The sciatica and the frozen shoulder that led to the solution of a old and serious case of RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)

My sweet friend Mrs. F is an elderly lady, but young at heart and mind. She has a great sense of humor and a real zest for life. I have known her for over five years, she has come to our facility many times in the course of these five years for several different problems( see her attached letter) . The first time was when she had sciatica. She was always very open to acupuncture from the beginning and the treatment for sciatica was successful in very a few visits. She was quite pleased with the results and the next time when she had a new problem she returned to our office. She returned for a frozen shoulder, which was also addressed and treated quickly. During this time Mrs. F reported this chronic “horrible thing in the left lower leg” she described to me as a extensive nerve damage that she had for over 30 years as a result of an accident that she sustained 35 years ago. The nerve pain was so severe in the lower left leg and she had bluish discoloration as well as coldness of the distal left lower extremity. She had seen several doctors and she was diagnosed with RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) since this injury was so long ago.


I did not expect to see any changes but during this time she seemed to be worse. Therefore, I felt very bad about this, and I told her that I was not sure if my treatments will work this time but I was willing to try. After about eight to ten sessions, Mrs. F reported some significant decrease in the pain that was so excruciating before and the color of the skin changed into a pinkish color and the leg was warmer to touch. After the treatments she was able to walk better and we were very happy she regained strength and mobility and now her leg has improved significantly there are still some discolorations from the old injury but nothing compared to what it was. Recently Mrs. F has returned to our office due to back pain at level ten, but after two sessions of combined acupuncture and physical therapy, the pain is now “92%” better, she says. “The pain is just about gone.”

( This is Letter that Mrs. F wrote after her treatments)

For me, acupuncture has opened up a whole new world of ways to relieve pain and alleviate stress. For some of my health conditions, I had sought traditional help through doctors, medicines, and chiropractic. None of the more traditional approaches actually helped me. Finally, on the recommendation of a friend, I found acupuncture and Amy Gonzalez. Amy is a master practitioner and continues to help me regularly.


Here is an overview of some of the conditions Amy has treated and cured for me:


Sciatica – I endured this condition for six months, using pain relievers and muscle relaxants; I then turned to a chiropractor. Several months of work brought very little improvement – in fact, things started to get worse. Then I went to the Center for Integrative Rehabilitation, where Amy used a series of treatments combining physical therapy and acupuncture to bring me back to a normal state of health.

“Frozen” shoulder, with no mobility in my right arm – A series of PT and acupuncture treatments resulted in restored mobility after six to eight treatments. Similar therapy also solved a 30-year-old problem that was the legacy of an injury to my lower left leg. When I went to a vascular specialist, he diagnosed possible reflex sympathetic dystrophy and said that nothing could be done to fix the problem. At CIR, Amy addressed the situation with combined PT and acupuncture. The pain has been completely gone for three years.

Currently, I am being treated for lumbar distress with sensory involvement; after three treatments, I am definitely better and am looking forward to complete freedom from the condition. I view all of these treatments and their dramatic results as amazing and highly instructive regarding the importance of seeking effective alternative therapies. Having found them, I am eternally grateful.


Nancy Friedlander