Amenorrhea

CH: Working with Krystal was absolutely transformative for me on so many levels. I originally started acupuncture work with Krystal to help stimulate and regulate natural periods; for years I had been unable to have a natural period, and various gynecologists were unable to identify or resolve this.

After several months of working with Krystal, I was finally able to have a natural period for the first time in nearly 8 years. More importantly, however, my work with Krystal helped me listen to and trust my body in completely new ways. Instead of viewing my body’s hormonal cycle as an “problem” with a singular solution, Krystal helped me listen to the underlying messages about stress, trauma, and trapped energy that my body was communicating to me. Krystal helped me understand my body as an interconnected ecosystem rather than a machine with separate parts, and we worked together to understand and respond to what was going on in my body on multiple levels (physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc.). Working with Krystal was the first time I felt fully seen as a complete human being by a healthcare provider, and it was incredibly healing.

Since working with Krystal, I am finally able to have regular periods. When I notice changes in my cycle, I am now able to understand and respond to these changes by examining the underlying causes (stress, dietary needs, etc.). I no longer see my body as the “problem” – in fact, I’ve learned to be grateful that my body is trying to tell me something important! I’ve also been surprised by how much my acupuncture sessions helped increase my libido and spiritual openness to love. By helping me move blocked energy out of my body, Krystal has helped me shift so much of my life in a positive direction.

Stress & Anxiety

B.T.:I can honestly say that since working with Keri, my anxiety, depression and hormonal issues have greatly been reduced with her help.  Not only is she very precise, informative, and knowledgeable; but she is incredibly intuitive, personable, and caring.  There were times when I would be putting on a brave face, yet Keri was able to see through my front and wasn't afraid to say, "What's going on?" and attempt to help alleviate whatever the issue was.  Because of her, I finally feel like I am in control of my emotions, anxiety and depression--I've even been able to reduce the pharmaceuticals I was prescribed by a psychiatrist!

F.T.:Since seeing Keri for acupuncture, many of my stress symptoms have went away.  I feel that I am better able to manage my stress and I am able to sleep better and handle problems in a more efficient manner.  I appreciate the acupuncture and what Keri has done for my health.

Neck Pain, Back Pain & Anxiety

REM: For me, acupuncture was one of those things I can’t believe I didn’t do sooner! I have chronic neck and back pain and always wondered if this might help but had lots of ‘good’ reasons to put it off, one being, I really wanted to know who the heck was going to stick needles in me before they did. The other; I had myself convinced I didn’t ‘hurt bad enough’ either, even though I really did. 

The initial intake was extensive! During the intake questions, I told Amy I also had a lot of stress and anxiety in my life and she said she could address that. I was totally surprised. I didn’t realize acupuncture was such a mind/body thing. After the intake she had me lay down on a comfortable table and stuck needles in me all over. I could feel them, but they oddly didn’t hurt. Amy was very caring about my comfort and answered all questions and explained everything she was doing. When I left, I didn’t feel a whole bunch different right away and wondered if it worked. Then several hours later I noticed that both my neck and back felt significantly better. Less pain. More range of motion. Wow! That improvement lasted for about 10 days until I chiseled away at it with repetitive work related activity. 

The biggest and most astounding improvement I saw was my anxiety was, like, gone! Gone! It was another month before my second treatment and my anxiety level only reverted to a fraction of what I started with. I especially love the anxiety treatment and my success with this. I also love my back and neck feeling better. I only recommend someone I am completely confident in and I highly recommend Amy. She is an expert at what she is doing, easy to talk to, kind. Don’t hesitate. 

Acne

MS: I started acupuncture because it was recommended to me as a treatment for adult acne. I had never dealt with acne my whole life, and I’m lead to believe mine was caused by an immune system-disrupting medication I was taking (and stopped taking once I realized the detriment it was causing my skin—about the same time I started acupuncture). Before acupuncture, I tried changing my skincare routine to all-natural, simple ingredient products and stopped wearing makeup, with no great results. About 3-4 months into my acupuncture journey, my skin started clearing up significantly. The size and frequency of those large, painful pimples I’d usually have all over my face decreased. At the end of my 7-month acupuncture journey, the acne altogether ceased, minus a few small and quickly-disappearing breakouts here and there around my menstrual cycle. My skin looks nearly just as good as it did before the acne occurred, and I’m feeling like my confident, clear-skinned self again. The person who recommended acupuncture to me said it best: “You can change your skincare routine, eliminate foods you think might be causing your acne, get a facial, etcetera…but I know what healed my adult acne, and it was acupuncture.” Now I can say the same!

BB: I have a long history battling cystic acne. I’ve seen multiple dermatologists since the age of 13 and ended up doing a round of Accutane at age 19. In my mid 20’s my acne flared up again. I was told by my dermatologist that I have “hormonal” acne and taking a combination of birth control, Aldactone, and Retin A crème was my best chance of keeping acne at bay. These medications helped, however in my late 20’s I started to have stomach issues and my husband and I began discussing starting a family. All of the medications I was taking to control my acne, I couldn’t take when wanting to conceive. I went off the medications and within two months I began having huge cystic acne (not a surprise). I also started having issues with my period that I wasn’t expecting. I had been on oral contraceptives since age 17.  It took me two months to even have a period. When I did, my periods were irregular and I was having extreme period pain and mood/energy changes.  I spoke to my family doctor and GYN about the issues I was having and was basically told to “give it a year” to see if things improve. I was told to not stress out about it. I felt unheard and brushed off at a time when I felt pretty miserable. It was especially disheartening as this was supposed to be an exciting time in my life! I mean my husband and I want to start a family, but I felt as unfeminine and unattractive as ever. I began doing my own research as I figured if my acne was “hormonal” then maybe there were more natural options to help my hormones. I tried to eat cleaner, use essential oils, and meditate (all of which are great and I still do), but the acne lingered. I finally came across acupuncture in my research and sent a request to Brette after a quick google search on acupuncture in the area. Within 24 hours Brette responded asking if she could call me to discuss what was going on. When I spoke with Brette on the phone, it was the first time since I was 13 that someone actually seemed to truly listen and want to get at the root of the problem. Not only did Brette think acupuncture could help my acne, but could also help with my period pain. Sign me up! After my first appointment with Brette she explained that a combination of acupuncture and herbs would be tailored based on my individual needs. Each time I went she would make small changes to my herbs based on how I was doing. After 6 weeks of bi-weekly acupuncture (3 appointments), I began noticing that I wasn’t breaking out as much. When I did, the pimples were much smaller and seemed to heal quicker. I also noticed a significant reduction in my period pain and was having more energy. I went from having to leave work from the pain to being able to manage without taking any medications. It’s now been 3 months of bi-weekly acupuncture (6 appointments) and my skin is amazing. I truly could not have asked for better results and am grateful I found Brette!

AB: I was struggling with adult acne and mid eczema for several years and had been to a conventional dermatologist many times.  I was uncomfortable with the treatment options presented to me – antibiotics, topical treatments that burned my skin, etc.  These treatments only seemed to be masking the problem and were not getting to the underlying root of the issue.  Months passed and I just dealt with the issue but then I switched to a non-hormonal contraceptive and things became even worse.  The acne became worse and was joined by night sweats, constipation and hair loss.  I was convinced I had a hormonal imbalance when I came to Brette for help.  She took great care in understanding my symptoms and trying to get to the root of the problem.  She formulated a treatment plan including acupuncture sessions and supplemental herbal tea blends.  After that first session I also felt a marked reduction of stress levels from my job, which was a great benefit as well.  I started seeing improvements to my acne within a few months and I’m convinced that Brette’s attention to detail and holistic treatment approach is the reason for my success.  Most days my skin is so clear from acne that I feel comfortable without makeup on and I only experience minor flare ups which coincide with my cycle.

Endometriosis

TT: I saw Keri in Chicago over a period of about a year, during which time she helped me with a range of issues from endometriosis to stress at work. She is very knowledgeable about the body and genuinely cares for the well-being of her patients. Keri is an exceptionally talented and skilled Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner. She's kind, compassionate, knowledgeable, thorough, and endlessly supportive. Columbus, you're lucky to have her. 

Night Sweats

AD: Although I was skeptical about acupuncture, I was blown away by my main problem of nightsweats being resolved after only one treatment with Keri as my acupuncturist.  The nightsweats have not come back in the 6 weeks I have been working with Keri and we have now begun to work on my dietary habits and discuss more in depth about my dreams and how they might relate to anxiety I frequently experience.  I am more able to see how my anxiety might be triggered by internal circumstances and that I may be able to control it without medication.  Acupuncture works for me

Plantar Faciitis

 BO: I could not believe it, but by inserting needles gently into my feet and legs, my plantar fasciitis is gone!  It has not returned in over two years. I was a bit hesitant, but it really worked!  I can walk in the morning pain free.  

Shoulder Pain

JS: About three years ago I broke my left arm, the whole humerus bone. I spent 2 plus years doing different stretches trying to get my arm back to feeling good. Not just my arm, I also had pain in my shoulder and all through past the elbow. Initially receiving treatments from Keri I was skeptical of much results because of the severity of the injury and the time that had passed. However, the day after my first treatment my arm was feeling great. She also spent a good time using other modalities like cupping on my shoulder. I was so surprised with the outcome, and the pain did come back after a few days but with consecutively receiving treatments (it has only been about 6 months), my arm and shoulder feel back up to speed. I have minimal pain and discomfort. A total 180. It's made my work and daily activities much comforting.  

CE: I have seen Keri off and on for acupuncture for the past 4 years. It is sometimes just a general treatment, or "tune up", to keep my health in balance when I'm feeling good. Other times it is more specific.  She has helped me with shoulder pain, due to years of playing sports and being very active.  I have not needed a treatment for my shoulder pain in over a year!

Sinus Infections & Migraines

AL: I started with acupuncture about 1 year ago. I came in due to re-occurring sinus infections and a life-long struggle with migraines. Brette reviewed the role the acupuncture and certain herbs could play in my treatment and we jumped right in. We started with once weekly treatments, slowly moving to every 2 weeks. Over the past year, I've had fewer colds, much fewer sinus infections and my migraines have almost dropped off the radar completely. When I have had a cold/sinus infection, it's been much less intense than in the past. As an added bonus, my mood and energy have been much better and more even since starting acupuncture! Brette has used cupping and scraping treatments, which have really helped with any congestion I've had and with shingles related pain. I highly recommend acupuncture with Brette and I'm really going to miss her!

Migraines

CP: I have been doing acupuncture for about 10 years. I started to seek alternative for severe migraines but it helped me with fertility treatment and well being in general. I am now basically migraine free and the mother of 2 lovely girls, saying that I am a converted is an understatement! I moved to the Boston area about a year ago and needed a new practitioner, Brette was it. Since I had such a great experience with my previous one, my expectations were pretty high. I have to say that Brette was able to maintain the same standard of care I used to enjoy to help me maintain good general health and keep my migraines away. She knows what she is doing and is doing it well. I would highly recommends anyone who want to start acupuncture or need a new practitioner to contact her, they would be in good hands.

ER: I have been seeing Brette for several months now and have been very happy with treatment for recurring migraines. She listened carefully to my concerns and answered all my questions very clearly. I highly recommend this practice.

Headache

KD: It hadn’t occurred to me to look at alternative practices to find relief from my headaches. I had headaches every day for more than a year. I first saw a headache specialist. I tracked my headaches daily which ranged from a 1 to a 10. I was given multiple medications that did not relieve the headaches. I had scans and blood work. Eventually I got a second opinion from a neurologist at OSU which led me on the path to discover Keri Ondrus. The neurologist felt my headaches were tension headaches even though I had migraine characteristics. She suggested integrated medicine. Acupuncture was recommended and I found Keri Ondrus. I wish I had known about acupuncture, cupping and Gua Sha sooner. Not only has Keri helped relieve my headaches but she has alleviated back pain that I have had for over 20 years. Within three visits I experienced my first day without a headache in over a year. In addition to pain relief, I have found that my moods, mindset and energy have improved. I’m so thrilled and appreciative to have found a solution to my pain.

DJ: Brette listens to my concerns and engaged in conversation that was helpful.  I found Brette to be very conscientious and dedicated to finding a solution to help her patients. My headache pain responded to the acupuncture.

Fatigue

JN: I first decided to try acupuncture for my crippling fatigue after my regular doctor was unable to find any cause for my fatigue and assumed it must be from depression. She prescribed two different antidepressants for me even though I told her I did not feel depressed I just felt like something wasn’t working in my body the way it should. I was desperate and ready to try anything. I met with Brette and was immediately impressed that she really listened to me. I felt like we were a team working together to get my body healthy again. Because I had been dealing with extreme exhaustion for over 2 years, my expectations were low. I did not expect to see quick results from our treatments. However, within a month I was already waking rested and staying energized longer into the day. Within a year, my energy was back and I’ve been able to make it through most days with a really good energy levels. Other benefits I have seen from my treatments include a decrease in my sensory sensitivities, and fewer headaches. 

Sciatic Pain

LL:Today was my first acupuncture treatment. I saw Keri, and she immediately put me at ease. Her words of warmth and wisdom helped me to relax as she went to work, and I can say that I feel more physical relief than I ever have in the years that I have been dealing with this nagging sciatic injury. I'm so grateful for this gift and will be back as often as I can. --J.I.

Eczema & Digestive Issues

CG: I first considered acupuncture after a discussion with an acquaintance of eczema treatment for our daughters.  I was impressed with Brette's way to treat a child, my daughter felt very calmed and relaxed during the session. All last year her allergies and eczema improved.  Later on I considered treatment for myself for stomach problems and stress. The first session was deeply relaxing, and subsequent treatments helped reduce the stomach symptoms I had been suffering from, which conventional medicine had not been able to address.

Acid Reflux

I knew Keri was exceptional, but I guess I really didn't know the extent of her talent until she left Chicago. I write this after I have been looking for a new practitioner for over 9 months. Without going in to excruciating detail (which I could), I will say that Keri is exceptional at what she does. I came to her with a pretty aggressive acid reflux, and we immediately clicked. She is professional, yet personable. She is knowledgeable, and is also open to to new ideas. I ended up having 3 surgeries, unforeseen complications and countless breakdowns over the next year and a half. I consider her one of the main reasons why I am here, today, and able to write this. She was 100% a part of my medical team; I would schedule to see her after my weekly surgical appointments. We dissected, cried, regrouped and planned. 

She is a genius at her craft. I would encourage anyone looking for a different, holistic approach to medicine to see her. You will leave a session with Keri fulfilled, invigorated and inspired. and feeling amazing!

Colitis

WB: I was recently diagnosed with an Inflammatory Bowel Disease and in the midst of daily treatments. While researching this condition, acupuncture kept popping up as a good companion therapy, so I began asking around. A coworker had been to Brette and was very pleased with her treatments. I made an appointment with Brette and after the first 2 minutes of treatment, I literally felt the pain in my gut ease up and go away. I have have recommended Brette to anyone who would listen.

At the first treatment, I had a fair amount of abdominal pain from the colitis. But after a few minutes, the pain was gone. Blew me away. Another minute passed and I was sound asleep. When I left, I felt more relaxed than I ever had after massage. It’s truly an amazing art, and Brette has amazing skill. My symptoms gradually subsided and the pain began to disappear. I am in “remission” right now, but will be returning to Brette very soon.

 I would definitely recommend acupuncture those with digestive disorders. And for those with some skepticism, just try it one time and you might be pleasantly surprised.

Chemotherapy Side Effects

DC: I was most fortunate to have worked with Keri when I was quite ill and coping with side effects from chemotherapy. I experienced firsthand her care, knowledge, focus and positive energy in assisting me with returning to health.  Her listening skills were excellent, followed by her needle treatment and working with breath during insertion that created a rhythm to the treatment I had not experienced with other practitioners.

Working with Keri, my health improved on all levels, physical, emotional and spiritual.  Keri is a gifted acupuncturist/healer and will be assisting people in their healing for many years to come.

I am so very grateful to Keri for being available as the acupuncturist at a turning point in my life where deep healing was essential and I continue to be in great health.

 

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