 |
|
|
 |
 |
Childbirth Assistance
Dear Janine, After having two children already and dealing with the pain of labor and delivery, I was a bit frightened of what the outcome would be for the birth of my third. When we first met you told me that, if I wanted, you could help me manage my pain with some acupressure and breathing techniques during delivery, as well as some pre-delivery acupuncture. I was ready and willing to try anything! Well, I was IMPRESSED! I had to be induced with Pitocin and was a bit frightened because I had to have Pitocin with my second child, which was a nightmare. During the first two births, the epidural never took effect because of a defect in the epidural canal in my spine. Needless to say the pain was completely unbearable. Prior to the delivery, you treated me with acupuncture several times. During the delivery, with your help, walking me through the breathing process, as well as applying pressure to the key points on my hand, I was amazed by how much pain I could tolerate. I am a firm believer that the combination of the pre labor acupuncture and your assistance on the day of the delivery helped me to have a speedy, uneventful, and easy delivery, which only lasted five hours! My other two labors lasted just over ten hours! Quite a difference! After the birth of my third child I never felt better. I was up and around within an hour after delivery, feeling hardly any pain at all! After being released from the hospital, I began experiencing mid-back pain, horrible mid-back pain! You performed some acupuncture on me and within 40 minutes it was gone! Now it wasn't just gone for a couple of hours, it NEVER came back! Within four days of having my child, I actually didn't feel like I had just had a baby at all! I was able to go out and help my husband dig trenches in the back yard, as we were putting up a privacy fence around our new home. I was truly impressed and believe that I felt the way I did because of the techniques that you performed on me before, during, and after the birthing process! For that, I will be forever grateful!! Thank you for all your help!
Laura T.
Woodstock, IL
Smoking Cessation
I tried every known method to try and quit smoking - a complete physical, medications, patch, gum, cold turkey, etc., none of which worked in the slightest. Since we are acquainted, I contacted you with little hope of success. To say I was wrong is a gross understatement. I must admit I was skeptical, being a naysayer and cynic at heart. In relatively short order, and albeit painless manner, you took me from skeptic to true believer. I now sing the praises of acupuncture to any and all who will listen.
Wes
Woodstock, IL
Allergies
You would think acupuncture at 15 years old is a little young, but it has got to be one of the best things that has ever happened to me. It wasn't until a few years ago that my seasonal allergies had gotten worse. It then got to the point where, last year, I ended up in the hospital 5 times because of such severe sinus infections, accompanied by horrific migraines. I'd be in bed for days, the blankets pulled over my head, covering my eyes, in complete silence. My pediatrician did all she could to help me, but all of the allergy medication didn't help at all. I had to be brought to the hospital to be put on IVs and take CT scans. We figured, okay, this is way out of control, and I was recommended to an allergist. I went and got tested for my allergies and it resulted in three types of mold spores and ragweed, making my allergies the worst in the spring and in the fall. My first major migraine was in August, and I started seeing the allergist in January. He put me on so many meds that I ended up being on 6 different medications a day, just to help my allergies. March came around and I had another sinus infection. The allergist had given me steroids to take for three days, which helped and I didn't have to go to the hospital. By the time it was April, I found myself back in the hospital and it was worse than ever. I was there for 6 hours, had an IV with pain medication, fluids because I was so dehydrated, steroids, and allergy medication. I was finally able to go home, but we decided that was the last straw. My mom and I looked into acupuncture because, at home, we are as organic and natural as we can be. Acupuncture seemed like the right thing all along, but everyone kept saying, "take her to an allergist," so I went, but that obviously didn't help. If I continued with the allergist, I would have to get one allergy shot every week for the entire summer, for 3 months! And that was just in the hope that maybe my allergies would get better. Instead, we went for a consultation with Nature's Balance Acupuncture, I started off with my first five appointments in the end of June/ beginning of July. Right away, I felt way better. I would walk into the office with a bad headache and come out with nothing at all. It was truly a miracle! The appointments started slowing down, and it wasn't long before I would walk into my next session without any headache whatsoever. It has only been a few months and I am not going as often anymore, but my allergies aren't even as severe as a normal allergy sufferer. I can go on with my everyday life, not worrying about missing school or time with my friends because I don't have any headache at all anymore. I'm not even taking any medication. Acupuncture is all I need.
Marisa
Huntley, IL
Hip and Low Back Pain
I first came to Nature's Balance for acupuncture on January 13, 2009. I had a whole laundry list of problems that needed to be addressed, starting with lower back and hip pain. The back pain was from an auto accident and subsequent lumbar fusion, and the hip pain was of an indeterminate origin. I also suffered from numerous perimenopausal and PMS symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, hot flashes, mood swings, joint swelling and irregular and painful periods. These issues began approximately three years ago and had been getting progressively worse. I had seen no less than half a dozen doctors and specialists over that three year span. I had had steroid injections, physical therapy and surgery, been prescribed hormones that made me even more ill, and given various narcotics for pain. Nothing worked. I was depressed, drugged, and exhausted every day. My hips got so bad that I could not even climb stairs, put on shoes and socks, get through a grocery store, or get in and out of my vehicle. I had very limited energy and had to give up nearly all my hobbies and interests. In short, my life was miserable! Acupuncture was my final chance at regaining some semblance of a normal life. I am still amazed to say that the results from acupuncture were almost immediate! The first problem to go away was the insomnia. I was sleeping through the night for the first time in three years! I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to get a solid eight hours in one night when I was barely able to get that in one week before. My energy levels sky-rocketed as a result. Over the next few weeks, the back and hip pain eased more and more with each session. My PMS was eliminated and my periods returned to normal. So much for perimenopause! The herbals that I was prescribed worked as soon as the second dose, and my restless leg syndrome went away, enabling me to get an even more restful nights' sleep. After three months, I am now very happy to say that my pain has improved by at least 95%. The other 5% that is left is only due to the physical damage done by the injury sustained in the accident. Considering those figures were literally the reverse when I started this process, I consider acupuncture much more than a success story. I can sleep, I can drive, I can climb stairs and dress with ease, and I can make it through all my daily activities without pain or medication. Acupuncture has given me my LIFE back!! I recommend it now to everyone, no matter what the problem may be!
Paula B.
Elgin
Low Back Pain
After 10 years of, "You're within normal range", I wondered if that was all I had to look forward to. Well, I wasn't fine and I hadn't been for too many years. I found Nature's Balance Acupuncture almost by accident and decided to try one last thing. My husband and I decided to aggressively treat my symptoms. I have 2 ruptured discs and within 2 visits, my back pain was under control. Within 3 weeks, I felt better than I had in 10 years. I feel so good, from the inside out. This is truly one of the best things I ever did for myself.
Melodie
Woodstock, IL
Low Back Pain
I am middle-age, average weight, and in good physical condition. There is degeneration in the lower spine; L4-L5 discs. Some scoliosis is present. The back became problematic twelve years ago. I truly believe that it was because of your treatments that I was able to make it through both the fall and winter without any back incidents. I travel twenty-five miles to be treated, and consider it well worth it. Results are due to your expert technique in acupuncture. I find you knowledgeable, informative, and patient with any questions asked. I feel well cared for and confident that I am receiving the
gold-standard in acupuncture care.
Art
Rockford, IL
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
I turned to acupuncture after 2.5 years of struggling with infertility and a lifetime irregular menstruation. I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and MTHFR gene mutation, which can cause miscarriages. Although, acupuncture cannot help with the gene mutation, Janine has been able to use acupuncture and herbs to overcome my PCOS. Prior to me working with Janine, my husband and I tried everything from Clomid to IVF, which for us turned out take a huge toll on my health and emotions. In December of 2007, I had finally had enough and decided to take a break from all of the drugs and focus on acupuncture and hopefully find a way to naturally deal with my infertility. Through acupuncture twice a week and herbs, I became naturally pregnant only 5 months later in April 2008 after 3 years of trying to conceive. Unfortunately, I miscarried due to the undiagnosed MTHFR gene mutation. At that time, we decided once again to go back to the basics and start from the beginning. Janine began a new combination of weekly acupuncture and herbs. She was able to achieve what no Western medicine doctor was able to...I began to have a regular cycle and actually ovulate. I continued weekly acupuncture and herbs for a year and again conceived naturally in June of 2009. This time my reproductive endocrinologist was able to keep my MTHFR gene mutation under control while Janine did acupuncture and I am now 6 months pregnant. I continue to do acupuncture weekly Without acupuncture and Janine, I truly do not believe that I would have been able to conceive naturally. She focused on the fundamental problem with my reproductive health instead of over-riding it with drugs. I am a firm believer in the benefits of acupuncture and its focus on addressing the fundamental problem rather than using drugs to help with the symptoms.
Kendra R.
Crystal Lake
Osteoarthritis
I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, scoliosis, and a spondylolisthesis about 10 years ago by my family physician. I started using OTC drugs and then it eventually got bad enough that I had to start taking a prescription NSAID called Celebrex. Unfortunately, (and as listed in their pamphlet of side effects) I developed an allergy to Sulfa after prolonged use. I was then given Vioxx which was shortly taken off of the market, and so I got angry and stopped taking any kind of medication. When my arthritis began to mimic a rotator cuff injury, and when physical therapy didn't work, and the MRI didn't show an injury, my family physician was at a loss because the only noticeable difference in my blood was an elevated sed rate; which only means that there is inflammation in the body. I was referred to a rheumatologist who did her own blood tests. Once again, only an elevated sed rate was present; no HLA-B27 to warrant a diagnosis of rheumatory arthritis. That was over a year ago. My rheumatologist said that even though HLA-B27 wasn't present in my blood, she felt very certain that I had a form of rheumatory arthritis called psoriatic arthritis (even though I don't have or ever had psoriasis). The rheumatologist attacked the inflammation and pain with methotrexate and Lyrica, which I have been taking for over a year now. Although my shoulders began to improve with the medication I was given, my hands began to worsen. Not only were they achy and sore by the nodules in the joints of my fingers but they would swell, throb and burn after using them for short periods of time. There were actually times that my hands would hurt so much that I would just sit and cry from the pain. It didn't feel to me like the methotrexate or the Lyrica were doing what they were suppose to do and I was then told by the rheumatologist that I also had neuropathy and Reynauld's phenomenon. I met Janine at the Crystal Lake Business Expo and I'm very glad that I scheduled the initial consultation and began treatment. After 3 acupuncture treatments, I noticed that I was able to do things with my hands that I hadn't been able to do for a year (i.e., mixing cake batter and kneading bread dough) and my left hand felt 95% better. My right hand was a bit more stubborn, but after 4 acupuncture treatments I can honestly say that it was 88% better and the pain in my wrist and thumb had subsided to a bare minimum. To me that was a remarkable improvement; an improvement that western medicine couldn't accomplish in the time that I allowed them to 'practice' on me. Today will be my 5th appointment and I hope to speak with Janine about continuing treatment on my right hand, and about further treatment to help my other medical problems that can benefit from acupuncture.
Cheryl
Lake in the Hills
Rheumatoid Arthritis
May 29, 2009 Dear Janine, In April of 2008, my orthopedic doctor told me to take off 3-6 months of work as a hairdresser. He said I was doing permanent damage to my tendons and that I would not be able to work at all if I continued working. So I started physical therapy and dropped my hours down to part time. I continued therapy but I was taking more and more Advil, Extra Strength Tylenol. As a result of the medication, I began having stomach issues. I went back to the doctor and he told me to find another profession. I am 44 years old with a high school education. What am I going to do? That's when I found Nature's Balance and it changed everything. I continued part time hours and physical therapy plus acupuncture 2-3 times a week from November 3, 2008 to date, May 29, 2009. In addition, I did EVERYTHING Janine suggested exactly the way she recommended it be done. My initial evaluation with Janine was on October 27, 2008 and she thought there was more going on then just tendonitis. Janine kept the pain and swelling under control so that I could work through the holidays. On January 15, 2009, I went to see my family practitioner and she recommended I see a rheumatologist. On February 24, 2009, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. When I had my blood work done my levels were so high, he could not believe I was not more symptomatic. I told him that it was the acupuncture and herbs I was taking. Of course, he had an explanation for that and it certainly wasn't the acupuncture. His recommendation was chemo pills (Methotrexate) starting at 10 a week with 3 hours of IV chemotherapy. I refused! I am now down to once a week with acupuncture and I am still on herbs and such. I do take 40 pills a day and have no side effects. I only take one medication that is prescribed for allergies. I am starting to feel like I did in my twenties. My stiffness is mainly in the morning and I haven't had a flare up in a month. The swelling is almost nonexistent. I do exercises and stretching every day on my own with Janine's recommendations. I am still only working part time but I don't have to take a nap when I get home to make it through the night. I can wash my own hair now without pain. My tendons under my arms were so swollen it was painful to put on deodorant. Not any more! I still am limiting how much I lift but I think that is more in my head. I can finally feel muscles moving my shoulders instead of just bone. I am starting to do more and more at home (bummer!). I can now do laundry and dishes. I still can't vacuum and do mirrors but that will come in time also. I can get down into the tub in order to take a bubble bath again and I can even hold a book for awhile. I did physical therapy and traditional medicine for 7 months and I DID NOT get any better. In fact, if anything, I got worse! Acupuncture, herbs and stretching has done more for me in 4 months than 7 months of traditional medicine! I really didn't know how sick I had become up until the last few months when I started feeling more like myself. I feel good and look good. All my clients ask me what I've done because I look so good. I've even been hit on recently and that hasn't happened in a number of years! I am positive that with a few more months of once a week treatments and continued herbal remedies, I should be better than I have been in a very long time and that is all thanks to Janine and Nature's Balance.
Lynda S.
Algonquin, IL
Tendonitis in Thumbs
My doctor had diagnosed the pain in my hands as being caused by tendonitis in both thumbs. As a dog groomer, the pain made it impossible for me to work. Over the counter pain relievers didn't help and the physician recommended a cortisone shot. Well, that didn't help either! Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected such an astonishing result. The next day after my first treatment, I was out gardening, very carefully, but still gardening, and all without the grinding pain. The swelling started to go down, and I had improved mobility. With each subsequent acupuncture treatment, there was greater improvement, until I had full mobility without pain. And I could return to work grooming dogs. Bonus to the treatments was the sound advice on a better balanced diet (for high cholesterol) which also improved dramatically. My physician could hardly believe the astonishing drop in cholesterol 5 months later at a follow-up blood test. All done without medication. So thank you Janine for the help in relieving and curing my tendonitis. And thru counseling you brought me to a dietary balance that has improved my life. I can heartily recommend your acupuncture method and skills as a preferable option to some of traditional medicines drugs and treatments, and I do suggest and praise this invaluable method and your skills for people with intractable pain and in need of life style changes.
Maria
Barrington, IL
Anxiety and Depression
I was intrigued by acupuncture when a client of mine (I am a mental health counselor) decided to combine acupuncture and cognitive behavioral therapy to heal from sex abuse trauma and an eating disorder. I was amazed at how much more rapidly she progressed in counseling when she added the acupuncture regime to her therapy. It was amazing! I had never seen anything like it in over 15 years as a counselor. So as a birthday present to myself, I decided to try Nature's Balance Acupuncture. My first issue was a lifetime of chronic constipation and the unpleasant side effects that exist as a result. Janine was extremely professional, knowledgeable, encouraging and most of all patient with me. Within a month, I was experiencing a regularity that I had never known. After years of laxatives, herbal treatments, holistic therapies and homeopathic remedies, it was acupuncture that finally gave me relief. A second issue that Janine was able to treat at the same time was an anxiety and depression that had haunted me for about a year and a half. I had experienced a long distance move which caused me a great deal of stress and grief. The acupuncture helped me to relax, and experience emotions that I had held inside throughout this stressful period. Within a couple of months, I was relaxed and upbeat with no medications! A third issue was my hot flashes. Yes, I am at that place in my life where I can be a normal temperature one moment and a sweating tortured soul the next. Very quickly, Janine alleviated the hot flashes and they have remained managed for over nine months now. As you can see, when I give myself a birthday present, I maximize the experience. Janine treated all of these issues at the same time. For the first month, I went 3 times per week and then I slowly cut my visits down to what is now (9 months later) only once per month. I would recommend Janine Jozwiak and Nature's Balance Acupuncture to anyone with emotional, physical or spiritual imbalances. It is a wonderful gift for your soul.
Amy G.
Crystal Lake
Janine's Xmas Gifts!
What Janine Has Given Me for Christmas Last Christmas, I couldn't:
* Tie my shoes
* Zip my coat
* Hold onto a coffee cup
* Open my deodorant cap
* Open bottles
* Open doors
* Turn knobs
* Put on socks
* Buckle my belt
* Brush my teeth
* Wash my own hair
* Shave
* Bathe
* Hold onto a bar of soap
* Get my earrings on or off
* Wear clothes that went overhead
* Button buttons
* Pull pants on, and
* Sign my name or write Things I take for granted:
* My health
* Lifting my arms above my head
* Getting in and out of the tub
* Going to bed without pain
* Waking up without pain, and
* Using my fingers Things I feel blessed to do today:
* Clean house
* Work part time
* Walk my dog
* Drive my car
* Dress myself
* Cook for my family, and
* Waking up and falling asleep without pain and without medicine Most of all I thank Nature's Balance for giving me my life back!
Lynda S.
Algonquin, IL
Common Cold
A few weeks ago I came down with one of those colds that knock you off your feet. I was achy all over, stuffed up, super sore throat and I was exhausted. I just wanted to stay in bed, so I called to cancel my appointment that I had previously scheduled. They suggested that I come in anyway. After my treatment, I could breathe better, my sore throat forgotten, aches and fatigue gone! I went home and was so energized I cleaned the house and did laundry. I called Janine to let her know that she was amazing! Natures Balance has changed my life in so many ways; I just didn't know how much they could help with the common cold!
Kathy M.
Johnsburg
Cosmetic Acupuncture
I have recently lost 25 pounds and I feel GREAT! However, I felt like I didn't look on the outside what I was feeling on the inside. I am 44 years old. I used to smoke and drink. But most importantly, I have been a sun worshiper! Twice a year I would go to Florida, with no sunscreen, would fish all year round, with no sunscreen, would lay out by the pool, with no sunscreen, tan (fake and bake) all for that HEALTHY GLOW and even go boating, WITH NO SUNSCREEN. Do you see a pattern? All this abuse was starting to show. Since starting my Cosmetic Acupuncture treatments, I have had more compliments then ever before. I now TRULY have a healthy glow.
Lynda S.
Algonquin, IL
IVF Support
Dear Janine, I was diagnosed with PCOS a number of years ago and after trying for 1 1/2 years to get pregnant, we decided to pursue IVF. We went through 1 fresh cycle and 1 frozen cycle in 2007 before getting pregnant with our son. In October, 2009, my husband and I decided it was time for another child. We had 2 frozen embryos and we did not want to go through another IVF cycle. In light of the fact that it took us 2 cycles to get pregnant the last time, we were obviously very concerned. This time, our first cycle was cancelled and the second cycle was a failed frozen embryo transfer. That was when I decided to come to you for acupuncture. This was our insurance policy that we would get pregnant with our last frozen embryo! We followed your protocol, that has been used internationally, as recommended. I must admit, I felt calmer and more relaxed each time I came in for a treatment. As recommended, I came in both before and after the transfer and the transfer worked! I am now pregnant with our second child! Thank you and your staff for all your help in making this a successful and relaxing transfer!
Dr. Neelam Ghandi, M.D.
Crystal Lake, IL
|
|
|
Recipes
Confucius
said, "Ordinary people regard food as
heaven." Eating good food leads to a healthy
body and mind, to harmony, and to a long
life. Here is a collection of Chinese food
remedies that can help you on your quest to
good health and a longer life.
Click here to learn more |
 |
|
 |
|
|
TREATMENT MODALITIES |
ABOUT US |
TESTIMONIALS |
CONTACT US |
EVENTS CALENDAR |
NEWS ARTICLES |
LINKS |
HOME |
PRIVACY POLICY
Nature's Balance Acupuncture, an
Alternative Medicine Clinic in Crystal Lake, IL serves McHenry
County,
including the towns of Cary, Lake in the Hills,
Algonquin, Woodstock, Fox River Grove, and McHenry.
© 2007-2012 Nature's Balance
Acupuncture, P.C. |
|
|
