Pacific Bay Integrative Health Center

I have known Michael for years and have used him for two medical conditions. One was postsurgical re-​convalescence after an Achilles tendon repair, and the other was and is lower back pain. I’m a boarded physician with a medical license, and know very well, that Western style medicine is helpless in instances of chronic pain and chronic inflammatory conditions. Michael blends Eastern style knowledge of treatment with Western requirements for modern medicine, and therefore becomes you best option after your regular doctor fails in these situations. He has helped me a great deal to manage by chronic back pain. See him, to experience his unique blend.

This review is long overdue. But I just signed up on Unilocal.My family and I have been going to Michael for about 15 years for a variety of aches, pains and health related issues. All of which are treated with the utmost care. He successfully treated a chronic back ache, tendinitis, neck pain, sprained ankle and other injuries my family had. He has treated us with herbs for a variety of illnesses. He is very knowledgeable on treating the root cause of your illness or pain and not just the symptoms. He knows what he is talking about.
One of the biggest difference he has made in our families health was with my daughter who suffers from asthma, allergies and eczema. She was being treated by an allergist who prescribed her a variety of different steroid treatments. From oral, to inhaled to topical. Which led to many infections. Which were then treated by antibiotics which caused the need for more steroids and so on and so forth. At her young age, Michael was able to get her off that roller coaster and get this under control. It was not a quick fix but we persisted and trusted and continued with his care until she was better. She has been off of all steroids for many years and has a much stronger immune system. Even her pediatrician commented on how her skin has never looked better and asked me what we were doing. I always refer him to anyone I see suffering chronic ailments because I know they don’t have to. A plus, is that he is kind, he listens and he takes his time because he really cares about his patients. The very best!

Someone I knew years ago swore by Michael’s care, and when I went to visit the office with her, he was gentle and kind. However? Don’t even think about going to this guy if you are heavyset and aren’t interested in losing weight, because he’s completely fatphobic.
As soon as I was alone with him, the «nice» veneer dropped. He waited until I had needles in my back and then spent the entire time lecturing me about my weight. Literally, the entire appointment. He sat there making completely false and uninformed assumptions about my diet and exercise levels, telling me I was «too young to be so sick,» blaming other completely unrelated health conditions (including one that was actually diagnosed when I was anorexic and weighed about 85 lbs) on my weight, and trying to get me to work out «just 30 minutes» with a friend of his (sorry Michael, at the time I was actually doing trapeze, lifting weights and walking miles every day… I didn’t need your friend for 30 minutes). And of course, since I had needles in my back, I had to lie there and listen to this ignorant crap and couldn’t get up and walk out.
For what it’s worth, every single thing he said, without exception, was clinically incorrect for me. My weight issues were due to a serious autoimmune condition which wouldn’t be diagnosed for several more years — not diet, exercise or thyroid stuff. It actually doesn’t matter, though — I was not there to discuss my weight with him. He didn’t have diagnostic information and he didn’t even *bother* asking me about my diet and exercise, he just made assumptions.
This incident was a few years ago; perhaps he’s become more enlightened since then. However. I’d still put out this warning: he’s probably great if you’re thin or you want to lose weight; otherwise you might want to think twice.

Michael is amazing. I had a really sever back pain (work injury) and I went through many physical therapy sessions and none of them helped me. I went to Michael and he worked on my back and I was thinking that is not gonna be helpful. But after the fifth session I felt better. I am so grateful for his help. He is an amazing person and he has knowledge of what he is exactly doing. I still have my pain but he helped me from suffering and not be able to do anything!!! I highly recommend Michael. Thank you so much again Michael.

I have been a very active, athletic man all my life. I am an active contractor, artist and sportsman. So I use my body for everything… I think I just reached an age where everything hurts! For once I decieded to try a more «Eastern» more gentle, natural approach body maintenance. Michael Vercos and his approach time after time has proved to be a great sense of body relief. He combines acupuncture, massage along with herbal, natural remedies. The body trifecta. His office also promotes mental health armed with phscologists. A very calming and comfortable office also adds to the experience. Michaels gentle, caring approach with varied skills and «well being» knowledge, makes it a perfect no fuss One Stop shop for me. His fees are far less than other comparable services and he also takes most insurances. Thank you Michael!

Michael is the best health-​care person I have ever met in this country (I am bi-​country with Japan, and Japan has a very different situation).
I walked into his office since it is around the corner for me, not knowing who he was and what he would do. I feel pretty stupid now for not having him for the last eight years that I have had my problems. My problems are complicated, and got worse by misdiagnosis and mistreatment by LA health-​care «professionals.»
He listens to you very carefully, and does excellent service for you.
He is also a very intellectual person, and I have had a lot of fun talking with him while he treats me. It is VERY unusual in this country to have such positive interactions with health-​care professionals. (I am a university professor, and I think I know what «intellectual» means.)
I feel better now, thanks to Michael. But I will continue to see him.
This is the first positive review I have written for Unilocal.My small number of other reviews were all very negative, to warn about bad businesses.
This review is not that.

I have been taking my father to see Michael for more than eight years now, since being referred by a close friend
My father suffered from tinnitus and was told that it was very debilitating and there was nothing that could be done, so I thought why not try acupuncture and the cursed ringing in his ears started to go away with the help of his treatment. I know that Michael has improved the quality of his life and extended it’s length a great deal.
I would recommend him to anyone looking for quality healthcare from a professional knowledgeable and caring individual.

I went to Pacific Bay for massages and acupuncture more than 20 times in 6 months and everything was fine.
I had my blood test done there too. They shipped my blood to a south bay lab to get it analyzed. I received the results and everything was fine, no big deal, until one day I get a letter saying I owed the lab $ 300.00!!!
I called Pacific Bay to ask for an explanation and they had me fax my documentation to them. Turns out that the lab is not covered by my insurance. Michael, the owner, admitted he didn’t check before ahead. It would be logical at this point, to have Michael paying for the lab work, as he made a mistake, but he doesn’t even think about it, saying that they can’t bill him anymore and he is very sorry.
The bottom line is I can’t reccomend this place anymore. I was happy until I was screwed! If you decide to go to Pacific Bay, be careful! Very careful or you’ll get screwed too!

Michael has been treating me for repetitive stress injury in my wrist and elbow and I am so impressed with his work so far. I have left these injuries untreated for years now but finally had enough and came into his office (albeit with an initially skeptical mind). He is using a combination of acupuncture, cold laser therapy and exercises. I have noticed significant improvement already.
I also asked him about my skin problems and he recommended certain changes in my diet that resulted in ridiculous improvement within a week. I’m not joking.
I have to repeat what another reviewer said: he doesn’t rush you out of the appointment like many acupuncturists, doctors, or physical therapists. His bedside manner is impeccable and he sits with me and offers suggestions on my myriad of injuries.
I highly recommend.

If it wasn’t for Michael, I would have had to give up my active lifestyle long ago. He’s fixed me up after three motorcycle accidents, two major Capoeira injuries, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, countless sprains and strains, neck injuries and worst of all when I got hit by a truck while crossing the street.
My incident happened in Florida. He was the only medical provider in Cali that dealt with the provider to make sure I paid as little as possible. He’s an overall good guy, a fellow martial artist and really does care about your best possible outcome.
I’ve gone through a lot of adventures, thanks to Pacific Bay, I’ve bought myself an extra decade or two for more.

Michael rocks! I’m so glad a friend referred me to him three years ago!
I’ve seen him for back pain, stress relief, tiredness and weight loss… I have had acupuncture, herbs and vitamin deficiency tests depending on what I needed at the time… He takes the time to listen and doesn’t rush me out of his office like a typical doctor. He gives suggestions, but doesn’t sell his way or his products only… which I love!
I always feel 100 times better when I leave his office and highly recommend him.

The best Eastern Medical doc around. I have been going to Michael for over 10 years and he fixes me up better than any MD.
I used to take over 3 asthma medicines a day, plus inhalers – No medication at all this point. Just some herbal mixture he gives me. Used to have migraines, no more. There have been other instances where my regular doc could not get me well and Michael did.
Also, for acupuncture he is the best, take if from a needle phobic who would not let him do it for years, now I love it and always feel so much better.
He is the BEST!!!