Dr. Na Zhai Clinic Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Barbara: "I Am a Mess. Can You Help?"

Barbara: "I Am a Mess. Can You Help?"

Barbara was 51 years old when she called Dr. Na.

It was early morning. Dr. Na answered the phone.

"My name is Barbara. I would like to see you as soon as you can take me."

"Hello, Barbara. Tell me a little about yourself."

"I have been very sick. I have been having severe yeast infections and mold allergies as well as chemical sensitivities. Bleach is a product I can no longer use. I get a delayed lung reaction about 24 to 36 hours after using bleach. I have had at least eight times of pneumonia in the past. On November 13, this year, I was diagnosed with pneumonia again. I am taking 500 mg Clarithromycin twice per day for it. Does this interfere with acupuncture?"

"No. Let me ask you, Barbara—do you get pneumonia because of your own body's problem, or because of the bacteria?"

"Of course, the bacteria I caught."

"No, Barbara. You see, if there is a pile of garbage, it will attract flies, especially on a hot summer day, right?"

"Yes, but what does that have to do with my illness?"

"Bacteria, viruses, and all other alike creatures are not able to implant or survive in a healthy body. Just like the garbage and flies. Without garbage, there will be no flies. As you can easily understand."

"Is that right?!"

"Yes. Because the garbage is not caused by the flies, killing the flies will do nothing to the garbage. The same as the antibiotic you use—it is to kill the bacteria, but nothing to do with your real illness. You may feel better because the antibiotic you take can reduce inflammation caused by the 'flies and garbage reaction,' but you will feel sicker and sicker in the long run because the antibiotic will kill your good bacteria, which supports your immune system."

"Then what can acupuncture do for me at this point?"

"My acupuncture treatment will boost your immune system, improve circulation, and enhance the whole body function to fight back. At the same time, we will use one of my herbal formulas, which is very effective at removing the garbage accumulated in your body and healing your inflamed tissues and organs."

Her Medical History

Dr. Na asked Barbara to fill out a medical history form on her website. Here is what Barbara wrote.

"In April 2014, my allergist detected a heart murmur. In just a few days, I had open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve. My blood pressure the day before surgery was 93 over 33. I had a good cardiac recovery, but my lungs have not done well with all of it."

"I have had pneumonia in August 2014 and again yesterday, November 13, 2014, I was diagnosed with pneumonia. Also, the day I was supposed to go home from the hospital after my heart surgery, I had a lung issue and was kept in the hospital for another four days. I had fluid in my lungs."

"I also have a problem with anemia and have for many years. My hemoglobin was 8.9 in May, 9.8 in August, and yesterday it was 12.2. I have been working very hard to get my number higher by taking two iron supplements each day and eating high-quality iron-rich foods."

Her medications included Carvedilol for her heart and sublingual drops for her allergies. She also took magnesium, iron, B12, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, a multivitamin, a probiotic, and baby aspirin.

She reported weakness and fatigue, frequent colds, headaches, and dizziness. Her digestion had improved after eliminating gluten in 2012. She had one bowel movement per day. She had no current skin problems, but over the years she had mysterious rashes and reacted badly to poison ivy.

She listed two other major illnesses.

Lyme disease. She became ill in 1988. She suffered for over two years before getting a diagnosis. She was crawling on her hands and knees because she could not walk. Shereceived aggressive antibiotic treatment for nine months and recovered. But it messed up her body and her ability to fight infection.

Histoplasmosis. She was hospitalized in December 2007 for an undiagnosed lung illness.Repeated testing and follow-up eventually led to a diagnosis in August 2010. She took three months of anti-fungal medication and felt great for over a year. But in November 2011, the same symptoms returned. She started another three-month course of anti-fungal medication in January 2012.

She also listed sensitivities and allergies: mold, yeast, cats, grass, bleach, sulfa drugs, penicillin, and Macrodantin.

The Treatment Begins

Dr. Na gave Barbara a strong acupuncture treatment to boost her immune system and enhance her circulation. She asked Barbara to write to her throughout the journey.

First treatment — Saturday, November 15, 2014

"During treatment, I had cold hands and feet. I got a headache which took several hours to go away. I rested and felt peaceful during the treatment, but did not sleep."

"After treatment, I felt peaceful, calm, and a sense of well-being, but sleepy. When I got home I rested and dozed on the couch under blankets the rest of the day and evening. I did have some rumbling in my belly. I slept great that night."

"Next day: Felt more energized and I felt like I could stand up taller and breathe deeper."

Second treatment — Monday, November 17, 2014

"During treatment, my hands and feet were cold. I got a headache again, but not as severe as during the first treatment. It went away more quickly, too. I felt more relaxed and fell asleep."

"After treatment, I felt more energy than after the first treatment. The tea definitely warmed me up, even my feet."

"Tuesday, November 18: Slept well last night. I didn't sweat as much during sleep as I had previously. Had a bowel movement in the morning. Got groceries and vacuumed the living room, which was more than I had done in over a week."

"Wednesday, November 19: Tired this day. Had a low-grade fever throughout the day. I mostly rested and napped."

"Thursday, November 20: I slept better last night. Felt well upon waking. The back pain from the lung reaction was gone. I no longer had a fever."

"Friday, November 21: It was a great day after a great night of sleep. I am able to take a deep breath again without back pain. I went out on errands and got groceries. Did more cleaning around the house. Had a higher level of energy than I have in the last week. My mind feels clear."

Third treatment — Saturday, November 22, 2014

"During treatment, I felt very relaxed and drifted off to sleep. I had a slight headache."

"Next day after treatment: Slept very soundly last night and woke up with a clear head and feeling refreshed. I had two bowel movements."

Fourth treatment — Monday, November 24, 2014

"During treatment, I did not get a headache during treatment or afterwards. This was the first time I did not get a headache during treatment or afterwards."

"After treatment, I felt lighter, relaxed, but energized. I could breathe much deeper than just a few days ago. I slept wonderfully sound that night. It was wonderful to be able to sleep so soundly again."

"Tuesday, November 25: Today is the best I have felt in almost seven weeks! It was a very good day! I am so happy to have finally had a really good day!"

Fifth treatment — Saturday, November 29, 2014

"During treatment, I fell asleep and slept deeply. I did not get a headache during or after treatment. I felt relaxed and peaceful on my drive home."

"Sunday, November 30: I woke up feeling very rested after 10 hours of sleep. In the morning I went for a short walk in my neighborhood when it was warm and sunny outside."

"Overall I am feeling like exercising again. My husband notices that I have more energy and he is happy about that also. I think that the dark circles under my eyes are not as dark as before treatments. My face does not look as drawn and tired as it did a few weeks ago. I feel warmer and do not have the cold hands and feet that I did previously. I definitely notice a difference in how I feel—much better."

What Barbara's Story Shows

Barbara is a patient with a long list of diagnoses. Yeast infections. Mold allergies. Chemical sensitivities. Repeated pneumonia. Heart surgery. Anemia. Lyme disease. Histoplasmosis. Weakness and fatigue.

She had been to many doctors. She had taken many medications. She had open heart surgery. And still, she was sick.

When she called Dr. Na, she asked: "What if I have multiple health issues and I am just a mess. Can you help?"

Dr. Na did not focus on each diagnosis. She did not treat the yeast, then the mold, then the pneumonia, then the anemia, then the Lyme, then the histoplasmosis separately. She saw one root cause: accumulated waste in the body, creating inflammation, weakening the immune system, and allowing infection to take hold.

Her treatment was the same as for every patient: acupuncture to awaken and balance the body, and herbal formulas to clear the waste. The body did the rest.

Barbara is still in treatment. Her healing is still unfolding. But already, she is sleeping better. Her energy is returning. Her face looks less drawn. The dark circles under her eyes are fading. She feels warmer. She has hope.

Barbara is still in treatment. Her healing is still unfolding. But the pattern is the same. And the pattern can be taught.

This is not a one-time result. This is the same protocol Dr. Na uses for patients with complex, multiple chronic conditions. Because the treatment follows a pattern, it can be taught. Because it can be taught, it can be passed on.

This is the system Dr. Na built. This is what she offers.And it began with a patient who called and asked, "I am a mess. Can you help?"—and Dr. Na said yes.