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Acupuncture & IVF
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The perfect marriage between old and young, the alternative and conventional resulting in documented proven success in women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Acupuncture originated in China more than 4,000 years ago and based on the belief that a person's health is determined by having a balanced flow of energy circulating through the body. IVF an assisted reproduction technique has been in sue since the 1970s based on the cutting edge of science and technology.

Successful pregnancy depends on a variety of factors, including the age of the woman, the cause of infertility and the skill of the technician performing the procedure. Review of medical literature and case studies exhibit approximately 25% success rate of IVF. This is a primary factor why infertility specialists offer package deals for three procedures.

Fertility and sterility, a medical journal published by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine reported by combining IVF with acupuncture, the success rate is almost doubled to 50%. A German study titled "Influence of Acupuncture on the Pregnancy Rate in Patients Who Undergo Assisted Reproduction Therapy," appears in the April 2002 issue.

Researchers included 160 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization for the study. The patients who were all required to have good quality embryos, were evenly and randomly divided into two groups similar in age and diagnosis. Half received the standard IVF while half were given acupuncture treatments before and after. Six weeks after the embryo transfers were performed, all of the women were given an ultrasound examination. In the control group the presence of a fetal sac, the scientists criteria for a clinical pregnancy was found in 26.3% of the women. In the acupuncture group, the pregnancy rate was 42.5%.

"Acupuncture seems to be a useful tool for patients looking to increase their chances of becoming pregnant following assisted reproduction therapy" the authors concluded. They added, "As we could not observe any significant difference in covariance between the acupuncture and the control groups, the results demonstrate that acupuncture improves pregnancy rate." "If these findings are confirmed, they may help us improve the odds for our IVF patients." Dr. Sandra Carson, president-elect of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine said in a prepared statement after the publication of this study in Fertility and Sterility.

The researchers believe point selection played a key role in acupuncture's success. To summarize, acupuncture can help to improve the success rate of IVF in many ways:

1) Improve the function of the ovaries to produce better quality eggs.
2) Regulate the hormones to produce a larger number of follicles.
3) Increase blood flow to the uterus and increase the thickness of the uterine lining.
4) Relax the patient and decrease their stress.
5) Prevent the uterus from contracting.
6) Lessen the side effects of drugs used in IVF.
7) Strengthen the immune system.
8) Improve semen to create better quality and quantity of embryos
9) Decrease changes of miscarriages.

FIBROMYALGIA

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome of unknown origin. There are no lab tests, X-rays or imaging scans that can confirm the diagnosis. The American College of Rheumatology reports that fibromyalgia is the second most common rheumatoid disorder in the U.S. behind arthritis - with an estimated eight to nine million people suffering from it. A disorder that was not even given a name until 1990 when the American College of Rheumatology established a general classification and guidelines for fibromyalgia. Characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain in combination with tenderness in at least eleven of eighteen specific tender point sites. People with this syndrome may also experience sleep disturbance, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and other symptoms. With no definitive test to diagnose the patient, and such wide range of symptoms, Western medicine has no standard form of treatment or medication to give the patient with such a wide variety of complaints and symptoms.

Fibromyalgia is not new and neither is TCM. Traditional Chinese Medicine has recorded documentation dating back to 2000 B.C. Based on the belief that we live in a universe in which everything is interconnected - what happens to one part of the body affects every other part of the body. The mind and body are not viewed separately but as a part of an energetic system. TCM emphasizes an integral approach that treats the person as a whole, recognizing patterns of disharmony and addresses the cause of the disease as well as the symptoms. The result of pain and illness in TCM is a blockage of the body’s normal energy flow between the surface of the body and its internal organs and structures. By stimulating appropriate acupuncture points along the meridians, the energy is released allowing the body to return to its balanced state of health.

The physiological effects observed throughout the body secondary to acupuncture includes: increased circulation, decreased inflammation, relief from pain and muscle spasms and increased T cell counts which stimulate the immune system.

TCM does not have a syndrome or disorder called fibromyalgia but it has been treating successfully its symptoms and complaints for 1000’s of years. Most cases of fibromyalgia fit into the Chinese diagnosis of a liver, spleen and/or heart disharmony. This does not mean that these organs have a problem, it means that the "functions" of these organs systems according to Chinese medical diagnosing are out of balance.

The primary function related to the liver system in TCM is to control the smooth flow of blood/qi, harmonize the emotions and to nourish the tendons. Any impairment of liver function can influence the circulation of Qi and blood flowing throughout the body. The tendons and muscles will not be nourished, leading to stiffness and pain. If the stagnation effects the psyche, symptoms of a sense of frustration, depression, anger, anxiety and insomnia can easily develop.

The spleen in TCM rules transformation and transportation. The spleen is the crucial link in the process by which food is transformed into Qi and blood. For the Chinese, it is the primary organ of digestion. If digestion is affected, such symptoms as abdominal distention or pain, IBS, diarrhea, or appetite disorders may appear. Not only is the spleen the origin of Qi and blood, but it also transports these substances to the muscles and flesh. Muscle tone or the appearance of the limbs often indicates the relative strength or weakness of the spleen.

The role of the Heart is to pump blood throughout the body, and in TCM it is the Home of the Spirit. The heart is responsible for appropriate behavior, timely interactions, and being suitable to the context. When the heart spirit is disturbed, one has symptoms such as insomnia, situational anxiety and inappropriate or even bizarre behavior.

Fibromyalgia patients will share some of the same symptoms and complaints, but no two FM patients are exactly alike. No one medication or treatment will work on all FM patients. However, most all FM patients symptoms and disorders will fit into one or another combinations of system disharmony as described above. By taking a complete health history of each individual patient one can find out where Qi has become blocked, and why the normal energy flow has been altered in the body. With the information your body provides us, we will develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific symptoms and signs that best reflect the organ and meridian systems that are out of balance. The goals of such a plan will be to eliminate visible symptoms/manifestations, while addressing the root cause and underlying imbalances.

The most successful treatment plan for FM is not limited to acupuncture alone, but the full combination of TCM practice. This includes Chinese herbal medicine, dietary changes, exercise and life style change. We cannot achieve our goal by only eliminating the symptoms, we must treat and correct the root of the problem.

Padgett Miller, M.S., D.O.M., A.P., P.T.

Menopause Solutions
Feminine Solutions that Improve the Quality of Women's Lives

Balance in everything leads to a long and healthy life. The mind/body/spirit approach to health puts us on the road to optimal health. When life changes interrupt delicate female balance, "Hot Flash Help" can help control those day and night sweats. Positive affirmations upon going to bed and before getting up in the morning help set the tone for the day. For example: "I am in perfect health and my body is in total harmony".
"You are what you eat" is so true especially when you are having hot flashes or flushing. By avoiding lamb, shell fish, chocolate, spicy or fried food and alcohol you will notice the hot flashes are not as intense. Hippocrates said "let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food" - the Chinese discovered that by eating certain foods according to their nature: hot, cold, spicy, pungent etc, that these foods could influence the body’s internal furnace and digestive system. Proper eating habits convert the body into its natural state of balance and well being. The following is a way of eating that can help women going through menopausal changes feel normal again.

Sample Menu:

BREAKFAST - 1 cup herbal tea - green tea or hot water and lemon, the tea may be sweetened with maple syrup, stevia or honey. Eat fruit until lunch time but eat bananas and melons separately. Diabetics - use your best judgment about the fruit. Apples can be combined with anything - this is the exception and eaten any time of the day. You may also have non sweetened cereal with rice or soy milk. Vanilla flavored is good with cereal (hot or cold). Avoid pineapple and papaya - too hot - eat watermelon instead as it is cooling. Mid AM yogurt, banana or melon.

LUNCH - should be the largest meal of the day: Chicken (free range), Caesar salad, grilled or broiled fish or beef and steamed veggies and rice. Wild Alaskan salmon would be a good choice of fish. No bread or potatoes with this meal. Avoid lamb and shell fish - too hot in nature. No fruit after 12 noon except apples.
3 PM: Baked potato or energy drink.

DINNER (small meal) - vegetable soup, steamed veggies, *rice, & salad.

* Don’t mix potato with meat & bread or cheese with meat & bread. Rice is neutral and can be eaten with meat. Rice bread can be eaten with meat or cheese.

Drink pH balanced Water or herbal tea with meals.
Stop eating three hours before going to bed. Get 8 - 10 hours sleep. 
Take Vitamins in morning and minerals (calcium, magnesium, etc.) at night. 
No artificial sweeteners, diet drinks, or refined white sugar or flour.
Try to eat hormone free meat if possible, free range chicken and deep water fresh fish (not farmed fish if possible). If suffering from hot flashes - avoid coffee, wine, chocolate, fried and/or spicy foods, lamb, and shellfish.

Use "Hot Flash Help" the Natural Way to Control Hot Flashes.

Marcelle Miller, M.S., A.P., D.O.M.

http://www.herbsbyhealers.com/articles.htm

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