I contacted Dr Wan immediately and he advised waiting one week to commence treatment. At the first consultation he was very reassuring and knowledgeable about this relatively rare condition and explained that it is much more common in China where acupuncture is routinely given as the treatment of choice. He recommended twice weekly sessions to help me regain movement in my face, and particularly my eye. As I had worked successfully with Dr Wan before, for headaches and migraine, and he had also cured my husband's sinusitis, I felt hopeful that it would be effective. However I couldn't believe how quickly my symptoms began to resolve. The acupuncture itself was very relaxing, and I could feel the facial nerve being reactivated after the third treatment. Moreover the advice Dr Wan gave to rest and sleep as much as possible was really helpful. Within 2 weeks I had almost fully regained the use of my facial muscles and my blink reflex had returned to normal. Although I had been signed off work for 3 weeks, I was able to return after only 2 weeks, and my GP was very impressed with my swift recovery.
I have Dr Wan to thank for this unusually speedy recovery; I had been told that it could take up to nine months to return to normal. Dr Wan is not only a very skilled clinician and medically trained diagnostician, but he has a very caring and reassuring manner that allayed my anxieties and helped the healing process. And indeed his treatment did work as effectively as he had indicated it would. Many thanks! (Mrs LP)
Dear Dr Wan, after so many years of illness and numerous relapses, at last my daughter is able to move forward independently. Your professional help and counselling has been a turning point for her, your consistent wise support has held her up when she was wavering. We thank you so much for all you have done for my daughter! (Patient's mum)
I went to see Damin Wan after 9 months of repeated upper urinary tract infections which were causing considerable discomfort and pain in my back, kidney and bladder areas. I had been treated with several types of antibiotics and the infection kept reoccurring. I have a pretty demanding job as a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist in the NHS and am also doing a clinical MSc training and was struggling to cope with the demands of my work, feeling so compromised by having continual infections. I had also stopped any form of regular physical exercise, such as swimming, as I felt so lousy most of the time.
Finally after yet another infection and an ultrasound which revealed nothing and urine tests which showed only leucocytes (revealing the presence of infection) but no culturable bacteria (apparently not being able to find a causative bacterial agent is very common in UTIs) - my GP prescribed the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin. When I went home and read the list of contra-indications, I was horrified. One of the things it said was that Ciprofloxacin binds to DNA in the cells and that there is a very small chance it can cause problems with tendons in the limbs. I was not even sure that these antibiotics were going to work, as none of the others had. And I was also concerned about the increasing effects antibiotic use was going to be having on my already compromised immune system.
I started looking around for alternative sources of treatment and a logical first step was herbal medicine. I felt that Chinese herbal medicine was probably going to be pretty powerful and found Damin Wan on the Register of Chinese Herbal medicines. I was pleased that Damin has also had a Western medical training and so can understand both a Chinese holistic and Western approach. Damin gave me a specially made up batch of Chinese herbs which come in powdered form easily dissolvable in water (so they are very easy to take). Within 2-3 weeks I was about 80% symptom free. I also had weekly acupuncture sessions to regulate my system, increase good energy in the bladder area, and as well to reduce stress and improve sleep to improve immune functioning. Within 4 weeks I was 100% symptom free and have remained so ever since.
The big difference between a holistic approach is that you cannot expect to get well immediately. It takes time for the body to repair and heal using holistic methods. Though the results of long term health gain totally justify taking herbs for several weeks to clear a resistant infection. I am absolutely overjoyed with the results of Damin’s treatment. I was very distressed when I first went to see him and at a loss to know what to do. I felt immediately Damin was a real expert on Chinese herbs and acupuncture. I felt in really safe hands. Damin is a knowledgeable, kind, patient and extremely committed practioner and I would highly recommend his treatment for the kind of recurring urinary tract infection that I had. (Ms HM)