I drove by Lauderdale Wellness Center every day on my way home from work. I watched it being built, I watched the sign go up, but it wasn’t until I saw the “acupuncture offered” banner, that everything clicked.

I had been working with my western-medicine doctor for over two years regarding infertility. After months of infertility drugs, I wasn’t seeing any positive results – only feeling the negative effects of moodiness and an overall physical “blah”. I had been curious about acupuncture for some time and felt that this was the perfect reason to try it.

I checked out Lauderdale Wellness Center’s website. Unlike other acupuncture offices I had seen in the area, this one seemed welcoming and professional. Discovering that their acupuncturist was a woman made me feel even more comfortable with the idea. So, I scheduled an appointment to meet with Lauren.

Our first meeting was an extensive consultation, discussing treatment plans and my health history. Lauren answered my questions and told me about her experiences. She never pressured me and I felt she genuinely wanted me to do what I felt was best for me. I had my first treatment that night. Although I had walked in mostly out of curiosity, I left with an overwhelming feeling that acupuncture was the right treatment for me.

I continued treatment with Lauren, meeting once a week. Each treatment felt a little different to me– sometimes the needles tingled, sometimes there was a dull ache – but they never hurt. Lauren adjusted treatments (placement of the needles) as we went, based on how I was feeling and how my body was reacting. While my treatments were focused on my infertility, I was benefiting in more ways than I could have ever imagined. The greatest was a sense of balance. It’s vague, I know, but it’s the best way to describe it: balance emotionally in that I was finally able to find some peace in what was a frustrating and stressful journey; and balance physically in that I was sleeping better, digesting better, handling stress better, etc.

I believe that my positive experiences are not only from the acupuncture itself, but also largely because of Lauren. I truly appreciate her gentle, patient approach and her positive outlook. I always felt that I had her undivided attention. She offered suggestions on dietary changes, techniques for visualization and meditation, and other actions that could help treatment – never forcefully, always out of genuine care. Most of all, Lauren treated me with so much respect. She made sure that all decisions were based on what I wanted and how I felt; she answered my questions, and openly shared her experiences. She was generous with her time and talent.

I whole-heartily believe (and hope!) that acupuncture will be part of my life forever. I plan to continue to use it, in combination with western medicine, because I like knowing that with a little direction, my body can often heal and nourish itself. I feel blessed that I was able to discover this with Lauren.

-- S.E., Minneapolis

A Labor Experience

I am pleased to share my first acupuncture treatment, which was a very positive and wonderful experience. I was 29 years old and pregnant with my second child. I had no trouble during the pregnancy, but sought treatment in an effort to induce labor.

I had last been to my OB-GYN for a routine exam at exactly 38 weeks and was not dilated or effaced. Upon consultation with Lauren Fehr, a licensed acupuncturist, two back-to-back treatment sessions were recommended. My first treatment was in the evening at 38 weeks and 4 days, followed by a treatment immediately the following morning. Labor began at approximately 5:45 a.m. the morning after my second treatment and proceeded very quickly. While the labor was quick, it was also very intense. My son was born just a short 3 hours and 15 minutes after labor began, at 9 a.m.; we made it to the hospital only 30 minutes before he was born!

In addition to definitely inducing labor, I was pleased that the treatments also helped with swelling I was experiencing, mainly in my feet. Overall I was extremely happy with the results and would recommend that anyone wanting to induce labor try it!

-- J.H., Rockford

For any questions, please e-mail Dr. Brian Malzer at DrMalzer@LauderdaleWellnessCenter.com

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