N California Health & Acupuncture

 

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5

Carrie M.

San Jose, CA

Based on  a previous review, I went to Dr. Lee at N. California Health & Acupuncture. It was my first time trying acupuncture so I didn't know what to expect. I walked into a dated office with stains on the carpet and not very helpful staff. It's not like I was booking a hotel to spend the night in, so I didn't think much of it.

The acupuncture session was good. Dr. Lee was very nice and I was able to relax. My grievance with him and the staff is that they didn't explain the process very well. I had to ask a million questions just to understand why the heck their were needles in my feet and in my head. Call me crazy, but I like to know exactly why someone is sticking a needle in my body. I did walk outta there feeling refreshed an rejuvenated, so thanks Dr. Lee.

But let me go back to the staff. I've been trying for two weeks to get an itemized bill from my visit. Someone different answers the phone each time, and says "hello?" not "Hi and thank you for calling blah, blah, blah...." Every time I've had to confirm I have the right number because it throws me off. Something tells me these folks (who wear white doctors coats, converse, and jeans) didn't get their customer service training at Nordstrom. Anyway, I've been blown off every time; "call back on Monday," or "I'll let so and so know you called." All I want is a pretty little bill sent to my pretty little fax machine so I can submit it to my pretty little insurance company!

By the way, can you tell my frustration with the staff has ruined any positive effects from the actual treatment?! Never going back....

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21

Lucinda H.

Fremont, CA

I have to confess that I have a terrible phobia about needles and have always been skeptical of Eastern medicine even though I am Chinese. I am the last person that you would expect to be writing about acupuncture. I have been seeing Dr. Henry Lee for the past year and have been very happy about the quality of my health and improvement of my immune system. I have issues with severe allergies and an auto-immune disorder. Dr. Lee is very knowledgeable about human anatomy and physiology. You won't get some of that new-age weirdness at this clinic. He approaches his treatments in a very clinical manner.

I have noticed considerable improvement in my immune system, decreased symptoms from my allergies and an significant increase in my body's healing response to injuries. I even hopped in here one day unable to walk about slipping on the stairs and twisting my ankle severely. A hour and half and lots of needles later, the swelling in my foot and ankle was reduced significantly (at least 70%) and I could actually walk again without crippling pain and skip the planned visit to the doctor to get a script for crutches. The bruising took only four days to heal whereas I would have similar bruises last more than two weeks. My husband has had significant improvement in some old sports injuries and repetitive stress injuries.

Treatments generally take about 1 1/2 to 2 hours and cost about $65 per visit. This clinic does accept insurance which is helpful in keeping the costs down. The clinic does provide Chinese herbs which they don't push on you. I can't take those herbs anyways because I have a sulpher allergy. Dr. Lee is pretty preceptive about where your body and can tell if you are about to become sick. In fact, he asked me once if I had a sore throat after listening to my pulse. I replied no, but sure enough that night I came down with a sore throat and cold.

Updated notes: I probably should have mentioned that this is a Chinese clinic. So, you should be aware that there is considerable wear & tear and is definitely not aesthetically pleasing. It is definitely reflective of the frugality of Chinese practitioners who won't replace or fix anything unless it is completely useless and broken. If you can handle that, then you should be okay. Also, be warned that the entire staff is Chinese and English is NOT their first language. So, complex questions or help on the phone is not going to be easy. You are better off talking to them in person if you have questions because at least you can point to things. I avoid calling whenever possible and make my appointments in person when I can actually see the calendar.

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