About Mike Gonzalez, L.Ac.

   Michael (Mike) Gonzalez, L.Ac., graduated with a Master of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine from Yo San University, Los Angeles after completing his undergraduate work at Pomona College, Claremont. While preparing to enter medical school during his undergraduate years, he decided instead to train as a Chinese Medicine practitioner after the experience his mother had with MDs. Seeing how she cycled through every specialist who added yet another diagnosis and drug but offered no relief, Mike saw how an acupuncture referral from a co-worker lifted her spirits and relieved many of her symptoms. Through many conversations with the acupuncturist he decided that Western medicine was not his  path and so chose Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

About the treatments

After discussing in private the concerns the patient has about his/her health, he provides a 30-60 minute needle treatment using points found on the arms, legs, head, and neck. Please wear loose, comfortable clothes and no strong scents/perfumes. Treatments are given in recliner chairs in a room shared with others. He may also provide simple recommendations to continue the treatment at home. Handouts for these recommendations can be found in the clinic’s Resource Center. He will also recommend a treatment plan that may be as simple as “1 treatment per week” to as often as “4 treatments this week followed by 2 treatments per week for the following 3 weeks” depending on how strong the problem is.

          Acupuncture takes time; it is a process. Please be patient. Together, you and Mr. Gonzalez are re-training the body to behave differently. Like all fundamental changes, it takes time. The treatments aim to bring the body closer to balance, wherever that point may be. Each course of treatment will bring you closer to your center, smoothing out the ups and downs of the healing process until you arrive at the goal.

Commonly treated conditions include: