TREATMENTS

Monopause

The biggest difference between the western and eastern approaches to menopause is that in Chi-nese medicine we do not have one governing diagnosis of ‘menopause’. It does not exist as a dis-ease category. Instead we view it as a hormonal shift and treat the woman according to her symp-toms separately. This allows the acupuncturist to treat a woman very specifically for her particular pattern of symptoms. If 5 women complain of insomnia and hot flashes, it is possible that there may be 5 different treatments given because each symptom is considered in the context of the woman’s overall health and also because insomnia and hot flashes are names, not descriptions of what they’re experiencing. Insomnia for one person may mean that she just cannot fall asleep but to someone else it may mean that she falls asleep easily but wakes frequently and tosses and turns all night. Likewise the term hot flashes to one person may mean a surge of heat but to another it may be a surge of heat to the palms and soles of the feet accompanied with sweating. These subtle nu-ances are extremely important in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment strategies we employ with acupuncture.

Endometriosis

From a Chinese medicine perspective, we work to restore a pain-free natural menstrual state. Each symptom of the disorder is addressed whether it is pain, dark and clotted menstrual blood or excess estrogen imbalance causing heightened feelings of PMS. Acupuncture can work to reduce the pain, breakup the old stagnated blood and encourage fresh red flow and promote hormonal bal-ance. Reestablishing proper estrogen/progesterone ratios is essential to healing from this condition and acupuncture works to this effect.

Miscarriage

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine concentrates its focus on preconception health. Both partners in a couple need to be at peak health when they merge their cells to produce a baby. Acupuncture can specifically increase blood flow to the reproductive organs so that eggs and sperm are bathed in nutrient-rich blood while they are maturing. Better quality eggs, endometrial lining and sperm lead to better quality embryos and healthy implantation.

If hormone levels such as low progesterone are a factor for women, acupuncture can help strengthen the quality of the follicles so that they are better producers of progesterone after ovula-tion. Likewise, concerns with very light periods and thin endometrial lining can be treated by in-creasing blood flow to the uterus and working to balance hormones.

Ovarian Cysts

In Chinese medicine we view a cyst as a collection of stagnant fluid and blood. While usually not a life-threatening situation, it is nonetheless viewed as a disruption in the body’s healthy processes. Women who have cysts have a hormone imbalance and are not ovulating optimally. Acupuncture helps to bring balance to the endocrine system and hormones and can directly affect ovulation. There are many acupuncture techniques to help improve blood flow to the reproductive organs and optimize ovulation.

Ovulation Disorder

Acupuncture offers a natural approach to correcting ovulation disorders and balancing hormones throughout the cycle. Acupuncture can help increase blood flow to the ovary so that the eggs and follicles are getting fresh nutrients and a sufficient supply of hormones. Acupuncture points can also be used to reduce stress and promote hormonal balance.

Painful Period 

Acupuncture has long been known to help reduce symptoms of pain in the body. Acupuncture treatment increases the endorphin levels in our blood and this can counteract the pain-producing factors. More importantly as we just discussed, acupuncture can be used for hormone balance. Its affect on the endocrine system works to regulate the hormones our body produces so that the amounts of estrogen and progesterone stay within normal and complimentary ranges.

PCOS(Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)

Acupuncture seeks to address the hormonal chaos at its root. A study in the medical journal, Biolo-gy of Reproduction, illustrated acupuncture’s effects. The scientists were able to induce PCOS in rats by increasing stress on the ovaries. More specifically, they increased the activity of the sympa-thetic nervous system and concentrations of nerve growth factor in the ovaries and the adrenal glands. The group treated with electro-acupuncture restored ovulation by reducing this stress on the ovary. The study also showed that acupuncture influenced neuroendocrine and endocrine parame-ters found in PCOS such as LH/FSH ratios and testosterone concentration. The bottom line is that because of the effect acupuncture has at relaxing the sympathetic nervous system (the part of our nervous system that reacts to stress), normality could be restored to ovaries.

PMS

Acupuncture offers a natural approach to treating PMS and it is a low-cost option for a woman that produces virtually no side effects. A November 2002 study in the medical journal Archives of Gy-necology and Obstetrics showed that the success rate of acupuncture in treating PMS symptoms was 77.8% whereas it was 5.9% in the placebo control group. Studies show promising data that ac-upuncture affects the menstrual cycle by having a neuroendocrine affect on the body. This means that the different combinations of acupuncture points play a role in the release of hormones respon-sible for regulating the cycle. By establishing a regular cycle and balancing the many hormones in-volved, the PMS symptoms decline. The symptoms that are caused by high levels of estrogen in the luteal phase of the cycle will disappear as the progesterone and estrogen levels become more balanced and regular with each cycle.

Thyroid problem:

Both Western and Eastern medicine offer various methods to restore thyroid hormone levels. Western treatments rely mainly on drugs and surgery while Eastern treatments aim to restore immune function as well as balance the production and release of thyroid hormones through a variety of approaches ranging from acupuncture and herbal remedies to lifestyle changes and special exercises.

In the treatment to thyroid problems, acupuncture can be used to restore hormonal balance, regulate energy levels, smooth emotions and help manage sleep, emotions and menstrual problems. There are several powerful acupuncture points on the ear and the body that can be used to regulate the production of thyroid hormones. Treatments take all of your symptoms into account and are aimed at balancing the energy within the body to optimize health.

Thyroid problem 

Both Western and Eastern medicine offer various methods to restore thyroid hormone levels. Western treatments rely mainly on drugs and surgery while Eastern treatments aim to restore immune function as well as balance the production and release of thyroid hormones through a variety of approaches ranging from acupuncture and herbal remedies to lifestyle changes and special exercises.

In the treatment to thyroid problems, acupuncture can be used to restore hormonal balance, regulate energy levels, smooth emotions and help manage sleep, emotions and menstrual problems. There are several powerful acupuncture points on the ear and the body that can be used to regulate the production of thyroid hormones. Treatments take all of your symptoms into account and are aimed at balancing the energy within the body to optimize health.