Reviews

I am so impressed with Rox. Community Acupuncture. I’ve had appointments with both Dave and Melissa and can say that both are not only highly skilled but seem to genuinely care for their clients. They are generous both with time and service, and the sliding scale makes something like acupuncture affordable for those who would otherwise not be able to receive treatment. It is most certainly a place of healing & I look forward to continuing there.

Virginia Carr

Going for Acupuncture at Roxborough Community Acupuncture is the greatest thing I have ever done for myself and my family. I have finally found relief from my chronic pain and my general outlook and demeanor has all changed for the better. David and his staff have only one goal in mind–to make you feel good and keep you feeling that way. I am a much better person since meeting Mr. Schiman. If you won’t take my word, please ask my husband.

JoMarie Apelt, Phiadelphia, PA

Acupuncture treatment with David Schiman has quite frankly changed my whole life.  I struggled for years with depression, anxiety, medications – you name it.  Not only did his treatment help me break free from the emotional morass, it also helped me become healthier overall in body, mind and spirit.  After a few weeks of treatment I began to feel like my old self again…the way I hadn’t felt in years, like the old me who was fun and optimistic and sarcastic.  I never thought I’d see that person again!  I still go in for “check ups” and feel grateful that this resource is available to me.  This positive change in my well being has had profound effects in my life and family.  And I’m proud to announce that I will be having baby #2 next spring, secure in knowing that with treatment, I won’t have to be a prisoner to post-partum depression again.  I can never thank Dave and his fellow practitioners enough.

Sandy from Roxborough

“David, I started menstruating today FULL force for the 1st time in 6 months! I had to tell you. I don’t know what how or why but thank you!

Amy D from Philadelphia, PA

Thanks- the treatment was excellent and the availability of treatment on a Saturday afternoon and also on Sundays is wonderful.
Thank you, Diane

David is a great acupuncturist and I gladly recommend him to family, friends and co-workers. He was especially helpful for athletic training and surgery recovery.”

Julia Lee  – 11/28/2012

Skillful, knowledgeable and caring.

Meghan Keegan – 10/19/2012

David was very helpful to me and very sensitive about whatever was going on with me.

Gillian Bedford  – 10/18/2012

I know David through the cycling world. He is a very knowledgeable athlete, which I’m sure provides a great prospective to clients and their needs.

Kristian Sekse  – 10/30/2012

Acupuncture with Dave made a huge difference for my allergies and sinus infections. Also it feels great! I was afraid to do it until I met Dave. I love acupuncture!
Thanks, Dave

Tom Gartner  – 11/08/2012

I have been seeing Dave Schiman for several years , as a client suffering from a chronic debilitating illness. His care has been the key to not only alleviating the intensity of suffering but adding quality to my life. Dave is an excellent acupuncturist and an even better person. He is open , knowledgeable, caring and compassionate. I recommend him highly and without reservation no matter what your condition or concern may be.

Maureen Hannigan  – 12/13/2013

You and Melissa are answered prayers for many. Thank you for providing such an awesome service, and for allowing me to be apart of a wellness community.

Gloria

After complaining to a co-worker about poor sleeping habits and lower back pain, he recommended Roxborough Community Acupuncture.  Just the word “acupuncture” scared me and caused hesitation since I did not believe in the widely practiced therapy.  I finally made an appointment and met with Melissa, my Acupuncturist, and she immediately put me at ease by explaining everything involved.  After the first couple of treatments, I noticed a positive change in my sleeping habits.  I later visited Melissa for back problems and left the office feeling like a new man.  I’ve discovered an alternative solution to modern medical problems!  I am extremely grateful to Melissa and Roxborough Community Acupuncture for treating my ailments.

Allen Dutton
11/22/2013

I have had amazing relief since last Monday’s treatment (a little sore in a.m. but it leaves me as quick as it came.  On the questionnaire, I indicated that I would like not to be reminded that I have a back problem for at least one day. Well, tomorrow will be day 3.

I have an appointment on Friday and I know you will not be there.  I have an appointment on Monday and didn’t want to wait until then to tell you.

Enjoy your trip.

I can’t thank you enough.
Nancy Joseph

This message is to thank Dave for the referral to Dr Wittles. I have been sick for quite some time and seeked acupuncture for some relief in my discomfort. I’ve been to a ton of doctors and spent so much money with no answers and stood facing that same brick wall in front of me. Dave listened. And strongly recommended the referral to this doctor. I can’t thank you enough for the kindness and for listening to me and knowing where to send me. I’ve been searching for answers and she is great. I have chronic Lyme disease with coinfections and although I’m devastated with the reality I’m relieved to have an answer and I owe that thanks to you. So thank you.

Yours,
Letitia V, Philadelphia

Dave – Just wanted to thank you for a great treatment last night. My throat feels 100% better. The other person who was feeling sick at work yesterday ended up staying home today. It really helped!
Have a great weekend.
Thank you,
Karen

My head, neck & back have ALL been excellent.  You really did fix them all.  I have not even had to go back to physical therapy for my back.  I will definitely be back to see you.

Macie Schlernitzauer

David,

My knee feels fantastic. There is only one spot with a hint of pain and I am going to draw a permanent marker spot on it so I can clearly tell you next week.

Megan T.

Hi Dave,

I just wanted you to know that my back feels really good this morning—none of the tightness I usually feel.  My back is back to normal—not even a whisper of the trouble I had earlier.   Thank you so much for your care, time, expertise and  thoughtfulness.

Kim

David Schiman was the first medical practitioner I’ve had who gave me hope that I can get better. Five years ago, I lost my ability to write because of debilitating repetitive stress injuries in my arms, back, and neck. I shuffled from doctor to specialist, drugs to physical therapy, orthopedist to neurosurgeon. All doctors were blandly sympathetic, all tests infuriatingly negative, and nothing prescribed ever did more than take the edge off a pain that left me unable to use a computer or write by hand for more than a few minutes. I was told my pain was “permanent”– or, perhaps, not real.

When I first walked in to David’s office, I had told my story in vain to so many doctors that I no longer expected anyone, myself included, to understand my problem. Certainly, I was skeptical that 15 minutes of bizarre needlework, in a community setting no less, would be enough time to diagnose, much less treat, my condition. I was right. After four or five sessions, I had had no relief, no improvement, no satisfactory diagnosis.

But there was something about the way the other patients relaxed in their chairs, laid out belly-up in a posture of complete trust.  There was the way he walked about the room, whispering kindly to the wakeful.  And there was the way that he leaned over his clipboard as I talked about my pain, with the curious look of a man who cared enough to work out a solution.

I let my hopes rise just enough to let David know, crankily, that his treatments didn’t work. With empathy, he listened, asked more questions, scribbled on that clipboard, paused to consider options, and then tried something else. To my great surprise, the treatments began to work.  It started out slowly, palliatively.  And David’s methods still seem bizarre to me (fire-cupping and ion pumps? You must be joking).  And yet, whatever he’s doing to my chi, unblocking the meridians or what have you, is without question the first effective form of treatment I’ve ever had.  And it all began with the establishment of trust.

So here I am, writing again.  My pain was real–but no longer so permanent.

Sarah Spath, Roxborough

Just wanted to let you know that the last treatment worked well; not right there and then, but the next day the “rebar” stiffness in my neck was gone.

Thanks!
Massimo

You totally fixed my migraine!!!  Thanks sooooo much.

Happy Thanksgiving.
Macie

Dave,

Just a note to let you know.  Tracy feels good this morning, you miracle worker. She is working out at 9:00 this morning and said she will call you to let you know how the workout was on her back.

Thanks Dave for the short notice on the appointment.
Mark Gallagher

Hello David,

Hope you are doing well. I’ve been wanting to write to you for sometime, to thank you. If it wasn’t for you, l would of never went to the Doctors to get my liver checked. When l saw you last, l knew l had Hepatitis, but that’s about all. Since then, i’ve been to Duke & found out that i’ve got chronic Hep. C type 1. i’ve had it for about 30 yrs.! Anyway, i’ve made some big changes in my life. No more alcohol for me. Not an easy task, but i’m doing it. l loved my wine, but i’d rather not get cirrhosis of the liver. That’s where l was headed’ & would of probably been there if not for you. ln a way, l feel like you’ve saved my life. l could never thank you enough!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Next time I’m up your way, I’m gonna come to see you. I can’t find a good acupuncturist here. It sucks! Ok, that’s all. Hope to see you soon.

Sincerely, Jo

I appreciate your help and I will definitely be back for acupuncture. It has consistently given me relief. thanks for caring.

Rose

Thanks for checking on me David…I drove back to Florida 2 days ago and experienced none of the discomfort I had before I came to see you. I believe the treatment helped. Happy New Year!

Namaste,
John

SUCCESS!  My nerves settled down, I got my Lyrica, and got a good night’s sleep. It was a good day. Thanks for your brilliant work!

Ron

Hi David.  I don’t know what you did differently yesterday, but the tingling in my leg was a whole lot better last night!  Just wanted to tell you!

Thanks!
Amy

My neck felt as though something released yesterday. I meant to tell you that before I left. During the session, I felt like my shoulders just dropped 4 inches down and my neck got longer. Amazing. Still a little pain but better!

Thank you!
Chandra

Hi Dave,

My neck feels great.  It’s pretty much back to normal.  Thank you so much for your help!

Bridgette

Hi Dave,

The knee felt good on the ride yesterday.  I stood up on some climbs, and it didn’t bother me. During yoga yesterday, while I felt the knee early in the practice, as my left hip opened up, the knee seemed to calm down.  Even this morning, it’s still feeling all right- not completely, but definitely better.  We’re on the right track!

Thanks so much Dave-
Jessica

Amy Kokoles …. “my is back not hurting for the first time in my life”

Jean Clinton …. “My back is a million times better than a year ago when I first came in”

John Shimkus … “You helped my mom, Karen.  She came twice and hasn’t had the back pain since.  She say’s you’re a miracle worker!”

Andrew Capizzi … “My back pain is much better, coming and going now, instead of always being there.”

Dear Dr. David Miracle Worker;

Thanks to you, I had my first night without significant pain! I am also walking much better. My lower back hurts more than usual, but I believe that’s my body telling me the origination of the real pain. (We can work on that later.) The severe leg & hip pain masked the back pain, at least that’s what I believe? I am not pain free, but so much better it’s unbelievable!

Thank you so much… I am so grateful.

Ann

It’s been 2 ½ months of starting treatments, and today February 3, 2009, I confirmed with my GYN that my periods are regular – once every 28 days, much less painful and heavy. I am also much calmer and approach challenges in my life from a place more centered. I can only point to acupuncture as the major reason for my improved menstrual health and overall well-being.  David, David, David—I cannot leave out David. From day one, I have felt nothing but comfortable with him and my trust in his knowledge has only grown following each treatment. No pressure from David, only pure enjoyment from treatments I look forward to as they totally relax me and make me feel wonderful. I would recommend him to anyone. Thanks David, I am incredibly grateful to you for all your help.

Tara from King of Prussia, PA

Dave,

You’re a genius!  I had a stupendous toe curling orgasm Saturday night. Is it possible the treatment could have worked that quickly?!!

Philadelphia area patient (name withheld for obvious reasons)

Hi David,

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.  I’m happy to report that I did not have any spotting from the time I left your practice until later this morning.  Even so, I am pleased with the result as the amount of spotting has decreased significantly.  I did not take the additional hormone that my GYN prescribed and would like to see what happens from now on.

Thanks again,
Liza D

Hi Dave!

Thanks for the help with the moxa technique for flipping the breech baby.  I’ve been meaning to call and let you know that they were able to turn the baby last Tues!  We’re still patiently waiting for her arrival. :). My doctor said it was the easiest version she’s ever seen. One try and she was flipped! I gave my doctor your name.

Thanks for all your help!
Marissa

Hi David,

I may have made another connection. For only the 1st or 2nd time ever I didn’t need to take any pain medication for the deadly monthly cramps I  usually get–is that a byproduct of my treatments?  Normally I need to take 800 mg. of vitamin I (Ibuprofen)–none was needed!

Joan

Thanks for treatment Thursday. It was awesome.  I felt so much more relaxed after and had one of the best nights sleep of my life!

Hope you have a nice weekend!
Liz

“My husband and I sought out David as an acupuncturist at a time when we were both experiencing extraordinary stress in our lives. Through regular visits, David’s counseling and expert knowledge of acupuncture helped us to heal in both body and spirit. Speaking for myself, he was very patient, warm, and at the same time, very professional. He has a gift that seems very intuitive and natural. Since he has moved from our area, we miss him very much. But he has always offered to make himself available should we need him. Our time with him was extraordinary.”

Pat Hendrickson, Rehoboth Beach, DE

I wanted to share that I found the building where you treat patients to have incredibly good, warm, positive healing energy – -a fantastic and inviting place for your important work!

Best wishes, Erin Owen, MBA, CHC, RYT

Hi David,

Thanks for being a great friend and a healer. I often find myself falling into deep gratitude when I have acupuncture. The energy creates such a powerful state that I often feel myself crying because the feeling is one that makes me we want to shout out to you and so many of the people who have been part of my life.

Not only thank you from me but all the others that want to shout out to you but stay quiet.

You make a difference!  Shine on,
Sheila

DAVID

THANK you, for caring for my dear Drew.

I really believe in your healing and intuitive work, and will always do my best to help it expand..

BTW, thank you for making me feel better today emotionally and physically!

Your a sage…

Best,
Noel

Hi, Dave,

Magic. . .absolutely magic.  Thank you.  On a physical level, was so good to feel my body grounding and more balanced.  And, re the turbulent emotions I’ve been fighting to keep in check, your work found those aspects in a softer place, just as deep, though more like deep warm water, not murky mire.

Thanks.  Truly did not realize how much I missed it.

xo Nellie

Thanks Dave!! I really do think your treatments are changing my life! I’m actually starting to feel like my old self again….or maybe I should say my NEW self! Ha. Thank you!!!!

Michelle

My “incurable” eye condition has gone away after coming for three months, and that’s not why I came originally.  I originally came for back pain and that’s gone.  And my palpitations are much less frequent now.

Juergen

….and you can thank me by coming home and “poking” Rick again — honestly, I’ve never seen him so happy and relaxed as when he comes home from an acupuncture session … and acupuncture + massage just puts him in a total zen state!!! I’ve never seen anything like it! Can you just send him home looking like a pincushion, so he can feel like this 24/???  It’s truly amazing!

Eileen

HI Dave,

Thanks for a great session yesterday- I felt fantastic afterwards!  I had so much more energy than normal that people commented how extra “cheery” I was!  You have to love that feedback!!

Thanks again,
Nancy

Dave,

Thanks again — I still feel pretty awesome.

Mary

Dave; Felt much better by the time I got home.

Thx
Richard Unti

Hey Dave,

I wanted to let you know I got the ‘Cold Snap’ herbs last night and I am definitely feeling better. Between the homeopathy, herbs, vitamins and acupuncture and rest, I am feeling great and ready for my big interview tomorrow.

Thanks a million, you are the best 🙂

Love,
Peg Conway, JD, BSN, RN

Dave,

I slept 10 hours last nite,mostly uninterrupted, ate and ready to go back to sleep again.

I think it quite possible treatments have saved, if not my life, then my long term quality of life…metallic feeling has much abated… Now to get on w/the business of moving forward and healing.  Still stunned at the mercy inherent in serendipitous meetings.

God bless you abundantly!!!

Xo.
Nellie

I’m sorry for being kind of difficult. I want you to know that you have helped me so much. It is really quite amazing. I mean its really like I am coming back to life!  I want you to know that I appreciate what you do for me and mum. very much!

Deanna

Dave,

wanted you to know, Peggy and I feel markedly better today…thanks to your magic!  Truly amazing!  Thank you!

Tina

Hi, Dave,

I just wanted you to know that I’m feeling good :)!

The back of my eyes don’t hurt and at dinner I realized that I wasn’t thirsty any more.  Also I feel more “clear”.

I made dinner, cleaned it up & completely did a load of wash (washed dried & folded). And I’m not exhausted, I didn’t have any coffee either.

Thanks again,
Meg

Dave,

Wanted you to know I am doing well.  I keep rescheduling because I am feeling better and need the time for other things.

I am in for next week to ward off any symptoms.

Take care.
Lenore

Hi Dave,

I’m completely fine!  Nothing came back in terms of symptomology!

Andrea

Hey Dave,

Just wanted to send you a quick thank you. I feel much better. You always seem to work your magic. I am so appreciative that you are doing your work in my neighborhood.

By the way, we got in the car and Kevin said “Man this guy is the real deal”. He said this was the first thing that has really helped his pain.

Have a good night.

Many thanks,
Chandra Nerbecki

Dave,

I thought I should tell you how amazed I am with the treatment today! All week, I’ve been fighting this nasty bug. I felt pretty awful this morning with my cold; nearly stayed in bed until lunch time. And now, I feel 95% better – no joke. I can breathe perfectly fine, no coughing! Ready to go for a run… but I’ll be smart and hold off until tomorrow. 🙂

I love acupuncture.

Kristin Puls

Hi Dave:

I have eaten sweets(especially chocolate) everyday for many years  In the past few years, I have attempted unsuccessfully to stop or at least limit my intake   After my first visit to RCA in August I have not had any chocolate candy and have been able to control my eating of cake and pastry. Whenever I feel myself wanting to eat sweets I will make an appointment and come in for another treatment.  The sliding scale makes it easily affordable to have a treatment when you need it.  My co-workers, some of whom, I have worked with for many years have not been able to believe the change.  The center  provides a relaxing atmosphere and Dave is very knowledgeable and easy to talk to.  He reviews your medical history before developing a treatment plan.

I would not hesitate to recommend RCA  If I was rating it by stars it would be a five out of five.

Beth R – Roxborough

Hi Dave,

I hope you are well and off to a terrific morning.  You are totally amazing!!!  My shoulder feels fantastic from treatment yesterday- thanks a million.

You are the best and everyone should know about it:)

Nancy Connor

P.S. Good luck with your race at Battenkill!!!

Dave,

Thanks!  I am sooo very pleased with the recovery of my shin injury after acupuncture treatment.  I am singing your praises.  I hope it brings you lots of new business.

See you in a month, Denise

Doing well. Feeling good. Although I said I would not run another marathon, I’m already thinking about the next one. Looking forward to Sunday. Hope you have a good holiday with your family.

Take care, Julia

Whatever you did yesterday worked! No pain today. Am driving to the Velodrome tomorrow and riding 40 miles (this is why I am a physical therapist’s worst nightmare) so will be a true test, but today a nice respite from pain. THANK YOU!

AND ANOTHER EMAIL THE NEXT DAY:   “36 glorious and pain free miles through gorgeous farm land follwing a relatively pain free ride up and minimal pain back. The pain on the way back is a huge improvement over not being able to drive to work without pain. A little stretching, some heat and I think it will be good. Huge progress.”

Joan

Hi Dave,

I hope you are well and off to a terrific morning.  You are totally amazing!!!  My shoulder feels fantastic from treatment yesterday- thanks a million.

You are the best and everyone should know about it:)

Nancy C

P.S. Good luck with your race at Battenkill!!!

Dave,

Thanks!  I am sooo very pleased with the recovery of my shin injury after acupuncture treatment.  I am singing your praises.  I hope it brings you lots of new business.

See you in a month, Denise

Thanks for the treatment today. i am humbled that i feel better after two needles, and i had used a ton and didn’t feel any better!  i’ll have to listen very carefully to you.

have a great new years, and thanks for letting me work for you, and eat your tostitos.

Marlene (acupuncture student)

WOW Dave!!!

Did you call the Triple Warmer akabane (diagnosis) right.  I came home and checked them and they were all off!!  Right side was totally deficient across the board.  When I tonifed TW 5, my heart palpitations ceased  (which had been flaring up for a week) and the numbness that I had been experiencing in my right hand went away.

You are brilliant, Dave!!  You picked that up right from the pulses.  Thank you so much.  We are so blessed to have you as one of our instructors.  I hope one day I can be half as good as you are!

Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks again!!

P.S. More good news!!  In addition to last night getting the first good night’s sleep in a week w/ no heart palpitations, one other cure has happened.  One day in Oct. of 2007, I woke up w/ a really sore/stiff L. shoulder.  It has been plaguing me ever since.  This morning, the pain went from an 8 to a 2 on a pain scale.  All I can say is that I am humbled.  Thank you so much!!

pss.  To answer your question, no palpitations at all today.  None!

Hugs!

Janet Leidy  (from the Won Student clinic)

For years, I had trouble sleeping.  Doctors treated me with sleep medication, a sleep study and CPAP equipment, none of which was effective.  After Melissa treated me for the first time, I had such an incredible sleep that night I couldn’t believe it.  With Melissa’s treatments once a month, the great sleep has continued for well over a year.  My experience with acupuncture has been truly life altering. I highly recommend Melissa for your acupuncture treatments – she will take the time to listen to you, discuss the treatment, and put you totally at ease.  In short, she is awesome!!!
-GK   (edit – Melissa is no longer with us, but, all of our acupuncturists have experience in treating) insomnia.)

Acupuncture is Critical to Local Musician’s Recovery

Zubair Raymond-Latib is a local music and tennis instructor who turned to acupuncture when an injury threatened to derail his career. While studying music performance at West Chester University.  Zubair became regularly accustomed to practicing bass and guitar for 6-8 hours a day. Evenings found him performing in local cover bands and jazz ensembles. “Between the gym and my job and the excitement of being a college student, it was incredibly easy to over-exert myself,” Latib, now 28, says. “I wasn’t concerned about conditioning my body or gaining focus.”  This oversight led Zubair to develop a mild stinging pain in his left arm and wrist. “At the time, I just ignored it and figured it would go away on its own.”

But it wouldn’t go away, and after a year and a half of anguish, Zubair awoke one morning in sharp and unyielding pain. He was by now giving music and tennis lessons to almost 30 children and adults across the greater Philadelphia area, and his condition led him to the painful decision to scale back his work. “At that point, it hurt so badly that I could barely turn a doorknob, let alone play an instrument. I had to rely on other means to teach my students while I looked for a solution to my pain.”

A solution didn’t come easy. Zubair did not want to turn to surgery or daily pain medication, as was advised by many of the doctors he met. A call one day from his mother turned things around. “My mother is a strong advocate of homeopathic medicine, and she introduced me to Dave Schiman and Roxborough Community Acupuncture. I was curious, but also wary. However, Dave was so warm and friendly that it was very easy to trust him with my first treatment session.”

“That first day, Dave didn’t just focus on my arm. He focused on helping ME to focus!” Latib remembers. “He helped me learn to slow myself down, listen to my body, and realign myself both physically and mentally. He provided me with the conditioning I had ignored for so long.” As Zubair became a regular client of Dave’s, his pain began to wan.  “At the end of the first day, the pain was gone for hours, and pretty soon there would be weeks without pain. It was exciting to feel like I was re-taking control of my body. I was able to play an instrument again without wincing, and that was the best feeling in the world.”

With Dave helping him find his center during their regular appointments, Zubair was able to make a full recovery and soon resumed his teaching career. He also joined a nationally sponsored cover band and performed up and down the east coast playing electric bass. “The therapy I received from Dave has changed my life. I was able to play 150 shows last year with no problems whatsoever.” Zubair still returns to acupuncture to help keep his body and mind centered, and takes delight in an experience that he once thought he would never try. “I love Roxbourough Community Acupuncture,” he says, “because it doesn’t feel like a treatment center. It feels like a home.”

For more information on music or tennis instruction with Zubair, http://zubairmandt.weebly.com/index.html

If you have a testimonial you’d like to share, please email it to us at [email protected]  Thanks!