Natural Qi Acupuncture and Herbs

I was 41 1/2 weeks pregnant, and my midwife warned that if I did not go into labor, I would need to be induced. I wanted a natural childbirth, and I'd heard that acupuncture may be effective in inducing labor naturally. So I called Melani and she took me right away. She even went out of her way to see me in a satellite office close to my home on a weekend, because of the urgency of my situation! My husband Dan was with me for the whole visit, and Melani answered all of our questions and made us feel at ease. She played soothing music and let us know everything she was doing. I felt a lot of sensations throughout my legs and pelvic region during treatment. Melani always made sure I was comfortable and offered to make any adjustments necessary to ensure my comfort and peace of mind. After the treatment, I felt centered and relaxed. In fact, I started to feel accepting of whatever outcome would prevail. So I left the session feeling that even if the acupuncture didn't help to jump start labor, it certainly helped me make peace with whatever destiny had in store. The next day, I felt light contractions all day long. That night, the real contractions began, and my little boy was born the following morning at 7:30! He was healthy, and the labor went relatively quickly. I did not use any pain medications.

I sincerely feel that Melani's acupuncture treatment was effective in helping me have a timely and healthy labor and delivery. Not only did the acupuncture succeed on a physiological level, but it helped prepare me, on a psychological and emotional level, for my labor, making it the overall success that it was. Thank you, Melani!

Pros: she's generous, assured, & it works!

Posted 06/15/09

Seeing Melani was a profound experience for me. She was sensitive, warm, informative, supportive, encouraging and knowledgeable. With her help and the acupuncture treatments, I learned so much about my own body and improved my ability to care for it. I also became stronger in my personal relationships, less reactive and more able to express myself. Acupuncture is truly amazing. And Melani is such an amazing practitioner and person!

Pros: changed my life!

Cons: What are the drawbacks?

Posted 03/23/09

Chronic UTI's were taking over my life. I was prescribed antibiotic after antibiotic, which only caused my body to become more open to other illnesses and did not effectively stop the constant UTI's. I came to Melani desperate and she greeted me with patience, care, and most importantly solutions.
After regular visits and her specific herb formulas, I am happy to say that I have not since gotten one UTI. Also, my overall health and state of mind is better. Melani is a kind and giving person and most of all an excellent practitioner! I highly recommend seeing her with any problem you might have.

Pros: She's nice, and it works

Cons: my insurance doesn't cover it

Posted 03/17/09

I recommend my acupuncturist, Melani Bolyai. I don't know that
she focuses on fertility issues but she definitely deals with them. I
went to her for morning sickness and she was great!

She is also a doula so welll versed in pregnancy and childbirth issues.

Posted 06/19/08

I was experiencing chronic foot pain as a result of severely strained tendons and ligaments. Physical therapy and medication had been producing minimal results, so I tried acupuncture. The effect was almost immediately apparent and I was soon back on my feet and feeling great.

Pros: it works

Posted 06/15/08

I used Melani Bolyai when I had constant nausea during my recent pregnancy. I felt better right after my first treatment with her and subsequent treatments brought me a lot of relief. A much appreciated side effect was that felt less tired as well!

I went back to Melani towards the end of my pregnancy for labor preparation and, when I wasn't going into labor, to help start labor. Unfortunately, the acupuncture did not start my labor but I believe the treatments did help my labor to progress quite smoothly and make delivery fairly easy.

My very skeptical of alternative medicine aunt has gone to Melani's colleague for sinus/allergy problems and back pain and has become a convert!

Pros: kind, helpful

Posted 06/13/08

As an expectant mother and a nurse, I can wholeheartedly recommend Melani
Bolyai. My husband and I, two very positive people, were getting increasily
frustrated after months and months of trying to conceive. It seemed like
everyone else in the world was pregnant but us. I got pregnant the second
cycle under Melani's care. She is consistently positive and patient, even
with a Chinese medicine novice like myself, and I always leave her office
feeling refreshed. I am so happy to have found Melani and look forward to
continuing to see her for any pregnancy-related issues.

Pros: Helped me get pregnant!!!

Cons: she's busy so schedule ahead

Posted 06/08/08

I have visited Melani throughout both pregnancies. For the first pregnancy,
she helped me get severe morning sickness to be manageable, and severe
hemmorhoids to be minor. For my second pregnancy she is helping me with
vulvar varicosities, and it's working! Thank you, Melani! You are a
tremendous resource!

Posted 06/08/08

She treated me for sciatica during the second half of my pregnancy and helped tremendously. Melani is very supportive and easy to talk to. My appointments with her were little spots of relaxation during a hectic time.

Pros: pregnancy support

Posted 02/19/08

I saw Melani for treatment for infertility. I was undergoing IVF treatment
and had heard lots of good testimony supporting the case of acupuncture to
complement IVF treatments.

I had previously had acupuncture with a different therapist however even
though said she had experience with infertility and IVF, during the course
of my treatment and our conversations it became apparent that she was not as
well versed as she claimed. Hence my switching to Melani, the difference was
like night and day. Melani has received extensive training in all things
relating to fertility and womens health including acupuncture during
childbirth. Her experience and depth of knowledge was very apparent during
my treatments. She had in depth knowledge of the medical procedures I was
going through and the medicine I was on and knew exactly what specific
acupuncture treatments I needed to do to aid my body.

I am now blessed with beautiful twin boys!

The acupuncture was also extremely relaxing for me. I would drift off into a
meditative state that I am not normally able to achieve. I felt fantastic
after each session. So aside from any of the health benefits, anything that
can facilitate an IVF patient relaxing twice a week and help them get
through it all, can only be a good thing!

Posted 02/19/08

I recommend to everyone to try acupuncture. It?s totally noninvasive and
focuses on the overall health of the body. It teaches the body to sooth
itself, so not only will you feel better, you?ll feel great! I like to think
of it as a lovely massage without the soreness afterward.

I was searching for an acupuncturist during my pregnancy and learned that
Melani specialized in the female body and was also a Childbirth Doula. This
is an awesome combination. I didn?t have to worry about her being ignorant
of a pregnant body or about any side effects that might harm the baby (like
in pharmaceuticals). Because she is also a doula, she understood everything
I was going through and could pinpoint my problem spots with mind-blowing
precision. We built a great relationship of trust and friendship. Melani
herself is a terrific person. She?s like that friend that is always
encouraging you to do your best; she?s very warm and bright.

Melani?s technique is less painful than the traditional technique of
inserting the needles. I totally hate needles so her method was an excellent
option. All you?ll feel is a tap.

I had a very exhausting pregnancy but every time and immediately
after my sessions, I would be energetic and hungry. The effectiveness of the acupuncture increased
over time as my body learned to respond.

In my late months, I experienced a lot of tightness and soreness in my back
and abdomen. In one of my sessions, I mentioned them to Melani and she added
a few needles. Right after the session, the pain was completely gone.

I?ve recommended Melani to several of my friends already, and I would
recommend her to ALL pregnant woman. You won?t have to spend days in
discomfort and agonizing over what medicines are safe to take. I?m so glad I
found her. Melani?s awesome.

Pros: Personable, skilled

Posted 02/15/08

I very highly recommend Melani Bolyai. She helped me get pregnant this year after 2 years of trying. She's knowledgeable, interested, and has a very reassuring, encouraging way about her. She's also a doula, and is the Acupuncture Supervisor in Lutheran Medical Center's labor and delivery ward providing instruction on how to use acupuncture to induce labor and reduce labor pain.

Pros: pregnancy work

Posted 02/15/08

I had a lot of trouble keeping pregnancies, and subsequently, gettting
pregnant. When I came to Melanie, I was exhausted and losing faith. She
was incredibly constant, steady and intuitive in her perspective and in her
prescription of herbs and acupuncture. I particularly appreciated her
willingness to be open to our pursuing IVF. I found all that she gave us to
be absolutly instrumental in our carrying our incredible baby girl to term.
Melanie is a great practitioner. We'll be going back when we're ready to
try for another baby.

Pros: Open, willing, caring

Cons: Why did we wait this long?

Posted 11/10/07

I first saw Melani in June of 2007. I have been seeing her for a number of
reasons; relief with stress, depression, anxiety and IBS. It has been about
5 months now and she has helped me tremendously. My anxiety is almost
non-existent. My IBS problem is SO much better and i just feel good. Thanks
Melani for all your help!

Pros: Anxiety is gone!

Cons: hard to get an appointment sometimes

Posted 11/10/07

If you are at all interested in going to acupuncture, GO TO MELANI! She is
wonderful; healing, kind, and very professional. I was experiencing
horrible headaches and after my first session, they were completely gone.
Now I want to go back to Melani for the incredible relaxation and
rejuvenation.

Pros: really pro, super nice

Posted 05/15/07

I met Melani Bolyai in September 2006. She listened carefully to my complaints of imbalances in my body causing acne problems on my nose and throat, intestinal problems and hives at certain times in the month. She detected a hormonal problem and prescribed a combination of Chinese herbs in pill form (much easier to take than teas). Melani carefully wrote down the proper administration of the herbs that seemed so foreign to me so it was easy to understand. I have been taking these herbs for three months now and have had no breakouts or hives. She was also able to determine that with my specific constitution a calming element was needed and a bonus to my treatment has been a more balanced state of mind. Every time I call her to pick up more herbs she expresses concern for how I?m feeling. It?s nice to know that someone cares and has the answers to my specific needs. Thank you!

Pros: answers, genuine care, careful, additional benefits

Posted 04/29/07

Melani - Kristen had a boy last night, August John, he is 8lbs 4oz. Thanks for all your help encouraging Kristen and getting her going!

Pros: GREAT!

Posted 04/29/07

I met Melani a little after my husband and I decided we wanted to have a baby. I have had some gynecological problems in the past and was concerned that I would have a problem getting pregnant. When Melani described the fertility treatment using acupuncture I immediately felt relief. I connected to this ancient method and her way of practicing it right away. We began a combined treatment of acupuncture and Herbs. I got pregnant within 3 months. I had acupuncture throughout my pregnancy since I had some complications. Melani always provided a safe and calm environment. I felt at ease and in some kind of mini-vacation coming to see Melani from a crazy day at work. We decided to have a doula for the birth and there was no doubt Melani was the one! She came to our home for a visit to discuss the whole process. We knew that it was going to be a scary experience as well as fun and amazing. I prepared for a natural delivery using acupuncture but in week 38, we discovered that the baby's nuchal cord was around his neck. We waited a week, but my ob/gyn suggested we induce labor. I was extremely disappointed, but wanted to be safe. Melani was supportive and helpful in making that decision with patience. We arrived to the hospital in the morning to start induction-Melani was my acupuncturist and doula, but also an amazing, funny companion during a long and exhausting day?to both of us. She was so available?from buying us lunch to holding me during seriously painful contractions. Our son was born after 17 hours in distress and had to be taken away. This was the scariest moment of my life, not knowing if my baby was dead or alive. Melani was next to me, and without understanding a word of what I was saying (in Hebrew), she understood me. Shoham was brought into my arms after long 10 minutes. Melani was emotionally and physically present during the most important moment of our life and we are grateful to her authenticity, calmness, warmth, and impressive expertise.

Posted 04/29/07

We had been going through hell within the 'fertility industry' and were
seriously thinking about stopping trying to conceive. By the time we found
Melani, both of us felt traumatized in mind and body. but her soothing and
nourishing combination of herbs and acupuncture immediately made us feel
reconnected to each other and our bodies, and we kept trying. After only a
few months, plus finding the right fertility doctor, we became pregnant and
are now expecting a little girl."

Pros: immediate reconnection, healthy feeling, no trauma

Posted 04/11/07

I did something to my knee during a basketball game and decided to try acupuncture with Melani to make the pain go away. After one treatment from Melani my knee felt so good I was flying down the basketball court. After two treatments I had no pain at all. I was very impressed with the results and would recommend Melani highly.

Pros: Felt great after only one treatment

Posted 04/11/07

Last year I had the acupuncture face lift. I have been very happy with the
results for a number of reasons. Not only do I look better, I feel
better!! So here comes the real surprise ? for the first time in my life,
I?m able to have normal bowel habits. . . without taking any laxatives.
This in itself is a miracle. The effects continue to last until this day
and it has been six months since my first treatment. I would recommend this
procedure to everyone!! And THANK YOU MELANI!!!

Pros: Absolute success, unexpected benefits

Posted 03/18/07

My husband and I had been trying to conceive for over two years. After going
through multiple IUIs, 2 IVFs, and one miscarriage, I decided to give
acupuncture a try. At our first meeting, Melani immediately put me at ease,
clearly explaining to me the basics of Chinese medicine, and patiently
answering all of my questions. Over the next few months, I looked forward to
my sessions and found them to be an oasis of calm in the otherwise hellish
world of infertility. With her expertise, kindness, and support, our next in-
vitro cycle was an overwhelming
success: I am now well into my second trimester and feeling great! I could
not recommend Melani more highly, and hope every woman who has trouble
getting pregnant will consider acupuncture (especially with Natural Qi!) as
a viable option.

Pros: Explained the basics, overwhelming success, put me at ease

Posted 03/18/07

Throughout my second pregnancy I found myself with a weakened immune system,
extreme fatigue, headaches and nausea. After hearing from varying sources
how acupuncture might really help me and that doctors in Germany recommend
it to pregnant women on a normal basis I decided to give it a try. I was so
relieved to find Melani who specialized in treating pregnant women. I?d
researched and experimented a bit before finding Melani and found her to be
a great fit for my needs. She even needled certain points that I enjoyed
besides treating me. And yet, as more typical of western practices, at the
beginning of every session we spoke in great detail about how I?d felt since
I?d last seen her. She was also very willing and open to educating me while
treating me, this made me feel all the more comfortable and secure as a
patient. And EVERY week I could not wait until the following week for my
next appointment! I highly recommend Melani to every pregnant woman.

Pros: recommended by various sources, more engaged than western medicine, comforting and secure

Posted 03/15/07

A few months ago I suffered an injury to my lower back. The pain was unbearable making my everyday activities impossible. My first reaction was to see a chiropractor, and with electrostimulation, the pain subsided for a day or so, but it wasn't a permanent solution to my pain. So I decided to try acupuncture. Melani was very thorough with her assessment of my problem. She explained the treatment she would be giving me and exactly how these little needles (which I thought would be huge) would ease my pain. With complete gentleness, she applied the needles and 15 minutes later I was moving 100% better then when I arrived. After a few treatments I was back in the swing of things. Thanks Melani!!!

Pros: Thorough, gentle, eased my nervousness about acupuncture

Posted 02/27/07

I saw Melani November 8th, 2005 for a treatment to get my labor going. (I was almost a week late.) My husband came with, and it was around 8pm. Anyway, I went into labor less than 5 hours after leaving her office, and had my little girl the evening of the 9th. Now I recommend acupuncture to soon-to-be mothers all the time, esp. Melani to my friends in NYC. Thank you so much, Melani - you are wonderful.

Pros: immediate results, short labor

Posted 02/19/07

I have suffered from headaches of one kind or another since I was 11 years old. Over the past few years they have gotten to the point where I was able to find no relief for months at time. Several friends I had spoken with about these headaches recommended acupuncture and one of them directed me to Melani Bolyai. From the outset this was an amazing experience. I have seen an ENT, a chiropractor, a neurologist, and a physical therapist to combat these headaches and none of these, regardless of the strength of the medications they gave me, was able to conquer my symptoms. When I began seeing Melani I was overwhelmed by her kindness and understanding, after having seen so many doctors and having essentially told that this was something I would just have to learn to cope with. And after two acupuncture sessions, I could already feel the difference. And not only that, Melani has helped me combat so many other health problems that I had just gotten used to, things that I thought were just a part of life. I have been so amazingly blessed to be in Melani?s care.

Pros: felt different after 2 sessions, kind and understanding, help for various health issues - not just one.

Posted 02/19/07

I went to Melani after experiencing an early miscarriage and a D&C. She did me acupuncture and gave me herbs to help me start ovulating again since most women experience long cycles after a D&C. As I always had very long and irregular cycles, I figured it would be a while until I got a period again. In fact, it was a long time -- 9 months! With Melani's help, I was pregnant again 3 weeks after my D&C. I saw her through my first two trimesters and am expecting my baby any day now. I highly recommend Melani due to her knowledge, patience and kind demeanor.

Pros: Knowledgeable, patient, effective

Posted 02/16/07

I was pregnant with my second child and suffering from all day nausea. After trying many common remedies with no results, I went to see Melani. She did an amazing job treating my morning sickness and specializes in many different pregnancy related conditions. She is also a doula. She's very sweet and takes the time to really listen to me and answer any questions. She will definitely try to fit you in on short notice. When I called her for the first time, she was able to see me the same day. After the first treatment, I could already feel some immediate relief of the nausea and felt like I was getting some energy back. The nausea improved drastically over the next few treatments. Melani definitely made my first trimester bearable! I highly recommend Melani Bolyai.

Pros: Compassionate, Immediate relief, Very flexible schedule

Posted 02/16/07

In October 2006 with only 3 weeks left till the NYC Marathon I had a severe case of shin splints. I was barely able to walk down stairs, so I was a little concerned about running 26.2 miles. A few friends had recommended acupuncture, which I had never tried before and I was desperate, so I looked up the NYRR (New York Road Runners) website and found Melani's name.
After a pleading phone call, she agreed to see me the next day where she was direct and honest about my situation for a complete recovery before the race, but we both hoped for the best that I could run.
After four sessions in three weeks with Melani, my pain subsided enough, and I decided to go ahead and run the race.
The NYC Marathon was an incredible race and event which I not only ran pain free but finished in the top 15%.
Melani was a great help to me and I highly recommend her.

Pros: honest, flexible schedule

Posted 02/13/07

After ten years of being under physician care to treat my hypertension, Melani was able to wean me from my prescription medicine through a combo of acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Our sessions were a relaxing time carved out of my crazy schedule to treat my overall being - not just my hypertension. Recently, I moved from NYC and am missing my treatments with Melani. I am thankful though, that she been helpful in the transition of my therapy to someone in my new home town. I trust Melani and saw benefits through treatment with her that western medicine was not able to show in ten years. I had hoped to use her services as a childbirth doula and am still keeping my fingers crossed that I will be back in NYC and in touch with Melani before that time should come!

Pros: treated overall body wellness, made transition to Eastern treatments easy

Posted 02/13/07

I was reluctant to try acupuncture at first but being a week overdue with my second child I was ready to try anything. Melani was wonderful. Her warm personality welcomed my MANY questions and she was flexible in working with my midwife. Most importantly she helped my labor to begin, avoiding a medical induction. I have recommend Melani to many people and will continue to do so.

Pros: warm and welcoming, flexible with midwife, answered a lot of questions

Posted 02/12/07

A few months ago I suffered After experiencing the hardship of swollen ankles for many years (approximately 10 years or more), I decided to try acupuncture to alleviate the pain. The acupuncture therapy has assisted in my ankles to reduce the swollenness and pain. I am able to walk and stand up with strength. My legs and feet feel lighter and have much more durability. I am very pleased with seeking acupuncture as an alternative method. With great kudos to Melani.

Pros: pleasant, helpful

Posted 02/12/07

I found Melani Bolyai as a very sensitive and intelligent practitioner of acupuncture. I saw Melani for acute tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. She asked all the right questions and was always cheerful, nurturing and enthusiastic.After just the first session the condition improved, and after a few weeks it had subsided to where it was no longer a bother. The healing was profound, and a great relief. I can wholly recommend her.

Pros: sensitive and intelligent, improvement after first session

Posted 02/11/07

After being in a minor car accident, I began suffering from some relatively severe emotional and physical trauma. I has some neck and back pain but what was more upsetting was that my nerves were shot. I had chronic anxiety, palpitations and a generalized nervous disposition. I developed a tremor in my hands and was unable to steady them. For several months I thought I had a neurological disorder, until I saw Melani. After each treatment, the tremor was less and less until it was completely gone. Melani's acupuncture and herbal formula completely solved it! I cannot comment enough on how incrediblely fortunate I am to have found such a caring, intellingent, and effective acupunturist!

Posted 02/11/07

I was 41 1/2 weeks pregnant, and my midwife warned that if I did not go into labor, I would need to be induced. I wanted a natural childbirth, and I'd heard that acupuncture may be effective in inducing labor naturally. So I called Melani and she took me right away. She even went out of her way to see me in a satellite office close to my home on a weekend, because of the urgency of my situation!

My husband Dan was with me for the whole visit, and Melani answered all of our questions and made us feel at ease. She played soothing music and let us know everything she was doing. I felt a lot of sensations throughout my legs and pelvic region during treatment. Melani always made sure I was comfortable and offered to make any adjustments necessary to ensure my comfort and peace of mind.

After the treatment, I felt centered and relaxed. In fact, I started to feel accepting of whatever outcome would prevail. So I left the session feeling that even if the acupuncture didn't help to jump start labor, it certainly helped me make peace with whatever destiny had in store.

The next day, I felt light contractions all day long. That night, the real contractions began, and my little boy was born the following morning at 7:30! He was healthy, and the labor went relatively quickly. I did not use any pain medications.

I sincerely feel that Melani's acupuncture treatment was effective in helping me have a timely and healthy labor and delivery. Not only did the acupuncture succeed on a physiological level, but it helped prepare me, on a psychological and emotional level, for my labor, making it the overall success that it was. Thank you Melani!

Pros: responded to urgency, soothing both physically and psychologically, knowledgeable and helpful

Posted 02/11/07

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Posted 02/10/07

Melani was warm, approchable and knowledgeable. I'm really glad to have met with her.
I found out, too, that she's also a doula and works with fertility issues, so I'm gonna keep that in mind when my partner and I decide we want to get pregnant (I'm over thirty and want all the support I can get around conceiving). Anyway, she's great, and I've already recommended her to friends.

Pros: Really nice, approachable, able to explain what she's doing and why

Posted 01/08/07