“After over thirty years of chronic depression, lots of therapy, self help books and various healthful practices such as meditation, yoga and good nutrition, I was fired by my most recent therapist (with whom I had been working sporadically for 5 years) for my continued refusal to consider anti-depressants. Several years ago, I had been on Paxil for a few months and I knew I did not ever want to take drugs for depression again, unless I was suicidal or completely non-functional. I felt VERY discouraged after my experienced therapist (backed by all of her colleagues) gave me the message that in her opinion, without chemicals I would never be able to do more than just cope – even with all of the diligent work I was doing to care for my mental, physical and spiritual health. That night, knowing that consuming alcohol was the absolute worst plan, I decided to do just that. Much to the surprise and dismay of my husband (whom I frequently lecture about healthy habits), I drank most of a bottle of wine and then a rapid succession of multiple martinis. It wasn’t pretty. The next morning, I was in no condition to go to Nia (joyful leaping was out of the question!) and then out to breakfast afterward with Jori as planned. Unfortunately, (or as it turned out, very fortunately) I didn’t crawl out of bed in time to cancel, so I sat out in the HeartSpace parking lot with my sunglasses on until after class. After hearing my tale of woe, Jori convinced me that I should try acupuncture. In desperation (but without a whole lot of faith) I began seeing her twice a week. Within a very short period of time, I went from the worst depression I had experienced in almost a decade (and allow me to assure you that it was quite grim) to a state of intense joy. I felt an amazing physical opening in my upper back and chest area (I have always carried what felt like a large metal vault of tension, anxiety and pain in my upper back and my posture has been hunched forward as if protecting my heart.) I heard little popping noises in my shoulders and neck and I was able to move better. My breathing deepened (bringing an enormous sense of relief and well being), my hands tingled and I felt a spiritual opening of my heart as well. Suddenly, every time I picked up anything to read, listened to music, watched a movie or talked to anyone, I got the same messages to open my heart and connect my body, mind and spirit. I renewed my commitment to accepting and observing with compassion whatever I was experiencing (including depression) without resisting or running for medication with drugs, food or alcohol. This is not to say that I have become an ascetic or that I will always sail blissfully through every challenge. I know this is a life’s work, but acupuncture helped me break through the blockages in my energies that were exacerbating my suffering, and started me on a new path of true healing. I am profoundly grateful.”

“Hi Jori,
I have to tell you how relaxed and good I feel since acupuncture this morning.  I have to tell you a funny story (something I normally would have been irate about but i was so relaxed it didn’t even bother me) – i was driving home and all of a sudden something started spraying all over my car – my windshield, dashboard, ceiling, etc.  i looked down and a 2 Liter bottle of soda that had gotten stuck under a seat rolled out and had a big hole in it and it was spraying all over the car – normally I would have been really upset, etc. but i ended up just laughing about the whole thing – it was a mess to clean up though! so thank you again – you have worked majic!! Looking forward to next thurs at 10:30!” 

“Dear Jori,
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Here it is Friday, and I haven’t had even a twinge in my neck, let alone the awfully painful spasm I came in with on Monday afternoon! Even though the spasm and pain continued during the treatment and it hurt getting up off the table, the pain slowly diminished the rest of Monday and by Tuesday morning, it was gone altogether! The muscles in my neck have slowly gotten softer and more relaxed, since then too. I’d like to schedule a follow-up appointment with you for next week, Tuesday or Wednesday, just to make sure those muscles stay relaxed and pain-free!” 

“Thank you for being you! And for your understanding, compassion and wisdom.”

“Jori,
I have to share some great news – the Himematsutake completely healed my belly button.  No sign of redness or pain!!  LOVE IT!!! Thanks again!!!” – J.W., Port Washington, WI

“Tonight…amazing.
I feel like a million bucks. That buzzy sensation is gone. Just a lot of very old stuff that needed to be discharged. Thank you. A true breakthrough….and that moon!!!! OMG!!!” – N.K., Mequon, WI

“Hi Jori,
Overall, I feel better than I have in a long time.  I slept through the night, waking once around 4, and wondering if I would go back to sleep.  No problem, I did until 7 AM, which has not happened in a long time.” –D.T., Slinger, WI

“Jori,
I think as I wean off of ALL meds, my body reacted so so so well to yesterday’s acu and the traumeric blend as of last night! Less swelling and so much less pain! I am so pleased. Thank you healing lady,” – M.W., Milwaukee, WI

(Part 1 – 7/9/12) “Awesome session. My belly, my everything feels SO different. Awake might be the word. I need more ASAP!  Thank you!”

(Part 2 – 7/22/12) “JORI! I have lost another 2 #’s since my session, effortlessly, gaining postural and abdominal tone. Not that I don’t want to put forth any effort, but this is more typical of my pre-baby body. I LOVE YOU! That’s a total of 4# closer to my goal, my friend!!”
– N.F., Mequon, WI

“Ok Jori…..so this is amazing to me and I had to share. Rib pain—gone. Completely gone. I was laying in bed last night and sat up like a shot and said out loud ‘oh my goodness….my rib pain is gone’ and then I realized it hadn’t hurt all day….and it doesn’t hurt today either….I’m so so thankful!! Thank you so much!!!! Hope you had a great weekend! God bless.” – H.M., Port Washington, WI

I had such an interesting experience last night that I had to shoot off an e-mail to you. I can hardly wait for my next treatment!!! First, I couldn’t believe that 30 minutes went so quickly – I really thought I’d only been on the table for about 10 minutes when you came back in to take out the needles. As I was heading home, I noticed that there was no pain shooting down my leg, no aching – which has been pretty much non-stop for several weeks. Driving only aggravates it, so I noticed that these issues were not present. All the discomfort was now located in that area on my right posterior hip area (the place that breaks out in herpes). It was very present, swirling, tingling, still hot and very sensitive to the touch. Later in the evening, the herpes began to break out – it has since quieted down a bit, but still very sensitive and very present. (The herpes episodes have not been present for maybe a year…so it would seem that something broke loose). I took the American Ginseng last night (and again this morning). I slept quite soundly – I did wake up to go the bathroom but evidently went easily back to sleep and woke up at 5:45 a.m. this morning!!! That’s about 45 minutes later than my typical rise time. As I was drifting off to sleep last night there was a soothing (but somewhat mysterious) internal rocking motion in my upper body – like being rocked softly and gently in a body of water. When I tried to emulate the motion in my lower body by actually physically rocking my lower body, the upper body sensation stopped. As soon as I quieted my own manipulative movements, the upper body began to gently rock again. It was so soothing. So my dear friend – I’m so looking forward to my next treatment. I don’t know what you were planning for the next treatment, and I in no way wish to manipulate your intuition (not that I could anyway!), BUT I would be very interested in doing something surrounding the sensitive area on my posterior!!! If I remember right, you would get to that area eventually anyway – just thought I’d put my bid in now!!! Love and healing light”

“Jori,
There’s no question in my mind that acupuncture shortened my labor and made it more tolerable for me. There’s no question in my mind that it was incredibly helpful to have you there and have acupuncture during labor. If I didn’t mention that before, know that I’ve been thinking that all along!” 

“Hello Jori,
Thanks so much for taking me as a new patient. I am so excited I needed to tell you -how things are from my end. For the first time in months my stomach was great – No Pepto Bismol today. My hands were warm for 45 minutes after I left you yesterday. My right hand is less numb, my right hip is less aching and I feel a little better. My left side doesn’t feel ANY BETTER. My left side is not on circuit yet the connection is broken between the halves. Also no terrible headache today. I really felt like I was dying inside since April and no where to turn. I know you are the answer to my prayers – No pressure there – Ha Ha! Sincerely” 

“I have M.S. but M.S. does not have me. Over the years since I was diagnosed the pain in my legs has gone from aggravation to excruciating. I had already increased the dosage of the pain patches prescribed to 75 mil. every three days. The next step would be a morphine regimen that could lead to dependence and addiction. This was someplace I did not want to go. I then heard about acupuncture and decided to give it a try. After all I had nothing to lose but my pain. After a couple of treatments, it was like a miracle. My pain has subsided to where it is minor and tolerable and with each session seems to keep on improving. I believe it will be completely eliminated in the near future with continued treatments.”