SPECIALTIES

Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture

Far more than a technique of inserting tiny needles along meridian lines of the body, Acupuncture’s complex system of diagnostic methods takes into consideration the person as a whole, not just isolated symptoms.

It is a practice based on discerning the bodies’ “pattern of disharmony” to treat and strengthen the physical condition and overall function. In short, our objective is to increase both your ability to function and your quality of life.

Acupuncture has flourished as a primary health care modality in Asia for at least 2,500 years, is used widely throughout Europe, and yet is considered one of the newest primary health care professions in the United States. Acupuncture means the stimulation of a certain point or points on the surface of the body by the insertion of sterile needles to prevent or modify the perception of pain or to normalize physiological functions. Modern Acupuncture utilizes other modalities as well such as herbal medicine, moxibustion, exercise and nutrition.

How Acupuncture Works

Acupuncture is a therapy based on the belief that health is determined by a balanced flow of Qi, the vital life energy present in all living organisms. According to Acupuncture theory, Qi circulates in the body along twelve major energy pathways called meridians that are linked to specific internal organs and organ systems. This “vital energy” in humans is believed to flow along meridians that have their root in the internal organs, and by stimulating appropriate points along these meridians, the energy is released and regulated, and health may be restored.

On the surface of the 12 main meridian pathways are up to 365 main Acupuncture points. When Acupuncture needles are inserted into these acupoints, they help correct and rebalance the flow of energy and consequently relieve pain and/or restore health. Because the meridians influence every cell in the body and pass through every organ and organ system, Acupuncture provides health practitioners with an accurate means of determining health deficiencies, as well as a method of reestablishing balance.

Acupuncture has been used for centuries to treat a broad range of conditions. At Acupuncture Associates of Delray Beach, we specialize in treating women’s health issues such as infertility, pregnancy, menstrual disorders, and menopause, as well as general wellness and prevention.

Herbal Medicine

Herbal_Medicine

Integral to Herbal Medicine is the restoration of harmony expressed in terms of the two complementary forces – yin and yang – and the five elements – fire, earth, metal, water, and wood.

These five elements are of particular importance as they give rise to the five tastes by which all medicinal plants are evaluated and are said to have a particular medicinal action:

  • Fire gives rise to bitter-tasting herbs that drain and dry
  • Earth to sweet herbs that tonify and may reduce pain
  • Metal to acrid herbs that disperse, Water to salty herbs the nourish the kidneys
  • Wood to sour herbs that nourish the yin and astringe to prevent unwanted loss of body fluids or Qi (energy).

Herbs that have none of these tastes are described as bland, a quality that indicates that the plant may have a diuretic effect.

The taste of a plant can also indicate the organ to which it has a natural affinity. Besides defining particular herbal tastes, Herbal Medicine ascribes different temperatures to herbs – hot, warm, neutral, cool and cold. Each individual herb has different properties such as taste and temperature, and enters different organs in the body. When the herbs are combined through mutual harmony, the treatment effect is increased and the side effects reduced. A usual prescription or formula can consist of multiple herbs.
The use of plants as medicine is older than recorded history, but thanks to modern technology, science can now identify some of the specific properties and interactions of botanical constituents. With this scientific documentation, we now know why certain herbs are effective against certain conditions.

After a diagnosis is made by your practitioner, herbs are selected and combined, or a well-known traditional formula is prescribed. The formula is then adjusted to fit your symptoms and diagnosis, and bring about the treatment effect by regulating Qi, and fundamental substances such as blood and body fluids. When used in conjunction with Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine gives total harmony and balance to the whole body, effecting maximum treatment.

Wellness and Prevention

wellness_prevention

Wellness means choosing a balanced way of life. It’s about caring enough about yourself to take stock, make the necessary changes, and maintain your motivation.

Each and every one of us is primarily responsible for our health. There are the risk factors of genetics, toxic environments and the like, but our lifestyle choices determine our health and well-being more than anything else. We have to be honest with ourselves, and find what is holding us back from feeling good, then work through the blocks, not around them.

Chinese Medicine works to balance the body, and to help the body strengthen and heal itself. Its purpose is not to mask or relieve a specific symptom, but to bring you to a state of wellness.

Why wait until you are sick? Acupuncture may be used preventatively as well as to successfully treat a wide range of health issues:

  • Chronic constipation or diarrhea, nausea, colitis, indigestion, gastritis, reflux, and irritable bowel syndrome.
  • Sprained ankles and knees, back pain, arthritis, neck and shoulder pain.
  • Headaches (stress, cluster, migraines), insomnia, and depression.
  • Fatigue, CFS, and fibromyalgia.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is based on the Law of Similars, which has been verified experimentally and clinically for the last 200 years. Dr. Samuel Hahnemann described this principle by using the phrase “let like cure like”, and developed the principle into the system of medicine we know today as Homeopathy.

Brought to the United States in 1825 by several doctors who had studied in Europe, by the turn of the century there were 22 Homeopathic medical colleges, and one out of five doctors were using Homeopathy. But the move toward a mechanical model of the body, and of disease, pushed Homeopathy into the background. The present day resurgence of Homeopathy, fueled in part by the National Center for Homeopathy, is slowly bringing Homeopathy back to its place in the medical care system in our country.

Defining Health

In conventional medical thought, health is seen simply as the absence of disease. You assume that you are healthy if there is nothing wrong with you. But, to a person versed in Homeopathy, health is much more than that. A healthy person is a person who is free on all levels – physical, emotional, and mental. Obviously, a person with a broken leg is not free on the physical level to move around. But on a more subtle level, a person who cannot eat certain foods or is allergic to certain materials is also experiencing a lack of freedom.

An important basic difference exists between conventional medical therapy and Homeopathy. In conventional therapy, often the aim is to control the illness through regular use of medical substances. If the medication is withdrawn, however, the person returns to illness, and there has been no cure. For example, a person who takes a pill for high blood pressure every day is not undergoing a cure but is only controlling the symptoms. Alternatively, Homeopathy’s aim is to cure.

Women’s Health

yoga-sunrise

More and more women are starting to include acupuncture in their overall health strategy for relief of a variety of symptoms. Those symptoms can range from menstrual problems, infertility and menopausal issues as well as treating the pain and nausea caused by chemotherapy treatments. Acupuncture has become so popular that many insurance companies now routinely cover select treatments. Beyond that, acupuncturists are commonly found on the staff of conventional medical departments. In essence, acupuncture has become an integral part of overall women’s health.

 

Men’s Health

Top Men’s Health Concerns And How Acupuncture Can Help

Men's_health

Concerns and how acupuncture and Oriental medicine have been used to treat men’s health concerns for thousands of years and are growing in popularity. The reason for this growth in popularity is that many health issues that men face, such as high blood pressure, prostate problems and depression, respond extremely well to acupuncture treatments.

Primary health issues that affect men include:

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the leading men’s health threat, with heart disease and stroke topping the list of the first and second leading causes of death worldwide. By integrating acupuncture and Oriental medicine into a heart healthy lifestyle, you can dramatically reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Taking even small steps to improve your health can reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease by as much as 80 percent. Steps to prevention include managing high blood pressure, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress and getting better sleep. All of these issues can be helped with acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

Acupuncture has been found to be particularly helpful in lowering blood pressure. By applying acupuncture needles at specific sites along the wrist, inside the forearm or in the leg, researchers have been able to stimulate the release of natural opioids in the body, which decreases the heart’s activity and reduces its need for excess oxygen. This, in turn, lowers blood pressure.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in men. Tobacco smoke causes 90 percent of all lung cancer, so you should make every effort to quit smoking for improved health and longevity. If you are ready to quit smoking, acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help.

Shown to be an effective treatment for smoking and other addictions, acupuncture and Oriental medicine treatments for these issues focus on jitters, cravings, irritability, and restlessness; symptoms that people commonly complain about when they try to quit. Treatments also aid in relaxation and detoxification.

In one study on substance addiction, a team from Yale University successfully used auricular (ear) acupuncture to treat cocaine addiction. Results showed that 55 percent of participants tested free of cocaine during the last week of treatment, compared to 24 percent and 9 percent in the two control groups. Those who completed acupuncture treatment also had longer periods of sustained abstinence compared to participants in the control groups.

Depression and Mental Health

Men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women, reports the Men’s Health Network, which attributes part of the problem to under-diagnosed depression in men. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 6 million men have depression each year in America alone. It is now believed that the male tendency to hide feelings of depression and to not seek professional help has skewed previously reported numbers. Depression in men does not present solely as extreme sadness. Depression in men may present as anger, aggression, burnout, risk-taking behavior, mid-life crisis or alcohol and substance abuse.

When people are suffering from depression, brain chemicals and stress hormones are out of balance. Sleep, appetite, and energy levels are all disturbed. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can alleviate symptoms associated with depression and mental health issues by helping to rebalance the body’s internal systems.

The growing body of research supporting the positive effects of acupuncture on depression, anxiety, and insomnia is so strong that the military now uses acupuncture to treat troops with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and combat stress syndrome.

Prostate Health

The prostate is prone to enlargement and inflammation as men age, affecting about half of men in their sixties and up to 90 percent of men as they approach their seventies and eighties. If left untreated, benign prostate gland enlargement, which presents with symptoms such as frequent nighttime urination, painful or difficult urination, can lead to more serious conditions such as prostate cancer, urinary tract infections, bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones, and incontinence.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can be used to treat prostate problems by relieving related urinary symptoms and preventing the more serious conditions from occurring. The few studies completed on acupuncture and prostatitis show positive results, with participants noticing a marked improvement in their quality of life, a decrease in urinary difficulties, and an increase in urinary function.

Reproductive Health

While reproductive health concerns may not be life threatening, they can still signal significant health problems. Two-thirds of men older than seventy and up to 39 percent of men around the age of forty report having problems with their reproductive health.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine are well known for improving male performance; in fact, there have been medical textbooks devoted to the subject. Chinese Emperors took their performance quite seriously and would consult with a team of physicians if they experienced any difficulties in the bedroom.

Acupuncture can be used for a variety of reproductive health concerns including low sperm count, diminished sperm motility, diminished libido and male menopause (also known as male climacteric or andropause).

Top Foods that Men Should Eat Regularly

Adding nutrient-rich super foods to the diet can give men a healthy boost.Here are just a few foods that can help maintain muscle mass, prevent prostate cancer, and more.

Avocados

Avocados are a good source of vitamin K, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate and copper. Rich in potassium, avocados contain more of this nutrient than bananas. Potassium is needed to regulate nerves, heartbeat and, especially, blood pressure. An added bonus for men: Avocados inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Blackberries

Blackberries are packed with Vitamin C, calcium and magnesium, with more than double the amounts than their popular cousin, the blueberry. Vitamin C is a powerful stress reducer that can lower blood pressure and return cortisol levels to normal faster when taken during periods of stress. Magnesium and calcium act together to help regulate the nerves and muscle tone.

Too little magnesium in your diet can cause nerve cells to become over activated and can trigger muscular tension, soreness, spasms, cramps, and fatigue. Blackberries also score high on the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) scale assesses the antioxidant content of food: the higher the score, the better the food’s ability to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals that lead to cancer.

Spinach

Spinach is one of the most nutrient-dense foods in existence. Spinach can help protect against prostate cancer, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, lower blood pressure and strengthen muscles.

Walnuts

When it comes to their health benefits, walnuts are the king of nuts. Richer in heart-healthy omega-3s than salmon, loaded with more anti-oxidants than red wine, and packing half as much muscle-building protein as chicken, walnuts are one of the all time super foods.

Yogurt

Eating yogurt that contains live bacterial cultures every day improves digestive health, boosts the immune system, provides protection against cancer and may help you live longer. Not all yogurts are probiotic though, so make sure the label says “live and active cultures.”

 

Call now to see how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can improve your health and well being!

Food Therapy/Nutrition

bountiful_veggies

Combining acupuncture with a sound nutritional regimen can have significant health benefits on your body, including improved metabolism, weight loss and improved energy. We can create a plan that helps your body operate more efficiently and leads to better health choices. Harnessing traditional Chinese medicinal methods, we build a plan that starts at our office and continues beyond our doors – all aimed at building a better you. Our team will provide insightful knowledge and advice along with a customized program that works for you.

Nutrition Testing

Practitioner Ashley Cowden, uses an assessment technique known as Nutrition Response Testing (NRT) to help best evaluate each individual and their body to find out their nutritional needs. Nutritional Response Testing is a form of muscle testing that is based upon principles of Applied Kinesiology and Traditional Chinese Medicine. With this technique we are able to take nutrition from the textbook to your body. Each body innately knows what it needs for optimal health and healing. Our job, is to tap into that knowledge and use it to our benefit. By using a muscle test, we are able to do just this. When we can assess food sensitivities, we are able to know if foods you are consuming on a regular basis could be impairing your healing process. Additionally, we are able to find out if any organs, systems or glands in the body are functioning suboptimally. With this knowledge, we are then able to make educated, tailored, and conscious decisions about what you need.

Many times people have the following experiences: they are doing all of the “right” things with diet and exercise, and are extremely frustrated by a lack of results. They know they aren’t feeling well, they know “something is just not right” but all of the bloodwork and medical exams show that everything is normal. On a daily basis, they feel stressed, anxious, fatigued, constipated, foggy, and drained; yet they have gotten so used to feeling this way, they do not realize greater well-being exists for them. Or, for others, they have cabinets full of synthetic supplements and are taking so many supplements they are not sure which are helping or hurting their system! In these scenarios especially, muscle testing is of great value as we are able to identify what is beneficial and what is depleting for the body. We are also able to determine subtle imbalances that are creating real symptoms. Such conditions include: gluten sensitivity, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal insufficiency, endocrine system weakness, immune system imbalance, digestive challenges and more. By utilizing this fine-tuning approach, we are able to identify and correct any imbalances and determine a precise plan for health. With this, we create a vital, healthy, and thriving system. It is when we feel well, that we are empowered to live well!

Fertility

Fertility

As practitioners of Chinese Medicine, we view infertility as an imbalance of Qi and blood affecting one or more of the organ systems.  In studies reviewed by Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York*, researchers concluded that Acupuncture helps to:

  • Increase blood flow to the uterus to improve the chances of ovum implantation.
  • Reduce anxiety and stress that may significantly decrease fertility.
  • Normalize the hormone and endocrine systems that regulate ovulation, especially if Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is an issue.
  • Positively affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis that plays a key role in fertility.
  • Regulate the menstrual cycle.

To conceive and have a healthy pregnancy, you must have a free flow of Qi and blood throughout the body. An adequate supply of blood is required by a woman’s body to sustain a normal menstrual cycle, to successfully implant an embryo within the uterine lining, and to support a growing fetus and a healthy pregnancy.

Through Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, we can raise your fertility potential by affecting the quality, quantity, balance, and flow of Qi and blood.

Treatment of infertility with Chinese Medicine dates back 2000 years with techniques that improve fertility rates and support a woman’s whole body, unlocking unlimited potential for health, healing and childbearing.

Fertility Types:

DRY SYMPTOMS:

Dry skin, eyes, and hair

Often thirsty

Thin

Tends to be constipated

Often feels hot: flushes easily, night sweats

Short cycles or light periods

Insomnia

Often restless, fidgety, jumpy, or anxious

WESTERN MEDICINE:

Estrogen and progesterone imbalances, particularly estrogen

Elevated FSH

Recurrent miscarriages

Poor response to stimulation drugs

TCM PERSPECTIVE:

The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) name for this type is kidney “yin” deficiency. Yin describes the functions of the body that are cooling, nourishing, moistening, and substantial. Without enough yin, the body gets hotter and dries out. This is reflected in low estrogen levels, thinner uterine lining, and less cervical fluid. Yin naturally depletes with age, but some people use up their yin faster with energy-consuming lifestyle choices: not enough sleep, easting poorly, and exercising in short, intense bursts.

ADVICE:

Hydrate

Consume nutrient-rich foods: dark leafy greens, soy products

(for phytoestrogens), healthy fats

Avoid alcohol and spicy foods

Reduce stress

Avoid excessive aerobic exercise: try yoga, tai chi, or qi gong

SUPPLEMENTS:

Essential fatty acids

L-carnitine

Royal jelly

Liquid chlorophyll

TIRED SYMPTOMS:

Often feels weak or lethargic

Prone to getting sick

Gets out of breath and sweats easily, gains weight

Poor appetite

Prone to bloating, gas, and loose stools

Low sex drive

Short luteal phase

Feels cold: hands, feet

WESTERN MEDICINE:

Hypothyroid

Low progesterone

Luteal phase defect

Metabolic disorders

TCM PERSPECTIVE:

This type is called kidney “yang” deficiency in TCM, and reflects a broader hormonal imbalance going beyond reproductive hormones and encompassing the thyroid, adrenals, and pituitary gland. Weakness in these systems affects metabolism, circulation, and thus reproduction.

ADVICE:

More animal Protein

Avoid raw and cold foods

Alcohol in moderation

Consume warming soups and stews, and spices: cinnamon,

ginger, cayenne, turmeric, cardamom, cloves, cumin

Regular moderate exercise

SUPPLEMENTS:

Royal jelly

Wheat grass

Chromium (boosts metabolism by enhancing the action of insulin)

L-arginine

Chasteberry (helps sustain post-ovulatory progesterone)

PALE SYMPTOMS:

Physically pale

Nails chip easily

Vision problems

Hair loss

Lighter or missed periods

Trouble falling asleep; tired

Physically inflexible

Undernourished (vegetarians and vegans are often Pale)

WESTERN MEDICINE:

Amenorrhea

Thin endometrium

TCM PERSPECTIVE:

Pale people are considered to have blood deficiency, which can reflect anemia or more minor undernourishment. The blood nourishes the endometrium, making it a welcoming, healthy home for an embryo. Sometimes blood deficiency is caused by anemia, but it can also be caused by poor diet or heavy periods.

ADVICE:

Regular meals of nutritional foods

Iron from plant and animal sources

Foods rich in vitamin C (to help the absorption of iron)

Lots of plant and/or animal protein

SUPPLEMENTS:

Wheat grass or liquid chlorophyll

Floradix (iron with herbs)

L-carnitine

STUCK SYMPTOMS:

Stressed out, easily angered

Tension headaches, nervous stomach, high blood pressure, or muscle tightness

PMS Symptoms including breast tenderness and mood swings, painful periods, irregular cycles, clotted menstrual blood.

WESTERN MEDICINE:

Endometriosis

Fibroids

Uterine polyps

PMS

Mittelschmerz (pain during mid-cycle)

TCM PERSPECTIVE:

The tightness of the Stuck type stems from poor energy and blood flow throughout the body, or what is referred to as qi and blood stagnation. Over time, it can lead to stagnation in the reproductive system, which can cause ovulation problems and inflexible fallopian tubes. Blood stagnation can cause painful or stop-and-start periods, and can lead to reproductive system obstructions such as endometriosis, fibroids, polyps, and cysts.

ADVICE:

Regular aerobic exercise

Plenty of fiber

Stress reduction

Hot water with lemon in the morning

Complex carbohydrates

Avoid soy products

Avoid alcohol

SUPPLEMENTS:

Zinc (especially premenstrual)

B-complex vitamins

Magnesium

Calcium

WATER LOGGED SYMPTOMS:

Problems metabolizing fluids (swelling, inflammation)

Painful joints, aching legs, or headaches.

Craves sugar

carries excess weight

Obesity, heart disease, and diabetes are common

Sinus and lung congestion, asthma, allergies

WESTERN MEDICINE:

Chronic yeast infections

Metabolic disorders

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)

PID (pelvic inflammatory disease)

TCM PERSPECTIVE:

This type is called “phlegm damp” in TCM, where the body produces excess fluids and mucus. Stagnant fluids lead to poor transitions, including the many tricky hormone shifts involved in the menstrual cycle, conception and implantation. This type might have excessive vaginal discharge or cervical inflammation, and my be prone to reproductive system obstructions.

ADVICE

Exercise

Limit dairy

Avoid alcohol, sweets, and greasy foods

Avoid soy, especially if you have endometriosis or fibroids

Keep your environment mold-free

SUPPLEMENTS:

Chromium

Pro-biotic

Pain

Back Pain

Acupuncture can effectively relieve pain in patients, particularly women suffering from pelvic pain, menstrual pain and pain associated with advanced ovarian cancer. Our goal is to treat discomfort and reduce stress on your body through the use of natural treatments. Our pain relief treatments can improve mood and energy in patients, allowing them to more effectively partake in routine activities. Depending on the specific type of pain you’re experiencing, we will build a treatment plan around your needs.

 

How Acupuncture Relieves Pain

Acupuncture practitioners recognize that there is a vital energy, called Qi (pronounced “chee”), circulating within the body. Qi flows through a series of pathways called meridians.

Meridians are like rivers within your body. Wherever a river flows, it brings with it water that provides nourishment and life to the land, plants and people around it. Likewise, meridians transport live-giving Qi that provides nourishment to every cell, tissue, muscle, organ and gland in the body.

It is important for Qi to flow freely throughout the body. Think of water flowing through a garden hose. A blocked hose will not supply an adequate supply of water to a plant. Eventually, the plant be unable to thrive, grow and blossom.

Similarly, a blockage in the flow of Qi anywhere will inhibit the amount of nourishment that reaches our cells, tissues, muscles, organs and glands.

Under normal circumstances, your body can easily return to good health and vitality. But if the disruption of Qi is prolonged or excessive, or of your body is in a weakened state, the flow of Qi becomes restricted and a variety of symptoms – including pain – may arise.

Menstrual Disorders

Menstrual_Disorders

Women’s lives today are very different than they were 100, 50, or even 20 years ago, and the constant physical and emotional demands, combined with environmental and societal factors, can offset a woman’s hormonal balance leaving her experiencing a variety of symptoms and conditions.

Many of these manifest themselves through female health disorders such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, and the growth of fibroids or cysts. For most women, these conditions can be successfully treated by stabilizing and balancing the flow of Qi (energy) throughout the body with Chinese Medicine, including Acupuncture and herbs.

Endometriosis is a disorder in which the cells that form the lining of the uterus grow outside of the uterus. Some women are debilitated by the condition, while others may have mild to no symptoms. Although endometriosis was not clearly diagnosed until recent times, Chinese Medicine has been commonly used to treat its symptoms such as pelvic pain, irregular menstruation, pain during intercourse, intestinal irregularity, low back pain, infertility and other related symptoms and conditions.

Uterine fibroids, also called fibroid tumors, myomas or leiomyomas, are solid muscle tissue growths in the uterus. Fibroids occur so frequently (in up to half of all women over 40) that they could be considered a “normal irregularity”. In fact, they are the number one reason American women have hysterectomies. The causes of uterine fibroids are unknown, but estrogens promote their growth. By strengthening the liver with herbs we help to metabolize estrogen out of the body, thus influencing fibroid reduction.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is due to unbalanced hormonal fluctuations, and is the cyclic recurrence of a group of symptoms that peak 7 to 10 days before menstruation and disappear a few hours after the onset of the menstrual flow. This condition is characterized by multiple and diverse symptoms, with the number, type and severity of symptoms experienced varying from woman to woman, and from month to month. While many women experience mild symptoms of short duration, other women have more severe symptoms that last for many days and temporarily disturb their normal functioning.

A mixture of correct diet, adequate exercise, and emotional clarity, along with Acupuncture and medicinal herbs can correct imbalances and bring long-term relief. Regular Acupuncture treatment is helpful in balancing female hormonal function and the autonomic nervous system and is effective for the long-term management of PMS.

Our treatment approach to all menstrual disorders is designed to support your body in its effort to maintain:

  • The function of the endocrine glands involved in the balance of estrogen and progesterone.
  • The circulation of the blood, the medium through which hormones must travel to reach the ovaries, uterus, and endometrium.
  • Liver function, the organ where hormones are broken down and eliminated, preventing the excess accumulation of unwanted hormones.

Acupuncture removes energy blockages and in turn stabilizes hormonal fluctuations. It also provides deep relaxation that helps to calm the mind. Herbs work together with Acupuncture to regulate the flow of energy and substances in the body. Together they stimulate the body’s natural functions and encourage it to establish optimum balance.

Chinese Medicine can treat a wide range of health concerns and has been used effectively throughout the world in treating many women’s health conditions.

Menopause

Menopause

The majority of women end their menstruation between the ages of 48 to 52, but uncomfortable symptoms of peri-menopause or pre-menopause can begin as young as 40 and last until 55 years of age. A woman may notice that her menstrual cycle starts to be different from what it used to be, and as she gets closer to the actual menopause – the cessation of her menstruation – the symptoms may become more extreme such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, headaches, insomnia and moodiness.

Chinese Medicine recognizes menopause as a change in a woman’s body chemistry and a natural transitional process. Ideally it is relatively uneventful, but unfortunately, in our often fast-paced, stressful lifestyle, underlying patterns of disharmony give rise to the “typical” menopausal symptom complex.

The number, type and severity of symptoms a woman experiences can depend on a number of factors including overall health, the availability of support from family and friends, and general stress levels, for example. Symptoms may last anywhere from 6 months to over two years, and for many women, the relief from symptoms during and after menopause is paramount.

When we treat menopausal symptoms, we first determine where the energetic disharmony lies and what organ systems have become imbalanced. Chinese Medicine has described strategies to treat these imbalances, without side effects, for thousands of years with Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine useful in balancing the Qi (energy) and strengthening the internal organ systems.

In the seasons of one’s life, the ending of the menstrual cycle means the winter of a woman’s ability to bear children, but then what comes after menopause is the second spring – the season of rebirth – an exciting and challenging time in a woman’s life.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy

There are numerous reasons why some women have a relatively smooth pregnancy while others can’t wait for it to be over! But once pregnant, every woman goes through dramatic physical and emotional changes.

Chinese Medicine provides a safe, effective and natural approach to successfully managing various pregnancy “symptoms” without side effects to the mother or the baby.

For centuries, Acupuncture and specific herbs have been used to relieve many symptoms and complications during pregnancy ranging from nausea and vomiting to gestational diabetes, preventing pre-eclampsia, management of fibroids, fatigue, low back pain, headaches, heartburn, hemorrhoids, and others. In fact, regular treatment throughout pregnancy enhances the health of the mother, prevents complications and influences the development of the baby.

According to the World Health Organization, Acupuncture has also been found effective in relieving labor pain as well as significantly reducing the duration of labor. It is used during labor itself to facilitate pain relief and boost energy, but can also help stimulate contractions without the use of drugs.

Acupuncture can provide other benefits post-delivery, too. In addition to restoring a mother’s energy levels after the stress of birth and alleviating depression and anxiety, Acupuncture can be used postpartum to relieve backache, perineal or other kinds of pain.

Whether you are considering pregnancy or are currently pregnant, speak with us about making the experience a healthful one for you and your baby.

Pregnancy Preparedness

Pregnancy Preparedness Program

pregnancy_preparedness

Fertility ranges from woman to woman with some finding it more difficult than others to conceive. The female body needs to be in a proper state prior to accepting a pregnancy. Our Pregnancy Preparedness Program helps prime your body for conception through a comprehensive plan that utilizes acupuncture procedures, herbal remedies and nutritional/lifestyle recommendations.

 

IVF Support

IVF_Support

Studies have shown that acupuncture has helped some IVF recipients with their pregnancy success rates. Our IVF support plan begins months prior to your IVF procedure in order to improve the fertilization process. Treatments range from patient to patient and are based on each person’s individual situation. If you’re interested in our program, we will provide consultation and tailor a plan that fit’s your unique needs.

 

Times to Use Chinese Medicine

Before IVF –

Chinese Medicine helps the body before IVF by reducing harmful effects of stress hormones. It also helps by improving the hypothalamus –pituitary-ovarian function and increases the blood flow to the uterus. In addition, acupuncture enhances immune system function, improves sperm quality/quantity and supports the body overall in responding to an IVF cycle. Treatments can be started as close to one week before an IVF cycle and up to three months before a cycle.

During IVF –

Typically, during the IVF cycle, acupuncture is performed once or twice a week in order to manage the uncomfortable side effects that may occur. Acupuncture also reduces stress and enhances the body’s ability to integrate IVF more successfully.

Day of Embryo Transfer –

According to the cited study (Christian-Lauritzen-Institute, Ulm, Germany), acupuncture on the same day of the Embreyo Transfer (ET) can improve implantation and the success of conception. The group that received acupuncture treatment had a 42.5% success rate of conception versus 26.3% in the ET group that received no treatment at all. The results show a significant improvement by adding acupuncture on the day of ET.

After IVF –

Directly following ET, acupuncture can be helpful in not only reducing negative side effects, but also in assisting the body to regain balance and further support implantation. It also helps increase blood flow to the uterus and balances hormone levels.

In Between IVF Cycles –

When patients have had the misfortune of a failed IVF, Chinese Medicine can help recuperate the body through its benefits on the reproductive system. Treatments can range from two weeks up to three months to prepare for the following cycles.

During Pregnancy –

The first 12 weeks of pregnancy are the most crucial in terms of miscarriages. Chinese Medicine can help increase live birth rates through its ability to enhance blood flow, increase energy and harmonize hormonal functions. Acupuncture can also decrease uncomfortable symptoms experienced in the first trimester of pregnancy and can be continued to full term.