Center for Complementary Medicine

I have been practicing acupuncture for 16 years and the most common question I get is, “Do you help with weight loss?” My answer has always been “no, but I know of many acupuncturists who do.”

It’s not that I didn’t believe that acupuncture could help people lose weight. I have read many research papers that validated its ability to suppress appetite. It was more that I didn’t feel it was a complete enough solution for what can be a very complex problem, that requires a more multi-faceted approach. I am embarrased to say that I didn’t view obesity as a real health problem, with many associated health risks.

It is safe to say I have come to view obesity as an epidemic, particularly in developed countries like the U.S. It is now, in fact, regarded as the major cause of death n the U.S. I have also witnessed repeatedly weight issues overlap many of the other health issues I was treating people for, most notably, infertility and pain. One of the greatest obstacles I have found for preventing women from becoming pregnant is excess weight. As I began to view this issue through a different lens, and began to research ways to combat this growing health problem, I discovered a scientific breakthrough product that will revolutionize the field of weight loss. (more…)

I’d like to welcome you to my Health Tips Report. This Report will provide you with natural remedies for common, every day problems, as well as solutions for more complex, difficult conditions that you may not have realized Chinese Medicine could address. (more…)

It can be safely stated that one of the true failures of Western Medicine is in it inability to effectively treat pain. Essentially, if the condition is not serious enough for surgical intervention (and most conditions aren’t) the two options are drugs or physical therapy.

In short, the strength of physical therapy is in rehabilitating atrophied muscles post-surgery. It is for the most part ineffective for providing pain relief other than providing postural advice and exercise that can be performed at home. But often strengthening exercises only exacerbate painful conditions, particularly for repetitive-use type injuries. To place additional stress on an already overworked tendon only serves to cause a flare up of the condition. I can’t tell you how many patients I’ve seen with tendinitis of the elbow or wrist who have had their condition worsen after a course of physical therapy.

The alternative option is to be placed on non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) which have horrific side effects, probably the worst in the western pharmacopoeia. If you value your kidneys and liver, I would avoid long term use of pain medicines. It has been estimated that approximately 25% of the people on kidney dialysis, end-stage kidney failure, are there because of the excess use of NSAID’s. So not only are these drugs not treating the cause of the pain and simply masking the symptoms, they are creating much more severe, life-threatening disease.

If there is a black mark on Western Medicine, it is in how it treats chronic pain. So what is the most powerful natural method of pain relief in the history of medicine? (more…)

A significant part of my Practice is geared toward treating issues of infertility, and has become some of the most personally satisfying work that I do

Since Acupuncture’s potential to solve infertility problems was first reported on NBC11, my treatment program has helped almost 30 couples join the ranks of expectant parents. We are all blessed by the success rate, and I look forward to watching these families grow over time!

– Helping Women Get Pregnant

As predicted in our last post, NBC11 broadcasted its story about Acupuncture and Fertility in March 2008:

It was accompanied by on online story, too:

More and more women struggling with infertility are turning to acupuncture to help them get pregnant.

Amy Rueda is elated to have moments with her son, Marco, because she thought she couldn’t have children.

Rueda had not gotten pregnant in six years, even after aggressively trying for three.

“I did six rounds of Clomid. I did inseminations, Gonalef. We were right up to in vitro … I was given a 10 percent chance of getting pregnant if I used in vitro,” Rueda said.

After suffering three miscarriages, she almost gave up. But then Rueda heard about licensed acupuncturist Rick Bernard in Willow Glen, who specializes in treating infertility.

After just four treatments, Rueda got pregnant. Then, eight months after she delivered her son, Diego, she got pregnant again with her second child.

Marco is now 2 1/2.

Although, there is a mistake in the NBC story. The actual cost for an hour of acupuncture treatment is $85. We apologize for any confusion.

Rick recommends once-weekly appointments for Infertility Treatment, which may involve a combination of electro-acupuncture, auriculotherapy, Infrared therapy, and/or Chi Nei Tsang abdominal massage.

Women should plan on following this regimen for between three and six months depending on your age and ovarian health. Success may occur quicker in some cases, but these are realistic expectations.

COST: $85.00 per treatment

For patients not concurrently on Western fertility medications, herbs are highly recommended. Price can vary from $15.00 to $50.00 per month depending on the herbs selected for your particular “pattern” that has interfered with you becoming pregnant.

Your insurance company may even cover your care. Just ask us!

We hear a great deal about how Western reproductive medicine has helped women conceive, and some of the modern techniques used are truly amazing. Research shows that young women using IVF techniques have between a 20 and 30 percent chance of conceiving(at a cost of at least 10 thousand dollars per attempt). The chances fall to less than 10 percent for a woman at age thirty nine, and only 3 percent for women at age 44. On average, women go through seven cycles of Assisted Reproductive Techniques(ART) before they either conceive or quit, spending thousands of dollars in their attempts to have children.

Recent research has irrefutably proven that by combining Oriental Medicine techniques and knowledge, the percentages of conceiving and bringing a fetus to term rises dramatically! (more…)

Thank you Rick from the bottom of our hearts - I truly believe that with your help, we were blessed with our beautiful baby girl! Your kindness and sincere care for all who you come to you is what makes you special as well.

Honestly, I was very afraid of needles in the beginning, but your gentle ways made it painless and the payoff of course was priceless…. Thank you a million times!

Take care, Thina, Nick & Karissa Martinez

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can also play an amazingly curative role when it comes to pregnancy complications, including nausea, miscarriage, and other problems.

When I was pregnant with my second child I became obscenely sick and had constant heaving. I lost over 20 pounds, was requiring frequent fluid/IV treatments and daily doctor check-ins. Several doctors were suggesting steroid treatments and even hospitalization — none of which were something that I wanted to do to my unborn child.

Then a friend called and recommends that I go see Rick. Despite being skeptical and afraid of needles I went in for a visit. After my first treatment I went home and several hours later I could actually feel my stomach relaxing.

It literally felt like there were knots inside that were being untied and smoothed out. Rick had a calm way of talking and listening to me during my trauma. I truly felt like he was understating me and cared enough to do all that he could to help.

We had a healthy boy who is now 1 yrs old!

Thanks! Laura Meth

Repeated miscarriages can be especially tragic for women and their families. In many cases, acupuncture treatments can help:

Dear Rick,

I just wanted to send you a note of thanks. Back in Jan of ‘05 I came to you for help with my reoccurring miscarriages. I was just recovering from my fourth loss. That very cycle I got pregnant with my first child. Two & a half years later, we are a family of four. I wanted to send our deepest thanks.

Best regards, Shoshanah Miller

The newest baby in the “Acupuncture Family” belongs to Stephanie …. We welcome her little one with excitement!

After about two and a half years of trying for our second child, being “diagnosed” with inexplainable secondary infertility, and having multiple
unsuccessful IUIs, I decided to see Rick Bernard.

I’ll never forget my friend’s recommendation to see him! Rick assessed me and with his calming ways assured me that I would become pregnant. By following the diet that he recommended and going to his acupuncture regularly, I finally did!

My family and I are so happy to announce that we had a little girl three months ago! What a joy she is and we’re so thankful that Rick was and is a part of our baby journey!

Stephanie Balch Berntsen