My story begins with a neuroma foot surgery, a weight lifting injury, back-to-back not-at-fault car accidents and a degenerative disc disease diagnosis; and all that at a mere forty years of age.  My quest for healing began with my primary care doctor and soon after an orthopedic surgeon. Unfortunately, neither of these doctors seemed interested in giving me sound advice or providing much in the way of details as to what I should and shouldn’t do.  In fact, I’m pretty sure the Newport Beach orthopedist was visualizing his golf game two minutes into my appointment.

This prompted my wife and I to talk about alternatives and after receiving a referral we found ourselves at Doctor Fu’s.  My wife was experiencing neck pain upon waking up in the morning.  Since she isn’t “damaged goods” like yours truly, within a month of treatments Doctor Fu released her.

At my first appointment with Doctor Fu I completed a detailed medical questionnaire including illustrating (on a chart of the human body) the specific sites of my pain.  He spent a good deal of time assessing my various issues, discussing the treatments, educating me on how acupuncture works and recommending a treatment plan.  In addition, he made recommendations as to what activities I should avoid.  This type of communication and guidance continued while I was a patient of his acupuncture center.

Many years ago I worked for an acupuncturist and received a couple of treatments.  As a result, I had a vague recollection of what to expect.  When I first arrived at Doctor Fu’s three months had passed since my neuroma foot surgery and I was still experiencing pain in my foot and toes due to scar tissue build-up and being a “slow healer”.  After receiving acupuncture treatments to my toes and neuroma site I had less pain and discomfort (especially in my toes).  Oftentimes I could feel the difference in my toes from one appointment to the next.

The most benefit I received from acupuncture was in the areas of my back and neck.  I used traditional methods (i.e. rest, ice, heat, rehab exercises) after the first car accident.  This was helping significantly but then the second car accident occurred.  Now these same treatments were having a reduced effect in resolving my pain.  After only a few weeks of acupuncture treatment my back pain was nearly gone and my neck pain was significantly reduced.

I believe that both Western and Eastern medicine (I’m Caucasian by the way) have their respective places in the world.  Clearly acupuncture won’t work miracles when muscles, ligaments or tendons are torn. However, the typical prescribed course of action by medical doctors which includes muscle relaxants (or Motrin), ice and heat are clearly not the “be-all and end-all” and should not be the only options in dealing with soft tissue injuries (i.e. car accidents).

I’d been trying to classify acupuncture when Doctor Fu described it perfectly.  He said “acupuncture is somewhere in the middle, between massage therapy at a spa and a visit to a Western medical doctor.  He went on to describe it as a “building effect” where the intensity builds and builds until you reach this enlightened and relaxed state.

Bear in mind, it is likely that I required more sessions than the average person.  Realistically, the average NFL running back may have fewer injuries than I did when I arrived at Doctor Fu’s door.   That being said, I am very thankful that I was referred to Doctor Fu and I’m clearly in a better place today due to the advice and care he provided to me.

David E.

Aliso Viejo