For Yourself Holistic Rejuvenation: Healing, the Natural Way

Since July of 2008, Marianne Zam has been helping Bellmore residents feel better the natural way through a variety of alternative medicine treatments at her For Yourself Holistic Rejuvenation Center located at 2990 Merrick Road in Bellmore.

Zam, a registered nurse, licensed acupuncturist and board certified practitioner of Oriental medicine, treats between 10 and 12 patients each week for a variety of conditions that include back and neck pain, digestive disorders, migraine headaches, musculoskeletal problems and side effects from chemotherapy.

"Most patients come to me for acupuncture treatment," said Zam, who also works at North Shore Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Manhasset as a Certified Oncology Nurse.

Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is the strategic insertion of fine needles into points on the body's surface for the purpose of stimulating healing. With its primary function being pain management, today, acupuncture is recognized widely by the World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health as an effective treatment for a variety of medical problems.

Zam, who is happy to be a sole practitioner, explained that she founded her practice in order to give people a choice when seeking treatment for troubling medical conditions.  "I wanted to give people an alternative to medicine and invasive surgery."

Zam added that she prefers people to try alternative methods first since she is not a fan of prescribing medications for all disorders.

"There can often be serious issues with drug interactions. Many medications have severe side effects," she said, citing chemotherapy as a specific example. 

And, while Zam herself is a firm believer in the healing power of alternative medicine, she is not alone.

Joanne, 48, a Bellmore resident and patient of Zam is an ardent supporter when it comes to alternative therapies in general and acupuncture specifically. "I had worked as a Betting Clerk for OTB in Queens but I had a bad car accident in March of last year and I suffered herniated discs and nerve damage," said Joanne, who asked her last name not be used.

Joanne said she tried chiropractic, massage and even physical therapy with little success before visiting Zam's holistic rejuvenation center.

"Marianne is wonderful, kind, brilliant and she really helped me when I was in tremendous pain," Joanne said. "She's helped me so much. I don't wake-up stiff anymore and don't have nearly as much pain as I used to. ... You just feel a pinch because she's gentle and knows what she's doing."

Joanne said she's had five treatments so far and now is able to sleep through the night.  She also reports that she no longer cries from excruciating pain since seeing Marianne.

"Acupuncture is amazing and Marianne is very smart. She's great," she said.

Zam herself recalls that one of her first exposures to alternative medicine was when she was treated for migraine headaches while attending school.

"I was treated successfully with acupuncture and that really made me want to bring it to others," Zam said.

Among her other successful patients included a woman who was helped with fertility treatments, who ultimately conceived "within two months of being treated,"  in addition to another woman who was treated for knee pain and then was soon  able to resume bowling after a short regimen of treatment.

Zam also recalled a golfer who was treated for shoulder pain and was able to return to the game after a short time.

 "I think that the fact that I'm a nurse is important since it helps to give my alternative medicine practice validation and credibility for some people who might be skeptical initially," she said.

She added that her background in nursing allows her to know when people need referral to a traditional doctor.

In addition to acupuncture, Zam also offers herbal and aromatherapy, although she said she will always use acupuncture first before introducing other alternative therapies.

"Certain types of wounds respond better to aromatherapy and essential oils, but I make those decisions on a case-by-case basis," Zam explained.

Zam treats patients by appointment only and all insurances are accepted. For more information, visit www.foryourselfacupuncture.com, or contact Marianne at 516.308.3463 or at foryourself06@aol.com .