My parents and I are very grateful and blessed to have Kathy as part of our journey to wellness. My father had an abdominal aortic aneurysm a few months ago that was at a size that could of been life threatening. He had an AAA repair done with a less invasive approach using a sent. In addition to the excellent care that my father received from the physicians, nurses, radiology techs, all other health care personal, Kathy was also instrumental with father's healing process as well. Her care for my father continued after discharge. Kathy offered to provide a session the night before my father's surgery to help alleviated his anxiety, to help with the healing process, and prepare my father for the procedure. She also gave my mom and I a mini session to help relieve anxiety and stress. During the acupuncture session, Kathy also played guided mediation CD. During the day of surgery my dad was relaxed and was joking around with the doctors and nurses. We all felt relaxed and knew that everything will be ok. My dad had been a smoker for 40 years. He attempted several times to cease his smoking habit but went back to the habit for stress relief. The last time he stopped was after his triple bypass surgery. Kathy stated that she also treat patients to stop the smoking habit. My dad was open to try the acupuncture to help stop smoking. After six sessions of acupuncture my father stopped smoking. As for my mother, she has health challenges as well. She wants to loose wait and also want alleviate her aches and pain from osteoarthritis. Through her, my mom started to exercise, take walk outside and guides here for a better way of living. In the past, my mother refuses to walk far because her legs and knees hurt. With sessions from Kathy my mom's endurance to walk with comfort improved. She had also lost a few pounds from her sessions and stated that she doesn't feel as hungry. It's been about 3 months since my father stopped smoking and he's recovered well from his AAA. He's back to his gardening and to his every day activities. As for my mom, she was able to grasp the energy to walk for her exercise. She is also grateful for Kathy to help guide her for a better way of living. Not only Kathy is a nurse, and an acupuncturist, she is also a health coach. Her approach is professional, and at the same time she's very nurturing. Kathy's experience as a nurse for many years in different areas of nursing, also enhance her care as an acupuncturist. She is very knowledgeable and excellent in her care. I am also having sessions with Kathy as well. She brings best of both worlds in caring for her clients, hence "West Meets East Acupuncture. " read more

I suffer from RP (retinitis pigmentosa), a degenerative genetic eye disease that has rendered me legally blind. It's an incredibly frustrating phenomenon to go through and I've spent countless hours researching possible treatments. While stem cell treatments and gene therapies seem promising, they are at least five to ten years away. Acupuncture often came up as a possible treatment, but I could never find anything to verify the claims of the acupuncturist or the patients. I didn't entirely dismiss it, but I wasn't buying it just yet. A few months ago, Johns Hopkins published a study that showed acupuncture yielded some promising results for people with RP. My wife found Kathy Hanold and a few days later, we met with her. Kathy was very professional and personable. She had a great deal of knowledge of both western and eastern medicines. While I remained skeptical, I ultimately decided to go forward with the treatments. Before the first session, I had my visual fields tested. Normal visual fields are 180 degrees, legal blindness is 40 or less, I have less than ten. Shortly after the test, I had fifty-four needles stuck to me. Several in my face and ears, a few in my stomach, each hand, legs, and feet. Some needles around my eyes were attached to a micro-stimulator. While the treatment was undeniably relaxing, I didn't notice any change in my vision, at least not right away. After the third treatment, I was helping with dinner and I looked up at the microwave and saw the time. A few seconds later I realized I had not been able to see the time on the microwave in a few years. As the treatment went on, I noticed some subtle changes. I could see my plate at dinner. I couldn't see what was on the plate, but I could see the plate. I also was able to pick up facial details a bit more clearly. Near the end of the two-week session, I took the visual fields test once more. While my left eye stayed the same, my right eye gained some peripheral vision. While I won't be able to drive any time soon, a slight gain made the treatments well worth it. Kathy Hanold proved to be a wonderful acupuncturist. She was very flexible about the times and had a considerable breadth of knowledge regarding her trade. She made certain that I was comfortable and felt at ease during the treatments. read more

Kathy is phenomenal with her expertise with acupuncture and an integrative approach to alternative medicine. I have been a client of Kathy's for the past 4 yrs- the last time I had to come in for a visit was about 3.5 yrs ago& I have been doing great until this last exacerbation-( my neck & shoulder) I contacted Kathy & she was able to fit me into her schedule within24 hrs- after 2 sessions (2nd one on a holiday) I am now able to hold my head midline & only use ibuprofen PRN-I am not a fan of pain meds nor muscle relaxants- I am hoping to return to work by mid to end of week given my PCP releases me-& of course get on with my exercise program. I will follow up with Kathy for further management of my neck 1-2 sessions for further TP ( trigger point management)- as needed Kathy utilizes an integrative approach which includes but is not limited to: Acupuncture, cupping, and cold laser therapy to mention a few. She is a practicing RN. She is a compassionate informative person. She is willing to share her knowledge of her expertise & definitely decreases any anxiety. She addresses many different clientele from pain management to women's health. If you are looking for an alternative way for your medical management of pain, trigger points etc I highly recommend giving Kathy a call-she is helpful with any questions or concerns. I do recommend contacting you medical insurance carrier regarding coverage- as many do not cover-however her fee is reasonable. Kathy-Thank you for all your wisdom & help read more

Before I met Kathy, I suffered from crippling anxiety (I'm talking near-agoraphobic territory where I wouldn't leave the house if I didn't have to.) Every day was difficult and I wasn't having any fun anymore. I also suffered from a 6-month long string of panic attacks and perceived balance issues. I just felt overall off-kilter. This is where Kathy comes in. I'm not needle-phobic but the idea of getting needles stuck in me wasn't a pleasant thought. Still, medication for anxiety was making me weird and I know my body responds much better to alternative medicine such as acupuncture. After the first treatment, I felt incredible. I was perhaps calmer than I ever had been in my entire life and had this feeling that nothing could hurt me. I was no longer afraid of anything possibly happening to me and my balance issues were non-existent. The second treatment's effects though were less-noticeable right afterwards, however within a few days I felt better than I had a few days after the first treatment. Through Kathy's help, I have gotten my life back (sounds like a commercial, I know - but it's true!). I honestly thought I was to the point where nothing would help me, but I highly recommend this form of treatment for anyone suffering similar ailments. Thank you sooo much, Kathy! read more

I can't thank Kathy enough for the help she's given me. I have had chronic pain and fatigue for more than a decade, and no treatment has helped as much as hers. I have to give a lot of the credit for my recovery to Kathy's treatments. Her cold laser and acupuncture treatments helped me regain an amazing amount of functionality. I have more energy and less pain than I have in years, and her needle treatments for mood were also wonderfully beneficial. As a practitioner, Kathy is friendly, creative, flexible, and a great listener who really wants to help her patients recover enough to get them back out the door of her office. Her integration of Eastern and Western health practices gives her a range of treatment options not found in every acupuncturist's practice. She's a lovely person to be around, and I can't imagine being uncomfortable in her care. I have never seen anyone leave her office unhappy. I do not say this lightly, but I would trek across the city for an appointment with Kathy if I needed it. I wholeheartedly recommend her services to anyone who struggles with pain or energy problems. read more

I went to Kathy with a somewhat unique problem...hyperhydrosis. It is a condition that causes excessive sweating, which in my case affects my hands and feet. I've tried Botox, which was great until it ultimately resulted in the loss of considerable muscle strength in my hands. I've tried western medication, which offers some relief, but isn't any type of magic bullet. Enter Kathy. She treated me as a whole person and not just someone with symptoms. We worked together with changes in my lifestyle, her hyperhydrosis acupuncture protocol and the addition of certain herbal medications. She truly took the time to create a plan that has provided lasting and successful results. She is incredibly knowledgeable and explains the purpose of each component of her recommendations. I'm thrilled that I finally feel like I have a treatment regimen that will continue to provide results for many years to come. While the reason for my visits to Kathy was a bit unusual, she has an expansive practice specializing in many different areas and I recommend Kathy to friends and family all the time. read more

While training for my fifth and final full marathon, I suffered a serious ligament sprain in my foot. I still had approx 1.5 months left in my training program and I hadn't yet done my longest training run. I saw West Meets East Acupuncture while performing a search on Yelp. After looking over the website and reading the reviews, I decided to give Kathy a call. From my initial visit to my last visit, Kathy was a consummate professional. Her client intake procedures were thorough, comprehensive and projected an atmosphere of experience. Kathy's knowledge of the many modalities used in Eastern and Western medicine/health care bursts through not only in her technique and treatments but also in her conversations. I experienced marked improvement after each session. The treatments, along with Kathy's advice and great conversations, enabled me to regain confidence in my ability to complete the marathon AND my accomplishment of completing the Nike Women's Marathon 2013. Kathy played a key roll in my success and for that I am extremely grateful and want to say: THANK YOU, KATHY!!! read more

I brought my mother (in her mid-80s) up from Oklahoma City for an intensive 2-week session for macular degeneration, and am astounded at the results. She was under the care of two different ophthalmologists in OKC. She was unable to see out of one eye, and there were no additional medical options for improvement. The treatments at West Meets East consisted of before and after vision field tests performed by Dr. Stone's office and a series of acupuncture treatments 5 days a week for two weeks by Kathy Hanold. A post-treatment exam confirmed dramatic improvement in Mom's nearly-blind eye. We all knew there was improvement happening when Mom announced that she could see our faces using only that eye. Mom has had both of her ophthalmologists in OKC confirm this improvement. An unexpected benefit is that Mom's overall well being and balance improved significantly during the treatments, and this has continued after her return to OKC. She is routinely out and about without her cane. read more

I have a rare eye condition called Retinitus Pigmentosa (RP). There is no known cure in western medicine. Acupuncture has been one of the few things that are known to help. Very few acupuncturists focus on rare eye conditions so I travelled from Toronto, Canada last November to seek a 2 week treatment by Dr. Kathy Hanold. Kathy is extremely professional, knowledgable and passionate about her patients and their overall health. Kathy continues to research and develop her protocol for RP so she can get the best results possible for you. She makes you feel comfortable and answers all questions related or not to your condition. Other doctors rush you out but Kathy takes all the time you need. She is also accommodating and flexible with appointments...she even came in on thanksgiving day! It was such a great experience that I am now back for 3 days of treatment and will continue to come back all the way from Toronto! read more

I caught sight of myself in the mirror while up-side- down in a Yoga pose [yikes!] and decided the facial acupuncture treatment was worth a try. Ten sessions later with Kathy, I am a total believer. Not only do my 'facial parts' stay where they belong with a positive firmness, I am experiencing skin clarity, brightness with far less wrinkles and lines and a renewed confidence. Weeks after the sessions, I can honestly say that Acupuncture is the gift that keeps on giving. It seems my body has been retrained. The real gift is Kathy! Her background as an RN combined with her in-depth knowledge and skill as an acupuncturist and her ability to interpret health discussions established the confidence and credibility that I am in caring hands that are treating ME. Kathy and West Meets East Acupuncture is powerful medicine! DS read more

I've had four acupuncture treatments with Kathy Hanold so far and I'm extremely pleased. One condition drastically improved and the other is completely gone. Both of these were chronic health conditions I've suffered from for years. (Forgive me for not wanting to post publicly the details on my health ... I will say they are both common conditions and one was related to peri-menopause.) I'm positively thrilled with the treatment and only wish I would have started going to Kathy years ago! In addition to Kathy's professionalism and spot-on treatment plan, one of the things I really enjoy about going to West Meets East is the relaxing atmosphere and private treatment rooms. I highly recommend Kathy Hanold for acupuncture -- she knows her stuff, will really listen to you and has a caring demeanor anyone would appreciate. read more

I am not generally a believer in alternative medicine, as a general cynic and registered nurse. However, reality does not require belief - results speak for themselves. I suffered for months with a frozen shoulder after an improperly administerd flu shot. Living on ibuprofen, unable to raise my arm, struggling to dress and sleeping poorly, after 6 months, I consulted Kathy who assessed I would need 4 treatments. (Did I mention therapeutic exercise made things worse?) I felt immediately better after the first acupuncture treatment, and by the 4th treatment, I had full range of motion and no pain at all. I was so impressed that after a rear end collision, I immediately sought prophylactic treatment to prevent the inevitably predicted whiplash, again with excellent results. Kathy is the best! read more

Kathy Hanold at West Meets East Acupuncture is one in a million! My partner had never been to acupuncture, but western medicine was not helping him with his complex nerve disease with many troubling complications. So he agreed to try. He has found Kathy to be an ideal combination of truly caring and really well-versed on how to use acupuncture. She built trust immediately. She has been very flexible in his needs for a cool temperature and early morning appointment. She listens very carefully, monitors results, and adapts to new symptoms and problems. My partner has just started this month and looks forward to his appointments, because of how well he will be treated during them and the growing physical relief he feels afterwards. We would recommend Kathy to anyone! read more

I learned of Kathy from a friend and am so grateful I did. I have suffered from lower back pain on and off for 30-40 years. After a year of ongoing discomfort, I finally visited an Orthopedic doctor in December 2011 who told me to take 2 motrin every day. After 30 days, I was not any better, so discontinued this "medical treatment". I tried exercise, stretching....but not until I visited Kathy and had an acupuncture treatment did I find any relief. It was like a miracle. I have seen her 4 times and am a true believer. Next on the agenda is cosmetic acupuncture...I want the face that stays where it is supposed to and doesn't sag. Kathy is very professional and very detailed in gathering information to assure her treatments are successful. read more

I was not always a believer in alternative medicine, however I was immediately comfortable and put my trust in Kathy's abilities as a healer because she offers more than just experience in alternative medicine. Most recently affiliated with one of Chicago's premier teaching hospitals, Kathy provides a unique perspective because she is also a registered nurse. Her background in western medicine is a great marriage of West meets East. Kathy has treated both my husband and I with great results for lower back pain and shoulder pain. She listens conscientiously and always prescribes the right treatment for the ailment. I highly recommend Kathy. She is great! read more

Kathy is Amazing Amazing Amazing. The results of the series of 10 sessions to reduce facial lines and wrinkles were dramatic. The positive comments I have received on the visable change and the glow of my skin are of course well received. I did so enjoy these sessions and learned so much from Kathy. Not only did she take care of face but also my soul. I am a believer. Working and coming from the suburbs, I very much appreciated Kathy's flexibilty on scheduling appointments. Having that flexibilty really helped reduce the stress and made the sessions that much more relaxing and enjoyable. Again thank you. Kris D read more

I've been going to Kathy for several years now, primarily for sinus issues. In addition to treating me with acupuncture, she now has a nasal laser that is pretty amazing at keeping the airways clear. The laser works its magic while you're getting acupuncture. Kathy has also recommended herbal alternatives to Zyrtec that have helped me immensely. Between the treatments and the supplements, I've finally been able to get rid of my prescriptions and allergy meds -- and I haven't had a sinus infection requiring antibiotic use in nearly two years! If you have chronic sinus issues and are considering surgery, try this first. read more

I went to see Kathy after having plantars fasciitis in both of my feet for the last six months. The healing in my feet seemed to stagnate, until I met Kathy. With a mixture of acupuncture, applications of magnesium, and laser technology, my feet feel much better. Not completely healed yet, but it's definitely closer and going in the right direction. With 15% off of the costs, meeting me at 7:30 am, and treating whatever else ails me at the time of my appointment, Kathy goes above and beyond for her clients. Definitely make an appointment with Kathy if you'd like to feel better! Thanks so much, Kathy! read more

Of dozens of bodyworkers I've seen over decades, Kathy Hanold is at the very top. She combines calm mastery of acupuncture work with ancillary modalities, including cold laser therapy (great), other TCM healing (great), qigong, superb medical knowledge (based on years of work in professional nursing), and a level of spiritual maturity that is found rarely. She has moved in quietly, quickly, and surely to heal all the challenging symptoms I've brought her, from acute leg pains to depressing fatigue from certain medications. I now refer her to all my family, friends, and martial arts students. read more