Fertility & Pregnancy Support
"I had been trying to get pregnant for almost 10 years and had accepted the idea that it may never happen. I was referred to Washington State Acupuncture through a relative of one of my friends, and I thought, 'It won't hurt to try.' I came into the office for a consultation with Dr. Chan, where we went over my past issues and talked about how long and what it could take to try and get pregnant. He told me we might see results in 4–6 months and actually started the acupuncture right after the consultation. I don't like needles, and I was somewhat skeptical that the acupuncture would make a difference, but I am so happy that I went. I could barely feel the needles, but it helped a lot for me to just not watch when the needles were being placed. (They're really skinny needles, and he just barely taps them in.) I followed all the advice Dr. Chan gave me and took the herbal pills he recommended from their Medicine Center. A little after a month, I had a positive pregnancy test, and I couldn't believe it! We even went out to buy another brand because I thought it might be wrong. But I'm now the proud mother of a 5-month-old healthy baby girl. There aren't enough words to explain how much I appreciate Dr. Chan and his office."-- Judy C
"Dr. Chan, thank you very much for your services during my pregnancy. The tea/herbs that you prescribed definitely worked to get my contractions going. Unfortunately, I was just too sick to have the baby naturally, and I had to have a C-section. I have no doubt that if I did not have pre-eclampsia, the herbs would have helped my labor along well enough to have a vaginal birth. I tell everyone about Chinese medicine and acupuncture in hopes that more people will have an open mind and give it a try. Not only does this health, but it also helps to break down cultural and racial prejudices." -- Jill B.
"Dr. Chan, I’m not sure if you remember me, but I came in for treatment before my in vitro fertilization procedure. I wanted to let you know that I am now 13½ weeks pregnant with our baby due in August. So, thank you! This was our fourth time trying IVF—the first time with acupuncture. We are so happy and excited. Thank you!" -- Jennifer A.
Chronic Pain & Musculoskeletal Issues
"I highly recommend Dr. Raymond Chan to anyone looking for alternative treatment for pain management or menstruation issues. I've been seeing Dr. Chan over the years for neck/back pain and for severe cramps during menstruation. With acupuncture and herbal medicine, my cramps have since reduced significantly, and I feel a lot better during menstruation. A couple of weeks ago, I started getting neck and shoulder pain and was having trouble even turning my head. After a few days of little improvement with pain patches and creams, I went to see Dr. Chan to get acupuncture. To my surprise, he had me sit in a chair instead of having me lie down on the bed face-down. He then proceeded to poke needles on the back of my hands and had me slowly turn my head from side to side. Slowly, I was able to turn my head further with each turn, and the pain and stiffness in my neck and shoulders were less noticeable. Dr. Chan explained this is his new treatment of combining acupuncture and exercise. When I walked out of the clinic after about an hour, I was able to turn normally again, and the pain was mostly gone. This was so much better than taking Western medicine. Go see Dr. Chan if you are suffering from chronic pain—you won't be sorry." -- Susan Z.
"Let me start by saying that I am absolutely terrified of needles! Needle phobia. I am Chinese; I grew up with family friends that are acupuncturists. I never let a single one touch me with a needle (nor did I really believe it worked). I would rather someone put a bunch of spiders on me before letting them poke me with a needle! I went to Dr. Chan for the first time one Saturday when I had blown out my neck and back… again. I was in extreme pain with muscle spasms and muscles seizing, and I knew that the only thing Western medicine could do was give me drugs, send me to PT, or maybe do both—and perhaps send me off with a shot of cortisone. I know none of these are permanent fixes for me and have side effects I didn't like. That Saturday, I was in severe PAIN. Enough to Google for an acupuncturist, call, and get an appointment to face my nemesis—the needle. Ugh, it still even scares me typing the word! I let the receptionist know how scared I was of needles. She had obviously passed that message along. Dr. Chan was amazing. He calmed me down as much as anyone can, with his calm, sweet demeanor. He was careful not to show me any needles before the treatment and made me lie face-down on the massage table. His technique is quick, and the small needles are painless. In fact, honestly, the panic in me had more to do with my mental state of mind than any pain at all. Seriously, it's hard to tell the difference between a needle and just his hand touching my back (yes, I would jump with either—LOL!). As I learned later from the other acupuncturist, Stanley, in the office, the trick is to just BREATHE DEEP BREATHS! If you tell Stanley you're terrified, he takes you through some breathing exercises, and that helps greatly. So, I have now seen both acupuncturists and they are great. The effect for me was immediate. That first day, I walked out of there feeling as though I had a cortisone shot and a massage all together—with NO drugs and NO side effects. I was pain-free and could hardly believe it, since I walked in in serious pain and was also a serious skeptic about acupuncture. Now, after many sessions, I have no doubt that it works. Though my insurance allows unlimited massages with a co-pay, I actually prefer to go to acupuncture, as it loosens my muscles and relieves pain so much better. If there is any magic cure for me, this is it. My tip for you is to go home and lie down after an acupuncture session. Apparently, the 'medicine' is still working, and running around doing errands isn't the thing to do. So, take it easy, go home, take a nap—and wow, if you thought you already felt better when you left the office, you'll feel even better after a rest at home. Of course, from what I hear, everyone's results vary. Hopefully, this will give the needle-phobic some inspiration to at least give it a shot. Now, for the record, they can't cure my needle-phobia (I've asked… apparently it doesn't work that way—LOL!), so every single time I go there, either Dr. Chan or Stanley has to work hard to keep me calm. I just have to remember to breathe! Sometimes, Dr. Chan's wife even pops in to give me words of encouragement. So, please, if you are in pain and have needle phobia, and are still reading this review, give acupuncture a chance. The results for me are nothing short of a miracle cure, and I can say definitively that it is well worth having to face my fears. (And remember… BREATHE…)" -- A.C.
Internal Medicine & Unexplained Illness
"After going to the emergency room twice, seeing three different doctors, and taking numerous prescription medications all in a period of two weeks, I was starting to lose hope. Desperate for my unexplainable chest and stomach pain to go away, I thought I would give acupuncture with Dr. Chan a try. It was the best decision I could have made for my body. It only took ONE appointment with Dr. Chan to completely cure my stomach pain that doctors couldn't explain or fix with medication. Before I saw Dr. Chan, my heart rate was dangerously low—30 beats a minute versus the normal rate of 60—but after seeing Dr. Chan, my heart rate became normal and my chest pain lessened tremendously. Dr. Chan didn't just alleviate my pain—he did what the other doctors failed to do: he listened to me. Countless doctors told me there was nothing they could do for my pain, gave up, or wrongly diagnosed me because they weren't taking the time to listen. Dr. Chan listens and truly cares. His warm heart and genuine desire to help make the experience pleasing and comforting. Not only do I highly recommend Dr. Chan, I can tell you from experience that you won't be disappointed." -- Alix C.
"What I've learned in the almost 10 years that I've been a patient at Washington State Acupuncture is that good medicine is not a quick fix that comes in the form of a pill; rather, it is healing—the process by which the body is restored to a state in which it can repair itself. I continue to be amazed by the effects of acupuncture and the herbal remedies offered at the clinic. Over the years, I've been treated for various infections, depression, anxiety, back pain, and gynecological issues, and after treatment, my symptoms were gone and I felt great. I've always felt that I was in the presence of practitioners who were not only wise and thoughtful, but kind and compassionate as well. As an average American who is truly grateful to have found an extraordinary doctor and clinic, I recommend Dr. Raymond Chan to all who seek to be healed. Thanks very much!" -- Lorraine T.
Pediatrics & Allergies
"My son, Kyler, had severe eczema as a young child. He wore cotton gloves to prevent his skin from cracking and to keep him from scratching and causing open sores, which would become infected. The skin at the bends of his knees and elbows was constantly inflamed. In spite of anti-itch prescriptions (often containing cortisone), he couldn’t stop scratching, especially when he was trying to go to sleep. He couldn’t nap. Aveeno baths, creams, and ointments had little impact on his condition. Despite oral medications (Zyrtec, Claritin—initially in liquid form as Kyler was too young to swallow pills), nothing could stop the constant itching, which became especially difficult during spring, summer, and early fall. Dust, grass, and sunshine only made this condition worse. In addition to his skin problems, he had severe bouts of asthma. He was prescribed several types of inhalers and pills for breathing. Whoever was in charge of Kyler always carried his inhaler. Before he was in kindergarten, he had suffered two bouts of pneumonia and several bronchial attacks—one requiring an emergency run to the hospital in the middle of the night when Kyler could not breathe. As a second grader, he missed 21 days of school. That same year he used Advair or Flovent at home morning and evening and went to the school nurse at lunch for his Albuterol. Kyler’s father, Randy, started seeing Dr. Chan to help with severe pain caused by a broken back. Kyler happened to notice Dr. Chan’s brochure, which listed a variety of ailments he treated with acupuncture, including skin disorders and asthma. Kyler immediately wanted to try it. Randy asked Dr. Chan, and he agreed to see him. He explained the use of needles to Kyler, who responded that he 'would do anything' to get rid of his asthma and skin rashes. Kyler hated going to the nurse at lunch for treatment and was always very embarrassed about his rashes. The doctor and patient became good friends. The very next school year, he missed only two days and was proud of his perfect attendance as a 4th grader the following year. Kyler is now 13. He still sees Dr. Chan on an as-needed basis for herbs and treatments (usually 2–4 times a year). His skin is clear and no longer feels like sandpaper. He no longer has scabs, burning sensitivity, or infections caused by constant itching. He still takes an occasional antihistamine when pollen begins in the spring but no longer requires an inhaler. Kyler has always been very athletically inclined and has a special love for baseball and wrestling. Once, during practice with his 10-year-old All-Star Little League team, he was injured. As we headed to the Emergency Care Clinic, Kyler said, 'Why don’t we go to Dr. Chan—he’s the pain doctor.' We did, and a few days later, Kyler was able to play in the opening games. Their team came in second that year. Without Dr. Chan, I know Kyler would not be doing what he does today athletically. His attendance at school due to his medical condition would have impacted his academic growth too. Most importantly, Kyler’s self-concept before he started treatment was becoming lower and lower due to the ugly rashes and inability to appear 'normal—like other kids.' He is now in the top of his class academically and one of the best athletes in the state for his age level in baseball. He is a competitive and self-assured teenager—thanks to Dr. Chan." -- Catherine S. (on behalf of Kyler)
"I have been suffering from seasonal allergies for about 6 years. Every year it was getting worse. Medication was only covering my symptoms. I tried Allegra, Zyrtec, and many other prescription and over-the-counter drugs, but they only gave me temporary relief. I decided to search for a more permanent solution, treating the problem at its root. Someone who had treatment at Dr. Chan’s clinic earlier that year recommended him to me. During and after six sessions of acupuncture and herbal therapy, I did not have to take any more medication for my allergies. Later that year, I developed an allergic reaction to a different medication I was taking for my skin condition. After two weeks of heavy cortisone therapy, I was still experiencing general rash and itching—until I saw my savior, Dr. Chan. I’m very pleased with all the treatment I have received and strongly recommend them as many alternative solutions to Western medicine." -- Kitsis, M.