Patient Interview with Steven Gordon, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., Dipl. C.H., TCM Gynecology Specialist

V.L.: How long have you been doing what you do and how did you get to be a specialist in TCM gynecology?

S.G.: To answer this question, it’s probably best that I share with you a defining moment and resulting “human interest story” that has brought me to where I am today, treating people like you with Traditional Chinese acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Many years ago, I was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection called non-specific urethritis (NSU). I was prescribed antibiotics for almost two years as I journeyed from doctor to doctor, clinic to clinic, urologist to urologist. With no improvement in my condition, I found my way to Kiehl’s Pharmacy back when they were dispensing herbs. The herbs helped, but when I stopped taking them, the symptoms returned.

When my live-in girlfriend left on a two- week trip, my symptoms disappeared, only to return when we resumed sexual relations. Eureka! Was I allergic to my girlfriend? Upon further investigation, it turned out that the contraceptive crème she was using contained mercury, to which I was extremely allergic. Not one doctor questioned me about this!

Two years of suffering, many doctors and many antibiotics later, I realized two things. The herbs worked better than the antibiotics and medical doctors never looked beyond the symptoms. Not one doctor inquired about my diet or lifestyle or any other activities. In other words, no medical doctor took into account the “whole person”.

Fast forward to 1991 and the seeds that were planted those many years ago gave fruit to my becoming a holistic medical practitioner. In 1995, I became Board Certified in Acupuncture and received my Masters in Oriental Medicine. I practiced in Honolulu for several months under my teacher’s license before returning to New York City.

V.L.: What made you specialize in gynecology?

S.G.: After returning to New York, getting licensed by the State and setting up practice, I realized that over 70% of my patients were women. Although I was trained to treat all diseases, to truly serve my women patients I needed to regulate their menstrual cycle. Due to my passion for excellence, I enrolled in the Blue Poppy Institute’s Gynecology Certification Program. This was an 18 month, post-graduate class taught by Bob Flaws, an internationally known teacher, lecturer and publisher who himself practiced gynecology according to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

In early 2004, both of my younger sisters were diagnosed with breast cancer within months of each other and my mom passed away from misdiagnosed colon cancer. I have since made a commitment to dedicate the rest of my professional life to the prevention and treatment of women’s health issues and to the treatment of all patients who are suffering from acute and chronic pain.

V.L.: How are you different from other Acupuncturists?

S.G.: Although other Acupuncturists treat gynecological conditions, only a small percentage are Certified in Chinese Herbology by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). And since the treatment of OB-GYN diseases are primarily through the use of Chinese medicinal herbs, it is very important that they are Board Certified. In addition, there are less than 200 Acupuncturists in the United States that have completed the Blue Poppy TCM Gynecology Certification. I am the only practitioner I know in N.Y.C. who is both Board Certified in Chinese Herbology and Professionally Certified in TCM Gynecology.

V.L.: Will you collaborate with a patient’s M.D. Gynecologist?

S.G.: Absolutely. I welcome it. If a patient of theirs tells them that they don’t want to take synthetic hormones or that they don’t want to take harsh prescription drugs or that they want to postpone non-emergency surgery to try another approach, by referring or collaborating with me, they can remain in the loop and monitor their progress. My patients are ecstatic when they go back to their M.D. Gynecologist for a sonogram and receive measurable proof of their successful treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine. Many gynecological conditions such as PMS, fibroids, cysts, endometriosis, infertility, menstrual irregularities, etc., are successfully treated by Traditional Chinese Medicine; all without the side effects, surgeries or expense of Western biomedical treatment.

V.L.: What type of patient do you work best with and which patients get the best results?

S.G.: The type of patient who gets the best results is the one who makes a commitment to, and is serious about, taking control of their own health. What I mean by that is my ideal patient comes in for regular acupuncture treatments and takes their herbal medicine on a consistent basis. Because each acupuncture treatment and each cup of herbs builds upon the previous one, it is extremely important to be consistent in order to achieve the best results. Since I consider therapy with my patient to be a partnership, a privilege, and a serious responsibility, the best results are achieved when both of us are giving our best efforts. Nothing feeds my passion for this medicine or makes me happier than when my patients get good results.

V.L.: What does a visit with you consist of?

S.G.: The first visit consists of a patient interview and medical intake where the patient and I complete the picture of their internal and external “environment”. What I mean by that is the external environment of diet, lifestyle, family, job, level of stress and exposure to environmental toxins; and the internal conditions that affect a person’s physical, emotional and spiritual well being.

After I make my diagnosis, an acupuncture treatment of 25 – 45 minutes duration follows. During this time I will prepare a customized herbal formula of 12 – 18 herbs which the patient will take home and drink 2 –3 times a day.

V.L.: What results can a patient expect?

S.G.: Weekly acupuncture treatments and weekly fine-tuning of the herbal formula according to the menstrual cycle will produce improvements in your symptoms beginning in the first week and continue throughout the course of treatment. Sometimes a second course of treatment is needed depending on the patient, severity of their condition and how long they’ve had it. In general, both the patient and I soon know if treatment is working and most gynecological conditions can be resolved in three to six menstrual cycles.

V.L.: We’ve been talking mostly about gynecology but I also know that you are very involved in Sports Medicine. What is your background in this specialty?

S.G.: I first learned Sports Acupuncture from John Steinke, one of the founders of the National Sports Acupuncture Association. From there I studied Master Tung’s Acupuncture and the Balance Method with Dr. Richard Tan and others and learned how acupuncture can achieve immediate results with all types of acute and chronic pain. The past several years, I have been studying with Robert Chu L.Ac., founder of the International Tung’s Acupuncture Research Association. Our mission is to help spread the word about Master Tung, his wonderful acupuncture and to further build on this knowledge. At my clinic, the Flatiron Acupuncture Center, my patients benefit from my years of study and experience by resolving their painful conditions without using drugs or invasive techniques.

V.L.: Well, you’ve certainly made a believer out of me.

S.G.: Thank you, Victoria, for being a great patient and taking the time to interview me.

Call 212.254.9534 or 917.538.9636 and ask for a free phone consultation today.