I have had really great success treating pregnant women and helping them to get into labor "on-time". In this litigious day and age very few women are allowed to carry past 41 weeks. Unfortunately, babies do not always agree with this time line which, leads to anxious moms thinking about pitocin, cervadil or a scheduled section date. Stressed out moms make for tight muscles and a tense cervix which, is less than optimal if you are trying to go into labor.
I have had the fortune of working with a lot of pregnant women and have had great success with a pre-labor protocol that was created by Debra Betts, a renowned midwife and acupuncturist from New Zealand. I have noticed that most of the women who have gotten the pre-labor treatment go into labor "on time" usually by 40 weeks, and have had relatively short, unmedicated labors. It is rare that the women even need acupuncture induction to start labor.
The treatment commences at about 36-37 weeks gestation and ends at the onset of labor. Treatment consists of a core group of acu-points that help facilitate muscle relaxation, a softening of the cervix and relaxation for the mind. During treatment I also addresses acute and constitutional issues that may be affecting the woman. This could be reflux, insomnia, back pain etc...
A recent study showed a 35% reduction in the number of inductions, (for first-time mothers this was a 43% reduction) and a 31% reduction in the epidural rate. When compared to a local midwifery practice (with no acupuncture) there was 32 % reduction in emergency Cesarean Sections and a 9% increase in normal vaginal births. Read the full study: http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/aama_marf/journal/vol17_3/article_2.html
I am offering a Holiday Baby Special! Anyone who signs up for a pre-birth treatment before January 1ts 2009 saves $50.00 off the regular price. For first time patients the cost is $275 which includes an initial one and a half hour intake and treatment and three follow up visits. If you have seen me before the cost is $250.00 for four visits.
Please log onto www.ancientcurrent.com to make an appointment.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
How can Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs Enhance Fertility?
Numerous clinical trials have entered the mainstream demonstrating increased rates of conception with IVF, decreased miscarriage rates and shorter labors with fewer medical interventions with the help of acupuncture & herbs.
Many people ask me exactly how and why this happens. Although there are no definitive answers, I will try to explain how Chinese medicine works to increase fertility in everyday terms.
Conception (and life in general) is based upon numerous factors in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
• Jing-Essence (eggs and sperm)
• Qi (digestion, energy)
• Blood (menstrual cycle, uterine lining, lactation)
• Yin and Yang
Jing:
In Chinese medicine we are taught that a person is born with a certain amount of Jing or essence. This is likened to a battery reserve or genes in western thinking. Jing can be translated into sperm and eggs. There are few things in the universe that increase one’s jing although some argue that meditation, Qi Gong and some specific herbs have the ability to increase one’s jing. Even if we cannot change the DNA of the egg or sperm, Chinese medicine can improve the quality of the follicle, sperm motility and volume.
Qi:
Qi can be likened to energy or life force. Qi manifests in numerous ways; your stride, your facial color, your skin tone, your outlook on life, how you feel in the morning, etc. It is important to get your Qi from food and not draw upon your reserves ie. Jing and save your jing for aging. Dietary therapy and exercise increase and move Qi which, are intrinsic elements of fertility enhancement.
Yin & Yang:
Yin: can basically be described as the aspect of your body that is calm, nourished, fluid, moist, calm, dark, sleeping, blood, female. Yin is imperative for a thick uterine lining, moist cervical fluids and rest at night.
Yang: can be described as the sunny side of the mountain, energetic, bright, masculine, awake, boisterous. Yang is imperative for retaining a pregnancy.
From a fertility standpoint Yin and Yang are equally important. The Yin describes the first half of the reproductive cycle, when the endometrial lining thickens and prepares for ovulation. The second half of the cycle is characterized by Yang-the spark that releases the egg from the follicle, the movement of the fallopian tubes to capture the egg, the rhythm of the tubes to help move the egg down into the uterus. The lining itself also becomes more yang as it no longer builds blood it starts to secrete hormones to keep the embryo alive. It is important to look into everyone’s specific menstrual cycle to see how Chinese medicine can individually improve aspects your cycle. Acupuncture points and herbs can be targeted to either boost yin & yang functioning.
Blood:
Blood is very much like yin in that it provides a material basis for the qi to move through. Blood keeps one stable, calm, nourished, invigorated and healthy. From a fertility standpoint blood is crucial for conceiving and maintaining a pregnancy. Treatments including acupuncture, herbs, dietary therapy and exercise can help nourish the blood to help create a thicker uterine lining to nourish the fetus once pregnant.
Is your cycle heavy, dark, scantly, clotty, painful, irregular, bright? All of these factors offer insight into your blood stores.
Tangible ways Chinese Medicine enhances fertility:
* Regulate the menstrual cycle.
* Increase cervical fluids.
* Increase blood flow to the reproductive organs.
* Regulate hormones.
* Thicken and improve the quality of endometrial lining.
* Boost ovarian function.
* Increase the number of follicles.
* Reduce uterine contractions that may interfere with implantation.
* Reduce stress.
* Reduce the rate of miscarriage.
* Manage the side-effects of IVF medications.
* Improve sperm count, motility & morphology.
For more information about how acupuncture can help you to enhance your fertility schedule a complimentary 20 minute phone consult.
Many people ask me exactly how and why this happens. Although there are no definitive answers, I will try to explain how Chinese medicine works to increase fertility in everyday terms.
Conception (and life in general) is based upon numerous factors in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
• Jing-Essence (eggs and sperm)
• Qi (digestion, energy)
• Blood (menstrual cycle, uterine lining, lactation)
• Yin and Yang
Jing:
In Chinese medicine we are taught that a person is born with a certain amount of Jing or essence. This is likened to a battery reserve or genes in western thinking. Jing can be translated into sperm and eggs. There are few things in the universe that increase one’s jing although some argue that meditation, Qi Gong and some specific herbs have the ability to increase one’s jing. Even if we cannot change the DNA of the egg or sperm, Chinese medicine can improve the quality of the follicle, sperm motility and volume.
Qi:
Qi can be likened to energy or life force. Qi manifests in numerous ways; your stride, your facial color, your skin tone, your outlook on life, how you feel in the morning, etc. It is important to get your Qi from food and not draw upon your reserves ie. Jing and save your jing for aging. Dietary therapy and exercise increase and move Qi which, are intrinsic elements of fertility enhancement.
Yin & Yang:
Yin: can basically be described as the aspect of your body that is calm, nourished, fluid, moist, calm, dark, sleeping, blood, female. Yin is imperative for a thick uterine lining, moist cervical fluids and rest at night.
Yang: can be described as the sunny side of the mountain, energetic, bright, masculine, awake, boisterous. Yang is imperative for retaining a pregnancy.
From a fertility standpoint Yin and Yang are equally important. The Yin describes the first half of the reproductive cycle, when the endometrial lining thickens and prepares for ovulation. The second half of the cycle is characterized by Yang-the spark that releases the egg from the follicle, the movement of the fallopian tubes to capture the egg, the rhythm of the tubes to help move the egg down into the uterus. The lining itself also becomes more yang as it no longer builds blood it starts to secrete hormones to keep the embryo alive. It is important to look into everyone’s specific menstrual cycle to see how Chinese medicine can individually improve aspects your cycle. Acupuncture points and herbs can be targeted to either boost yin & yang functioning.
Blood:
Blood is very much like yin in that it provides a material basis for the qi to move through. Blood keeps one stable, calm, nourished, invigorated and healthy. From a fertility standpoint blood is crucial for conceiving and maintaining a pregnancy. Treatments including acupuncture, herbs, dietary therapy and exercise can help nourish the blood to help create a thicker uterine lining to nourish the fetus once pregnant.
Is your cycle heavy, dark, scantly, clotty, painful, irregular, bright? All of these factors offer insight into your blood stores.
Tangible ways Chinese Medicine enhances fertility:
* Regulate the menstrual cycle.
* Increase cervical fluids.
* Increase blood flow to the reproductive organs.
* Regulate hormones.
* Thicken and improve the quality of endometrial lining.
* Boost ovarian function.
* Increase the number of follicles.
* Reduce uterine contractions that may interfere with implantation.
* Reduce stress.
* Reduce the rate of miscarriage.
* Manage the side-effects of IVF medications.
* Improve sperm count, motility & morphology.
For more information about how acupuncture can help you to enhance your fertility schedule a complimentary 20 minute phone consult.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
More Specifics about the FALL DETOX
I just want to clarify a few things about the FALL DETOX:
-Your first treatment takes 90 minutes and goes into specific detail about your sleep, your diet, any pain, your menstrual cycle, emotions etc. The follow up treatments last one-hour.
-Food journals will be kept weekly and we will make changes and substitutes as your detox progresses.
-I will also be doing external castor oil packs on your lower abdomen to help clear out the intestines.
-Leave in ear seeds are actually small silver or gold balls that are left on acupuncture points in the ears to help reduce cravings.
-Chinese soup ingredients are dried fruit or herbs and rice to make congee, which is like an oatmeal or porridge and is very easy to digest.
-Facial steams are comprised of Chinese herbs and external scrubs are comprised of herbs and beans.
-The Chinese herbs will be one of four formulas based upon your specific needs that will either help the lung or the large intestine functioning to eliminate.
-The detox is best completed in four weeks. After the detox is finished you may want to continue receiving treatments once a month or every two-weeks.
Please e-mail me at laurel@ancientcurrent.com for more information.
-Your first treatment takes 90 minutes and goes into specific detail about your sleep, your diet, any pain, your menstrual cycle, emotions etc. The follow up treatments last one-hour.
-Food journals will be kept weekly and we will make changes and substitutes as your detox progresses.
-I will also be doing external castor oil packs on your lower abdomen to help clear out the intestines.
-Leave in ear seeds are actually small silver or gold balls that are left on acupuncture points in the ears to help reduce cravings.
-Chinese soup ingredients are dried fruit or herbs and rice to make congee, which is like an oatmeal or porridge and is very easy to digest.
-Facial steams are comprised of Chinese herbs and external scrubs are comprised of herbs and beans.
-The Chinese herbs will be one of four formulas based upon your specific needs that will either help the lung or the large intestine functioning to eliminate.
-The detox is best completed in four weeks. After the detox is finished you may want to continue receiving treatments once a month or every two-weeks.
Please e-mail me at laurel@ancientcurrent.com for more information.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Fall Detox
Autumn is a great time to cleanse the impurities that have accumulated from summers’ excesses ie BBQ, beer, chips, pizza, ice cream, etc. before the winter arrives and the body naturally stores energy.
In Daoist tradition the fall season is reflected in the human body in the Lungs and the Large Intestine. Both organs are responsible for receiving and eliminating energy and Qi. The lungs gather energy from Heaven and provide the rhythm for the body and the Large intestine lets go of impurities.
The Fall Detox Package is designed to improve the functioning of the Lungs and the Large Intestine to rid the body of extra weight, water, negative emotions and toxic thinking.
The Package includes:
•Four full-body acupuncture sessions. The fourth treatment will include facial rejuvenation points.
•Leave in ear seeds to help reduce cravings.
•Weekly food journaling and individualized eastern nutritional therapy.
•Chinese herbal therapy to help facilitate internal cleansing. (herbs included)
•Complimentary organic facial and body scrub ingredients to help rid the skin of impurities.
•Traditional Chinese soup ingredients.
•Pranasanchalan Kriya yogic breathing techniques to help open the lungs and circulate Qi.
•One environmentally friendly Ancient Current tote bag.
This package is best completed in two weeks but can be completed in four weeks.
Total Cost: $425.00
Please contact 877-445-4170 to set up your appointment now.
Office Location:
Midwood Wellness
1318 Ave H at East 14th
877-445-4170
laurel@ancientcurrent.com
Hours by appointment:
Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays
In Daoist tradition the fall season is reflected in the human body in the Lungs and the Large Intestine. Both organs are responsible for receiving and eliminating energy and Qi. The lungs gather energy from Heaven and provide the rhythm for the body and the Large intestine lets go of impurities.
The Fall Detox Package is designed to improve the functioning of the Lungs and the Large Intestine to rid the body of extra weight, water, negative emotions and toxic thinking.
The Package includes:
•Four full-body acupuncture sessions. The fourth treatment will include facial rejuvenation points.
•Leave in ear seeds to help reduce cravings.
•Weekly food journaling and individualized eastern nutritional therapy.
•Chinese herbal therapy to help facilitate internal cleansing. (herbs included)
•Complimentary organic facial and body scrub ingredients to help rid the skin of impurities.
•Traditional Chinese soup ingredients.
•Pranasanchalan Kriya yogic breathing techniques to help open the lungs and circulate Qi.
•One environmentally friendly Ancient Current tote bag.
This package is best completed in two weeks but can be completed in four weeks.
Total Cost: $425.00
Please contact 877-445-4170 to set up your appointment now.
Office Location:
Midwood Wellness
1318 Ave H at East 14th
877-445-4170
laurel@ancientcurrent.com
Hours by appointment:
Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays
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