"Frozen Embryos Are Just as Good for IVF as Fresh Ones"

"Couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) have many difficult decisions to make on the road to starting a family. Among them is the decision to use fresh or frozen embryos.

Before freezing methods were refined, fresh embryos were the only option, but as cryopreservation techniques improved, freezing embryos so that not all of the healthiest ones had to be transferred to the woman immediately became more popular. Most IVF clinics today take advantage of embryo freezing.

But whether frozen embryos contributed to the same pregnancy and live birth rates as fresh embryos wasn’t clear. In two papers published in the New England Journal of Medicine, an international group of researchers led by scientists in Vietnam and China report that pregnancy and live birth rates are similar among women who used fresh or frozen embryos."

To read whole article, please click here

I was just cited in a new book coming out...

I am humbled that I was cited in Hilary Jacobs Hendel's new book called "It's Not Always Depression: Working the Change Triangle to Listen to the Body, Discover Core Emotions, and Connect to Your Authentic Self" It touches on different emotions we all go through and the importance of breathing to help get through it. You can read a snippet of her book here

HGH (Human Growth Hormone) and IVF

Interesting use of HGH in the fertility field. I only know of 1 clinic in NYC that uses this and it has shown some good results so far....
"Adequate growth hormone levels are critical for good ovarian follicle development, yet growth hormone levels are known to decline significantly with age. Studies have show that adjuvant growth hormone treatment during IVF may help some women to beat the odds and have a higher take home baby rate especially when ovarian reserve is poor and previous cycles have failed. Restoring youthful growth hormone levels may boost fertility by influencing embryo quality." ;) click here for more info

Acupuncture Provides Significant Benefits for Migraine Patients

"A new report published in the online version of the British Medical Journal has found that acupuncture is a useful, cost-effective treatment for chronic headaches, particularly migraines.
The report found that over a 12-month period, headache patients who received regular acupuncture sessions reported fewer headaches, had a higher quality of life, missed fewer days from work, used less medication, and made fewer visits to a general practitioner than patients given standard treatment for headaches.

The research was conducted at a series of single acupuncture practices and general practices in Wales and Great Britain. In the study, the authors recruited 401 patients who suffered from chronic headaches, predominantly migraine headaches. The patients were randomized to receive either acupuncture or "usual care" from a general practitioner. In the acupuncture group, subjects standard care for headaches, and were also treated with acupuncture up to 12 times over a three-month period. Treatment patterns were individualized to each patient, and different points were used based on the discretion of the acupuncturist providing care. In the usual care group, patients received standard headache care from their general practitioner, but were not referred out for acupuncture."

To read the full article please click here

New clinic hours/ Maternity Leave

Hi Everyone!!!

As most of you know I will be going on maternity leave starting November 21st and my colleague Vanessa Scorsone L.Ac will be covering for me at that time. 

Vanessa has started covering in the clinic on Wednesdays and will be adding Thursdays starting December 3^rd; leaving Wednesdays and Thursdays open for treatments until my return in the new year. 

Vanessa will conduct all the treatments at the 280 Madison clinic and can be reached via email at wyseacupuncture@gmail.com or via cell at 718.744.4420 

I will still be around and conferencing with Vanessa about cases and checking my emails; but please be patient if I don't respond as quickly as I usually do ;)

Vanessa is a wonderful practitioner who has been treating patients since 2005 and I promise I leave you in very good hands!

A little more about Vanessa:

Vanessa Scorsone M.S.O.M, L.A.c is a Licensed Acupuncturist in New York State. She earned a Master of Science Degree in Acupuncture in 2005 and a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine in 2007 from Tri-State College of Acupuncture in New York City. She traveled to China in 2006, working in Beijing hospitals and earning a certificate from the Beijing Traditional Training Center of WFAS. Vanessa is also certified by NADA through her work at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx. She studied with Virginia Duran and earned her certification in facial rejuvenation acupuncture. Her most recent work involved creating a community acupuncture clinic through a partnership with Carriage House Birth in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, working predominantly with pre- and post-natal conditions.

Vanessa's approach combines Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with Acupuncture Physical Medicine (APM), a style she learned under the tutelage of Mark Seem. 

As always, please feel free to email me if you have any questions or concerns- Thanks for understanding and Happy Holidays!

Sharon

Resveratrol May Curb Endometriosis And Pain

"If you are trying to conceive with endometriosis, the natural supplement resveratrol may be able to help to resolve the growth and spread of endometriosis naturally. Resveratrol can help to reduce pain, curb inflammation and modulate estrogenic activity within your pelvis. By attenuating the spread of endometriosis, resveratrol may help your body to be more baby-friendly increasing the chances of conceiving.

Resveratrol is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative polyphenol derived from grapes - and of course red wine - which has been found to significantly decrease endometriosis pain. The pain-relieving effect of resveratrol has been studied alone, in combination with the contraceptive pill and also with green tea extracts. As pain diminishes, so too does the invasive growth of endometriosis which could have a sparing effect on fertility."

To read the full article please click here

2 other possible beneficial supplements are:

Pine Bark/Pycnogenol

Curcumin

Posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac

"This is what happens to your body if you drink warm honey-lemon water in the morning..."

A handful of patients always ask me "what is the best detox plan for after the holidays?" and I always tell them.... warm water with lemon and honey first thing in the morning...this is why...

"Adding lemon to water not only quenches thirst better than any other beverage, but it also nourishes our body with vitamins, minerals and trace elements which we absolutely need. Lemon with water can be considered the best natural energy booster. When we wake up in the morning, our bodily tissues are dehydrated and are in need of water to push out toxins and rejuvenate the cells. In other words, this homemade “lemonade” helps eliminate internal toxins, regulating proper kidney and digestive tract functions by forcing them to work as smoothly as possible."

To read the full article, please click here

posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac.

Prenatal vitamins: How to choose the best for your pregnancy

Recently my prescription vitamins went from a "tier 1" to a "tier 2", which for those of you that don't understand the insurance lingo (who does?) that means my vitamins went from $20/month to $120/month!!! Most doctors agree that over the counter (OTC) vitamins are fine to take as long as you are getting your essentials...

"Here, get the 411 on everything you need to know about prenatal vitamins.

A prenatal vitamin is vital for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby, but knowing when to start taking them, which brand to buy and how much of each vitamin and mineral to look for can be daunting. 

Why prenatal vitamins?
It can be hard to eat healthy when you’re dealing with morning sickness and pregnancy cravings, but prenatal vitamins aren’t meant to make up for unhealthy food choices.

“This should complement a healthy diet,” Dr. Mary Rosser, an assistant professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology and women's health at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City said. “It’s really not a substitute for anything.”

Plus, because we tend to lack a lot of vitamins and minerals due to depleted soils, getting those in a prenatal vitamin is even more important, according to Michele McRae, Senior Director of Research, 

When should you start taking prenatal vitamins?
If you’re hoping to get pregnant, you should ideally start taking prenatal vitamins at least three months before you plan to get conceive. Prenatal vitamins have folic acid, which prevents neural tube defects like spina bifida, which develops within 28 days after conception.

Plus, folic acid may reduce the risk of autism, according to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

“The defects can occur very early in pregnancy, many times before women know that they’re pregnant,” Rosser said.

For this reason and because 50 percent of pregnancies are unplanned, experts recommend all women of reproductive age take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid, whether they’re trying to get pregnant or not.

What to look for in a prenatal vitamin.
Prenatal vitamins are available by both over-the-counter and by prescription. Although formulations can vary from brand to brand, these are the most important vitamins and minerals to look for:

Folic acid
Anywhere between 400 mcg and 800 mcg of folic acid is ideal. If you previously had a baby with a neural tube defect or if you have other risk factors, your doctor may prescribe 4 mg (4,000 mcg) of folic acid.

Iron
Iron is essential for a baby’s growth and development and it prevents you from having anemia. Getting more iron is especially important because your blood volume almost doubles to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the baby.

30 mg is best but your doctor may prescribe more if you’re iron deficient, which most moms are, McRae said.   

Calcium
Your developing baby needs calcium for growth and bone development and strength and she’ll draw that nutrient from you. Because of this, it’s important for moms to get enough calcium— aim for 250 mg a day.

Magnesium
Look for a prenatal vitamin with at least 400 mg of magnesium, which is crucial for baby’s bone development. It will help you relieve muscle aches, improve energy, and aid relaxation.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D not only helps mom absorb calcium and supports healthy blood pressure, but research shows its linked to better birth outcomes, too.

Plus, a recent study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that moms with higher vitamin D levels were more likely to have children with stronger muscles.

Aim for 400 IU to 800 IU of vitamin D. If you’re at risk for bone issues or are a vegetarian, your doctor may prescribe up to 2,000 IU a day.

DHA and EPA
Studies show that DHA and EPA are important for baby’s brain and eye function and may even prevent pre-term birth and depression during pregnancy and postpartum.

Most over-the-counter prenatal vitamins don’t include DHA and EPA, but you can take a supplement or ask your doctor for a prescription. Take at least 250 mg per day.

Vitamin B
Vitamin B6 is important for a baby’s brain development and nervous system, and can maintain your energy and keep your mood balanced. Look for 2 mg of B6, but a prenatal vitamin with a vitamin B complex is even better.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C but is essential for immunity, especially because we don’t produce it. 50 mg a day is best.

Choline
Studies show that choline may help with cognitive abilities and IQ later in life. At least 30 mg a day is ideal".

Of course always speak to your MD as to what vitamin s/he believes will be best for you and your baby ;)

To read the full article, please click here

Posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac.

The proper way to take Vitamin D for optimal absorption

"Many women take vitamin D while trying to conceive and in preparation for IVF knowing that having stellar vitamin D levels may improve their chances of conceiving considerably. What they may not know, is that taking vitamin D at the optimal time of day can dramatically improve absorption of this vital fertility vitamin.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, this means that you will absorb it far better with food, not just any food, it really needs to be taken with a meal that contains other fats or oils to trigger the digestive enzymes and processes that break down and assimilate fats. Taking vitamin D with a piece of fruit, a glass or water or a light, low fat meal may be akin to taking very little vitamin D at all. Not so great for your fertility."

To read more on the article about the studies conducted, please click here

This Is What Your Skin Looks Like Before And After Sunblock....

Please take a moment to watch this very eye opening short video-
If you are young or have a young child, please get in the habit of wearing/ putting on a natural sunscreen every day; especially on days where you will be out in the sun. If you are older, please start now- a little bit makes a big difference.
Watch the video by clicking here
*notice the difference in skin pigmentation in the young and the not so young*

Study Shows Acupuncture Improves Quality of Life for Breast Cancer Patients

Use of electroacupuncture (EA) – a form of acupuncture where a small electric current is passed between pairs of acupuncture needles – produces significant improvements in fatigue, anxiety and depression in as little as eight weeks for early stage breast cancer patients experiencing joint pain related to the use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) to treat breast cancer. The results of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial examining the intervention led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania are published online this week in the journal Cancer. The study is the first demonstration of EA’s efficacy for both joint pain relief, as well as these other common symptoms.
The results build upon earlier findings reported in November 2013, showing that EA can decrease the joint pain reported by roughly 50 percent of breast cancer patients taking AIs – the most-commonly prescribed medications to prevent disease recurrence among post-menopausal women with early-stage, hormone receptor positive breast cancer. Despite their efficacy, the joint pain associated with the use of AIs often leads to fatigue, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances for these patients, which researchers suggest may cause premature discontinuation of the drug. Previous studies have shown that nearly half of women taking AIs do not complete their recommended course of treatment, and that those who stop taking the drugs or don’t take them as prescribed have a higher chance of dying of both breast cancer and other causes."
To read entire article please click here
Posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac

"Infertility To Pregnancy With Acupuncture & Herbs"

"A new clinical study concludes that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have potent effects in reversing infertility. Several types of patients suffering from infertility participated in the study including those using IVF, IUI and those using no biomedical assistance. All types showed significantly improved successful pregnancy rates." 

"The researchers note that the success rate of IVF is 24% (for 4 or more embryos transferred) as a standalone therapy. The combination of IVF with acupuncture has a significantly higher success rate of 42.5%. They note that the improved success rate is both indicates a safe and economical way to assist women undergoing fertility treatments. A total of 52.38% of women in the study conceived with acupuncture and/or herbal medicine without biomedical assistance. Another 9.52% conceived with acupuncture and/or herbs combined with IVF (in vitro fertilization) and 4.76% conceived with IUI (intrauterine insemination) combined with acupuncture. 

To read more on this article please click here

Melatonin May Help Luteal Phase Defect

"A number of studies have demonstrated how melatonin can improve fertility by boosting IVF success rates and improving egg quality, but few studies have researched the possible benefits of melatonin in natural conception cycles. It seems that melatonin may have an important role in helping the ovaries to produce progesterone more efficiently in the luteal phase through it's strong antioxidant effects."
To read more of the article please click here
Posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac

A Close Up Look At Acupuncture for Pain

"A growing number of Americans would prefer to stop popping pills and avoid going under the knife to treat a bum knee, achy lower back or sore hip. Instead, they’re turning to the ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture to help ease chronic joint pain."

"Research studies consistently show that acupuncture can be an effective form of pain management, with some studies finding it even more effective than pain-relieving drugs or surgery. But exactly how it works remains somewhat of a mystery, Danesh admits.

In theory, acupuncture stimulates the body’s meridian points. By easing pressure on these energy-carrying channels, ancient Chinese physicians believed the needles corrected the body’s imbalances by allowing energy or “chi” to flow more freely. Although traditional Western medicine remains skeptical about the idea of chi, Danesh said that many of the meridian points happen to coincide with trigger points, spots on the body where pain radiates away from the center when pressed."

To read the full article please click here

Posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac.

Acupressure for Babies/Children for a Good Night’s Sleep

"Promoting better baby sleep from the perspective of Chinese medicine is very different from the standard American approach.Modern pediatric sleep advice is an incredibly contentious subject as any trip to the bookstore will demonstrate. There are books on the many different behavioral modification methods, from the cry-it-out approaches to the attachment-parenting styles. And if you go to any online parenting discussion board, there will be heated discussions among parents who defend their choice of sleep method for babies. Regardless of parenting style and culture, Chinese medicine techniques can help improve sleep because they alter the energetics of sleep and focus on physiology rather than behavior. While a reliable sleep routine will be enough for most babies to establish a healthy sleep pattern, others may need additional support. This is when Chinese medicine and its attention to individual energetics can come to the rescue."

To read the full article please click here. 

Posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac. 

Probiotics May Ease Stomach Upset in Babies

"A new clinical trial suggests that a daily dose of a probiotic may ease digestive upset in babies.

Italian researchers randomly assigned 468 infants less than a week old to receive either a daily oral dose of Lactobacillus reuteri or an identical tasting placebo. Parents recorded the daily frequency of bowel movements and spitting up as well as the amount of time babies cried inconsolably. Investigators followed the families with weekly phone calls or personal meetings. The study appears online in JAMA Pediatrics.

After one month, the babies who got the probiotic showed a significant decrease in crying time and an increase in frequency of bowel movements compared with those who got the placebo. By three months, their frequency of spitting up was reduced as well.

The babies taking the probiotic had fewer emergency department visits and needed less medication for stomach problems. Their parents lost fewer days of work, and there were no adverse side effects. The results were adjusted to account for the effects of breast or bottle feeding, vaginal or cesarean delivery, and other factors."

To read the full article, please click here 

Posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac

Happy Feaster!

Happy Feaster!

For my family, every holiday that comes seems like a great excuse to eat, eat, eat! (last year we actually dubbed the term Happy Feaster because of all the food we had!) While spending time with family and friends over a delicious meal is one of my favorite things to do, sometimes we can go overboard with all the meats, starches and desserts; which is why this year I am also bringing an herbal formula called Bao He Wan
Bao He Wan is a Chinese herbal formula that promotes digestion, removes stagnated food and regulates the stomach. The herbal formula is used for the retention of food, bloating, or distension and fullness in the abdomen. I really like this formula as it can even be used as a preventative to take before overindulging. To read more about Bao He Wan, please click here
For more information, or if you would like to purchase Bao He Wan from our clinic, please call 917.603.8081 or email at SharonWyseLAc@gmail.com

Posted by Sharon A. Wyse L.Ac.

How Long Can You Wait to Have a Baby?

This was taken from the recent June 2013 article in The Atlantic  and sheds so much light on an issue that effects so many of us that I needed to share...

"Deep anxiety about the ability to have children later in life plagues many women. But the decline in fertility over the course of a woman’s 30s has been oversold. Here’s what the statistics really tell us—and what they don’t."

To read this whole article (and if you are a woman over the age of 30 trying to conceive you should!)
Please click here

Posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac.

Acupuncture Beats Drugs for Low Back Pain Herniations

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapeutic techniques are effective treatments for lower back pain due to lumbar disc herniations. A new randomized, controlled clinical trial demonstrates that acupuncture and TCM therapy reduces back pain and restores motor functionality for patients with herniated lumbar discs. A sample size of 408 patients receiving a traditional combination of TCM therapies were examined in comparison to a control group receiving health education, pain medications and physical therapy. The acupuncture-TCM group showed significantly greater improvement than that of the control group. - See more at: http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/781-herniationub25#sthash.VMBs2ltD.dpuf

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapeutic techniques are effective treatments for lower back pain due to lumbar disc herniations. A new randomized, controlled clinical trial demonstrates that acupuncture and TCM therapy reduces back pain and restores motor functionality for patients with herniated lumbar discs. A sample size of 408 patients receiving a traditional combination of TCM therapies were examined in comparison to a control group receiving health education, pain medications and physical therapy. The acupuncture-TCM group showed significantly greater improvement than that of the control group. 

For the full article please click here

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapeutic techniques are effective treatments for lower back pain due to lumbar disc herniations. A new randomized, controlled clinical trial demonstrates that acupuncture and TCM therapy reduces back pain and restores motor functionality for patients with herniated lumbar discs. A sample size of 408 patients receiving a traditional combination of TCM therapies were examined in comparison to a control group receiving health education, pain medications and physical therapy. The acupuncture-TCM group showed significantly greater improvement than that of the control group. - See more at: http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/781-herniationub25#sthash.VMBs2ltD.dpuf

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapeutic techniques are effective treatments for lower back pain due to lumbar disc herniations. A new randomized, controlled clinical trial demonstrates that acupuncture and TCM therapy reduces back pain and restores motor functionality for patients with herniated lumbar discs. A sample size of 408 patients receiving a traditional combination of TCM therapies were examined in comparison to a control group receiving health education, pain medications and physical therapy. The acupuncture-TCM group showed significantly greater improvement than that of the control group. - See more at: http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/781-herniationub25#sthash.VMBs2ltD.dpuf

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapeutic techniques are effective treatments for lower back pain due to lumbar disc herniations. A new randomized, controlled clinical trial demonstrates that acupuncture and TCM therapy reduces back pain and restores motor functionality for patients with herniated lumbar discs. A sample size of 408 patients receiving a traditional combination of TCM therapies were examined in comparison to a control group receiving health education, pain medications and physical therapy. The acupuncture-TCM group showed significantly greater improvement than that of the control group. - See more at: http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/781-herniationub25#sthash.VMBs2ltD.dpuf

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapeutic techniques are effective treatments for lower back pain due to lumbar disc herniations. A new randomized, controlled clinical trial demonstrates that acupuncture and TCM therapy reduces back pain and restores motor functionality for patients with herniated lumbar discs. A sample size of 408 patients receiving a traditional combination of TCM therapies were examined in comparison to a control group receiving health education, pain medications and physical therapy. The acupuncture-TCM group showed significantly greater improvement than that of the control group. - See more at: http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/781-herniationub25#sthash.VMBs2ltD.dpuf

Mosquito tips for a restful sleep

“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito in the room”  -Dalai Lama XIV

Totally love that quote, but did not like waking up at 4:30am the other night with me and my husband both trying to find the mosquito (or mozzy as my husband calls them) that was taunting us in our bedroom. One sure way to ensure that the nasty biters stay out is to mix 4 parts water to 1 part tea  tree oil, mix in a spray bottle and spray around he upper walls and doors of your room; apparently they dont like the smell.

Needless to say we slept great the next night ;)

 Here is a bog I wrote ages ago but it stills ring true...

Natural Mosquito Repellents

I was out at my mother and father's house on Sunday and noticed that my mom had lemon thyme plants growing in the backyard right in front of the back door that leads into the house. My mother explained that the lemon thyme works as a natural mosquito repellent and that every time she goes to sit in the backyard she takes a few leaves, bruises them by crushing them in her hand, and then places the essence from the leaves around her ankles, knees, elbows and shoulders. There are other natural plants that act as mosquito repellents such as Lavender, Rose Geranium, Lemon Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, and Citronella, which can be found in most health food stores. If you don't have a back garden or any place to grow these plants then I would advise buying natural sprays, lotions or candles from your local health food store.

Other tips to avoid getting bit by mosquitos are:

• Avoid dark clothing (dark clothes and foliage are initial attractants)
• Avoid floral or fruity fragrances (perfumes, hair products, and scented sunscreens, also watch for floral fragrance from fabric softeners)
• Avoid staying near standing water (even small amounts of water, for example: moist plants or mud puddles, will draw mosquitoes. Standing water also allows mosquitoes to reproduce.)
• Avoid excessive perspiration (you release more lactic acid when you have been exercising or after eating certain foods for example: salty foods and high-potassium foods)