Patient Testimonials
Rash
In the spring of 2001 I began to develop a rash
on the backs of my hands and my along the backs of my upper arms.
At first the rash was no worse than poison Ivy, and I assumed
that I was having a small allergic reaction to something I had
accidentally gotten my hands into. As the rash worsened, I began
going to doctors and allergy specialists. For a year-and-a-half
they all failed spectacularly at containing my rash, and it developed
to the point that my hands would crack and bleed if I closed them
into fists. Eventually I was given a strong course of oral anti-inflammatory
steroids (prednisone) and I was told to apply cortisone cream
to the affected areas twice daily. This suppressed the rash and,
in the absence of a better solution, I kept it suppressed with
daily applications of cortisone cream for the next FIVE YEARS.
Then I began seeing Andrea Kurtz. She was the
first doctor to treat my rash as a symptom of a larger, systemic
problem rather than a symptom to be masked and suppressed. After
a few months of herbal treatments I was able to stop applying
cortisone, which previously would have guaranteed an immediate
flare-up of my rash. It has been six months now since I last used
cortisone and my hands are perfect. Thank you Andrea for giving
me my hands back!
- Tom
Ringworm (tinea)
I tried treating my ringworm with over the counter medications,
but after
a month, the rash was still dark and itchy. After a few acupuncture
sessions with Andrea and applying an herbal tincture that she
mixed
specially for me, my ringworm cleared quickly and I was very pleased.
-Elyse S.
Menstrual Problems
I've found Andrea's work to be both comprehensive and focused
on my specific issues. Recently I'd been dealing with stress related
amenorrhea [lack of period], which my MD had said would last several
months yet. Not willing to accept that, I sought treatment from
Andrea. In only two sessions, my body was back to normal and she's
kept thing stable since.
-A. Mays
Autoimmune Disorder
Andrea saved my life. When I met her I had developed a
chronic inflammatory autoimmune problem that racked my body. I
could barely walk a block, close my hands (neither write a check
nor wash dishes), or string together a cohesive sentence. If I
was sedentary for more than 30 minutes I was reeling in pain and
consequently getting no sleep, not to mention severe hot flashes.
My allopathic doctor couldn't figure it out, suggested "leaky
gut syndrome," and said his last resort was prednisone which
sent me searching for a way out.
Andrea was that way out. She patiently and thoroughly
teased out the complexity of my problems - physically, mentally
and emotionally - and gently and tenaciously set me on the path
to healing, one step at a time. She was incredibly supportive
and in 18 months I was hiking and swimming and gardening and had
lost 40 pounds, which wasn't even part of the original plan.
One of the most important and endearing parts
of her practice for me, besides being a very well-informed, intuitive
and talented healer, is her gift as a non-judgmental, compassionate
listener. She is genuinely interested in understanding my whole
person, not just treating symptoms. And she makes the principles
of Chinese medicine easy to understand.
I have now brought my entire family to her and
highly recommend her to all my friends. She has worked wonders
for us all.
-KS
Whiplash Injury, Sinus Infection
Andrea treated me the day after a car accident. I had whiplash
injuries as well as pain along my ribcage from a side-impact crash.
The pain in my neck and ribs was an 8/10 and it was difficult
to turn my head to the right. The morning after my acupuncture
treatment I could easily move my neck and my pain level was a
2/10. I saw Andrea weekly for 6 weeks and my neck feels better
than it has in years.
Andrea also treated me for a sinus infection
and cough following a bad cold. I took herbs for 5 days, and all
my symptoms resolved (without taking antibiotics!).
-JB
