FERTILITY TREATMENT
Infertility can often be a result of hormonal imbalances linked to the endocrine and reproductive systems. The reproductive hormones produced by the hypothalamus and pituitary glands of the brain help promote the function of the ovaries to regulate menstruation, menopause, and ovulation. The body performs a very delicate balancing act through the actions of this hormonal system. Unfortunately, this delicate system can be disrupted by stress, diet, and any number of other factors. Acupuncture treatments help regulate this hormonal pathway, increasing the chances of conception. As a positive side effect, patients often express a greater sense of well-being, vitality, and emotional health with each visit.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies
There are many options available to couples who are having trouble conceiving. One viable option is Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). For couples who would like to try a natural approach, Traditional Chinese Medicine can also increase the chances of conception without any side effects or strain on the body. Acupuncture increases circulation to the uterus, significantly improving the chances of embryonic implantation. Acupuncture also helps hopeful parents relax and distress by increasing the levels of endorphins in the brain.
For couples who do choose to go with Assisted Reproductive Technologies, acupuncture is still a wonderful adjunctive medicine. In fact, acupuncture was shown to increase the success rate of In vitro Fertilization by up to 60%. However, couples should consider 3-6 months of natural medicine before turning to physically taxing treatments.
Throughout the process of ART, acupuncture can increase the chances of conception and reduce the risks. For IVF, IUI, or ICSI, Chinese Medicine can help create the best possible environment for a successful pregnancy while also helping protect the hopeful mother’s health as she goes through the process. When it is time for embryo transfer, acupuncture before and after can significantly improve the possibility of achieving pregnancy by promoting relaxation and reducing cramping.
Stress
Stress can play a role in fertility challenges. When we are stressed, our body responds by activating the “fight or flight” response. Though necessary at times, this nervous system response causes the blood vessels to constrict, limiting blood flow to the reproductive organs. Acupuncture is a medical technique that's ideal for promoting a sense of calm and can dramatically reduce stress. Combined with acupuncture’s ability to improve circulation, patients certainly benefit from each visit both in their process towards pregnancy and in their general health and well being.
Male Infertility
40% of infertility cases are due to male infertility. Often, there isn’t a viable Western option for these couples. Traditional Chinese Medicine is a very useful modality for this condition and can have wonderful results. Men who have a reduced sperm count and/or compromised sperm can benefit from Traditional Chinese Medicine. Motility, morphology, and sperm count can all improve with acupuncture and herbal supplements. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can not only help hopeful parents conceive, but can also enhance the mother’s health during pregnancy and the health of the baby. Couples should give TCM a chance before turning to any harsher forms of treatment.
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a time-tested remedy for both acute and chronic pain. Neck Pain, headache, TMJ, shoulder pain, wrist pain, elbow pain, lower back pain, sciatica, Knee pain, arthritis, abdominal and digestive pain, cancer pain, sinusitis, plantar fasciitis, neuropathy and post-surgical pain can all be managed effectively with acupuncture and herbal medicine. Acupuncture is especially helpful for chronic pain issues, due to its ability to promote circulation, release muscle tension and also to regulate the levels of endorphins in the brain.
Acupuncture is a remarkable tool which can dramatically decrease pain levels and promote general health and well-being. By promoting circulation, an acupuncture treatment can effectively treat pain in any area of the body. By regulating the flow of blood, acupuncture helps the body heal itself. Pain is often a result of muscle adhesions or structural injuries which can limit the local circulation. Our blood carries all of the oxygen and nutrients needed for every cell in the human body. By getting the blood flowing through the area of pain, acupuncture can help the body do what it does best: repair itself. Instead of numbing the discomfort or using an invasive approach, acupuncture stops the pain through the body’s own healing mechanism.
Acupuncture’s Role in Solving the Opioid Epidemic
"The United States (U.S.) is facing a national opioid epidemic, and medical systems are in need of non-pharmacologic strategies that can be employed to decrease the public's opioid dependence. Acupuncture has emerged as a powerful, evidence-based, safe, cost-effective, and available treatment modality suitable to meeting this need. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective for the management of numerous types of pain conditions, and mechanisms of action for acupuncture have been described and are understandable from biomedical, physiologic perspectives. Further, acupuncture's cost-effectiveness can dramatically decrease health care expenditures, both from the standpoint of treating acute pain and through avoiding addiction to opioids that requires costly care, destroys quality of life, and can lead to fatal overdose. Numerous federal regulatory agencies have advised or mandated that healthcare systems and providers offer non-pharmacologic treatment options for pain. Acupuncture stands out as the most evidence-based, immediately available choice to fulfill these calls. Acupuncture can safely, easily, and cost-effectively be incorporated into hospital settings as diverse as the emergency department, labor and delivery suites, and neonatal intensive care units to treat a variety of commonly seen pain conditions. Acupuncture is already being successfully and meaningfully utilized by the Veterans Administration and various branches of the U.S. Military, in some studies demonstrably decreasing the volume of opioids prescribed when included in care."
- source NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov,https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29103410. Full pdf article available here
Low-Back Pain
Back pain can be a debilitating and sadly all too common malady. The standard approach to pain management allows many to slip through the cracks. Pharmaceuticals are often not the best choice for long-term care and surgery often comes along with many risks and unwanted consequences. Though these options are necessary at times, acupuncture must be considered before any high-risk alternative. Acupuncture is a safe and effective procedure which regulates the circulation throughout the body and promotes the release of endorphins, both vitally important for the healing process of any chronic pain condition.