Tendervine Health's Online Review Report Card

It is not an exaggeration to say that Dr. Sydney saved my life. I suffered from adult-onset eczema beginning about five years ago in my early 30s. Western dermatology treatments failed to understand underlying causes and the only treatments offered made me feel like my skin was going to crack off my body (steroid creams) or were unsightly, expensive and time consuming (UV lamps). I learned about Dr. Sydney from an acupuncterist in my personal network after several weeks of not sleeping from burning skin had me ready to try anything and left me a complete mental health wreck. Dr. Sydney asked questions I'd never been asked before and during our very first conversation, seemed to intuitively know more about my symptoms than i did. It wasn't easy. I had a dramatic reaction to a steroid injection (ugh, don't even get me started on Kaiser's treatment) and Dr. Sydney was able to treat me on an emergency basis with compassion and empathy. Nearly 8 months after a significant overhaul of my diet, a 6 month course of herbs and many check-ins, I am doing better than anytime since before my eczema developed in 2018. I really appreciated Dr. Sydney's compassion care during a health crisis, her nuanced and patient-centered approach to both eastern and western medicine and her scientific expertise. Thank you Dr. Sydney!!

I like to tell people that Sydney is the Dr House of acupuncture. She’ll dig deep and do lots of research with all your weird symptoms and come back with questions and answers and plans, step by step. I have a few autoimmune conditions and Sydney translates them into eastern medicine and explains the western implications as well. She has a foot in both worlds (eastern and western) of medicine and integrates them seamlessly. I’ve worked with functional doctors who also have a foot in both hemispheres in the past and it felt like that prevented them from being an expert in either. Sydney is the opposite of that. She’s one of the smartest and most determined people I’ve ever met and I’m truly grateful to have found her. She’s fluent in lab work and loves complicated or confusing cases. She digs deeper than any of my other medical professionals (I have collected quite a few) and works hard to discover and treat the root cause of your symptoms rather than just the symptoms themselves—although she manages that as well. I’ve been seeing her for almost 9 months now and I have more energy, more strength, more access to my brain (less fog), more stamina for life, less pain, and better digestion. I have on many occasions walked in with pain and headaches and walked out feeling much better. But my favorite part is my overall long term health trajectory which has dramatically improved. Even my flare ups are shorter and much milder than ever before. My second favorite part is how well she explains my body and nervous system to me so that my health no longer feels like a mystery. I’d also like to shout out Stephanie (not me, another Stephanie!) and Tendervine’s Acu-Moxa Lounge. Stephanie is so compassionate, interested, and eager to help and sooth symptoms. She’s very gentle and caring and carries out her practice with so much grace, whether in private sessions or in the Acu-Moxa Lounge—which you should definitely ask about because it’s such a beautiful and relaxing space of healing. I’ve sent all of my favorite people to Tendervine Health, including close family, and it’s time I tell the world. Go! You deserve to feel better.

With a simple google search I literally found an angel of a doctor! Sydney is unlike any other medical provider I've experienced. I was/am quite the case as I have struggled with skin and autoimmune conditions for 20+ years and also have a real fear of needles. I was desperate as nothing else was working and I am beyond grateful that I found Sydney because my life has so drastically changed since finding her. Since working with her I am at peace and feel so much more ease throughout my body. I wake up without pain and my skin has never looked and felt better. I have used steroid creams almost daily since I was a child and since working with Sydney I can go months without needing them (maybe even longer! Still in the process but I haven't needed them in 4 months thus far). The beginning months together were rough as healing is not linear and I had to give up my beloved sourdough bread and pastries. However, throughout our work together, Sydney gracefully lead me down a path of healing. Through consistent acupuncture, herbal medicine, and making lifestyle changes that feel best for me, I can now enjoy sourdough bread and the occasional pastry without any issues! Hallelujah! I ask a million questions every time I'm in her office and she answers every single one of them with grace and compassion. I never write google reviews but Sydney is someone who people need to know about. She is an angel for those struggling with chronic skin and autoimmune conditions. Get ready for a real shift in your life if you choose to work with her. I could go on and on about Sydney but I promise you will not be disappointed, you too can heal! Thank you so much for being such a light in my life Sydney.

I love my acupuncture appointments with Sydney. She understands my body, her diagnosis and treatments always hit the spot. I come in a mess and walk out feeling human again, and re-balanced. She is quick, on top of her game, good at what she does and very professional. She knows her craft impeccably and has great intuition. I feel that as a practitioner she sees me, hears me and answers to my needs. This style of Acupuncture is very effective and works wonders. As a Bodyworker myself, and having had all kinds of healing treatments in the past, Sydney is still the right mix for me. I trust her and that is saying a lot, because I am very picky! Thanks for all you do, Sydney!!

For over 20 years I have not sought treatment from allopathic (Western) medicine, rather looking to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture to help restore and maintain balance. I am also very interested in the ideas and concepts behind TCM and have a small library of related titles - in both Chinese and English - of my own, and I have worked with multiple acupuncturists and herbalists in both Taiwan and California over the years. So when I encounter a practitioner with a deep knowledge base, intense curiosity for learning, and excellent needle technique I stick with them. And that is how I would describe Dr. Malawer. With Sydney I can get as deep into the geeky stuff as I want, and she’ll explain the how and why of what she’s doing, or I can just relax and tune out. I especially appreciate that Dr. Malawer is so accomplished, knowledgable, and skilled, yet she continues to “geek out” in her field and expand the breadth of patients and conditions that she can treat. I always respond quickly to Sydney’s treatments, and when I do what she says, take the herbs she formulates, and follow her protocols I feel much better. I will continue to seek treatment from Dr. Malawer, whether for relief from acute conditions and pain or just maintaining balance.

I visited Dr. Sydney Malawer clinic eight months ago with some health concerns, and I am so glad I chose to try acupuncture and integrative medicine instead of relying solely on Western medicine. Dr. Malawer is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about her work, and she truly cares about her patients' well-being. Initially, I came in for help with my gout, but Dr. Malawer's approach soon extended to reducing my stress levels and improving my overall health. She even helped me with my diet, giving me personalized recommendations based on my individual needs. I am happy to report that the results have exceeded my expectations! I have lost weight, gained more energy, and feel better overall. Dr. Malawer is not only an excellent practitioner but also a warm and compassionate person. She takes the time to listen to her patients' concerns and addresses them with care and expertise. Her office is a calming and relaxing environment, and I always leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Overall, I cannot recommend Dr. Malawer enough. If you are looking for a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on your individual needs and goals, then look no further.

I went to Sydney a while ago and had a horrible reaction during the treatment. The strangest thing was she said "why don't we talk about what happened" and took ZERO accountability of the harm she caused me that day. No "I'm sorry that happened". She just wanted to sweep it under the rug and pretend it didn't happen. I almost passed out during the treatment. It was horrific and I only recently emotionally recovered from that experience and it happened A WHILE AGO. I never got around to writing this review but it's much needed because she does not care. She only wants money. Also, she still had the audacity to charge me for our last session. That's what was even more devastating. It painted a clear picture of what she's really about.

I came to Sydney struggling with digestive issues, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety and chronic pain. After a couple of months, my health has improved considerably. She is a gifted acupuncturist with a deep understanding of autoimmunity. On top of all that, she exudes compassion and grace. I feel very fortunate to be treated and supported by such an exceptional care provider.

Sydney is incredible. I had psoriasis on my back, and her herbal tincture made did a wonderful job of improving the condition. It also improved my overall skin health, sleep, energy, and mood. Friends and family started commenting on how much healthier and happier I looked! I'm a total believer. I've had quite a few herbal consultations with her over Zoom now for a variety of symptoms, and she always asks great questions to help get to the root cause of what I am experiencing. Our talks are always so productive. She's incredibly warm and professional. A+

I have a serious fear of needles and have a history of freaking out around them sometimes, but I need acupuncture to help me with chronic pain, gut issues, and emotional stability. Sydney's needling technique is SO gentle- I don't feel a single prick, and her copious incorporation of moxa is soothing and feels great in my body. She is organized and great at communicating. She demonstrates having a huge bank of knowledge and her passion for her work is palpable- she is deeply driven to help. I trust her a lot. It feels like she is in my court, on my team, and is going to recommend what is best for me. I feel like she treats me like a person, not a product, in that she doesn't try to sell me on extra things I don't need and it feels like she has my best interest at heart. I've gotten both of my parents in her care for herbal medicine (they live on the East Coast, otherwise I'd suggest they utilize her acupuncture sessions too). Continually, I feel seen, heard, respected, and helped by Sydney and her passion and confidence give me hope. I have no hesitation in recommending her to everyone I know.