Infertility
If you are struggling to conceive naturally, acupuncture can be of great benefit. We believe in customizing care for each unique, individual patient. We use acupuncture, diet and lifestyle therapy to help optimize your fertility and reduce stress during your journey toward becoming a parent. Failure to conceive, even after months or years of trying, does not automatically mean complete infertility. If, and when, a woman conceives depends on a range of factors, both physical and psychological. A woman can experience irregular cycles, pre-menstrual pain, amenorrhea, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Premature Ovarian Failure (POF), endometriosis, fibroids, or hormonal irregularities. These conditions can impede your ability to conceive. Chinese Medicine and acupuncture can restore balance to the system.
Acupuncture and Assisted Reproductive Therapies
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 9 million American women are currently using Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) services to help them cope with fertility issues. Of available ART services, one of the most widely used is In Vitro Fertilization, or IVF. If you are using assisted reproductive techniques such as Clomid, IUI or IVF, Acupuncture and lifestyle modifications can be of great benefit. Acupuncture can help with:
- Increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs, improving uterine lining and egg quality
- Regulating menstruation and ovulation
- Helping with implantation by reducing uterine spasms
- Relieving stress and decreasing the body’s stress response
- Reducing inflammation that may impede fertility
- Reguating the immune system that can influence fertility
- Improving male factor infertility such as sperm count, motility and quality
In vitro fertilization is used in cases of fallopian tube blockage, low sperm count, abnormal cervical factors, immunologic factors affecting either partner, infertility after tubal surgery, infertility after treatment for endometriosis, and for unexplained infertility. This procedure was first successfully used in the United States in 1981. A landmark German study in 2002 found that using acupuncture with IVF achieved a 42% clinical pregnancy rate compared to only 26% in the control group not receiving acupuncture. This research has been repeated over and over and the results are consistent. When acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are used in conjunction with IVF, clinical experience suggests the pregnancy rate can be raised.
Pregnancy
Acupuncture as it is practiced today can be of great help to a pregnant woman. This is especially true since most pharmaceuticals are contraindicated in pregnancy. The Chinese have been safely and effectively treating pregnant women for centuries. Many women find relief from morning sickness and fatigue in the initial stages of pregnancy. In the second and third trimester, acupuncture can be used to treat acid reflux, high blood pressure, edema, constipation, hemorrhoids, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica and back pain, stress and anxiety. It is also very useful to prevent post-partum depression.
Acupuncture treatment is recommended once a month to ensure the health of the mom and the developing fetus. Tradition has it that there is an acupuncture point, also known as the “beautiful baby point” on the low leg which should be needled at the end of the third and sixth month to ensure a happy, health and of course, beautiful baby.
A fascinating use of acupuncture treatment in pregnancy is it’s role in turning a fetus in breech presentation. The optimum time for effectiveness is weeks 32-34. Past the 36th week there is usually not enough room for the fetus to turn around.
In preparation for the delivery of the baby, the mother should be seen weekly in the last month of the pregnancy. Acupuncture can help ensure that the mother does not go past her due date and hopefully avoid being induced in the hospital.
PMS & Menstruation
PMS – Pre Menstrual Syndrome
Millions of women suffer from severe PMS symptoms, and more and more of them are turning to acupuncture for relief. PMS symptoms such as bloating, irritability and food cravings can make life uncomfortable. This imbalance wreaks havoc on the body and mind. The good news is that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for the uncomfortable symptoms associated with PMS.
- Depression
- Irritability
- Sensitivity
- Breast swelling
- Cramping
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Constipation
- Insomnia
In November 1997 the National Institute of Health Office of Alternative Medicine issued a consensus statement that reported that acupuncture is effective in the treatment of menstrual cramps and other symptoms of PMS. Many of the symptoms associated with PMS are symptoms of blocked energy. A blockage of energy causes pressure, and pressure can manifest as emotional pressure (frustration, irritability, excessive sadness) or physical pressure (cramps, swelling, tenderness). Acupuncture relieves the pressure, lessening or resolving the symptoms naturally and effectively. A woman’s menstrual cycle is all about circulation, and improper circulation can result in painful PMS symptoms. Acupuncture regulates circulation within the body, allowing natural circulation to be restored and pain to be reduced or eliminated.
Menopause
Menopause itself is not a disease. It is a normal physiological change and nature’s way of slowing down the aging process in women past child-bearing age. Menopause is often associated with a variety of symptoms, some of which are listed below. Click on the green hyperlinks provided to learn more about each ailment:
- Hot Flashes
- Night Sweats
- Menstrual Irregularity
- Uterine Spotting & Flooding
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Palpitations
- Migraines
- Insomnia
- Vaginal Dryness & Atrophy
- Vaginal Itching
- Osteoporosis
Through the use of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, your PMS and Menopause symptoms can be greatly alleviated. If you or a loved one are experiencing PMS or Menopause, we would like to help. Contact us to find out how acupuncture can help get you on the path to a more comfortable and pain free life today!
Menopause
Menopause is a transition not a disease, but it can have major implications on a woman’s health and wellbeing. Due to natural aging or other lifestyle factors, the ovaries produce less estrogen, as a result your body will experience a variety of symptoms, the most obvious is hot flashes and night sweats, irritability, anxiety and the need to urinate more frequently. A common medical treatment for this is Hormone Replacement Therapy, or HRT. But most people know this treatment comes with a risk of breast cancer.
If you are suffering from menopausal disorder consider acupuncture, an effective, low cost and side-effect-free therapy to improve and manage your menopausal condition. Chinese medicine has a long history treating women’s gynecological disorders and menopause is no exception. Women often experience relief within a few weeks of treatment and symptoms can sometimes be resolved within a month or two.
Menopause and PMS affect each woman differently. Some common treatable issues include:
- Hot flashes and night sweats (sometimes followed by a chill)
- Change in pattern of periods – shorter/longer, lighter/heavier, more or less time between periods
- Trouble sleeping
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood swings, irritability, crying spells
- Trouble concentrating, feeling foggy or confused
- Menstrual cramps
- Hair loss or thinning, hair growth on face
If you have recently experienced any of these symptoms, you can see improvement in as little as 7 days to 1 month using Chinese herbs with or without acupuncture. Chronic symptoms usually require more treatment time (2 – 3 months) to balance your body.
Stress Management
Acupuncture offers a very effective treatment for stress. With our busy lives, stress can seem like an inevitable part of our daily life. Whether it be work, personal relationships or health related there is often very little time to just relax.Understanding stress response:
In a period of stress the body reacts in what is called: fright or flight response. The sympathetic nervous system then kicks in and sends signals to the adrenal gland to release adrenaline (also called epinephrine). This makes the heart beats faster and rises blood pressure. Other symptoms appears such as fast breathing which allow more oxygen to reach the brain in order to increase alertness, sight and hearing. All senses become sharper. Adrenaline at the same time realise glucose that was stored all over the body to supply energy to all the body parts.
Common external cause of stress:
- Work
- Relationship problems
- Familial issues
- Major life changes/changing job/ moving house or country
- Financial problems
- Being too busy
You will learn about:
- Ancient Chinese Medicine and Stress
- Stress causes
- Symptoms of stress and anxiety
- Stress illnesses
- Natural stress relief
- Acupuncture and anxiety
- Chi Meditation as a work stress relief
Insomnia
In today’s fast-paced, high stress society, there’s nothing like a good night’s sleep. Over 60 million people struggle with insomnia in the U.S. today, and many rely on prescription drugs in order to get enough sleep, which can often come with unwanted side effects. Having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep (or both) can often result in fatigue and lethargy throughout the day, forgetfulness and even anxiety to name a few. Acupuncture and traditional Chinese Medicine can be extremely effective for treating insomnia, and help you to get a good night’s rest.
The causes for insomnia are often related to stress levels, diet, and lifestyle choices. Insomnia can be caused by mental restlessness before bed and the inability to “quiet the chatter”, or can also be caused by pain and the inability to find a comfortable sleeping position. Getting enough sleep is associated with increased energy, strong immune system and healthy brain function. Long-term insomnia is actually associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Whether the cause is emotional or physical, Acupuncture can offer a safe and natural approach to decreasing pain, calming the mind, and helping you to fall and stay asleep well.
In adjunct to Acupuncture, there are a wide-range of herbal formulas that can help with insomnia as well. These formulas vary greatly depending on each person’s unique set of symptoms. Each herbal formula is carefully prescribed for the individual’s specific symptoms and needs.
If you or a family member struggles with insomnia, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine can offer relief from the following symptoms associated with the condition:
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Poor appetite
- Dream disturbed sleep
- Night sweats
- Stress and anxiety
- Forgetfulness and poor concentration
- Heart palpitations
Depression & Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Acupuncture for Anxiety and Depression, Palo Alto,CAAnxiety is a general term used to describe nervousness, uneasiness, fear, apprehension and worry that is out of proportion with what might normally be expected for a given set of circumstances. It is the source of panic attacks, obsessive compulsive behavior, and social angst. Anxiety, if left untreated, can create turmoil with one’s body, mind and spirit.
There is no simple one-size-fits-all approach to remedy this complex condition. Fortunately, acupuncture offers immediate, safe and natural relief to diminish or eliminate anxiety symptoms without the use of medications. Your acupuncturist can help identify the root causes of discomfort and offer long term strategies to reduce or eliminate feelings of anxiety.
Depression
Acupuncture for Depression and Anxiety, Palo Alto,CADepression can become debilitating. Common signs of depression include prolonged feelings of sadness, helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt. Feelings that diminish one’s ability to enjoy life, or cause one to loose interest in activities that were once enjoyed. These powerful feelings disrupt both the mind and body and can vary dramatically from person to person. Like anxiety, there is no simple one-size-fits-all approach to treat this serious condition.
Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) have been used to restore the mind body balance for thousands of years. And, it is recognized by the World Health Organization as a valid treatment for depression. If you want to improve your mood and ease your symptoms safely and naturally, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine will address the the root causes. Treatment will be tailored to your individual symptoms and restore one’s feeling of well-being.