For thousands of years, the Chinese have recognized that the Five
Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water exist in everything, everyone, and are essential for life. Classical Five-Element Acupuncture asserts that every human being is born with, or develops early in life, an imbalance in the natural functioning of these Five Elements. This imbalance becomes the root cause of illness of the body, mind, and spirit.
Classical Five-Element Acupuncture is set apart from other systems of acupuncture by its fundamental premise of diagnosing and treating a patient's Causative Factor: his/her root imbalance. The Causative Factor is assessed by way of objective information provided by the body itself. Each of the elements has a corresponding color, sound, emotion, and odor, which can be perceived when a particular element is out of balance. While it is relatively simple to memorize these associations, developing the skills to truly see, hear, feel, and smell these imbalances requires focused study, practice, and skilled guidance. Accurate diagnosis and treatment of the Causative Factor is the key to Classical Five-Element Acupuncture. In addition, this elegant system recognizes that the health of each individual's body, mind, and spirit must be taken into account to fully understand and treat the cause of disease. Thus, no two patients are ever treated the same.
Classical Five-Element Acupuncture is a complete system of healing, providing patients with a substantive and effective means of regaining balance on all levels. It is one of the safest, most comprehensive and far reaching systems of medicine in the world.
» Answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding Acupuncture treatments
During the COVID 19 epidemic, Neil is also available for remote treatment (telemedicine). To arrange an appointment, contact us here or send a text message or voicemail to (310) 453-2235.
Cancellation policy:
It is important that we be notified at least 24 hours in advance of any need to change a
scheduled appointment. Unless there is an emergency situation, the patient will be charged
the full fee for not keeping the scheduled appointment.
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Telemedicine Patient Testimonials:
"I had no idea what to expect when we began remote treatments, but after two regular treatments and a block check, I can say that, for me at least, it works just like an in-person treatment. I am really reaping the benefits, physically and psychologically, as we go through this weird time. I would wholeheartedly recommend remote treatment for any of Neil's patients."
~ Michael G.
"Neil is a Master Teacher and Practitioner of Five-Element Acupuncture who fully embodies the Ancient Wisdom of this system which is perfectly designed for this unique modern collective experience! This powerful healing modality based on activating the essential of life force to balance and heal body, mind, and spirit is facilitated through distance transmission with incredible compassion and mastery by Neil, who's voice transports me to a deep state of relaxation and receptivity. After the treatment, I experienced a deep state of peace and well-being, and my intense back pain was relieved immediately."
~ Aine Carey, Director
"I'm a regular patient of Neil's and am currently sick, my doctors have told me to assume I have Covid-19 based on my symptoms. I had an over the phone session with Neil at the start of my illness after which my fever went down and has not returned (it's been 3 days). The session felt oddly the same as in person, I could "feel" my energy settling into my body as it went along and truly believe it has been integral to me feeling stronger now. I offered to share my experience for anyone who might wonder how it works. Highly recommend this method to anyone who needs a session."
~ Janna G.
"For the past several weeks, I have had what I believe to be a relatively mild - though still very unpleasant - case of Coronavirus. During this time, I have been fortunate to have two remote treatments with Neil. After each treatment, I felt a notable increase in my energy, allowing me to fight on, as well as a strengthening of my lungs and a decrease in anxiety. It is amazing how well these remote treatments work!"
~ Nicholas Y.
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Patient Testimonial:
"I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease about 15 years ago - at age 42. I was completely healthy (except for that!), a single father, relatively prosperous, and considered myself to be smart, well read, and just generally aware of life. I am also innately iconoclastic and suspicious of authority.
The first thing my then neurologist did, after shaking his head in mock sorrow for the tragic life that would almost certainly now be mine, was to hand me a prescription for sinemet - the miracle drug which temporarily relieves the symptoms of Parkinson's but which ultimately creates even worse ones over time.
I never took the sinemet and instead began an odyssey around the country and around the Internet - looking for possibilities and theories if not answers. One was already in my life - Neil Gumenick - who I had seen sporadically for acupuncture. Neil told me - with great confidence and cheerfulness - that there was no such diagnosis as Parkinsons in Classical Five-Element Acupuncture and that he was certain he could help.
I got on board and began seeing him twice a week at first and made it through the first twelve years without taking sinemet - unprecedented. I do take a light dose now - 15 years after the diagnosis but, If you met me for the first time and didn't know - you wouldn't guess.
The problem with acupuncture is that it is so uniquely personal and tailored to your exact situation that you cannot prove any of this other than with your own experience. It cannot be quantified via the traditional benchmarks of Western medicine - such as a double blind study - because no two people receive the same treatment.
More than a practice where drugs are prescribed for what is bothering you - acupuncture is far more dependent upon the practitioner and his/her relationship with the recipient.
In that regard, I thank my lucky stars fairly frequently for Neil's presence in my life." ~ Les Alexander |
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Patient Testimonial:
"I began seeing Neil eight weeks ago, presenting with a variety of ailments including: diabetes and high blood pressure, both controlled with medication, and an emotional disturbance resulting from a previous traumatic event that had left me in tremendous pain.
The results I have had in the past two months with Neil have been in a word, amazing. I have been able to come off of one of the blood sugar stabilizing medications I was on and will probably be taken off blood pressure meds at my next visit with my physician. More important, the emotional disturbance I experienced is completely gone. My mood is bright and my energy improved. My sleeping and eating have returned to normal.
I most often describe Neil to family and friends as a "miracle worker." I never dreamed I would experience these tremendously positive results in such a short period of time. I am grateful for the gift of Neil's practice."
~ Constance Scharff, Novelist
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Patient Testimonial:
"You saw me last summer before I even knew I was pregnant and we continued to see each other while I was in LA. I wanted to email to let you know that baby girl has been born! I will always remember, after my abortion, miscarriages and IVF, that you had great confidence that all would be well with this natural pregnancy. Thank you so much for your magic hands, the wonderful conversations we had with you, and for believing in us. I think it impacted me more than I can say."
~ S.G.
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Patient Testimonial:
"My treatments with you over the last 2 years have been exquisite and transformative in multiple ways, from improving health and well-being to the most essential level of the soul. Your capacity to listen deeply to what is said and what is not said, and to intuit and choose precisely the acupuncture points in such a personal way, left me feeling cared for with depth, insight and compassion. You are rare among the practitioners I have worked with over 40 years in your ability to sense the essence of a person. For all of this, I am so grateful."
~ Laura Segilman
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Patient Testimonial:
"Neil is the most amazing praticioner, teacher and guru. He has been my main modality of healing for over 15 years! I can do what I do because of his brillant support and mastery of this incredible system of medicine. But mostly it is how he intergrates all of his wisdom to bring his students, patients and friends into their fullest potential and well being on all levels. If you feel called to a master teacher check out The Institute of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture and if you need a powerful healer and guide go see Neil and thrive!"
~ Aine Carey
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Patient Testimonial:
"Arrived in the office as Mr. Hyde. Depressed, resentful, angry. Left as Dr. Jekyll. Calm, grounded, sublime. I'm glad you're here, Neil."
~ Jeff Morgan
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Patient Testimonial:
"Since I've been getting regular treatments from Neil, I've been able to both develop and rapidly utilize my own strengths to balance my physical and emotional wellbeing. This kind of care isn't about having someone do it for you, it's about opening pathways to the tools we already possess. Neil has helped me access these tools and through our work together as patient and practitioner, I've grown in ways I hadn't imagined before. Thank you, Neil, from the expanses of my soul, thank you."
~ Mary McCullough
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Patient Testimonial:
"As a student of Western medicine, I cannot explain how Classical Five Element Acupuncture works, but I have stopped trying, because I recognize it to be the most holistic way of practicing medicine I have encountered. Instead of managing symptoms, Neil seeks to understand who I am, how I feel, and how my body is reacting. His aim is not to fix me; it is to help me regain balance. This medicine has helped me thrive in exceedingly difficult circumstances, and Neil's wisdom has led me to a deeper understanding of myself."
~ Joshua Lilienstein
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Patient Testimonial:
"After years of trying over 15 different health practitioners, I started seeing Neil. I had such a long list of health problems that were just getting worse and worse as time went by. These included Lyme disease, chronic fatigue, allergies, chronic pain, stomach problems, hormonal problems, immune deficiency disorders - to name a few. After working with Neil, I feel better that I have in years. To have someone who is always willing and patient with you is hard to find. More than just getting me to a place where I feel great, he was always there for me. I can't explain how much this has changed my life. I can finally live without pain and panic that I would never feel better. When I began with Neil, physical exercise was an impossibility for me. Not only can I exercise again, but I went snowboarding for three days this past weekend!"
~ Natalie Wilt
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