|
|
|
|
|
|
I am honored and humbled by the trust and confidence my patients have invested
in me over the years, and my thanks go out to those who have chosen to share
their feelings and experiences here, for the benefit of others. I am truly
grateful for their efforts. If you'd like to express your thoughts in this
forum, please feel free to send me an email at
don@eastbaytcm.com.
|
|
"Don is an eighteenth-century Chinese monk reborn in the body of a post-punk
neo-beatnik East Bay bohemian. He dispatches illness and imbalance with the
savage grace of a Kung Fu master taking on the Dallas Cowboys. He has all the
qualities I could ask for in an acupuncturist: he is patient and calm, focused
and methodical, perceptive and compassionate, and his sense of humor is at least
as sharp as his needles."
|
|
— HD, San Francisco
|
"I have been struggling to respond to your kindness yesterday. It seems very cheep
to just say thank you for your actions, But I do thank you. I hope you have seen
the progression of myself since my first visit. I came to you a scared, desperate,
red faced, over heated, "western medicine" individual willing to do about anything
to find relief. I left your office yesterday, not only a 1000% better than when I
started with you, but more confident, and full of hope for the future, and for that
I expect you to accept a heartfelt Thank You! No, I am not pain free, or drug free,
but my pain level is way less, my drug use (prescription, in case I want to run for
president :-)) is far less, and I face the future with hope, and something that has
been missing, happiness. You have been a blessing in my life, and although my
family has not met you, they thank you as well."
|
|
— DM, Castro Valley
|
"I just wanted to give a sincere thank you for all of your generosity over the last
couple months with my treatment. I really appreciate your consideration and support
and hope I can repay you someday. I also appreciate your taking the extra steps to
consult with your colleagues and friends for other ideas and insights that may be of help.
It shows that you really care and want to provide the best service you can.
There are not many who are willing and interested enough to look outside of their
current body of expertise, to see if there is more to be learned and incorporated
into their healing efforts. You are a very kind, generous and dedicated practitioner
and it does not go unnoticed. Thank you so much again for all of your efforts and
I look forward to seeing you next week."
|
|
— AC, Oakland
|
"I've had lower back issues for a decade, and when the usual chiropractic work wasn't
alleviating one nagging bout of back pain, I went to see Don. Don's treatment was not
only extremely effective, but instantaneous AND long-lasting (a nice combination)."
|
|
— KS, Oakland
|
The effect of the acupuncture seems to have a time-release effect on me. As the day continued,
I seemed to feel more and more relaxed. This went on for about two or more days. I have been
doing great this whole week. My neck has a few knots in it now, but that's from the computer
and grading. It's much better than usual. I have been sleeping better, been more regular,
and felt more relaxed.
|
|
— SU, Hayward
|
"Yesterday's session was intense. It's amazing to me how profoundly acupuncture influences mind and
body ... the myriad of sensations I had on that table yesterday were so interesting to observe.
I felt really happy and almost giggly afterwards, and this feeling persisted for a while. I could
have fallen asleep after the needling on your table.
(Then, a few days later)
I think I still feel the benefit of the last treatment. I have been sleeping well, and once again
the treatment has put me back in my groove, so to speak. Overall perhaps the most profound acupuncture
treatment thus far. I will be lucky to find someone half as good as you in Berlin."
|
|
— BK, Oakland
|
I can't thank you enough for your words the other morning. Your encouragement inspired me to be diligent
in getting nearly the whole bottle of herbs into my son (no easy task!!!). He had a quiet, long night
of sleep and we haven't heard another complaint about the ears. No antibiotics needed! Again, I can't
thank you enough for your support and wisdom.
|
|
— MW, Walnut Creek
|
Hi Don - thank you so much for our session yesterday, the treatment was just what I needed, and as always you
did a fabulous job knowing what areas to focus on. I felt great when I left, and I still do. Thank you!!!!
|
|
— KBT, Oakland
|
"I am always blessed by who you are and inspired by the breadth of your intention with so many beings
up against a physical hurdle I never imagined could step into my life. I cannot tell you how much you
have healed my body and soul and with such grace.
|
|
— SM, Castro Valley
|
"The herbs have been great. Last cycle was near normal with seven moderate days.
I can't tell you how fantastic it is to be able to be up and about and have energy
for the family. THANK YOU!!!!!"
|
|
— HJ, Cambridge, MA
|
"I wanted to write you and say a huge THANK YOU for your most kind gift of acupuncture.
That was just so incredibly thoughtful and generous of you and I appreciate it so so much.
It helped a lot. I have been feeling much more stable and grounded and less overwhelmed
by the grief and sadness. Wow, I was really amazed by how much it helped. Also, it
helped my back a lot. Words cannot thank you enough, Don - it really felt like an
angel was looking out for me. I probably wouldnt have thought of acupuncture for the
grief, so I thank you for it."
|
|
— LP, Oakland
|
"In regards to the acupuncture treatment I received, I loved it as I not only felt
fine when I got on my flight, but I managed to sleep through most of it. The moxa
stick was great, and we got a big laugh out of what it probably looked like when it
went through the x-ray machines in my carry on bags. That being said, I consider
you to be my new acupuncturist. I appreciate that you were able to see me on such
short notice and got me the results I was looking for."
|
|
— RO, Alameda
|
"I have been a patient of Don Gates for several years now, beginning when he was in
acupuncture school in San Francisco. I see him once a week for stress reduction
and pain relief (shoulders, neck, and back). He was very, very good when he was in
school, attending to all my needs then. But he is excellent now, with good results
happening within hours. His clinical approach is one of compassion, thorough examination,
efficient use of needles, and peaceful environment. He works very hard at focusing on
each patient, even on the busiest of days. He begins my appointments in peace,
and finishes each one the same. That leaves me in a very good mental state when
I leave to drive back across the bay (I travel 45 minutes to see him, and he is
worth it). I give him the highest of recommendations."
|
|
— JE, San Mateo
|
"I got a message from my doctor this morning telling me that my ultrasound
results look great and that the cyst seems to have resolved! Can you believe it?!!!!
AMAZING! I am eternally grateful to you and your work ,and I know it is all thanks to you!"
(and later that year)
"You are a miracle worker, as always! I woke up this morning, very cautiously getting up,
and realized I was in no pain at all! After sitting in the office chair for a while I
started to feel it be a little sore....but nothing like pain or anything. And once I
walk around a bit, I feel nothing again! I will continue to use the secret monk potion!
But thank you SOOOO much! I feel like Im walking on clouds compared to yesterday! Thank you!"
|
|
— JL, Oakland
|
"My thanks to you, Dr. Gates, for taking the time to learn about me
(during the long health-history session) before you started treating me.
My experience has shown that this trait is very rare within the medical profession.
I appreciate your interest and thoughtfulness, and I continue to be grateful for your
concern in treating me as a whole rather than as a collection of symptoms.
The acupuncture and herbal medicine you prescribed have definitely alleviated my
tremors, fatigue and menopausal symptoms. It is important to note that you are
vigilant and modify my treatments as I progress."
|
|
— DP, South Pasadena
|
"A session with Don is relaxing, yet stimulating. He is calm and professional
and totally present with his patients. This spring I became sick for two months
with a flu-like chest cough. After multiple trips to Kaiser I went to see Don.
I felt noticeably better after one dose of herbs and one acupuncture session, and
was 100% better after one week."
|
|
— KC, Vallejo
|
"Strong stuff! A good drug-free alternative for my ever-clogged sinuses.
I hate taking allergy medicine, as it makes me feel drowsy and/or wired,
so Don's treatment was an easy and quick way to clear my sorry sinuses.
He's also helps me whenever I feel depressed or generally run-down, with
sound advice on easy food or herbal remedies, as well as a quick pick me up
needle which left me feeling calm and alert."
|
|
— NB, San Francisco
|
"Whether I come in full-blown sick or just a little imbalanced, I always
leave a session with Don feeling relaxed yet energetically fortified.
I always seem to have a little something out of whack inside my body,
yet Don has never once made me feel like any problem is too weird or
too small. He is so great at being completely present and attentive,
and I feel this sense of teamwork with him when it comes to working
toward an optimal health."
|
|
— SD, San Francisco
|
"After abdominal surgery five years ago, I developed a condition where my
intestines can kink up like a garden hose,
causing intestinal obstructions. These are incredibly painful and very dangerous.
The western approach says there is nothing that can be done to prevent these
episodes — if they happen, I should check into the hospital for a very painful
naso-gastric tube for 3 days, or surgery, which will make the problem worse.
Don, on the other hand, can treat me with needles, moxa, and herbs, immediately
relieving my pain and shortly
resolving the problem, with no trip to the hospital required. In addition, he has
advised me on dietary changes to avoid the problem in the future. Just knowing that
I have Don on my team to help avoid this terrible condition helps me to relax
and not worry about it, which in turn keeps it from happening as often."
|
|
— TC, Oakland
|
"Being somewhat of a cynic, I'm constantly amazed by some of the experiences
I've had with TCM and particularly acupuncture over the last few years.
My first visit compounded my astonishment when I found the acupuncturist
could affect one part of the body by needling a spot completely unrelated
to the area of my complaint. Voodoo, I thought. My first visit was as much
out of curiosity as it was in hopes of getting relief from a minor sinus condition.
When the doctor opened my sinuses with a quick needling session centered around my ankle
I thought jeez this is magic. Well, after several years and treatments for many maladies
including a recent bout with lung cancer [including surgery] I'm still alive and well.
I am a devout believer in Acupuncture and especially the talents of this young man.
By the way, did I mention that he's my son?"
|
|
— DG, Balboa Island
|
|
|
Website and text © Don F Gates. Site by Tamar Cohen.
Logo by Hugh D'Andrade.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
