Pain

  • Arthritis
  • Back pain
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Headaches
  • Joint pain
  • Knee, Pain
  • Migraines
  • Neck pain
  • Sports injury
  • Tendonitis
  • Tennis elbow

Testimonials / Information

Migraines

Kristin Topping

No More Migraines

I came to see Nicole Smith at The Pampered Porcupine a few months ago seeking help with a long and intense episode of migraines.  I had never sought out alternative medicine before, but when my doctor’s only solution for my debilitating diagnosis was to have me take more and more prescription medication, I knew it was time to try something else.

After receiving treatment from Nicole I knew I was on to something.  Nicole was professional, sympathetic to my situation, and accommodating.  All of these attributes seem to be a lost art in the health care system, so I was delightfully surprised.  She carefully planed my treatment not just for an immediate resolution, but rather, a long-term change in lifestyle that would lead to success in diminishing my experience of migraines.

This new approach motivated me to get healthy and change my lifestyle, not just to relieve migraine, but to feel better overall.  Nicole’s detox program was a wonderful addition to my treatment.  Her book Face the Fats outlined the program and was fantastic, guiding me every step of the way and making me feel that I was not alone in the process.

I will continue to take Nicole’s education advice on my path to a healthier lifestyle, as I feel better now than I have in a long time.  I would highly recommend Nicole’s acupuncture services to anyone I know that may be struggling with an experience similar to mine and also to people who just want to feel better in their day to day life.

Thank you Nicole for everything you have done for me.  You have made me a believer!

Warm Regards,

Kristin Topping

Knee and Back Pain from Running

When I first came to see Nicole, I wanted relief from overuse injuries and muscular aches and pains.  I am a runner, and it is something I did not want to give up.  My job as a dentist also has me bending, twisting, and moving in certain ways that aggravated my back.  In addition to the back pain, I was having pain in one knee, muscle cramps, and sinus troubles that had been with me for more than two years.

After 4 visits, I could see an improvement in both my back and my knee.  I stopped taking ibuprofen.  Continuing with treatments we worked not only with my aches and pains, but also my sinuses.

Currently, I have no more pain in my knee, and no more muscle cramps.  My back has improved considerably.  But the most amazing thing to me is that with acupuncture and herbal medicine, I have seen a 98% improvement in my sinus troubles.  They haven’t been this good in 2 years.

Acupuncture is not just for pain disorders, but can also help many other conditions as well, as I have seen with my sinuses.

C. John Dehner, DDS.

Severe Sciatica and Leg Pain

Before meeting Nicole, I suffered from severe right leg and gluteal pain, which was so bad at times I could not get out of bed.  The pain started approximately one year ago while I was lifting a patient.  At that time I had felt a “pop” then the ache.  One month later, running down stairs, the leg buckled with an instant rush of extreme pain.  The pain over the year became more severe and persistent.

I had been treated by an orthopedic surgeon who performed an epidural and knee surgery.  I also saw a neurologist her performed a piriformis Botox injection.  Still, after all this, I had to take massive amounts of ibuprofen to mask the pain.  At times Vicodin was used when the ibuprofen wouldn’t work.  I experienced no relief with traditional medicine.

A friend who was also a patient of Nicole’s referred me to her.  Since starting, the pain intervals are less frequent, and the severe pain spikes have not occurred.  I am now down to 400mg of ibuprofen per day, down from as much as 3200mg per day.  I feel like a kid at Christmas.

Scott A.

Neck, Shoulder, and Back Pain

I came to Nicole with stiff neck and shoulders and neck pain, which was ongoing for 4-5 years.  The stress and tension caused pain on a scale of a 7 out of 10.  I saw a chiropractor with only relatively good results.  The results at The Pampered Porcupine were outstanding, for all of my aches and pains.

Patti S.

Broken Toe – Speedy Recovery

I broke my toe and had severe swelling, pain, and bruising.  I went to Nicole and the results were great: reduction in pain and I had a much speedier recovery – and she did this without putting any needles in the broken toe!

Reto F.

Severe Neck, Shoulder and Back Pain after Car Accident

I had a car accident in 2007, which resulted in severe muscle spasms, pain in my left shoulder, back pain, and irritability because I was also in pain, all the time, every day.  I had gone to a chiropractor, neurologist, physical therapist, and had x-rays.  My only results were continued pain and inflammation.  My mom met Nicole at a convention and brought me in as soon as they got back.  I was skeptical and afraid of the needles at first, but I wanted to get better.  Now, I don’t complain about the pain that I had for almost a year.  I feel more energized all around and my mom says I am nicer to be around.

I believe everyone and anyone can benefit from Nicole’s services because she works with what the main cause of the problem is, but also so much more.

Brianna B.

What her mother writes:

I took my daughter to see Nicole for her constant and severe pain.  We had visited all the specialty doctors and had all the tests, myofascial treatments, with no results and no relief.  She dances competitively and we were at our last rope, scheduling a cortisone shot for her until I met and spoke with Nicole.  I cancelled the shot and instead took her to Nicole.  My daughter was deathly afraid of needles but after just the first treatment she decided to give it a good try and after just a few weeks and while still competing, my daughter had no more pain!

What Nicole has done for my daughter is amazing to say the least.  But what is even more amazing is how much my daughter’s attitude has changed for the better.  She just turned 19 and we are finally best friends and she doesn’t argue with me any longer.

Sue B.

Pain after Accident with Diabetes Complications

When I met Nicole I had low back pain after tripping over a chair.  I had been laid up in bed for 3 days and because of that I ended up in the hospital because it threw off my diabetes and on top of that I incurred a staph infection because of the hospital stay.  I had seen an orthopedic surgeon earlier and his only “treatment” was to prescribe Vicodin.

After having just one treatment with Nicole amazingly enough I was able to sleep through the entire night and get out of bed the next morning without any hesitation.  After 3 sessions, I am moving easier, sleeping at night, no feeling of stress and tension, and the electrical pain that was pulsing through my body since the incident was gone.

Everyone can benefit from her services.

Katie C.

Acute Neck Spasm – Could not Move

My sister in-law has been coming to see Nicole.  About 3 weeks ago I woke up and could not move my neck.  I had severe pain and spasms.  It happened while running.  I had it for one week before seeing Nicole and it had not improved at all.

I had never been to an acupuncturist before, but my results were tremendous.  The pain went away and my full range of motion returned, just after 6 visits.  I feel 100% better.

Jason G.

Runner’s Knee Pain

I’ve struggled with knee pain and shin splints for several years from running and teaching fitness classes. After a few acupuncture sessions with Nicole Smith, at The Pampered Porcupine, I was able to run the 2010 Surf City Half Marathon pain-free. She made my training easier; I recovered in no time; and I had no lingering injuries as with previous races.

I’m forever grateful,

Martha Franks

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