When I met Heidi I was in a lot of pain. My right arm had been under a lot of stress from working at a desk and on a computer all day. Also carrying a very heavy fashionable handbag didn't help either!

Heidi's personal style and care paid off. Heidi explained how she was going to work on my arm and was not only gentle but firm when explaining how the treatment would be helpful for my pain. She would talk to me throughout the session to let me know how my arm was going to react to the treatment. It was a little surprising to feel the muscles release at first, but she reassured me that was a good thing.

The hard work we both put in to the treatment improved my arm and I felt relief after the very first session. Heidi not only treated the arm but she ensured I was balanced in all other areas of my well being.

Thank you for making me feel better!

-Nina

I was first exposed to acupuncture about five years ago while living in Los Angeles. I had a demanding job in the entertainment industry and was suffering from insomnia, stress, and allergies. I was fortunate to discover that acupuncture had immediate and lasting beneficial effects.

After relocating to New York City I feel even more fortunate to have found Heidi Botnick. Not only is she an extremely well trained acupuncturist, she also possesses the rare ability to truly listen to her patients. The result is powerful and uniquely personalized medicine that draws on the wisdom of ancient and modern modalities. It is a pleasure to be able to recommend Heidi without reservation.

-Liam Ahern

I've had allergies all my life. I was born with eczema, developed asthma by 5 and hay fever by 7. I tried everything western medicine had to offer - corticosteroids, adrenalin, anti-histamines, desensitization injections and more. Most of the things I was prescribed had difficult side effects - drowsiness, weight gain, headaches, backaches, heart palpitations. And for all that, they usually didn't work when the peak hay fever season came around every year. I decided to try acupuncture and went to Heidi late last year for help.

As I write, we are a few weeks into what would normally be the worst time of year for me. The pollen levels are rated as "very severe" almost everyday and incredibly, I am still not taking *any* hay fever medication at all! No steroid nasal sprays, no allegra, no benadryl, no face masks...nothing. This is the first time in over 2 decades that I can say that. I couldn't be happier. Heidi also took time to work on the chronic pain I had for 2 years in my right shoulder. I can now swim for 2-3 hours completely pain free. It is no overstatement to say that Heidi's acupuncture treatments have really changed my life. I feel so well these days, it's wonderful.

- Anita Disney

PhD in Neuroscience

As one of the top athletic instructors in the NYC region I carry a considerable class load on a weekly basis. My body is put through some considerable rigors that can unfortunately result in serious sports injuries. From time-to-time drastic measures are needed to bring my body back to a workable state.

I am forever grateful to Heidi Botnick for the fabulous repair work she has performed on me. I was introduced to her following some debilitating hamstring injuries. After months of unsuccessful physical therapy and cortisone shots, I was turned on to Heidi.

After a few extremely thorough acupuncture sessions with Heidi, I was as good as new. I wished I sought her out much sooner, as I would have saved months of discomfort in the process.

She is not only extremely knowledgeable about sports injuries, but is quickly successful in her treatment. A few well-placed sessions with her, got right to the source and permanent release. Forget about the injections and seek out Heidi’s magic.

- Ed Esposito

Thespinguru.com

I've suffered from chronic neck and shoulder pain for many years. After my most recent setback, I sought the help of a physical therapist which improved my situation, but only to a point. When she felt there was nothing more she could do for me, she mentioned the possibility of acupuncture helping. I found Heidi and after only a few treatments finally got the relief I'd been hoping for. It was incredible to me that this option had existed all along and I didn't know about it.

My experience with Heidi has been truly wonderful. Her knowledge and professionalism coupled with her gentle, supportive manner make her not only an effective health practitioner but a pleasure to be with as well.

- Amy

It's been great for me to receive treatment from Heidi once a week.

It's the one moment in my day that things slow down and I get to relax and concentrate on my own well-being.

I've seen a very clear improvement with my back pain and digestive system

Tatiana

-Graphic designer and artist

Heidi is truly in tune with her patients. She has a gift for getting to the root of what's going on with you and finding the best way to treat it. She has helped me more than any medical doctor I have visited and I feel blessed to have found her.

Julie M- age 24

Writer/producer

When I became pregnant, I had to decrease my SSRI anti-depressant and experienced a return of my depression and an increase in anxiety, particularly shortness of breath. I became interested in alternatives to medication, and decided to try acupuncture. I found Heidi through the Park Slope Parents website. I'm definitely open to holistic forms of treatment, but I was surprised at how well and how quickly the acupuncture worked, on my anxiety and my depression. After the first treatment I felt calmer, and during the second one, the effects were even stronger: my limbs felt so relaxed I almost couldn't feel them anymore and I dozed on the table. After starting acupuncture with Heidi, I also experienced very clear and noticeable relief from my shortness of breath. My psychiatrist was very supportive of this treatment, and not surprised at its effectiveness.

I've tried a number of methods to replace medication, including daily yoga, psychotherapy and dietary changes. All have helped but I suspect that the acupuncture I received from Heidi had the greatest impact. Heidi was very conscientious, careful and compassionate. I'm grateful to have discovered the (very real!) benefits of acupuncture for depression and anxiety and can recommend Heidi wholeheartedly.

Heidi (another one), age 37

Brooklyn

Journalist

If you are around me for more than five minutes and tell me about a physical ailment, I will tell you about the magical Heidi. She is someone I look forward to seeing as much as possible, and often I won't even realize how in pain I am until her needles release the tension that has been stored up, all week/month long. I have seen her for a grocery list of ailments (allergies, smoking cessation, back pain, shoulder pain, acid reflux, digestion, aches from running), all of which have VASTLY improved under her care.

You will never get a doctor who calls you back, or monitors your care. Yet Heidi leaves messages following up on your treatment plan, and she's also a great listener. Am SO happy to have met her and highly recommend her services.

Kristy O.

I first saw Heidi about one year ago after being referred to her by a friend. I have 3 herniated discs in my neck that were caused by a bicycle accident 8 years ago. The end result of the injuries had left me with chronic pain and inflammation in my left shoulder and persistent numbness and tingling in my left hand. But worst of all was having to deal with the constant state of weakness and the limited range of motion I had in my left shoulder. I could barely hold a cup of water at arms length for more than a few seconds and I was not even able to touch my bicep to the side of my head. Since the accident happened I have seen countless doctors across a broad range of specialties, chiropractors, massage therapists, and physical therapists who applied a broad range of solutions, none of which helped and some which made my problems worse. After going through 2 years of physical therapy and being on a myriad of prescription medications I made the decision to seek an entirely new approach, which is how I got to Heidi.

During my first visit she did a thorough evaluation of my situation which included both listening to me explain my past history and a physical examination of my shoulder and neck. After the exam she discussed various options with me and recommended "trigger point" therapy as the best solution for my particular case. She also explained that due to the length of time the shoulder had been inflamed it would probably take more than one visit to correct, but that it would not require a long term continual process. Overall I saw Heidi 5 times and after each visit I could see significant improvement in range of motion, strength and pain mitigation. After the first visit I was able to touch my bicep to my temple for the first time in years. After the second visit I was able to touch my bicep to my ear and after the third I was able to touch my bicep to the back of my head. To say I was amazed at the results would be an understatement. To go from having a frozen shoulder that had a significantly reduced range of motion to a restored full range of motion in 4 weeks changed my life. I was able to start strength training again, something I was unable to do successfully for the previous 8 years. My pain and discomfort which had been chronic for 8 years disappeared completely after about 6 weeks. I am still amazed at the results I obtained working with Heidi. In a very real sense she gave me a big part of my life back. To be able to have a normally functioning left shoulder and to not be in chronic pain is something I thought I would never achieve, let alone to be able to work out again. I have lost over 25lbs and have been able to continue strength training and cardiovascular training for the first time in years. I strongly recommend her to anyone with a chronic injury or a sports related injury.