Acupuncture and herbal medicine have shown to be very effective in the treatment of women’s health issues. Of all the areas of Western medicine, specialists in obstetrics and gynecology tend to be the most receptive to alternative health care treatments. From infertility to morning sickness, more and more women are turning to acupuncture and herbal medicine for help with great success.
Infertility is more common than you may think
Millions of women have experienced difficulty getting pregnant. According to the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 12 percent of women (7.3 million) in the United States aged 15-44 had difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a baby to term in 2002*. Many of the current Western treatments involve invasive procedures, numerous medications and hormone injections. The treatments are often very expensive, time consuming and both physically and emotionally draining.
There are a number of health issues that can increase the risk of fertility problems in women, such as endometriosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), amenorrhea (lack of a menstrual period), irregular periods and painful periods (dysmenorrhea). It is often difficult for conventional medicine to pinpoint the reason why women suffer from these problems. As a treatment, oral contraceptives are often prescribed in order to force the body in to having a regular menstrual cycle or to manipulate the body in to only having a few menstrual cycles per year. However, this is often just a temporary solution because many women who discontinue the use of oral contraceptives go back to experiencing their original symptoms.
Chinese medicine can help with infertility
According to Chinese medical theory, infertility is most commonly attributed to imbalances in the body’s regulation of blood and Qi. Qi can be thought of as an intangible energy or a driving force within us that enables our bodies to function as they do. In most cases of infertility, there is a deficiency of both Qi and blood. Deficiencies occur naturally as we age, but also can be caused by external factors such as lack of sleep, stress, over-working, over-exercising, and poor diet (pretty much all the bad things we subject ourselves to!). Acupuncture and herbal medicine work to tonify the deficiencies to bring the body back to a state of balance. Once balanced, the body’s natural processes can function normally.
If a woman is already undergoing fertility treatments, acupuncture and herbal medicine are a great way to supplement the process. By creating a healthy, well-balanced environment, the success rate of implantation and full-term pregnancy increases. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can also address the side-effects associated with fertility treatments.
If you would like to know more about how Chinese medicine can help you, please feel free to contact me.
* Womenshealth.gov. May 1, 2006. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. May 13, 2009. Click here to read.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Acupuncture therapy and treatments for stress and anxiety
Lately, many people have been asking me “can acupuncture help with stress and anxiety?”. During these uncertain economic times many of us are consumed by worry. But by the laws of nature and the ever-present yin/yang balance what goes up must come down. Things will eventually get better and the best we can do is have patience, prioritize, and stay positive.
Chinese medicine: Connection between the body and mind
Chinese medicine is unlike other medicines in that it recognizes a connection between the body and the mind. Excessive emotions can become a deep rooted issue over time and can create imbalances within our bodies and systems. According to Chinese medical theory, when we undergo stress our energy flow is compromised and stagnations are created. Each person responds to stagnation differently. For some, the response is more of an emotional change such as crankiness, anger, or mood swings.
The physical symptoms of stress and anxiety
Emotions, particularly stress, can also trigger physical symptoms. For example, many migraine sufferers recognize a direct connection between stress and an onset or severity of their migraine symptoms. For many women, there is a delay in menstruation or increased menstrual cramps during months when they are under significant amounts of stress. It is not uncommon for people to have digestion issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation during times of stress. Both Eastern and Western medicine agree that stressful lifestyles can make us more susceptible to heart problems and can aggravate existing heart conditions. As time goes on, stress compounds and symptoms gradually get worse if the stress is not addressed.
How Chinese medicine addresses stress and anxiety
Acupuncture treatments and herbal medicine help to remove the stagnation and calm the mind which will help to bring the body to a state of balance. Once the body is balanced, the physical and emotional symptoms disappear.
We only get one shot at life so it’s important that we invest in taking care of our bodies while we’re here. Regardless of what you choose to help you regain some balance in your life, whether it’s acupuncture, yoga, jogging, or a new hobby, the most important thing is to not let your stress get the best of you!
Chinese medicine: Connection between the body and mind
Chinese medicine is unlike other medicines in that it recognizes a connection between the body and the mind. Excessive emotions can become a deep rooted issue over time and can create imbalances within our bodies and systems. According to Chinese medical theory, when we undergo stress our energy flow is compromised and stagnations are created. Each person responds to stagnation differently. For some, the response is more of an emotional change such as crankiness, anger, or mood swings.
The physical symptoms of stress and anxiety
Emotions, particularly stress, can also trigger physical symptoms. For example, many migraine sufferers recognize a direct connection between stress and an onset or severity of their migraine symptoms. For many women, there is a delay in menstruation or increased menstrual cramps during months when they are under significant amounts of stress. It is not uncommon for people to have digestion issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation during times of stress. Both Eastern and Western medicine agree that stressful lifestyles can make us more susceptible to heart problems and can aggravate existing heart conditions. As time goes on, stress compounds and symptoms gradually get worse if the stress is not addressed.
How Chinese medicine addresses stress and anxiety
Acupuncture treatments and herbal medicine help to remove the stagnation and calm the mind which will help to bring the body to a state of balance. Once the body is balanced, the physical and emotional symptoms disappear.
We only get one shot at life so it’s important that we invest in taking care of our bodies while we’re here. Regardless of what you choose to help you regain some balance in your life, whether it’s acupuncture, yoga, jogging, or a new hobby, the most important thing is to not let your stress get the best of you!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
How acupuncture therapy, combined with Chinese herbal medicine, can help with cold and flu season
“I think I’m coming down with something.”
“Ugh… I have that bug that’s going around.”
“Everyone in my office is sick and I know I’m next!”
“It’s been 2 weeks and I can’t kick this cold!”
Do these phrases sound familiar to you? We’re about to enter the winter season here in New England which means either you or someone you know has uttered at least one of these. But how to deal with the problem?
Using acupuncture therapy to treat illnesses
Acupuncture therapy, often in combination with Chinese herbal medicine, has been used for thousands of years for the treatment of sicknesses. Many of the over-the-counter products available today are designed to mask your symptoms well enough so that you can make it in to work or go about your day. However, none of these products are actually designed to cure a cold or really get to the root of the sickness. So while you may feel good while the medicine is working, you’re still really sick (and contagious). And as you keep pushing your body through the sickness, the longer it will take for you to get better.
Chinese medicine has a different approach to treatment. Rather than masking the symptoms, it addresses the root of the problem. I like to use the analogy of a pot of boiling water. To get it to stop boiling, you can add some cold water to it. That works for a short while, but it will eventually start to boil again and you will have to add more water. The better solution to get the water to stop boiling is to put out the fire underneath the pot and cut off the heat source. This is the idea behind East Asian medical theory. Address the root and create balance.
How does Chinese medicine apply to colds and flus?
According to East Asian medical theory we are constantly surrounded by pathogens in the air. A healthy immune system keeps those pathogens from entering in to our bodies. Every once in a while our immune systems become weak enough that the surrounding pathogens are able to attack and enter in to our bodies resulting in chills, fever, body aches, sore throat… the first signs of a cold. Acupuncture and herbal medicine work to kick these pathogens out of our bodies by “releasing the exterior.” It’s a metaphorical term that refers to opening our pores and pushing the acute pathogen out through our skin. The pathogens are released and the body’s natural immune system takes over to finish up the healing process.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine can also be used to help build immunity and prevent sickness. If you are someone who gets sick often or easily, who works in an environment where you are exposed to a lot of germs (daycares, schools, poorly ventilated offices), or are someone just can’t afford to get sick then acupuncture and/or herbal medicine would be perfect for you to keep you healthy!
Rebecca’s Tips to Avoiding Sickness
- Get plenty of rest. A tired body and mind makes for a tired and weak immune system.
- Cover up! Exposure to the wind and cold forces your body to use more energy towards staying warm and less towards keeping you healthy and balanced.
- Wash your hands: The single most effective way of preventing the spread of disease is hand washing.
- Take the day off: Forcing yourself to go out while you're sick not only delays the healing process, but also exposes the people around you to your sickness. If you can, do yourself and your colleagues a favor and stay home to recover.
“Ugh… I have that bug that’s going around.”
“Everyone in my office is sick and I know I’m next!”
“It’s been 2 weeks and I can’t kick this cold!”
Do these phrases sound familiar to you? We’re about to enter the winter season here in New England which means either you or someone you know has uttered at least one of these. But how to deal with the problem?
Using acupuncture therapy to treat illnesses
Acupuncture therapy, often in combination with Chinese herbal medicine, has been used for thousands of years for the treatment of sicknesses. Many of the over-the-counter products available today are designed to mask your symptoms well enough so that you can make it in to work or go about your day. However, none of these products are actually designed to cure a cold or really get to the root of the sickness. So while you may feel good while the medicine is working, you’re still really sick (and contagious). And as you keep pushing your body through the sickness, the longer it will take for you to get better.
Chinese medicine has a different approach to treatment. Rather than masking the symptoms, it addresses the root of the problem. I like to use the analogy of a pot of boiling water. To get it to stop boiling, you can add some cold water to it. That works for a short while, but it will eventually start to boil again and you will have to add more water. The better solution to get the water to stop boiling is to put out the fire underneath the pot and cut off the heat source. This is the idea behind East Asian medical theory. Address the root and create balance.
How does Chinese medicine apply to colds and flus?
According to East Asian medical theory we are constantly surrounded by pathogens in the air. A healthy immune system keeps those pathogens from entering in to our bodies. Every once in a while our immune systems become weak enough that the surrounding pathogens are able to attack and enter in to our bodies resulting in chills, fever, body aches, sore throat… the first signs of a cold. Acupuncture and herbal medicine work to kick these pathogens out of our bodies by “releasing the exterior.” It’s a metaphorical term that refers to opening our pores and pushing the acute pathogen out through our skin. The pathogens are released and the body’s natural immune system takes over to finish up the healing process.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine can also be used to help build immunity and prevent sickness. If you are someone who gets sick often or easily, who works in an environment where you are exposed to a lot of germs (daycares, schools, poorly ventilated offices), or are someone just can’t afford to get sick then acupuncture and/or herbal medicine would be perfect for you to keep you healthy!
Rebecca’s Tips to Avoiding Sickness
- Get plenty of rest. A tired body and mind makes for a tired and weak immune system.
- Cover up! Exposure to the wind and cold forces your body to use more energy towards staying warm and less towards keeping you healthy and balanced.
- Wash your hands: The single most effective way of preventing the spread of disease is hand washing.
- Take the day off: Forcing yourself to go out while you're sick not only delays the healing process, but also exposes the people around you to your sickness. If you can, do yourself and your colleagues a favor and stay home to recover.
Welcome to Boston Alternative Health!
We at Boston Alternative Health are on a mission to improve the health of Bostonians and other Massachusetts residents through acupuncture therapy and Chinese Herbal Therapy. The use of acupuncture therapy and Chinese Herbal Medicine has proven to help a number of common ailments.
For more information on what acupuncture therapy can do for you, be sure to check out the treatment section of our homepage.
This blog will be updated monthly with information from our newsletters. To sign up for the newsletter, please visit our site at http://bostonalternativehealth.com and enter your email address in the corner. Or, you can access the information by following this blog.
If you have any questions about finding acupuncture therapy in Boston, or Chinese Herbal Medicine in Boston, please email me at rebecca (at) bostonalternativehealth (dot) com.
For more information on what acupuncture therapy can do for you, be sure to check out the treatment section of our homepage.
This blog will be updated monthly with information from our newsletters. To sign up for the newsletter, please visit our site at http://bostonalternativehealth.com and enter your email address in the corner. Or, you can access the information by following this blog.
If you have any questions about finding acupuncture therapy in Boston, or Chinese Herbal Medicine in Boston, please email me at rebecca (at) bostonalternativehealth (dot) com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
