Author Archives: bess0007
peripheral small fiber neuropathy, vertigo, arthritis, calcific tendonitis, plantar fasciitis and fatigue
“I sought treatment with Hongji Lee Bessler after being referred to her by a well another well renowned acupuncturist in the Twin Cities. I am sooooo grateful that I was able to experience the best of two amazing practioners! Hongi Lee Bessler is a beautiful soul! She is first and foremost, a highly intelligent, skillful, intuitive, practitioner of Chinese medicine, incorporating the use of traditional acupunture, cupping and other techniques along with sound advice for home care. I felt genuinely cared for and gained SIGNIFICANT improvement of my health. I recommend Hongji to anyone in need of an outstanding professional healer.” —Ann
“Hongji is excellent at what she does”
“Hongji is excellent at what she does. She doesn’t over promise, up charge or oversell her services. I’ve seen her for multiple issues with great success overall. I would highly recommend acupuncture and specifically Hongji to anyone who’s in pain as a first line of treatment!” —Chad
Pain and numbness of low back and legs
“I have been seeing Hongji for approximately four years now. I first began seeing her for some severe sciatica down the side of one leg. After a few visits I experienced much relief & my symptoms disappeared. Approximately a year ago I was experiencing severe pain & numbness in my legs & lower back. I could not walk fifty feet without having to sit or bend over to get feeling back in my legs. An MRI diagnosed severe arthritis & lumbar spinal stenosis in the L4, L5 region of the spine. I was told I would not experience any kind of relief unless I had surgery. I went back to Hongji & after a few months of treatment & a physical therapy regimen I’m currently pain free & working a physically demanding job on a day to day basis. I try to see her weekly or bi-weekly to stay on top of my symptoms. I find her therapy is also very beneficial in dealing with stress reduction. Hongji is the ultimate professional and sincerely cares for her patients.” —Tim
“life is so much more pleasant without pain”
“I have been seeing Hongji for over 14 years to deal with back pain issues, headaches, rotator cuff issues, and feet problems. I recently was diagnosed with a mild trigeminal neuralgia and Hongji used an acupuncture tool to deal with the mild pain and after three treatments it is gone! What I most appreciate about her practice is that she has a tool box with a multitude of different approaches to relieve pain, from cupping, heat, acupuncture, to acupressure. She individualizes the treatment with what she considers is the best approach for their condition, not limiting her to a strict regime she presents to everyone. I highly recommend her and quite frankly I would be a painful mess if I discontinued treatments from Hongji.” —Judith
Low AMH
After nearly 2 decades on oral contraceptives, I stopped them with the hopes of conceiving a baby within the next year or so. Much to my surprise, my cycle didn’t resume as expected. Prior to starting the pill, my periods had always been regular, moderate to heavy, lasting 5 days or so. Now my period was little more than a bit of visible spotting lasting 2-3 days. I became increasingly worried as the months went by and the flow didn’t increase.
After 3 months I went in for hormone testing. The results revealed that my AMH was a bit low at 0.928. My healthcare provider recommended that we not delay any further and also consider seeing a fertility specialist.
Wanting to try a more holistic approach first, I sought out Hongji and began weekly acupuncture treatments. She also advised me on some supplements to help improve AMH, which I started taking.
After a few treatments and another light period, she added a special tea which was supposed to help me grow eggs and more substantial endometrium. I drank the tea faithfully every day during the follicular phase of my cycle and waited.
I never got to see if it increased my flow because my period never came! After a few days I took a test and found out that I was pregnant. I now have a healthy baby boy and am very grateful to Hongji for helping make that happen!
—TM
“We successfully conceived identical twin boys”
I absolutely loved my experience with Hongji and Point Acupuncture. Hongji really cares about your well being and takes the time to understand your health history to provide the most effective care possible. My experience with Hongji began as my husband and I were exploring ways to support pregnancy. Each appointment was catered to my needs based on past health history and the treatment was adjusted based on the results of the previous appointment. I saw Hongji for about 3 months before we successfully conceived identical twin boys. We were elated and were so appreciative of the support Hongji provided. I highly recommend investing in the quality acupuncture care that Hongji provides!
—Brianna
“I truly believe that because of acupuncture treatments I have my son!”
Hongji has helped me manage many ailments. I had a knee issue that was resolved after years of issues. She helped clear a pesky sinus infection and headaches. The greatest treatments of all were the fertility assistance. I had an AMH of .003 and FSH 50! The doctors had said infertility treatment with those numbers wasn’t going to help.
I went to Hongji weekly for fertility treatments and guess what!? On June 20th 2016 we welcomed a beautiful baby boy! Doctors looked at my chart when they learned I was pregnant and said some things we just can’t medically explain. I believe after years of trying (4 to be exact) acupuncture at Point with Hongji gave us the child we prayed for!
I truly believe that because of acupuncture treatments I have my son!
Thank you!!!!
I would highly recommend Hongji!
—AC
“Point Acupuncture is ON POINT!!”
I had been experiencing acute shoulder pain for about two weeks. After several chiropractic treatments and a massage provided me with no relief, I decided to try a different modality. For several years my husband has been getting neurological pain relief from acupuncture treatments with Hongji. Having never tried acupuncture, I was a bit skeptical, but seeing how it had helped my husband, I made an appointment with Hongji of Point Acupuncture.
After taking my health history and discussing a recommended treatment plan, Hongji went to work. The first treatment consisted of needles and cupping, as it also did for the next three. I felt my pain lessen almost immediately after the first treatment, and I was so happy. After my third treatment the pain was totally gone!! I did one more treatment after that, and to this day the pain has not returned, and it has been over 2 months now. Hongji has trained extensively in the art of traditional Chinese acupuncture and it really shows.
Hongji had also recommended that I eat certain foods to improve my energy level after taking my pulse and viewing my tongue. I noticed that if I forget to consume them, I didn’t feel as alert and awake. Hongji’s knowledge of herbs and dietary therapy is vast and very helpful.
I would highly recommend Hongji and Point Acupuncture.
—Barb K.
“There it was-a double line!”
My husband and I struggled with infertility for 2 years. We were at the point where the Dr. was suggesting invitro and other major fertility treatments. All of that scared me to no end. Through testing we found out that my husband had a slightly low sperm count. As a last resort before these big treatments, I decided to do some research on acupuncture. That is how I found Point Acupuncture! At our first appointment, Hongji explained to us how everything worked within our bodies and the various cycles. She said it would be about 3 months before possibly seeing results. We left our first appointment with some herbal pills to take and a lot of hope.
We had weekly appointments for about 3 months. My husband was also being treated for anxiety which was very high due to the circumstance we were in and wondering if we were every going to have a baby of our own. I honestly thought this was just going to be something added to our other million attempts of conceiving. But then, just as we were coming up on three months and I was starting to get nervous that it wasn’t going to work, there it was-a double line! I was pregnant by the end of month 3 and I couldn’t believe it. We continued treatments monthly throughout my pregnancy and then weekly after 36 weeks to prepare for delivery. My labor ended up being about 3.5 hours long which I again credit somewhat to acupuncture! I cannot thank Hongji enough for helping us achieve the family we had wanted for so long, and honestly feel it would not have happened without Hongji.
As I write this, my baby boy is peacefully sleeping on my chest and I am so thankful in every way for him. We are planning on returning to Point Acupuncture for baby number 2. My only regret is not trying this right away in the beginning, but instead waited over 2 years. Thank you, thank you, thank you! We are truly grateful for everything you have helped us with! Just a note to anyone in the same situation as we were: just give it a try. We had nothing to lose, but ended up gaining so much. Definitely the answer to our prayers! —Nicole
Bye bye Allergies
After suffering from seasonal allergies for many years and seeing the over-the-counter drugs losing their effectiveness, I decided to try acupuncture. I began feeling better immediately and quickly realized I hadn’t been feeling well for quite awhile. After my second session I was able to stop all of the medication I was taking (two for allergies and one for the symptoms the first two didn’t resolve).
The effectiveness of the treatment goes far beyond resolving the sinus headaches and chronic congestion. My mood and energy have improved immensely!
Working with Hongji has been an overwhelmingly positive experience. She is very professional, friendly and informative. I feel well cared for and very comfortable in her care. I wasn’t very familiar with acupuncture before I started working with her, but she takes the time to explain everything.
One last thing, the process of acupuncture is pretty relaxing—it’s warm and quiet—25 minutes of peace in a busy day can be quite a treat! —Andrea
“Hot flash free and sleeping through the night!!!”
I am beyond thrilled to have found Hongji! I entered menopause at age 45 and started have severe menopause symptoms at age 46…hot flashes, night sweats, irritability and weight gain! Hormone replacement was not an option and no matter what I tried I just could not get any relief! I had never thought of acupuncture (I am a bit of a needle phob!) until a coworker suggested I try that. I thought…why not?? I went on line and saw that Point Clinic had a specialty in women’s fertility and figured that was close enough for me. I emailed her some information about my situation and to schedule an appointment–she responded quickly, set the appointment and offered some advice for relief in the meantime.
On my first visit, I found her professional, concerning and very honest! She told me that if I didn’t see any relief or decrease in symptoms after 4th visit that perhaps acupuncture wouldn’t work for me. That spoke volumes as to her integrity! After 3rd visit I was having fewer hot flashes and sleeping longer at night. After about 2 months of treatments I was HOT FLASH FREE AND SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!! I am down to one treatment a month and can honestly say that I am a firm believer in acupuncture and Hongji!! I highly recommend that people try acupuncture now…the treatments are painless and very relaxing. I look forward to my visits and will continue to seek as first option for assistance with health issues. Thank you sooooooo much Hongji!! —Kathy
“Forever grateful”
“Where to begin, as I sit here looking at my beautiful daughter, I continue to think of Hongji and the gift she has given my husband and I. After two years of struggling to conceive, a dear friend convinced me ‘to give Hongji a chance.’ You see, I was the poster child for regular menstrual cycles and I was leading a healthy lifestyle. My husband and I were defeated and struggled with the never ending comments of ‘when are you going to start a family?’ So, after much hesitation I called Hongji. Her success stories gave me the courage to make the call and our life changed because I made that call! I was on clomid for five months (July-December of 2013) and I started infertility treatments with Hongji in November of 2013, in December my husband and I decided to take a break from Clomid and strictly focus on acupuncture. While taking herbs and following Hongji care, we were excited to find out on Friday, February 14, 2013 that we were expecting. Hongji has truly been a gift to our family; she not only is a phenomenal person she also took the time to get to know me. She allowed me to share with her at every session how I was feeling, what I needed and how she could help. I have had the chance to refer my friends and family to Hongji and their response after visiting her is always, ‘wow, you are right…she is the best!’ Thank you Hongji, for taking care of my family, friends and being the best of the best!”
Forever grateful for you,
Bobbie Jo
Welcome baby girl
“My husband and I married in 2008 and were hoping to add to our family right away, unfortunately over 4 years later we were still struggling to fulfill that dream. We had just finished our fourth cycle of fertility treatment (which was unsuccessful) when a family member mentioned acupuncture and specifically Point Clinic. I met with Hongji soon after and felt a new sense of hope after discussing my treatments with her. She not only discussed acupuncture but also nutritional changes I could make to increase my chance for pregnancy. My OB was floored with how my body, specifically follicle growth, responded to the treatments. We were ecstatic to learn we were pregnant after just a few months of acupuncture. I continued to see Hongji throughout my pregnancy and know the treatments helped with nausea and energy levels. I am so thankful for Hongji as I believe 100% we wouldn’t be expecting our little girl if it wasn’t for her phenomenal care. I love telling people about our success with Hongji and would highly recommend anyone having fertility issues to contact her!” —Lisa
“I am now 8 months pregnant with my second son”
“I tried to conceive my second child for over a year, using Clomid and rigorously monitoring my cycle. I had a very early miscarriage after about 9 months of trying, and then finally decided I wanted to approach the whole process more holistically. I am pretty traditionally oriented, regarding my health and wellness, but I was very curious about the science behind the benefits of acupuncture. I was blown away immediately. After my first consultation, I felt so incredibly relaxed and energized, and this experience was (and is) consistent for my sessions. My first appointment was in August 2013, and I conceived in early October of that year. I am now 8 months pregnant with my second son, and I look forward to every appointment because of the immediate physical benefit. I have no doubt that if my husband and I attempt a third pregnancy, I will work with Hongji.” —Margie
High five to less nerve pain
“I was referred to Hongji for treatment of a small fiber neuropathy like pain. The pain in my feet, legs, and hands were bad and getting worse. Even though I was skeptical and not familiar with acupuncture, I decided to give it a try.
I had been seen at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester by neurologists, infectious disease doctors, and internists. I had test, after test, after test, with the outcome being inconclusive. They could not find any cause for my pain, so they only offered to try to treat my pain with pills.
I found out that the medications they prescribed all had nasty side affects. They didn’t work well and made for a bad experience. I found out that nerve pain is not effectively treated by Western medications, but with a skilled acupuncturist it can be.
When I first saw Hongji, I was taking a medication for my pain that made me extremely fatigued. I was having trouble walking due to the pain in my feet, and I could not even have blankets touching my legs at night, as that caused pain too.
After Hongji did her initial consultation and she fully understood my symptoms, she asked me to give it a try for 3 months, as she was optimistic that she could help me.
It was not an instant cure, but gradually positive things started to happen. After a time, I was able to quit my pain pills without increasing my level of pain. That was huge for me, as I then had my energy back. I then started to have periods of actual pain relief. I knew it was her treatments, as I would feel better after the treatments. Over time, the pain has been to lesser degree. It is now a manageable condition that does not totally control my life as it once was.
This spring I was looking toward a life of severe chronic pain, and I am now feeling so much better. Hongji is a caring person that believes in what she does and for that I am truly grateful. Without her knowledge and skill as an acupuncturist, I would be feeling miserable today. What she was able to do for me is truly amazing!!!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you”
—Craig
IUI Success with Acupuncture
“I fully attribute my getting pregnant to acupuncture and will be visiting Hongji again when it’s time to start trying again! We truly couldn’t be happier and I just don’t know if it would have happened, or happened as quickly once we started IUI without your assistance. So thank you, thank you, thank you for all the work you did–my husband and I are so very grateful!”
—Amy
“I just had a healthy baby girl last week”
“After having my son, my husband and I struggled for 3 years to have another child. I had three miscarriages. We tried fertility treatments, but 5 rounds of IUI and one round of In Vitro were not successful. We were devastated, having spent so much time, money, energy, and emotions. We were starting to think about adoption, but I was not quite ready to give up yet. My friend, who also struggled with infertility, and my OB both recommended acupuncture. That friend gave me Hongji’s phone number. I felt this was my last chance to get pregnant. I was done with all of the fertility drugs. Meeting Hongji changed my life forever. She told me my body needed 3 cycles of acupuncture, some herbs, and a special diet to help me get pregnant. Sure enough, after three cycles, I did get pregnant! I just had a healthy baby girl last week! Not only did acupuncture help me get pregnant, it also improved my chronic sinus headaches. I owe it all to Hongji and acupuncture. I highly recommend anyone having fertility issues or chronic sinus problems to start acupuncture with Hongji immediately!” —Kristine
Clean bill of health
“I started going to point clinic a couple of years ago after a trip the emergency room for irregular heart beat. They wrote me a prescription and told me ‘you’ll feel better’. Hongji took the time to get to know me and understand what was going on in my life that cause my irregular heart beat. In my recent check up, after the doctor and nurse got over their surprise that the only treatment I’d been using was acupuncture, I received a clean bill of health. Thanks acupuncture and Hongji.” —John
Acupuncture helps IVF success
“My sincere, heartfelt gratitude to you – I am certain beyond a doubt that the acupuncture (and your expertise) truly helped the outcome of our IVF cycle. We are in a dream-like state, and simply cannot believe that months and months of despair and disappointment have turned into such intense joy that cannot be contained! It will take us a while to realize that we are parents now forever…and we have our daughter….our baby that we wanted and longed for, for so many years. It is indeed a strange feeling when your most cherished dream comes true…” —Thank you so much, once again.
Pregnancy success with severe endometriosis
“Anyone with fertility issues should give Hongji a try! I have very severe endometriosis and have had multiple surgeries over the years and was even sent to the Mayo clinic in Arizona because my case was so severe (along with trying rounds of Lupron and continual birth control for years)! ALL of my doctors told me I would have trouble getting pregnant and should consider IVF down the road. My husband and I tried for a while with Clomid, but I couldn’t get my cycles regular. We decided to take a break from trying and heard about Hongji. When we were ready to try again Hongji suggested I give acupuncture at least three cycles. By about the third cycle I had regular cycles and three months after that, I was pregnant! We are expecting our first baby this November and we couldn’t be happier! We were able to conceive with ZERO medications! We both highly recommend seeing Hongji if you’re trying to get pregnant!” —Jessica
Tubal blockage cleared with Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
“I would highly recommend Hongji to anyone looking for help and guidance within the infertility world!! One would say I am still very young at twenty six years old. We received devastating news from our doctor that I would most likely need to have my tubes removed by laparoscopy due to severe blockage and that my husband also had a very low count combined with low morphology and motility. We were told the only way we would be able to conceive a child was through IVF after my tubal removal. I was emotionally exhausted! I was neither physically or emotionally ready to put my body through the laparoscopy or IVF. I spent many hours doing research and finally came across Point Clinic. I started seeing Hongji regularly for acupuncture treatments and both my husband and I started taking herbal supplements provided by Hongji.
After a few months of seeing Hongji I decided I was ready to go back to my doctors and have the surgery. To our much grateful surprise, my tubes had cleared and unblocked on their own during the course of acupuncture treatments and neither tube had to be removed! Needless to say this was the start to our great news! A repeat sperm analysis was done for my husband and not only did his numbers improve with the herbal medicine, but so did his morphology, enough so that our doctors decided that we could try IUI before considering IVF. I knew that I needed to continue my treatments with Hongji while going through our IUI. I am so glad I did because we are currently four months pregnant!! I truly credit most of our success in becoming pregnant to Hongji and her wonderful patience and guidance. She was always only an email or phone call away whenever I had news from my doctor and she would help guide me in the right direction. I have and will continue to recommend Hongji to anyone struggling with infertility (or any other health concerns). Thank you so much!” —Our Happy Family
Back on the Court
“Hongji: I am writing to thank you for the wonderful work you have performed in treating my plantar fasciitis. My plantar fasciitis was so severe I was not able to run or play basketball. I was trying different physical therapy treatments but was not having any success in treating the pain and reducing the swelling. After my first visit with you, I felt immediate relief of the pain, and after 4 weeks I was able to play basketball again. Acupuncture has provided me the most effective treatment of my plantar fasciitis.” —Dan
Endometriosis, Irregular Cycles and Anovulation
“I could not be happier! My husband and I knew from the start that we wanted to have a child. I unfortunately have suffered from severe endometriosis and I also have two blood disorders which make it difficult to carry a child. To treat my endometriosis, I had two laparoscopies and I went on birth control. Becuase of this I did not have my menstrual cycle for over ten years. When we wanted to try to conceive, I struggled greatly. I had irregular periods, sometimes not getting it for months, and other times only a week or so in between, with severe pain. In addition, I was never ovulating. My husband and I tried for over 16 months. During this time I was seeing my OBGYN regularly to treat for infertility, but still no success. My friend suggested I see Hongji since she too struggled with infertility and was helped by Hongji. Within a few weeks of seeing her, my period became regular and by the third month I started ovulating. It took only the first time of ovulating and we were expecting!! I continued to see Hongji throughout my pregnancy to help sustain the pregnancy because I was considered high risk due to my blood disorders. We now have an amazing 3 and a half month old girl and we could not be more grateful and happy for all that Hongji has done for us. Hongji is kind, thoughtful and understands the frustration, costs, anxiety, sadness and worry that couples face with infertility. Hongji meets you were you are in this struggle and helps support you through it. I know that once we are ready for another child that I will see Hongji again.” —Angie
Scram, back pain!
“I came to Hongji on a Friday afternoon with an intense back spasm that was activated when I ‘threw my back out’ that morning. When I set up the appointment with her, my breathing was really heavily restricted by the back spasm (which was right around my ribcage). I couldn’t turn my body without experiencing a lot of pain. Hongji did acupuncture on several points on my back, as well as head, arms, and legs, followed by cupping and some light massage. She advised me that I should feel significant relief within 24 hours, but that I might also need a second appointment to fully restore my back.
I felt immediate relief after that appointment, and within 24 hours I would say I was back to about 90% of normal. I followed up with her by email and let her know about the significant improvement, and that I wanted another session just to reinforce all the goodness! I came back on Monday and by the end of that appointment, I felt 100% back to normal.
Not only is Hongji an incredibly knowledgeable and skillful acupuncturist, but she is also a warm and welcoming person who makes you feel at home in her office. I knew I was in good care, and I will continue to seek her services as need be in the future. In the meantime, I’m recommending her to all of my friends!” —Rachel
Boy, oh boy!
“After trying for a year to get pregnant and having a miscarriage, I began seeing Hongji. At our first appointment she explained that it may take approximately 3 months of treatment for me to get pregnant and by the third month I was! We are expecting a little boy in December. I have been seeing Hongji throughout my pregnancy for various pregnancy symptoms and it has been very helpful. Hongji is caring and a great support!” —Molly
Another fertility success with acupuncture!
“I started treatments for infertility due to issues with ovulation. My husband and I had been trying naturally to get pregnant for almost 2 years and my cycle was never regular. I was put on several medications to induce a cycle and promote regular cycles. I was not 100% sold on only using Western medicine and felt like I needed additional help to get my body on track. I met with Hongjii who explained the acupuncture process and what to expect when using it for infertility. My husband and I also took herbs and by month three, I actually ovulated! This was also the month that through IUI I was able to get pregnant, and I am now 38 wks along! There is no doubt in my mind that acupuncture was the missing component in my overall infertility treatment. Hongjii has been encouraging and supportive throughout this entire process, is incredibly professional and genuinely cares about the individuals she treats. I have and will not hesitate to continue to recommend Point Clinic in the future for infertility treatments or any other condition people may be suffering from.” —Sarah
Natural conception with 3 months of acupuncture
“A year ago I found Hongji when my husband and I were about to begin our first cycle of IVF. I had experienced 2 failed pregnancies in my 30’s and now being in our early 40’s, we weren’t sure if we still had a chance to conceive a child of our own. I met with Hongji and she felt we had a good chance using acupuncture. We had heard of other people having success using both IVF and acupuncture, so we decided to do both simultaneously. Hongji provided treatments for the time leading up to and during the IVF cycle. Unfortunately, the 3 perfect embryos we transferred did not result in a pregnancy. Our doctor then wanted us to take a month off before beginning another IVF cycle. During that time off I continued my treatments with Hongji. To our surprise we became pregnant naturally during that one month break on our own! We believe that it was Hongji’s treatments that helped us become pregnant naturally. I have continued my acupuncture with Hongji to help support my pregnancy and will soon deliver our baby girl. It has been a dream come true for us and we cannot be more thankful to Hongji for her excellent care and attention. I highly recommend Hongji to anyone who is open to exploring an alternative approach to infertility.” —Melissa
Pregnant after 3 months of acupuncture
“After being on the pill for 10+ years, a really early miscarriage and a laparoscopic surgery (which ultimately was unnecessary and exploratory) my body needed a nudge in the right direction in order to regulate my cycles and to get pregnant. I wasn’t prepared for Western medical intervention quite yet and wanted to try acupuncture first. My body responded to Hongji’s acupuncture and herbal treatement right away, bringing my cycles and ovulation well within normal range. My husband took herbs too. I got knocked-up during my third cycle of acupuncture and herbs and am now 20 weeks along with a healthy baby! I don’t hesitate in recommending Hongji. She’s professional, fun, she always wanted me to feel 100% comfortable with the treatment plan and she completely respected any concerns I had.” —Nicole
Oh baby!
“I came to Hongji after multiple attempts with Clomid, no period for 6 months, and a doctor telling me our only hope was IVF. After just a few months of treatment my periods became regular, and I was ovulating! I went into the process knowing that I wanted to conceive naturally and that it would take patience. It did take patience and many more months of treatment, but it worked and I am now pregnant! I know that we would not be where we are today without Hongji and her magic needles. Not only did acupuncture work for me, but Hongji was the best! I looked forward to seeing her every week!” —Paige
Surprise!
“I came in for lower back pain and decreased energy level, and the treatments with Hongji have made a significant improvement to both. I am also now pregnant. Which is remarkable, because I am male. But such is the power of her magic needles!” —E.B.
Another acupuncture success with chronic miscarriage
“I had my 36 week check-up today and figured it is time to give credit where credit is due. I don’t think this would have been possible without Hongji! In the midst of my third miscarriage in the span of a year, I walked out of my OB/GYN office with the painful words ‘you will have to have another miscarriage before we will look further into it’ ringing in my ears. I knew I needed to take action. I started seeing Hongji shortly after my miscarriage. At this point I wasn’t just searching for answers, I was seeking healing. Hongji provided a therapeutic environment where the healing could begin, as well as the confidence to try again. After 3 months of ‘therapy’, just as we had planned, I found out I was pregnant. With regular treatments throughout the pregnancy, I have been able to hold on to this one and will be meeting my little miracle soon. I am truly grateful to my friend who recommended Hongji to me, and will undoubtedly recommend her to many others.” —Krista
Acupuncture helps infertility with elevated FSH
“I came to Hongji with no ovulation, symptoms of menopause and an FSH of over 30. My doctor suggested that having kids was not really an option for us. A few months of regular acupuncture, and we are now 25 weeks along with a baby girl! We are still pretty amazed but ever grateful to Hongji.” —Kelly
Bye bye Plantar fasciitis
“I can’t believe it, only one treatment and my foot arch pain is gone. Thanks, Hongji” —Jayne
It takes three (sometimes)
“My husband and I really believe this baby would not exist without you. I don’t say it enough, but know how much we appreciated your help in getting knocked up. Who knew it takes more than two people to get that done?! Ha!” —Roberta
Acupuncture helps IVF patient increase egg count (…and now she’s 5 months pregnant!)
“My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant since 2007. I’ve undergone multiple types of infertility treatments including 3 cycles of IVF. I started treatments with Hongji before my last IVF cycle. Once she worked her magic powers, my egg count was higher than it had ever been and I actually had day 5 eggs which I’ve never had before. I’m currently 5 months pregnant! Yay!
I felt at ease right away with Hongji. She’s knowledgeable, professional, funny and personable. I would definitely recommend her for not only infertility treatment, but also for any other ailments. She’s great!” —Kristine
Fertility success with acupuncture!
“Hongji at Point Clinic is an excellent practitioner of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Her advice, reassurance and positive attitude helped my husband and I get through the struggles of infertility. We started fertility treatments with Hongji in 2009 after several years of trying to conceive and suffering a miscarriage. Once I started with her recommended regiment of Chinese herbs, weekly acupuncture and some dietary changes, my cycles became regular and predictable, after years of suffering from irregular periods. In addition, my mood significantly improved after falling into a depressive state after a miscarriage. I cannot recommend Hongji enough for her great work in treating our infertility issues.
We were able to conceive our daughter in approximately 6 months of treatments, and I continued acupuncture through the first trimester to prevent a miscarriage and returned again in the last few months of my pregnancy to prepare my body for delivery. Our daughter is now one year old and is a happy and healthy little girl! Many thanks to Hongji for all of her help!” —Sybil
Umm…thanks?
“Thanks for needling me today, your batshit crazy medicine reduced my back pain by 80%!” —Sarah S.
Acupuncture regulates menstrual cycle…ba da bing! PREGNANT!
“When I first sought out Hongji for fertility issues, my cycles had stopped and become very irregular. My stress level was incredibly high, and my anxiety was starting to affect me physically. Hongji immediately went about treating not only my desire to conceive, but also the general health of my body. Within three months of beginning treatments, I found out that I was pregnant. I am now almost 37 weeks along and I can’t wait to meet my son! Thanks to Hongji for not only helping me conceive, but also for changing my outlook on alternative medicine.” —Emily W.
IUI + acupuncture = success!
“Like so many ‘older’ couples today, we had trouble conceiving (and carrying) a child. After 4 years of fertility treatments, and before our last round of artificial insemination, our fertility doctor told us that he thought that the only way we were going to have a successful pregnancy was through egg donor–IVF just wasn’t going to work for us since I had such a low egg count. We were devastated, to say the least! With one AI treatment left, I decided to search for an acupuncturist. I had so many friends and family say how well acupuncture worked for them. I found Hongji and she changed our lives forever! After our first consultation, I knew I was in good hands. We had only 3 weeks prior to our next (and last) insemination. Hongji told me that she usually likes 3 months of acupuncture treatment before we would see any real results.
Well, after 3 weeks of 2 treatments/week, I went in for my pre-insemination ultra-sound to check out my eggs. I couldn’t believe what I saw! There were more eggs and bigger eggs than I had ever seen in an ultra-sound. Even the nurse conducting the appointment was impressed. After several weeks, I went in for my pregnancy test. We were pregnant! We have the most beautiful little boy! There is no question in my mind, under Hongji’s care, we were able to have a healthy baby.” —Leanne L.
It’s a boy!
“Looking back provides 20/20 clarity. I am now the proud mother of a 9 week old healthy and bouncing baby boy! However, almost a year ago I was struggling with infertility that was going on 1.5 years of failed attempts to become pregnant. Not until after 3 months of acupuncture and the continued unconditional support and encouragement from Hongji, did I fully realize how imbalanced my body was. Infertility causes it’s own stressors, on top of work and life stress, which both left my body and mind fatigued! I felt renewal, healthier, higher levels of energy, and optimism slowly build over the 3 months of treatment. Hongji was a miracle worker! She was able to take me under her wings, instilled a sense of confidence (I was slightly skeptical and desperate, but also hopeful when I started) in me as a result of her high level of competence, her empathic ear, and her professional yet witty personality.
Acupuncture can really help couples who are struggling with infertility—I am proof! I would go back for other struggles in a heart beat—I turned from skeptic to believer through my experience. (She also worked on my chronic sinusitis—which resolved itself as well!!!) I only wish I would have started it earlier! I am confident it can help other couples too—so give it a try!” —Sue S., Saint Paul
Acupuncture helps with anxiety
“I began seeing Hongji about 2 years ago when I wanted to get off my anxiety medication. I had been reading about natural remedies to treat anxiety and many sources recommended acupuncture. Within 6 months of treatment, I had stopped taking my anxiety medication and haven’t thought about going back since. Not only was I treated with acupuncture and herbs, but Hongji acted as a sounding board and friend to me when I did struggle. I an SO lucky and thankful to have found Hongji. She’s made such a difference in my life and I will always be grateful!” —Kirsten M.
Chronic facial pain gets 86ed by acupuncture
“After more than 15 years of recurring acute sinusitis, I found myself suffering from chronic acute facial pain. I would wake up every morning in excruciating pain and was faced with the possibility of taking drugs with serious of side effects. In consultation with my Otolaryngologist, I considered acupuncture as holistic solution. Thankfully, I found Hongji and my recovery is nothing short of miraculous. I am now living without pain and without drugs. The profound impact Hongji’s treatment has had on my life is impossible to quantify. If you live with chronic facial pain, you must try acupuncture.” —Matthew F.
Acupuncture soothes anxiety
“For 9 years I have been dealing with anxiety and panic disorders. After taking anti-anxiety medication for 6 years, I was still not free of the panic and anxiety that has plagued me. Feeling like I needed to do something else to help me, I made an appointment to try acupuncture. At the time I started treatment, I was truly feeling that nothing may be able to help me and I would have to live with this condition for the rest of my life. I was so pleased to find out I was wrong. Hongji has truly changed my life. She has been treating me with acupuncture and herbs for about 9 months, and I have never felt better. I am now able to say I am living the life I have dreamed of and I am able to do everything I want without the anxiety that used to follow me. I no longer have to live every day with this disorder. I have even been able to get off my medication, something I thought I would never be able to do. The care, support and time that Hongji has spent with me has truly meant the world to me. She gave me my life back. And not only has my mental state been better, but physically I feel great too! I will never be able to thank Hongji and Point enough for helping me achieve a great life.” —Amy S.
“acupuncture can help infertile couples achieve fertility success”
“My first attempt at IVF was a complete failure 4 years ago…few embryo’s and low quality. A friend suggested I try acupuncture with my next attempt to improve my egg quality. I was skeptical, but low and behold, many eggs were retrieved and I now have a beautiful 2 year old daughter. My 3rd IVF resulted in a pregnancy as well but ended with an early miscarriage. I came to Hongji with my 4th (and final) IVF attempt, switching acupuncturists in hopes for improved success with this last try. Her confidence, professionalism, and knowledge impressed me right off the bat. I’m now 30 weeks pregnant with my miracle baby boy. I started this whole process as a skeptic but now firmly believe acupuncture can help infertile couples achieve fertility success.” —Mary J.
It’s a girl!
“After many months of trying to conceive our second child without success, I went to Hongji to try acupuncture as a means for fertility assistance. My OB recommended waiting even longer and then if I still wasn’t pregnant to start on Clomid. That did not make sense to me since I did not have a problem ovulating. Making my body work for me versus chemically altering it seemed like the right decision. From my first visit I felt as if the ‘infertility’ weight was taken off my shoulders. We began weekly acupuncture and herbs. I was enhancing my overall health while being proactive. I also had the added benefit of significantly reducing my stress of trying to get pregnant. I thoroughly enjoyed my visits with Hongji. She is calm, reassuring, knowledgeable, and professional. I’m happy to report after a very short time, I became pregnant with our second child! I am certain that my acupuncture and herbal treatments were a major factor in helping us conceive our beautiful daughter.” —Anne T.
“I have the utmost confidence in Hongji and highly recommend her services.”
“The characteristics that struck me most about Hongji was her confidant ability and professionalism. I felt very much as ease as her client and could quite readily tell that she was very well-trained and extremely knowledgeable. Coupled with her professionalism is a warm and compassionate person who truly cares for her client’s well-being. This combination is ideal in a health practitioner due to the sensitive nature of some health conditions and the trust relationship necessary between a practitioner and a client. I have the utmost confidence in Hongji and highly recommend her services.” —Mona
Acupuncture helps with chronic miscarriages
“Our previous two children were conceived using infertility treatments, each time took at least 6 months to have a lasting pregnancy. I suffered three miscarriages while trying. My husband and I decided to try on our own for a third child. A friend suggested that I see Hongji. After two months of acupuncture, I got pregnant. I continued to see Hongji in order to try and maintain the pregnancy. I now have a third healthy baby. I am a firm believer in acupuncture for infertility and other ailments. Hongji is very professional. I do not like needles, but Hongji was able to make me feel comfortable and relaxed with each appointment. I highly recommend Hongji to my friends and acquaintances for their health issues.” —Emily K.
Another acupuncture skeptic gets good results!
“I read this book called Trick or Treatment about acupuncture, homepathy, chiropractors, and herbology—they weren’t too kind to any of them, but acupuncture has certainly helped me. They mention the “But it worked for me” statement and well, it’s true! I’m pretty much a skeptic anyway, so I didn’t have high expectations but wanted to try everything. Lo and behold you’ve worked wonders!” —Craig S.
8lb 9oz girl!
“I am very thankful for and impressed with the level of care, attention, skill and expertise that I received during my treatments with Hongji. My husband and I recently relocated to Saint Paul from Florida. I worked with an acupuncturist in Florida for infertility and was worried I would not be able to find anyone in Saint Paul with the same level of knowledge regarding fertility issues. Not only was Hongji successful in helping us achieve pregnancy after only two months, she also alleviated pain I was having as a result of TMJ. I went from not being able to chew to no pain at all. It is like I received two for the price of one treatment. I am pregnant and have no jaw pain after 2 month. I would and have highly recommended Hongji to everyone I know. She is extremely knowledgable, kind, fun, and ethical. Her clinic feels much more like a spa than a clinic. The whole experience was relaxing and wonderful.” —Suzanna, new mother of 8lb 9oz girl
Acupuncture assists IVF by improving egg quality
“After years of not knowing what was wrong with me and why I could not have a child on my own, I sought out infertility treatment through traditional medicine. As much as I enjoyed my clinic, I knew my body needed more than just western medicine. With the help of Hongji and Point Clinic, I learned so much more about my body and how to relax and treat myself, where western medicine could not. After a number unsuccessful IUI’s(4) and a failed IVF, I was devastated to learn that I was diagnosis as having poor egg quality, I immediately was given help and hope from Hongji and after 3 months of treatment and adding herbal medicine as well to my next IVF cycle, I was amazed and thrilled to not only have had increased egg quality, but my body responded superior to the cycle and I am currently pregnant and due this month! I know it would not have happened without the extra help my body needed. I strongly would recommend to anyone going through infertility to give acupuncture and herbal medicine a chance for at least six months before western medicine…Thank you Point Clinic!!!” —Shannon, new mother of 7lb 13.6oz girl
“The results from my sessions of acupuncture and counsel at Point are exciting”
“The results from my sessions of acupuncture and counsel at Point are exciting. I appreciate the wise and gentle professionalism of Hongji. The setting also contributes greatly to the total healing experience. Thank You!” —George Y.
Acupuncture takes a stab at Sciatica (and wins!)
“When I arrived at Point Clinic, I was at the end of my rope, both physically and mentally. My sciatica—due to two bulging discs—had suffered a flare-up over a month earlier, and nothing seemed to help it—chiropractic, massage, painkillers, a cortisone injection, physical therapy. Many days it was all I could do but to hobble around my apartment in extreme pain. Desperate—as I was beginning graduate school in just one week—a friend referred me to Hongji. Within 3 hours of my first visit, I was feeling remarkably better; in 24 hours, I was a new person. Hongji has restored my quality of life, and as I begin graduate school, I have her to thank for my ability to do so!! I wholeheartedly recommend acupuncture to anyone who is suffering with back pain—it can do what other treatments cannot. Thank you, Hongji!!” —Kimberly C.
“off of the all antidepressants and feeling better” (thanks to acupuncture and herbs!)
“I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety for years, and have been on many antidepressants to help those conditions. I have been getting acupuncture treatments and taking herbs for more than a year now, and I am off of all antidepressants and feeling better than I have for years. The attentive care I received and the amazing effects of the treatments have made Asian medicine the best health investment I could have made.” —Danielle
Another happy new mom
“After 9 long months of unsuccessful infertility treatments, I decided to add acupuncture and herbs into my plan of care. I had no idea how relaxing it was. It was, by far, the best thing I could have done for myself. I took power naps during each treatment and the herbs offset the adverse effects of the infertility meds. After 3 months of acupuncture and herbs, and skipping a month of infertility treatments, I became pregnant. Unbelievable! Had I know then, what I know now, I would have begun with acupuncture and herbs first. I cannot recommend the Point Clinic highly enough.” —Amy, new mother of 7lb 1.8oz boy
acupuncture “strengthens my entire system”
“As a user of alternative health practices for many years, I am grateful for what I consider the benefits to me from acupuncture in particular. I have settled on a ‘routine’ of 6-8 weekly treatments at least 3 times a year, and feel that it tones and strengthens my entire system. I am diagnosed with COPD, and receive treatment specific to that as well as other minor health issues.” —Karen
IVF success with acupuncture
“We are firm believers that a couple undergoing fertility treatments could have their chances improved with acupuncture and herbs. We had two unsuccessful IVF attempts (without acupuncture or herbs) in Chicago and felt hopeless. The rollercoaster of emotions was relentless. After relocating to the Twin Cities, my wife met Hongji and developed a trusting relationship. She not only worried about points that addressed overall reproductive health, but understood other emotions related to infertility, i.e. anxiety, stress, depression, etc. We were prepared for our third and probably final IVF attempt. Hongji was great and extremely compassionate to our needs! Thank you for all your help and support during our journey.” —New proud parents, D & E…baby dust to all ttc
“I would recommend Hongji to anyone!”
“I want to express how helpful acupuncture has been for me. Hongji has helped me avoid gallbladder surgery with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Chinese medicine is a much less invasive way of helping the body heal and I have been continually receiving treatments for other chronic health problems as well. Hongji is a very wonderful practitioner. She is an excellent listener, gives good sound advice on nutrition as well as other practical tips. Her acupuncture treatments along with Chinese herbal medicine have greatly helped me. I would recommend Hongji to anyone!” —Heidi S.
“The acupuncture and herbal treatments were designed with care”
“The care I received by Hongji was exceptional. The acupuncture and herbal treatments were designed with care, as Hongji took the time to really listen to my symptoms. What is more is that Hongji spoke to me about changing my thinking patterns that were contributing to my inadequate health. Gentle listening skills and calm advice definitely was a big part of my healing.” —Andrea R.
“Hongji is always extremely professional and proficient while remaining attentive and personable”
“Hongji is always extremely professional and proficient while remaining attentive and personable. She goes above and beyond the minimum requirements to find the best treatment for her patients. She utilizes not only her clear understanding of acupuncture as well as her knowledge of herbs, cupping, tui-na and auricular therapy.” —Julia
“Without a doubt, Hongji is a terrific practitioner of Chinese Medicine”
“Without a doubt, Hongji is a terrific practitioner of Chinese Medicine. She has successfully treated me for everything from the common cold to a chronic shoulder injury. She is a compassionate practitioner with a solid understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I would recommend her to anyone seeking a path to healing.” —Michael E.
Sinus relief with acupuncture
“With over 25 years of chronic sinus problems and infections and trying every nonprescription and prescription medication on the market, I have found that acupuncture and herbs are the only things that relieve my pain, congestion, and itchy eyes and nose and it doesn’t cause drowsiness. I don’t get sinus infections anymore either. It has also greatly improved my memory loss, which is due to information overload and stress. I highly recommend it.” —Gina O.