The treatment of infertility with Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)

Reprinted from acupuncturemediaworks.com
The treatment of infertility with Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) dates back 2,000 years. These ancient, time-tested techniques improve fertility rates and support a woman’s whole body, unlocking unlimited potential for health, healing and childbearing.
A landmark study published in the medical journal Fertility & Sterility (1) found that acupuncture dramatically improves the chances of becoming pregnant when used in conjunction with other assisted reproductive techniques. Researchers from Weill Cornell Medical Center (2) in New York reviewed studies and concluded that acupuncture helps to:

• Increase blood flow to the uterus, which improves the chances of an ovum implanting on the uterine wall
• Reduce anxiety, stress, and the hormones that are secreted during stressful situations that can significantly decrease fertility
• Normalize hormone and endocrine systems that regulate ovulation, especially in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Regulate the menstrual cycle

In a study published in Human Reproduction Journal (3) an ultrasound was used to evaluate blood flow to the uterus during acupuncture treatments. The study found blood flow increased during the treatments.  Dr. Nancy Snyderman stated “when acupuncture needles are placed correctly, it can affect the nervous system. The idea is that is you stimulate the nervous system, you can make the uterus quiet and allow blood to flow”.  Relaxing the uterus and increasing blood flow allows for the successful implant of an embryo within the uterine lining. Another study appearing in the British Medical Journal (4) concluded that “acupuncture can be offered as a significant, clinically relevant adjunct to in vitro fertilization”.

Acupuncture and TCM can raise the fertility potential for women by affecting the quality, balance and flow of Qi and blood. When Qi (pronounced “chee”) or vital energy, and blood are circulating freely throughout the body, every cell, tissue and organ is properly nourished and functioning well. When this occurs, a woman’s health and fertility are increased.

According to the theories of acupuncture and TCM, infertility is caused by the imbalance of Qi and blood affecting one or more of the Organ Systems (Please keep in mind that the Organs described below reflect Chinese medical theories and philosophies)

Kidney organ System: The release of an ovum is controlled by the Kidneys. The Kidneys also create a substance called Jing Qi which is required in order to have a healthy body, mind and pregnany. If an imbalance exists within the Kidneys, Jing Qi may be inadequate in supply and infertility may be a result.

Spleen Organ System: An adequate supply of blood is required by a woman’s body to sustain a normal menstrual cycle, a growing fetus, and a healthy pregnancy. A disharmony within the Spleen can result in an inadequate supply and imbalance of blood. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can build and nourish blood, in order to promote a healthy flow of blood to the uterus.
Liver Organ System: In order to conceive and have a healthy pregnancy it is important to have a free flow of Qi and blood throughout the body. The Liver is in charge of facilitating the smooth flow of Qi and blood. When it is out of balance, areas of the body will not receive the required supply of Qi and blood. The imbalance can lead to depression, anxiety, stress and increased infertility.
Acupuncture and TCM provide a safe, effective, drug-free, and natural approach to treating infertility and enjoying a healthy pregnancy. Here are a few reasons to try acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• An acupuncturist does not treat just the symptoms and sign, but instead activates the body’s natural healing potential by treating the root causes that have lead to the problem or disease.
• Acupuncture and TCM are completely natural. No drugs are ever used. In the Western treatment of fertility, undesired side effects and accumulated toxicity from invasive procedure and drug therapies may occur.
• Acupuncture and TCM can be used to strengthen, support and balance overall health and well-being so that other fertility procedures (such as IUI and IVF) are more effective.
• The practice of acupuncture and TCM is over 3,000 years old and has helped millions of people become well and stay healthy.
• It works!

Also consider acupuncture during your pregnancy and birth! According to the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture has been found useful for relieving labor pains, nausea, vomiting and significantly reducing the duration of labor. There is also strong evidence that acupuncture can help with a breech birth (5,6)

1. Paulus W, et. Al., Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate of patients who undergo assisted reproductive therapy. Fertility and Sterility, volume 77, April 2002, 721-724
2. 5 Ways Acupuncture Can Boost Fertility. Prevention.com, 2002
3. Human Reproduction Journal, Volume 11, Number 6, 1996
4. Manheimer,E.,et. Al. Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilization:  systematic review and meta-analyses. BMJ February 2008;336: 545-549
5. Acupuncture: Review and analyses of reports on controlled clinical trials. World Health Organnization, Geneva, 2002, www.who.int/medicines
6. A manual of Acupuncture. Page 326. Peter Deadman & Mazin Al-Khafaji

 Posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac.
WyseAcupuncture.com

Acupressure at SP 6 (San Yin Jiao) Found Helpful for Dysmenorrhea (Painful Menstruation/Cramping)

In the past 5 or 6 years I have really focused my attention and expertise into specializing in women's health. So when I come across certain research studies that show the efficacy of how acupuncture can help I always like to share....

Researchers from Northern Khorosan University in Bojnoord Iran recently conducted a study evaluating the effectiveness of acupressure in menstrual pain/cramps.  Researchers recruited 86 students who were experiencing menstrual pain/cramping (dysmenorrhea).  Acupressure was utilized on the acupuncture point san yin jiao (SP 6) and pain levels were assessed before intervention, at 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hour and at the 3 hours following the intervention.

The study found that this relatively simple acupressure technique reduced pain in women experiencing menstrual pain/cramps.  All in all this is an entirely safe and effective treatment that can easily be done on oneself or with the help of family or friends.
Further studies should be done comparing needling to acupressure to help illustrate any differences between the relative strength of the techniques.

Posted by Sharon Wyse
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me via email Sharon@WyseAcupuncture.com or cell 917.603.8081 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            917.603.8081      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
WyseAcupuncture.com

Acupuncture Effective for Undetermined Illness

Here is an article I recently came across showing the benefits of acupuncture on undetermined illnesses. I find that acupuncture seems to help a lot of western "syndromes" such as irritable bowel "syndrome", chronic fatigue "syndrome".. It seems that nowadays "syndrome" in western medicine translates to "I don't know whats causing this!"

"Despite the advances of modern medicine, one in five patients has symptoms that are unexplained and untreated, contributing to  stress for both the provider and individual.
Further, studies have shown that the cost of managing the treatment of a patient with medically unexplained symptoms can be twice that of a patient with a diagnosis.
In an effort to provide a solution, a UK research team performed a clinical randomized controlled study on the efficacy of acupuncture for the undiagnosed disorders. Included in the research design was a linked interview of each patient’s subjective opinion of the intervention.
Some 80 patients from GP practices across London were selected to have five-element acupuncture added to their usual care.
The results of the research are published in the British Journal of General Practice."
To read this full article please click here
Posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac.

Vampires, Werewolves, Zombies... Oh MY!

When a friend that works for the city texted me that the CDC sent out a "zombie preparedness fact sheet" I though she lost it.....apparently she was telling the truth.....

Click here to read the full article

Posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac.

Does Acupuncture really work?

Recently I came across and article in The Wall Street Journal entitled "Decoding an Ancient Therapy: High-Tech Tools Show How Acupuncture Works in Treating Arthritis, Back Pain, Other Ills"

As many of you know I have always been interested in research and the process in which acupuncture research studies are carried out; below is part of the article from the WSJ showing just how it is being done:

"Acupuncture has long baffled medical experts and no wonder: It holds that an invisible life force called qi (pronounced chee) travels up and down the body in 14 meridians. Illness and pain are due to blockages and imbalances in qi. Inserting thin needles into the body at precise points can unblock the meridians, practitioners believe, and treat everything from arthritis and asthma to anxiety, acne and infertility.

As fanciful as that seems, acupuncture does have real effects on the human body, which scientists are documenting using high-tech tools. Neuroimaging studies show that it seems to calm areas of the brain that register pain and activate those involved in rest and recuperation. Doppler ultrasound shows that acupuncture increases blood flow in treated areas. Thermal imaging shows that it can make inflammation subside.
Scientists are also finding parallels between the ancient concepts and modern anatomy. Many of the 365 acupuncture points correspond to nerve bundles or muscle trigger points. Several meridians track major arteries and nerves. "If people have a heart attack, the pain will radiate up across the chest and down the left arm. That's where the heart meridian goes," says Peter Dorsher, a specialist in pain management and rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. "Gallbladder pain will radiate to the right upper shoulder, just where the gallbladder meridian goes."

The use of acupuncture continues to spread—often alongside conventional medicine. U.S. Navy, Air Force and Army doctors are using acupuncture to treat musculoskeletal problems, pain and stress in stateside hospitals and combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Delegations from Acupuncturists Without Borders are holding communal ear-needling sessions to reduce stress among earthquake victims in Haiti. Major medical centers—from M.D. Anderson in Houston to Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York—use acupuncture to counteract the side effects of chemotherapy."

To read the full article please click here
posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac.

"Chinese medicine plant may lead to anticancer drug"

 "Traditional Chinese medicinal plants are used for a lot of maladies, but researchers at Johns Hopkins say one could serve as a starting point for development of new anticancer drugs.
The researchers found that a natural product isolated from a plant known as thunder god vine, or lei gong teng, and used to treat maladies including rheumatoid arthritis, works by blocking gene control machinery in the cell.
Their report was published in the March issue of Nature Chemical Biology.
“Extracts of this medicinal plant have been used to treat a whole host of conditions and have been highly lauded for anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, contraceptive and antitumor activities,” says Jun O. Liu, a professor of pharmacology and molecular sciences at Johns Hopkins. “We've known about the active compound, triptolide, and that it stops cell growth, since 1972, but only now have we figured out what it does.”
To read the full article please click here
Posted by Sharon Wyse L.Ac.

"Need some ZZZ's?"

I recently came across this article on sleep disorders in an issue of Women magazine and how trying to "catch up" on sleep really doesn't work...

"The causes of sleep disorders and the reasons they persist vary. With insomnia, for example, different types of insomnia tend to have different causes. For instance, insomnia can be a conditioned response, meaning that it’s attributed to a significant event—such as a career change, divorce, or any stressful experience. The shock or anxiety associated with that event may trigger insomnia, but the disorder persists once the event has passed due to “strategies” that we put in place to cope with a lack of sleep."

"In general, says Allison T. Siebern, MD, associate director of the Insomnia and Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at Stanford University, “Insomnia is the most prevalent sleep disorder.”
Dr. Siebern says that sometimes people respond to inadequate sleep by trying to sleep more. This won’t work, she says, because “Sleep is a biological process—you can’t force it.” So, efforts to sleep more tend to backfire by raising something called the hyperarousal system. This system is responsible for the stress response known as fight or flight, and once it’s raised the mind becomes extremely alert and the muscles are tense. Naturally, this state makes sleep increasingly difficult. As a result, says Dr. Siebern, “People become very frustrated that they can’t sleep,” and the cycle of unsuccessfully trying harder to sleep continues; insomnia is thus maintained. “There are processes that help regulate sleep,” she says, “so if you try to sleep outside the times you normally sleep, you’re physiologically in a place where you’re not able to sleep.”

To read the full article please click here