Infertility

It is said that women are more sensitive then men. This certainly is true when it comes to cases of infertility. In truth the mere word infertility labels a women with a negative connotation. Most of the time it is unexplainable within the Western medical model as to the reason that a women is having difficulty with conception and pregnancy. Asian medicine looks at this in quite a different way. Through the Eastern medical model we investigate the underlying causes that lie embedded within her internal environment. Once these causes are identified, then they can be addressed and rectified. Acupuncture has been well documented in its effectiveness to help women get pregnant and carry it full term. Rather than identifying infertility simply as a problem with an ovary or a specific hormone problem, TCM dictates that fertility is a natural state, considering the internal environment as a whole system of energetic patterns. From the onset of menstruation until menopause, women experiencing their optimal state of balance are fertile.

Infertility results when the network of hormones, organs, and energy systems are not functioning optimally. These imbalances obstruct normal function, (conceiving a child every time her ovaries release an egg). Restoring the environment is conducted holistically. There is not a separation of mind, body, emotions and spirit as in western medicine. Eastern medicine considers each of these elements to be equal in its assessment of the causes of infertility. Eastern medicines approach is to restore balance to the entire body/mind connective system.

We are all made up of energy. Within our bodies are billions of activities occurring daily, all meant to plant, nourish, cultivate and support healthy function.

Symptoms such as impotence, infertility, PMS, pelvic inflammatory disease, vaginitis, irregular periods, cramps, or morning sickness are all indicators that point to an out of balance internal environment.

Miscarriage

Stress and Conception
The body understands that one should not carry a pregnancy when under tremendous stress. Our inner wisdom dictates that prioritizing one’s own overall health takes precedence and carrying the burden of an additional life can be an overwhelming strain.
Hormonal response to stress is antagonistic to the required environment for fertility. Examples: under stress, adrenaline is released from the adrenal glands and inhibits the ability to utilize progesterone. In times of stress, the pituitary gland may begin to malfunction. Stress creates false information and creates a serious of assumptions and conclusions the body responds to. When we are under stress, the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated, accelerating heart rate and constricting blood vessels and micro-circulation. This is our “fight or flee from danger” warning system. As this hyperstimulated dynamic is occurring, less blood is delivered to the uterus and ovaries, thus impairing optimal function. One of the biggest stressors for women is the inability to conceive. There are other internal stressors, and external stressors that need to be addressed.

Acupuncture
In the journal Fertility and Sterility, published by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, reported a study in which researchers stimulated acupuncture points that were meant to relax the uterus and create better blood circulation and more energy circulation in the uterus. Points designed to promote a patient’s general row expedition, and overall well-being were also chosen. Ultrasound testing, six weeks after treatments were completed, revealed that almost twice as many women from the acupuncture group than from the untreated group became pregnant. Another study by Cornell University, published in December 2002 reported, the peripheral impact of acupuncture in improving uterine artery blood flow and hence endometrial thickness provides encouraging data regarding its potential positive effects on implantation. The study concluded, “ because acupuncture is non-toxic and relatively affordable, its indications in assisting reproduction deserves serious research and exploration”.

Traditional and modern acupuncture involves the insertion of thin hair like disposable wires into points on the surface of the skin. Acupuncture’s effects on the body can be explained by a number of theories.

Acupuncture meridians are paths of electrical energy running throughout the body. For electrical energy to flow smoothly, there would have to be amplifiers along the lines of current these are the sites where acupuncture occurs.

Another theory described in western methodology addresses for the neurological effects of acupuncture. Stimulation of acupuncture points affect the nervous system, releasing chemicals to either alleviate pain, or affect the body’s internal regulating system. Acupuncture stimulates specific nerve bundles that carry electrical impulses back to the brain, increasing higher endorfin concentrations. This produces a higher more intense feeling of relaxation and euphoria that most people feel after their acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture transmits messages to the hypothalamus, which controls all hormonal activity, including ovulation, menstruation, and pregnancy. When the hypothalamus receives messages triggered by acupuncture stimulation, neurotransmitters, i.e., dopamine, adrenaline, and serotonin it triggers action within the pituitary gland, (which controls the ovaries, adrenals, and thyroid gland), producing both follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) which are critical elements in a healthy cycle. Those explanations are derived from the western medical model.

Acupuncture can stimulate the bodies hormonal system into alignment, secreting the appropriate hormones at the right time in the right place during a woman’s cycle thus facilitating conception. Acupuncture and herbal therapy are both natural and effective in assisting in successful conception. According to traditional Chinese medical philosophy, this is achieved through the careful assessment and evaluation of the overall function within the body. This function takes into consideration the ebb and flow of vital energy, blood circulation, organ function and balancing the activities that occur in about a daily.ne’s daily life.

Western medicine is specific and reductionistic, in it’s compartmentalized, mechanical medical model. Little to no attention is focused on the overall cohesiveness of an individual’s health. Eastern medicine strength comes from its overview of balance, harmony and well-being within an individual. Its focus is always on increasing normal or optimal function. The first step is to assess and evaluate what’s happening within your system and how it relates to reproductive organs. Next is to determine what acupuncture and herbal protocol would be appropriate. This is known as a treatment plan. Treatment plants can range from three months (three cycles) to one year. In addition to acupuncture and herbal formulas treatment may include change of diet and therapeutic exercises or rituals to be to be incorporated into o

by Annette Raddatz, LAc

Irritable Bowel Syndrome/Gastrointestinal disorders

Poor Auto-Immune function is the #1 cause, as seen through the eyes of Asian medicine. Stress is one significant drain on the immune system. There are many forms of stress. Emotional stress can be caused by the thoughts and feelings that we accumulate throughout our lives; i.e., worry, fear, anger, anxiety. Low self esteem or a glass half full view of life will contribute to creating an inner turmoil, which makes healthy digestion impossible.

Relationships with others in our lives can produce stressful results to our systems. Another source of stress is poor diet and lack of proper nutrition. Energy and blood circulation becomes constrained and causes blockages throughout the gastrointestinal system. In order to function normally again, these obstructions must be removed. Acupuncture opens the blockages and restores energy and blood flow. Herbal therapies will boost immune and thus overall body function. Coaching of stress reducing strategies and proactive choices in food and dietary practices are essential elements in restoring health.

by Annie Raddatz, LAc (Acupuncturist)

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung disorder in which the walls of the airways become inflammed. Asthma attacks are often brought on by environmental triggers and various forms of stress that lower the resistance of the immune system.

An estimated 20 million Americans suffer from asthma, and fortunately, Chinese Medicine is a safe and effective means of treating the condition. A study from the Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care at the University Hospital of Vienna, Austria showed that after ten weeks of acupuncture treatments over 70% of chronic asthma patients achieved substantial results. Acupuncture reduced inflamation within the airways. In addition to acupuncture, various means of treatment may be appropriate.

These could include things chinese herbs to strengthen the lungs, lifestyle coaching and breathing exercises to reduce anxiety, and guided imagery meditations to promote overall relaxation and increase function within the body. Testing with our medical physician may be part of the evaluation and treatment.

by Annie Raddatz, LAc, (Acupuncturist)

Back Pain

Eight out of ten Americans have or will experience back pain. It remains the most common cause of job-related disability and costs Americans an estimated 50 billion dollars a year in trying to relieve it. Though commonly a result of injuries or strains to the area, low
back pain can be caused by numerous factors including: poor diet, sedentary lifestyles, obesity, and stress. Because acupuncture works to balance the body as a whole, it is very effective in relieveing back pain, whatever the underlying cause may be. A very recent study compared drug therapy, sham acupuncture-(acupuncture needles inserted into “random” points), and “real” acupuncture in their ability to treat back pain. Interestingly, both
the “sham” acupuncture and the “real” acupuncture were more effective in treating back pain than the drug therapy.

At AZ Therapy Center , patients back pain is evaluated and a specific program recommended that utilizes a combination of stratagies including acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, massage therapy, and Tui Na and Cupping.

Acupuncture should always be the first choice in the treatment of back pain, as well as any pain in the body including: neck pain, headaches and migraines, hip, knee and leg pain. Acupuncture is not always the answer to everyone’s issues; however because of its’ rapid rate of affectiveness and low cost, acupuncture should be the first choice.

by Annie Raddatz, LAc, (Acupuncturist)

Arthritis

There are many types of Arthritis. However they all are inflammatory conditions. Arthritis affects various joints and connective tissue throughout the body causing pain and rigidity. Lack of ability to move can result in a less than normal lifestyle. Many people are suffering from the affects of this crippling disease. Acupuncture is quite effective in reducing inflammation and increasing circulation of energy and blood to the affected area. Acupuncture is well known to reduce pain through these methods. Many patients are able to reduce or eliminate dangerous medications and live a normal life after an Acupuncture treatment plan is completed.

Annie Raddatz, LAc, LMT – a-z Therapy Center Acupuncturist