My husband and I have been trying to conceive for over two years now, using assisted reproductive technologies as well as a variety of complementary treatments (like acupuncture, herbs, Maya abdominal massage, meditation, etc.). I?ve been to three fertility acupuncturists in the city, but for one reason or another, never felt like they were the right match for me. I met Mike last year at a free seminar he offered on Traditional Chinese Medicine. I was impressed by his depth and breadth of knowledge and the amount of personalized attention he gave to each woman in the group that night. Mike displayed a tremendous wealth of knowledge both about Traditional Chinese Medicine and about Western reproductive endocrinology. Months later, I decided to start seeing Mike a month or so before my scheduled IVF attempt. I felt that, of all the acupuncturists I?d seen, Mike was the most well informed and personable. Mike did recommend three months of solid acupuncture in preparation for an IVF cycle, but I was determined to forge ahead in one month as originally planned. Mike was reassuring and said that, even if this cycle didn?t work (which, sadly, it didn?t), I?d be that much better prepared for my next attempt if I started regular acupuncture treatments then.
During my intake, Mike was thorough, attentive, and funny. He has a quirky, endearingly cocky, irreverent personality that has been perceived negatively by a reviewer on this site -- but the real truth is: Mike is so great. Sure, his prices are on the higher end of the spectrum, but he offers fantastic package deals that bring his fee down lower than any other acupuncturist I?ve seen. And contrary to what one reviewer said, he?s not out to financially exploit us ?desperate? trying-to-conceive women. He truly cares about us! He has built his practice around us! Read his poetry (sometimes included in his newsletters) and you?ll see that he has an uncanny ability to ?get? what this painful fertility journey is like for us, to commiserate, and to offer hope and help. I walk out of our sessions each week feeling listened to and cared for (which is more than I can say for my RE!). Mike?s office is beautiful, his receptionist, Lexie, is great, and if he?s ever away, he has an amazing acupuncturist who covers for him. The Berkley Center is definitely excellent on all counts. Don?t listen to the naysayers. Mike is amazing.
The best part of my Berkley experience has been the unexpected positive pregnancy test I got this month while I was taking a little break in between ART cycles! I was scheduled to do another IVF in January, but lo and behold, I got a positive home pregnancy result the day before Christmas. I?ve been seeing Mike twice weekly for about three months now (precisely the amount of time he suggested I?d need to get things in balance) and I know his treatment had everything to do with my wonderfully, amazingly unexpected pregnancy!
Good luck to you. I hope Mike can help you as much as he has helped me.
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