Patient testimonials for Laurie Binder, Santa Monica Acupuncture and Wellness, Los Angeles Acupuncturist

Dear Laurie,

As promised, I just wanted to let you know that announcements to family and friends are going well. People are pleasantly surprised that there is only 4 months more to go until delivery, but we wanted to make sure we had the amniocentesis results before telling everyone. My mother is especially excited - although if she asks me how I am feeling one more time, I am going to stop calling her...

I can't thank you enough for all of your help in getting me to this stage. As you know, we had been trying to conceive for almost two years and had two blighted ovum miscarriages before I came to you for treatment in January 2007. Before finding your practice, I had visited two acupuncture/oriental medicine practitioners, one for seven months, and another for four months. Both had been highly recommended to me by others. During that time, I brewed shopping bags-worth of herbs, took herbal capsules, had acupuncture treatments to stimulate ovulation, etc. However, despite all the treatments and expenses, I never felt any noticeable difference in my health.

All that changed when I came to you just after my second miscarriage. At first, I was attracted to your professional background as a nurse practitioner in a fertility clinic and that you were so knowledgeable about all the Western medical treatments that women with fertility issues experience. Your calming and reassuring bedside manner put me at ease immediately. I was especially pleased that you decided to focus on normalizing the chi imbalances and my liver and kidney deficiencies through dietary adjustments and acupuncture, rather than starting herbs right away. I had been somewhat uncomfortable that the other practitioners had pushed the herbal supplements so hard - it seemed like they were trying to increase revenue stream...

To my amazement, within 4 treatments and just 2 weeks, I noticed tremendous improvements in my overall health. My energy level increased greatly, and my cycle - which were somewhat irregular and always very long (43 - 50 days apart), shortened to around 33 - 35 days. I also began a new cycle of Clomid (my second, at a higher dosage), and experienced none of the side-effects that I had the first time around at half the dosage.

In less than 2 months of treatment with you, I became pregnant again. This time, under your guidance, the pregnancy is passing its milestones with flying colors. You provided stabilizing treatments when I experienced spotting and later underwent amniocentesis, but most importantly, you provided positive affirmations and calming words to soothe my anxieties. Coming to your office was more like a Zen-spa treatment, rather than a medical experience. I catch the best naps in your office!

Although you know that I can't completely relax (I'm trying!) until the baby is safely delivered (then it will be a whole different set of worries), I am hopeful, optimistic and excited about this pregnancy. I firmly believe that the journey and outcome would not have been as positive if I had not found you, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

When we are ready to try for the next baby, I will be sure to visit you, my earthly guardian angel, again - to put me in the best of physical and mental health for success.

In the mean time, I will send you periodic updates on my progress...

With love, GT

After almost 3 years of "unexplained" infertility accompanied by a slew of eastern and western medical tactics, I was at the end of my rope. I had just completed the first part of an IVF cycle, with 7 eggs retrieved, only to hear days later that none of the eggs fertilized with poor egg quality cited as the reason for this. I was 33 at the time. My husband and I had pre-paid for 2 IVF cycles, so we hoped that a change of meds and ICSI would provide better results the 2nd time around. Meanwhile, I was emotionally devastated, but knew I wanted to take charge of what we knew would be our last big guns fertility treatment. Here's where the story takes a turn for the better. I came across Laurie's Web Site and requested a consultation. Well. Laurie was everything I had been looking for in an acupuncturist and in the hopes of best complimenting the Western treatment I would continue to undergo. Her acupuncture, like her exam rooms, were thoughtful examples of her ability to relax and rejuvenate. She is a fantastic communicator, finally giving me a full Eastern exam and diagnosis as well as a detailed dietary plan of action that I could really work with. My RE recommended I try "fertility blend" and Laurie took this and any other medication into consideration and prescribed (without pushing!) herbs that I would take during the time off period prior to our next IVF, which spanned several months. By the time I began our next IVF, I felt like a different person and I know I owe a great deal of that to Laurie. The results were remarkable. I had always been a not-so-great/poor responder when it came to stims, this time around I produced 17 eggs and, I guess it was a numbers game because we were able to transfer 3 embies (an 8A, a 6A and a 6B). And tomorrow I will be 22 weeks pregnant, amazing. I cannot recommend Laurie strongly enough, she is, simply put, a Godsend.

Hi Laurie,
I wish to thank you for your on going gentle method of acupuncture, you really make your patient feel at ease and comfortable and you have readily answered any questions I have had. My wellbeing is steadily improving and I feel better each time you treat me.
Keep up the Excellent work.

I have been a patient of Laurie Binder for more than two years. She has helped to minimize a variety of peri-menopausal symptoms, relieve the effects of stress on my internal organs and alleviated the symptoms of the common (but resistant) colds. Her approach to the integration of Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine is supportive as well as insightful. I consider my acupuncture treatments both restorative and preventative, and I highly recommend Laurie's practice.

I have been a patient of Laurie Binder for many years - as a Nurse Practitioner and as an Acupuncturist. Laurie is that rare kind of medical caregiver that helps you to sleep easy at night because you know you have the best medical care you can get. Laurie's examinations, her attention to detail and her follow-up let me know I am in the best of hands. Through her skill in acupuncture she has helped me with a variety of medical issues. I have more energy, lost the ringing in my ear, and during a stressful change in my life when I had difficulty sleeping, her treatments fixed me right up. I can't recommend her more highly, I feel blessed to be in her care.

Thank you Laurie,
Beth

Laurie Binder is a miracle worker. This statement, although used casually by many, is not easily earned by me. I am a natural skeptic and never really believe in anything outside of concrete factual evidence. Miracles seemed silly and almost trivial, until now.

I have been suffering from crippling migraines for over 10 years. Those of you who have been burdened with this ailment know the agony and suffering we can endure. I have been to neurologists, specialists, physicians, etc. You name it, I have tried it. Out of pure desperation I decided to give acupuncture a chance. There were no expectations at all, (to be honest I thought it was a bit of a hoax) and I was pleasantly surprised, thrilled even. This was my final stop; I didn’t want to hope for relief any longer. (I was always left with disappointment)

I have seen Laurie a few times (about 5). I used to suffer from two migraines a month and have subsequently only had a bout with ONE over the last 4 months! This is a relief and a miracle. Now I can live and enjoy life. Give it a chance; it will save your sanity!

Thank you Laurie, you are my healer. I can not begin to describe the freedom and joy you have given me in 5 simple sessions. I will be forever grateful.

I met Laurie a few years ago as a Nurse Practitioner. For two years I had suffered from chronic problems with a Bartholin cyst. Prior to knowing Laurie, the cyst was simply drained whenever it became enlarged. Of course I had been advised to have it surgically removed, but my leaning was away from the knife.

I made an acupuncture appointment with Laurie, and she went to work on treating the cyst with acupuncture and herbal medicine. By the following week, my cyst was almost undetectable, shrinking down to about the size of a pea. Laurie had achieved something just short of miraculous. She followed up with three more treatments and the cyst has not been a problem since. I strongly encourage women with female health issues to visit Laurie and experience her professionalism, her expertise and her dedication to nurturing and healing women.

I first was a patient of Laurie Binder's because I was going through infertility treatments and my body felt out of balance due to the fertility drugs that I was taking. We were getting ready to do a second try of IVF (invitro fertilization). Laurie was recommend to me and I started treatments twice a week. As the treatments with Laurie progressed my IVF doctor could not believe the progress I was making with the drugs. He was truly amazed at how strong and improved my physical state was as opposed to before when I was not under going the Acupuncture treatments by Laurie Binder. I got pregnant and now have a baby boy! After the birth I was very sore and emotionally all over the place. Again, Laurie treated me and I felt my body respond and heal. I am not exaggerating but in one day after the first treatment I felt my swelling go down and my emotional state became calmer. I am amazed at Laurie's intuitive talents and her skills as a acupuncturist. I believe that the healthy birth of my son and my fast recovery after the birth was 100 percent helped and improved by the treatments of Dr. Laurie Binder.

I have to say that if I compare the "me" now to the "me" two months ago, that person is now a stranger. MANY THANKS TO YOU. My initial fear of needles and new medical techniques were all pleasantly overcome by your gentle manner, knowledge, and overall you just being a truly special person. Not only have you helped me with my digestion (which I didn't even come to you for treatment), you really have helped me settle the mental/anxiety issues I was dealing with. I feel more balanced, focused, and just really a whole lot better.

Every time I went on a diet, I would starve all day. When it came time to exercise, it was almost impossible to muster the energy for it. Even when I did force myself to exercise, I still couldn't lose weight. I would get upset and cheat on my diet, making me feel worse about myself. I came to Dr. Binder after reading an article about weight loss with acupuncture. After seeing Laurie for 6 weeks, I've lost 15 pounds! I'm more energetic than I've been in years. I know I have a way to go to reach my goal, but I'm sure that with my new routine and Laurie's support, I can do it!

To Whom It May Concern,

I had been suffering from sciatica for about 6 or 7 years. I would get numbness in my right thigh, and excruciating pain down my right leg when standing straight up, or walking for any period of time. I had gone to several doctors and they all said the same thing: yes, you have a pinched nerve, and no, there’s nothing we can do for you. Finally somebody recommended that I get acupuncture treatment. He recommended his acupuncturist, Laurie Binder. I was skeptical of nontraditional medicine (I still am). But I was at the end of my rope: the pain was getting worse. I went to see Laurie and now I’m a believer. My pain was gone after several sessions, and the numbness went away almost completely. I never even think about my sciatica any more. And this after I had resigned to live with it the rest of my life. Thanks Laurie.

Sincerely,

Matt B.

Please let me share with you a brilliant and gifted acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture – Laurie (Laurel) Binder. Her practice specializes in women’s wellness, as she is additionally a nurse practitioner in ob-gyn and teaches private and group classes for lamaze.

I’ve known Laurie for many years and have witnessed her commitment, passion, fortitude, and humanity through her stages of continued education from nursing school to her graduation from acupuncture school. I have been blessed to be a recent recipient of her acupuncture treatments for a personal on-going women’s issue that no medical doctor could accurately address. Laurie got it immediately, and in 5 consecutive treatments, I’m well again!

I’ve received an abundance of acupuncture over the years, and I’ve never experienced any other Doctor of Acupuncture who listened as fully and then utilized intuition and skill mixed with western and eastern medical knowledge, and who works with the purest of love. I cannot say enough about her, and I want to share her incredible healing abilities with everyone!

"I first started seeing Laurie Binder for infertility treatment. My husband and I had many tests done and the doctors didn't find anything wrong with either one of us. They suggested we start with injectable fertility drugs and intrauterine insemination (IUI). We agreed that we would like to try IUI but were not ready to start with the fertility drugs due to the side effects. We decided to do a "natural" IUI cycle and try acupuncture as well. To our surprise (and our doctors as well) we got pregnant the first cycle after I started acupuncture. I was seeing Laurie 2 days per week. In addition to achieving pregnancy after 16 months of infertility, I also had more energy and felt better than I had in a long time. I look forward to going back for more treatment after our baby is born. Laurie is great! Her mix of western and eastern medicine is priceless!!"

I had been looking for some kind of weight-loss help for about a year. I’d check out the Internet, but it seemed most programs involved surgery! The one thing I absolutely knew was I did not want surgery. So I’d get discouraged and leave it for awhile. Then, at the beginning of last summer, I searched again and Laurie’s website popped up. I thought about it, and decided why not, and made the call. And after a half-century, my life took off!

When I first met with Laurie I was pleased with her openness, but also with how pragmatic she was. It was explained that in addition to the acupuncture treatments, I would need to “diet” and to exercise in order to maximize the benefits. I felt I could be honest with her about my feelings about my weight and about programs that I believed capitalized and exploited heavy people. I told her I was comfortable being moderately upholstered but that currently (and for the last ten years) I was overstuffed and would like to transcend that. I said I wasn’t expecting miracles, I wasn’t in a hurry and I needed the program to fit me - I wasn’t willing to be programmed to fit it.

The acupuncture treatments themselves are amazing. I come out of a session feeling strong, and energetic and balanced. If I have a headache, Laurie deals with that ... I hurt my knee, she was able to treat that and the pain was gone. I feel totally safe and healthy in her care and able to talk about health issues far beyond the weight. But Laurie and I discuss my food, my feelings about the food, my physical being and all that entails, weekly and assess what’s working and what isn’t. Together we find what will meet my particular need and help me achieve. Trial and more success than error.

For the first time in my life I feel in control of my weight. I don’t diet ... I just have a new way of eating. I don’t get hungry and I don’t get cravings. The food program is made up of just that - food! Regular good food that is satisfying. In the past, when I found a program that worked for me I’d keep the weight off for 2 or 3 years, but it would creep back. I tried the fast, the pills, the shock therapy, and while I’d lose weight, I’d constantly be planning on that first meal when I was no longer fasting or popping or buzzing and I could eat what I wanted ... and what I wanted was the first step back to and beyond where I started. With Laurie’s guidance, I now absolutely know that I will follow this way of eating the rest of my life ... doesn’t mean there isn’t a hot fudge sundae in my future, but I realize now that it will be my choice and not satisfying some blind obsession.

When I first started working with Laurie, I recruited a friend of mine to help me “move”. For four months we would meet a few times a week and gently work out. Laurie was encouraging and non-judgmental about it. When my friend was unable to continue with our “sessions”, I talked with Laurie about it and decided perhaps I ought to look into a gym. With her help I found a gym I feel comfortable in and my exercise has intensified encouragingly, and I have never felt as strong as I do now in my mid-50s!

Best of all, I feel that I am in control and not being controlled. I am empowered and Laurie has been the director of it all. The treatments, the talks, the encouragement - it’s been exciting and exhilarating but also the most natural path I’ve ever walked.

Oh, did I mention? It’s been 6 months. I’ve lost 80 lbs

Anne, Santa Monica

Dr. Binder,

I’m writing to thank you for your incredible work with my wife, Melanie. I have to admit I was not a firm believer in acupuncture/Chinese medicine, but you have changed my entire outlook on the profession.

After nearly a year and a half of trying, Melanie was pregnant exactly 8 weeks after seeing you. I can’t convey how much this has changed our lives. Not only do we have a child on the way, Melanie feels much better mentally and physically.

Your work is truly amazing and should never be undervalued.

Thanks again,

Steve