Be very cautious of this place. They tread on dangerous water, in that they frown upon Western medicine completely. Western medicine - even though it's far from perfect - serves an important part in your health. Acupuncture for Everything (AfE) would rather that their patients are "prescribed" supplements relying on a "fail- proof" technique called "Quantum Reflex Analysis". (Google this term and find articles referring to the practice as "quackery"). When they do QRA, they (Tina and/or Nakiva) already know your medical history and issues (from your intake appointment). They place supplements in a pouch placed against your body, and the QRA test "proves" that your body needs those supplements to fix your ailments. Could you imagine your Western doctor prescribing medications using that technique? I doubt it. Would you feel comfortable ingesting anything prescribed to you based on what was placed in a pouch against your body?
There is definitely a push here to sell you supplements; ones that are clearly marked that they are not evaluated or supported by the FDA for the treatment/support of disease, etc. For those people who believe FDA "conspiracies", they probably won't have any problems popping the supplements. But if you are like me and you feel uneasy when you see that warning, then you probably won't trust AfE.
Other red flags / turn offs I experienced when going to AfE:
-they said that sunscreen causes skin cancer, not sunburn itself
-they had books on the coffee table that touted completely staying away from meat (the book implied that meat was the cause of diseases including cancer), yet Tina / Nakiva said don't be afraid to eat red meat. So which is it? The book about staying away from meat, or don't be afraid of it?
-they sell/push Shakeology. Think infomercial. Again, (along with pushing supplements) seems like a big money making opportunity for Tina/Nakiva, even though it might not be the best thing for you as a patient.
-the whole super hero theme in their office. Try laying down to relax when there are comic book characters and bright colors on the walls. Fight off those sounds that come to your head (Ker-pow! Shazam!) as you are laying there. Not at all relaxing!
-the whole "you can overcome anything" with "acupuncture/supplements/whatever we peddle here" mentality. Yeah, like that will work if you get appendicitis. See, Western medicine CAN play a useful part....I doubt acupuncture and supplements would save your life in the case of appendicitis. (I'm guessing that AfE's rebuttal would be "you wouldn't get appendicitis in the first place if being treated by AfE, but good luck proving that.) A related note - I'm guessing the FDA would take issue with the story of how AfE came into existence.
-they help you part with your money (not just by pushing supplements) by charging you hefty sums for the QRA. Including re-exams before you can continue your acupuncture treatments.
But the icing on the cake when it comes to red flags / turn offs is this: in the intake session, you disclose all of your ailments and history. If you are like me and had a run of bad luck/bad genes, the list might be long (which is why you are open to trying anything, like acupuncture). The response from Tina? She rattles off the list of your ailments and history, then says "does that sound like a healthy person to you?" Wow. I didn't already feel embarrassed and crappy about my medical history. Thanks for that.
Needless to say, I'm staying FAR away from this place. read more
