Folks attest to doctor's life-changing acupuncture skills
By Nancy Whelan
Friday, June 6, 2008
SEBASTIAN —Only one year ago Bob Irish, of Sebastian, was a different person.
A once ailing Irish is now a new man, thanks to Dr. Yusuf Mihaylov, AP.
"Yusuf saved my life!" Irish says.
While remodeling his home last year, 49-year-old Irish, who had no medical history, suddenly developed a sharp pain in his left leg. He says he did not injure or traumatize the leg and was later diagnosed with a serious case of sciatica.
"The pain became unbearable in a really short amount of time," Irish says. "It changed my personality — I was not a pleasant person to be around and I aged 15 years in a matter of months."
Every day became harder to get through and Irish says he was not sleeping at all because the pain would keep him awake night after night after night.
"I couldn't imagine living the rest of my life in such pain," Irish says.
After three whole months of physical therapy and many bottles of pain medicine later, Irish's pain was no better. His doctors told him the next step was to have cortisone injections in his spine and then surgery if the shots were unsuccessful.
As uncertain as Irish's life had become, Irish was certain of one thing, he absolutely did not want surgery. Irish knew he had to address his problem somehow, but he wasn't sure how. Enter his wife, Georgia. Georgia had been visiting Mihaylov, an Acupuncture Physician, Doctor of Oriental Medicine and licensed massage therapist, for neck tension and she suggested Irish visit him, at least for a consult.
Irish decided to see Mihaylov as a last resort and was very skeptical of Eastern medicine.
"I had never been to an acupuncture doctor and I was not sure what to expect," Irish says.
After his initial visit to Mihaylov in September 2007, Irish says he was disappointed as there was no difference in his pain. In fact, the pain was worse than before. But, Mihaylov had informed Irish that this would happen after agitating the condition with acupuncture needles. That was Thursday.
Saturday morning was Irish's next visit to Mihaylov. When Irish woke up the following Sunday morning, he was shocked that he had actually slept through the entire night. Something he had not done for months since this ordeal began.
Irish says the pain had been decreased by an amazing half after Saturday's visit to Mihaylov and he figured if Mihaylov could do no more, this level of pain was bearable. "I could live with this amount of pain if I had to," Irish says.
But, fortunately Irish didn't have to. After only a few more visits of acupuncture, massage, homeopathic injections and exercise, Mihaylov had totally cured Irish. Irish is now living a happy and healthy pain-free life. And, he sleeps through every night. "I have had no pain at all since last September," Irish says enthusiastically. his acupuncture physician license in Orlando and completed an internship in Beijing, China. Irish and McCown are living testaments to the positive effects of Mihaylov's talents. He says there are many patients he has worked with who, once in pain, despondent and hopeless, are now living happy, normal, healthy lives.
"I've sent Yusuf at least 10 other people," says a very satisfied Irish.
"He gave me my life back," says an overjoyed McCown.
Nineteen-year-old Jessica McCown, of Sebastian, is another strong supporter of Mihaylov.
After an automobile accident five years ago, McCown says she was a mess. When a car behind her rear-ended her car, she was left with numerous injuries including a fractured collar bone, a punctured liver, bruised kidneys, a neck injury and multiple abrasions. McCown says she was in pain most of the time.
"I didn't even want to get out of bed to go to school," McCown says, "And, I loved school."
After a few months of physical therapy following the accident, visits to neck specialists, back specialists, other medical doctors and years of pain medication and even sleeping pills, McCown's pain remained the same — almost intolerable for five years.
Fortunately for McCown, her situation was about to change. In January, 2008, Mihaylov happened to visit her place of business and knew immediately something was not right with her. She says he knew she was having pain and he confronted her about her physical health. She told him what had happened and that she was still experiencing a lot of pain after so many years.
McCown says she visited Mihaylov's office immediately and after the very first visit that included herbal medicine, acupuncture and massage, she surprisingly felt 80 percent better than she had felt in the last five years. "I think Yusuf is a miracle worker," McCown says.
McCown is now pain-free and has even started a ballet class which she never would have even considered before.
There are several reasons for pain, according to Mihaylov. First, blood flow in the body is extremely important and not enough blood flow to a particular area will cause pain. Second, blood stagnation or blood stasis is another reason pain may develop. Third, pain can be due to coldness to the muscle or even too much heat in the body can cause pain (which is created by alcohol or very spicy foods).
Mihaylov says his medicine is an alternative solution to prescription drugs.
Acupuncture addresses the body differently than Western medicine Mihaylov says. Acupuncture tries to move the blood in the body, which increases circulation. Local or distal points of acupuncture improve blood circulation to a particular area of the body, helping the body heal itself.
Western medicine tries to stop the inflammatory process to heal the body whereas Eastern medicine encourages the inflammatory process to heal the body. Mihaylov says the inflammatory process is actually what heals the body.
Mihaylov received his massage therapy license in Russia 16 years ago and received his acupuncture physician license in Orlando and completed an internship in Beijing, China. Irish and McCown are living testaments to the positive effects of Mihaylov's talents. He says there are many patients he has worked with who, once in pain, despondent and hopeless, are now living happy, normal, healthy lives.
"I've sent Yusuf at least 10 other people," says a very satisfied Irish.
"He gave me my life back," says an overjoyed McCown.
Mihaylov is located at the Integrated Medical Clinic at 5070 N. Highway A1A in Vero Beach. If you are interested in contacting him, call (772) 538-2068.
He is currently presenting a series of lectures at the main county library in Vero Beach, "Meet the Docs."
A lecture was held on Tuesday, June 3, at 6 p.m. There also was a tea at the library to "Meet the Docs" on May 30.