"First off, there's a wide margin between skepticism and advocacy. To begin with, skepticism begins with a lack of information or knowledge. Understanding begins with the willingness to listen and learn. That brings us to the most important part. That is the willingness to try something new. I have a herniated disc in my neck that was causing incredible pain and a lack of movement in my right shoulder and arm. I was at the end of my patience level. It was after the lack of sleep for about three days that I had had enough. I couldn't sit, stand, or lie down for more than about three minutes without being in a bad position. I don't go to the doctor for anything because I always seem to come home with a little more than I went in with, but I didn't have any choice.
After two trips to my physician with no help it was time to try something new. My wife called Marilyn and made an appointment. She told me and I said let's go! That's when she really knew how much pain I'd been in, because I'd always said that it (acupuncture) was just a mind game. At this point I was willing to try anything. That's where the willingness to learn and try something new comes in. My wife took me to see Marilyn that afternoon and life as I had come to know it, painful as it was, changed. Marilyn took us into a room and explained to us both exactly what the Chinese theory was on the body and the relativity of it to the senses. It made some sense, and in my state, I was willing to try to listen and understand. When she was done with her explanation, she asked me if I was willing to try the ways of Chinese medicine. I gladly said PLEASE! The atmosphere was relaxing and Marilyn did all that she could to make it comfortable. A bunch of needles doesn't sound too comfortable, but I assure you there is very little pain. Well, I withstood this once thought of mind game and went home and fell straight to sleep. I hadn't felt relaxation like that in about two weeks. It took a few weeks of treatment to feel completely normal, but it made my body heal itself without surgery. I went to a neurosurgeon and told him what I was doing as far as seeing an acupuncturist. He told me to keep it up. That was the biggest eye opener. When was the last time that anyone has had a physician tell them to see someone else outside of their "insurance money" loop? Through all of this I've turned into the biggest acupuncture advocate in the world. It gave me my life as I knew it back. Now you won't catch me without some of Marilyn's calling cards in my wallet to direct someone toward a new life of comfort."
-Michael B.