Dear Alex

I can’t thank you enough for my acupuncture treatments. Several months ago I was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia, a condition of unknown origin in which even slight stimulation of the face by clothing or breezes causes sharp and often sustained pain to the face. I went to my internist and she recommended a medication that appeared to have a disturbing number of side effects. She acknowledged that acupuncture had been effective for many people with this condition and was free of side effects. We agreed that it would be a first step for me to take.

My facial pain decreased with each treatment and after about two months of weekly sessions all the symptoms disappeared. I know this condition has a habit of recurring, but I will certainly come back for more acupuncture treatments if it does.

Thanks for everything!

Barbara Lyons, Evanston

Headache and Migraines

I have been seeing Alex at Apricot Grove for acupuncture for the last four months with excellent results. I am now completely free of allergy medication(s) for the first time in years - even well into the terrible fall season! My migraine headaches are significantly less frequent without previously required daily prescription medication, and a painful knee problem has cleared up. I highly recommend Alex and his treatments!

Annette R., Evanston.

Tooth Ache Treatment

I have to admit that I was somewhat skeptical about trying Chinese Medicine for something that seems as structural as a tooth ache, especially since the pain caused by cold liquids had already become almost too intense to deal with. However, I partly just needed to buy some time, and, after years of dental problems, and horrible dental experiences, I was just desperate for any other option.

The mouthwash that Alex provided me had a weak bitter flavor and a surprisingly powerful after-effect of pleasurable buzzing. Remarkably, the intense pain has generally subsided, and I can even drink cold liquids again! It still remains to be seen whether this could be a real long term cure for my many dental issues, but my hopes are certainly now far higher than when I thought I was going to need a bunch of expensive and painful dental treatments!

Phil

What a remarkable difference Alex’s herbs have made in so many areas of my life!

First a little history – and full disclosure – as to how I came to be Alex’s patient. Alex is married to one of my best friends. After they moved to Chicago, I eventually came out from California for a visit. Learning more about Alex’s work, I coerced him into taking my pulse and hearing my long list of complaints. Not long after, a box of herbs arrived in the mail at my house with instructions as to how to boil them for tea. Although I’m no stranger to acupuncture, I’m new to herbal medicine, and admittedly found the whole process a bit “out there” at first. But I am thrilled with the results!

After drinking the tea for two weeks I remembered to assess my progress. The following symptoms vastly improved: night sweats, heavy periods, PMS breakouts, painful menstrual cramps, painful constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, painful abdominal cramps, excessive thirst, restless sleep, low energy. My last period was so light and pain-free that I was quite taken aback when I realized it must be the herbs. (I had been considering an invasive uteral ablation procedure with my OB/GYN that is now totally unnecessary.) And then, having been without the herbs last week while I was on vacation, I was happily stunned that resuming the herbs last night resulted in a sweat-free sleep. (Those of you who also wake up drenched/freezing will understand how happy I was to sleep through the night!)

Fortunately, Alex comes to stay with us periodically as he furthers his education. (It seems to me that Alex has an excessive thirst for knowledge – luckily for me!) When he is here he patiently takes my pulse again, listens to my dwindling list of woes, asks thoughtful questions, and determines a new herbal recipe.

By the way, I’d tried all kinds of recommendations by my regular doctor over the years – hormone patch, Citrucel, laxatives, prescription skin remedies, sleeping pills – none of them worked as effectively as these herbs. Honestly, I am surprised by the effect Alex’s herbs have made on my system and my overall health. I’ll admit I was skeptical until I tried it.

Alex has taught me that Chinese medicine is not about the individual symptoms, but about the whole body. The way I see it, my symptoms are the clues Alex uses to assess what my body needs in order to come into harmony. I’m eager to see how my over-arching struggles with chronic back pain and depression are affected as Alex progresses with me. I only wish I lived closer so I could go to him for acupuncture as well!

Melody Bissada, 37 year old writer in California

Shoulder Pain and Digestion

This is an unsolicited testimonial concerning the excellent work done by Alexander Dold. I happened to see Mr. Dold's business sign while riding my local bus to work. I went in on a whim and a risk, and was not disappointed. My arm and shoulder had been aching for months and within five acupuncture treatments I can now sleep again without interruption. Mr. Dold has an excellent touch and is very adept at this work. I also had digestion complaints that were greatly assisted by his careful assembling of traditional Chinese herbs and barks. The Apricot Grove space is very welcoming and relaxing, and I regularly fell into a refreshing sleep during the acupuncture treatments. My great thanks go to Mr. Dold for his effective and sensitive treatments.

Andrew Causey, An Appreciative Evanstonian

Dear Alex,

This is a note of appreciation to you for the acupuncture treatment that I received from you this summer.

While my care has just begun, I wanted to express how impressed I've been with your thorough assessment of my situation before beginning my treatment. Not only were my initial problems dealt with successfully, I have every confidence that the next time I see you our progress will continue.

Although I've had acupuncture before and I am an advocate, I recognize a sureness and ability with your skill that gives me great confidence to continue having acupuncture treatments with you.

After my vacation, I'll be checking in to start up again with a wellness program.

Thank you again for your expert services.

Best regards,

Jan Schunk, 65, Evanston business owner

To Whom It May Concern,

This is a letter of recommendation to anyone interested in Chinese medicine and in particular, the practice of Mr. Alex Dold of the Apricot Grove in Evanston. I became a patient of Alex seven months ago and have become a believer in the curative potential of the Eastern approach to medicine.

My age-related problems concerned: flagging energy, sleep apnea, and sleep interruption. Over the years, these were all "treated" through various prescriptions with side effects worse than the problems. So...enter Alex. He talked to me at length about my general health, explaining that Chinese medicine does not attack a single problem but seeks to address the entire body's well-being. He started me on an herbal combination that sounded right out of Macbeth's three-witch broth, containing not "eye of newt, toe of frog," but deer antler, mussel shell, honey-coated licorice, preying mantis egg sacs, magnetite, various roots, seeds and herbs. Dubiously I began the routine of boiling these ingredients and drinking the tea.

After two weeks, I began to experience a general sense of health, energy, and well-being. That's pretty nebulous and could be attributed to any number of things. What was quantifiable was my sleep apnea and frequency of urination problems. For the first time in thirty years (no exaggeration), I have been able to sleep through the night, deeply, comfortably, and without the interruptions of going to the bathroom. This has continued for the last six months.

To allow this approach into your life, you have to have an open mind, a willingness to boil strange things, and some faith that 2000 years of Chinese medicine is not without possibility for your own general health.

Sincerely,

E.H. Evanston resident

Backache and Pain

After ten years of suffering from backache, my pain had reached a level 9 on a scale of one to ten with ten being the most painful. I had searched out help from physical therapists, chiropractors and yoga but had not found relief until I was referred to Apricot Grove and Alex.

Alex talked to me about my health history and made a diagnosis and after just one acupuncture session with him, my pain dropped down to a level 1! I am overjoyed to say that today I continue to see Alex and that I am virtually pain free. I can’t say enough about Apricot Grove and Alex…I have my life back because of them!

Anne M., 34, Chicago, grade-school teacher