son has been seeing Chandon for acupressure since he was six years old. Initially, he was a little apprehensive about the unknown. Chandon's calm and caring demeanor put him completely at ease during the first session. She truly listens to any concerns that have arisen since his last treatment. As a result she is able to tailor the session so he receives the maximum benefits. Now my son looks forward to his sessions with Chandon and I believe they are making a difference.
Timara
Chandon’s Maya massages helped me with my infertility problems. While Chandon was working with me I could feel my uterus change position. I didn’t realize that there were ligaments that held my uterus in an incorrect position. I was able to expel a year of built up tissue and old blood. This is a very unique experience that I truly believe allowed my uterus to accept a pregnancy after 8 years of unsuccessful traditional medicine.”
Christine
I saw Lisa for massage therapy before, during and after my pregnancy. Lisa has an amazing touch which not only relaxes you but helps get out those tight spots and work through sore areas. During my pregnancy, she was the only massage therapist who could relieve a lot of the back pressure I was feeling and I saw her regularly, especially near the end of my pregnancy. Lisa is an absolutely amazing massage therapist for pregnant and non-pregnant women!”
Chris
I started seeing Lisa in my second-trimester of pregnancy. She helped me deal with fluid retention and muscle and joint pain. She helped me enjoy a much nicer pregnancy and get to my due date pain-free. Thanks to her, I didn’t have to suffer of any “extra” pain during labor!”
Maria
I have had Reiki with Lisa many times. Each experience is slightly different, but always relaxing. I have noticed that I feel more at peace and much calmer with everyday life stresses because of Reiki. Lisa has helped me realize I’ve been holding on to a lot of things which were causing stress and pain. Even better, she has helped me to release the negative feelings surrounding these memories. I always look forward to having Reiki with Lisa. She has such great energy, and always makes me feel very comfortable.”
Dana
Lisa’s command of the Reiki arts help me keep my neck and back muscles relaxed for weeks. She provided me with insights and tools to change the thoughts that were causing my tension. It feels great to wake up every morning relaxed and pain-free!”
Dawn
Michelle was with me throughout my struggle to conceive. Michelle’s acupuncture and herb treatments not only helped me feel great, but complimented my in vitro fertilization treatment and optimized its success. With the help of her acupuncture and herb treatments, I was able to successfully conceive and have a beautiful baby boy after years of trying. As important, Michelle never gave up hope that I could get pregnant and have a successful pregnancy. Her treatments also helped me feel great throughout my pregnancy. Michelle was an integral part of a team of people who helped me get pregnant and have my son. I am so thankful for Michelle!”
Chris
Hope is a feeling that is quickly lost when your doctor starts using the term “infertility issues.” After years of an irregular cycle and being diagnosed with hypothyroidism it shouldn’t have been a surprise that I was having problems conceiving. But, what was a surprise was my medical option: a prescription for Clomid. I told my doctor that I wanted to try anything naturally first and she gave me the name of an acupuncturist with high recommendations.
After my first appointment with Michelle Buchanan I felt a sense that my body had the potential to be wholly healthy—and hope was restored! Michelle is a very gifted and compassionate healer! After seeing Michelle for regular visits, taking my herbs religiously, and integrating dietary changes my cycle began to change. I also was skillfully supported by Chandon Williams with Maya massages.
Clearly the combination of both Acupuncture and Maya Massage was what my body needed to bring about ovulation and regular cycles. I began seeing Michelle in April, by June-July I could see obvious changes, and by November I had conceived. I am now my second trimester with a healthy body and baby on the way and have so much gratitude and respect for all of the employees at Isthmus Acupuncture and am eternally indebted for my doctors recommendation to see Michelle Buchanan.”
Rachel
I had been trying to get pregnant for 2 years, and had had three IUI's, and my doctor told me I had "no other option but IVF." I'd been doing acupuncture for about 7 months, but not very specialized acupuncture (I live in a state where it was basically illegal until last year). I was referred to Michelle by a friend in Madison, and she very generously agreed to work by phone with a new acupuncturist in my town. Only three months later, I got pregnant while not even officially trying! (We'd wanted to wait four or five months after starting the herbs and specialized acupuncture treatments to maximize our chances). I have a beautiful daughter, Amelia, and I recommend acupuncture to everyone I know who's trying. I'm so proud that she was conceived naturally, and so grateful that folks like Michelle have learned so much and work so hard, so that more of us can.”
Susan
We will always be thankful to Michelle and Rick for helping us conceive and carry to term our first child. A combination of acupuncture, Chinese herbs and lots of caring and support made our dream come true in only 4 months of treatment! We highly recommend considering this more natural approach before embarking in any kind of chemical or invasive fertility methods. We will definitely do it again whenever we are ready to expand the family!”
Maria and Federico
Two and a half years into my journey for a family, I became involved with an acupuncturist. Not long after seeing her she recommended me to Michelle. Right away, they took my under their wing and were very understanding and hopeful. Even though I live in South Carolina, they never let the distance hinder their service. They always made sure my herbs arrived on time. Four months after I began the herbs I went through in vitro. Michelle prescribed specific herbs that would not affect the drugs I would be taking. Good news arrived and we were pregnant. I truly believe that the herbs played a significant role in getting pregnant but more importantly maintaining my pregnancy. I am so grateful for the wonderful treatment I received from Michelle and her staff and know I will return to them when it is time for number two to come! Thanks again for all that y'all did. I am 13 weeks and am now herb free!”
Amy
After two years of trying to have a child, my husband and I visited a fertility specialist who informed me I had PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). I began a regimen of metformin, fertility drugs including clomiphene and Follistim, frequent ultrasounds to monitor the development of eggs in my ovaries, and intrauterine inseminations. After eighteen months of such treatments, I still wasn’t pregnant, and my husband and I were emotionally exhausted. I felt toxic and depressed. We decided to stop the fertility treatments, and tried to reconcile ourselves to a life without children of our own.
When I first met with Michelle, my only hope was that acupuncture would be able to help regulate my menstrual cycles. Since I had been diagnosed with PCOS, Michelle stressed that changing and improving my diet would be as important to my well-being as the treatments she could provide. She said something that stays with me even today—“You have to think of the food you eat as medicine for your body.” I began to eat healthier and take herbs and supplements recommended by Michelle, I started monitoring my basal body temperature, and I had weekly acupuncture treatments. Almost immediately, my depression resolved and I felt much healthier. Within three months, my nearly nonexistent menstrual cycles became around 35 days long. I considered this success enough, but within the next month, I became pregnant! I continued to see Michelle weekly through my first trimester. I am now almost 20 weeks pregnant with my first child, and I know that Michelle’s support, in the form of acupuncture, herbal supplements, and advice, has helped me to get to where I am now.”
C.M.A.
How can I write about something that has changed my life so very much? I was diagnosed with Endometriosis almost 12 years ago. I was told at that point to have a hysterectomy or get pregnant right away. I was single and not ready to be a parent yet. For the past 10 years I have had many surgeries, traveled all over the United States to doctors who specialize in endometriosis, to sustain my fertility and also deal with the horrible pain.
I was married in 2001, I immediately started infertility treatments. Again having 3 more surgeries, trying all kinds of fertility meds. We did IUIs in 2002 and then in 2004 I did one cycle of invitro fertilization. Nothing worked. The only thing it did do, was make my pain worse. I was in pain constantly.
I was referred to Michelle by Karin Clark Edmiston (Center for Conceiving health). I had been attending her support group for infertility. My goal in coming to Michelle was not to get pregnant, my husband and I had sent our paperwork in for adoption. I had scheduled a hysterectomy 4-05 but decided that I just did not have the time off from work, so I rescheduled it for the fall. I came to Michelle to just see if she could help some of my pain. After her treatment, my pain would be gone for at least 4 days. Wow, first time in 12 years. Acupuncture was a new thing for me but I was willing to try anything to get rid of my pain. I would tell anyone in the world about Michelle. She is amazing at her job! She is not a salesperson or just trying to talk you into more and more treatments. She is straight forward. She is confident and you will know that you are in good hands. She is very good at giving excellent care!
Oh, did I forget to tell you? I got pregnant! No one can believe it! Especially me. I was open to this new way of care. Not battling my disease but accepting that my body was not working healthy. This is the best thing I could of ever done for myself.”
Kimberly
After trying to get pregnant for about 2 years, we became pregnant but I miscarried after 8 weeks. After a few months, we returned to western treatment and I also started treatments with Michelle. On our first round of western medication combined with acupuncture, we became pregnant and Michelle treated me through the first 16 weeks of our pregnancy. She was very understanding, made me feel very comfortable and was a great resource during a very stressful time. We are anxiously awaiting our first baby and I believe that Michelle was instrumental in getting us here. I would highly recommend her to anyone struggling with infertility.”
Kim
After two miscarriages in 2004, western medicine wrote me off as “old” (I’m 39) and looked no further into possible causes of the miscarriages. Instead, the recommended course of action was a barrage of expensive tests that are designed for those who couldn’t conceive at all. Michelle treated me as an individual with specific needs as opposed to pigeonholing me into a predetermined system. With acupuncture and herbs, she treated my endometriosis (another condition for which western medicine has few options for treatment) and other health issues affecting my ability to sustain a pregnancy, and in less than six months I was pregnant! I am due in September and couldn’t feel better. She was also able to treat my depression, which was of major concern to me, esp. during pregnancy. No other treatment for depression has been as effective, and there have been no negative side effects as there are with western treatments. I’m referring other “old” friends that western medicine was unable to help to Michelle. I can’t say enough about Michelle’s competence and fabulous “bed-side manner.”
MarciaI was referred to Michelle and Isthmus Acupuncture by our infertility doctor as one more addition to our IVF cycle. We had one successful cycle 3 years ago and had a daughter. We had tried a frozen embryo cycle and another fresh cycle without success, we were trying one more time and I wanted to add anything I could to make the process successful.
Working with Michelle was very relaxing and helpful. I looked forward to every appointment I had with her. I would encourage anyone who has had trouble with infertility to talk to Michelle and try her protocol. We had a very successful cycle this last time and are expecting twin boys in late November or early December. We are very excited and I credit part of our success to including acupuncture with our IVF protocol.”
Melissa
My husband and I tried having children for three years before we underwent a barrage of tests and discovered that we suffered from "unexplained infertility." After six attempts of intrauterine insemination combined with Clomid, we decided to give in vitro fertilization one try. Because I was going to pay an exorbitant amount of money for one IVF cycle, I wanted to do everything possible to make that one attempt as successful as possible.
In general, I am not a big believer in alternative medicine. However, I had read several studies that acupuncture increased IVF success rates and learned that Michelle Steffens (now Buchanan) specialized in acupuncture for those suffering from infertility.
I was so fortunate to have found her! Her combined treatment of acupuncture, herbs and helpful advice provided me with strength, hope and serenity during what could have been a very stressful process. Needless to say, I breezed through the IVF process and was prepared for whatever outcome came of it. That attitude itself was worth every penny I spent seeing Michelle. However, I truly believe that Michelle's treatment enhanced the effectiveness of the IVF treatment and ultimately led to a successful outcome. I am happy to report that after one IVF attempt, I am the proud mother of boy/girl twins! I would highly recommend anyone facing infertility issues to turn to Michelle for help. Thank you, Michelle!”
Barbara
Michelle was with me through every step of the process and is a true asset to the Oriental Medicine community! I truly believe that I would not be holding my beautiful baby girl if it wasn't for her help, love and support! I will be forever grateful to her for all she has done for me! I was able to conceive, carry and give birth in a natural way without the use of any pharmaceutical drugs. Thank you Michelle! I recommend her to anyone who is trying to get pregnant with fertility issues and for anyone who wants a healthy pregnancy and birth!”
Lori
Who would think getting pregnant would be so difficult. My husband and I tried for more than a year using every trick in the book, but nothing worked. I finally heard about acupuncture and found Michelle. We used a combination of both our regular western doctor and Michelle's acupuncture and herb treatments and within 6 months we were pregnant! Through our difficult wait, Michelle was the only medical professional who seemed to truly care about not only about my health, but my mental well being as well. I'm convinced that without her help we would still be trying to get pregnant today. I continue to see Michelle during my pregnancy. The herbs have kept me morning sickness free and I feel great. For anyone struggling to have a baby, I highly recommend Michelle.”
Chris
Lisa came into the end of one of my acupuncture appointments and briefly did some work with me. In the five minutes I spent with her I was both excited and amazed. She was able to sense things about me that I had not shared with her.
I made an appointment to see her. During my session with Lisa she made me open up my inner-most fears and, for the first time in years, let them go. She was able to get me past “I’m going to be terrified through this entire pregnancy” and to realize the dangerous power behind my thoughts, beliefs, and words. I cried, I let go, and I felt safe again.
The next morning I felt different. My fears surrounding my pregnancy were all but gone. Anyone who has fears or struggles with anxiety about their pregnancy should consider giving Lisa a try. She is wonderful and I am enjoying my pregnancy more than I could have thought possible. Thank you!
