Vitex Agnus Castus, Chasteberry October 31, 2009

Vitex Agnus Castus or Chasteberry is a magical herb for women. In Western herbalism Vitex is used for a myriad of conditions surrounding the female reproductive system including luteal phase insufficiency (which often results in miscarriage or infertility), infertility, PCOS, amenorrhea, PMS and menopausal symptoms. Many herbs show properties of phyto-estrogens very few have phyto-progestin properties. However, Vitex is one of them.

Numerous studies have found that the berries of the plant act on the hypothalamus and the pituitary glands by increasing LH (lutenizing hormone) and mildly inhibiting the release of FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone). High levels of prolactin are also found with corpus luteum insufficiency and Vitex can also be used to regulate those levels.

The following article is from Tori Hudson’s site on the use of Vitex to Reduce PMS

Vitex and PMS in Chinese Women

July 21st, 2009 by Tori Hudson, N.D.

Chinese women suffering from moderate to severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) were studied in a prospective, double-blind, placebo controlled, parallel-group, multi-center clinical trial. A Vitex agnus castus extract, contained 4.0 mg of dried ethanolic (70%).

The mean total Premenstrual Syndrome Diary (PMSD) score decreased from 29.23 at baseline to 6.41 at the end of the third cycle for the Vitex group and from 28.14 at baseline to 12.64 at the end of the third cycle for the placebo group. The difference in the PMSD score from baseline to the third cycle was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the placebo group. The Premenstrual Tension Syndrome Self-Rating Scale (PMTS) decreased from 26.17 at baseline to 9.92 for the treatment group and from 27.10 to 14.59 for the placebo group; similar positive results to the PMSD scores.

Comments: I’ve long used Vitex for the treatment of PMS and in my opinion, it is the single most important plant for the treatment of PMS. The effect of Vitex is on the hypothalamus-hypophysis axis and results in an increased secretion of luteinizing hormone which then favors a progesterone effect. Several other placebo controlled studies have found that Vitex reduced a variety of PMS symptoms. The current study adds to the clinical relevance of this plant in the treatment of moderate to severe symptoms of PMS.

References

He Z, Chen R, Zhou Y, et al. Treatment for premenstrual syndrome with Vitex agnus castus: A prospective, randomized, multi-center placebo controlled study in China. Maturitas 2009; 63:99-103

Acupuncture can also be helpful in regulating the menses…see post on how TCM regulates the menstrual cycle.

Contact Laurel@ancientcurrent.com for more information.

Postpartum Anxiety October 31, 2009

This amazing post has moved to my main website. Please click this link for the full article.

Website AncientCurrent.com & e-mail: laurel@ancientcurrent.com for more information.

Healthy Mommy, Healthy Baby October 21, 2009

Acupuncture for Pregnant and Laboring Women

This is an article written by Bess for MommyPoppins, a popular blog for women, mommies and kiddos.

Check it out:

Jun 17 2009

• Bess’s blog

I have to admit, the science behind acupuncture mystifies me, but the art of it makes me so happy I don’t care. Plus it’s been around for thousands of year’s, so I have some built in faith. In case your brand new to acupuncture or have no idea how it might be used while your pregnant or even during labor (yes, you read right) we’ve written up a brief description of the practice and asked our friend Laural, an acupuncturist and doula, to help explain it all.

What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture—is a part of traditional Chinese medicine practice and is based on the idea that keeping our vital energy (“qi”) flowing smoothly keeps healthy. Qi circulates through twelve energy lines (known as meridians) on the body and each is associated with a different organ system. An acupuncturists will insert needles into specified points along meridian lines to influence the restore balance to the flow of qi. Traditional Chinese medicine also uses herbs and other techniques such as meditation and massage along with acupuncture. Acupuncture has gained a lot of popularity in the U.S. and has endorsements from the NIH for certain condition and the FDA has approved needle use protocols, so there are standards of care that ensure needle safety. Many insurances now cover acupuncture, but if you find a practitioner who doesn’t take your insurance, expect prices to be  between $60-$75 for 1 hour session).

How Acupuncture Works:
There are numerous theories about how acupuncture works. Some of them are:

* acupuncture stimulates the release of pain-relieving endorphins
* acupuncture influences the release of neurotransmitters, substances that transmit nerve impulses to the brain
* acupuncture influences the autonomic nervous system
* acupuncture stimulates circulation
* acupuncture influences the electrical currents of the body

Acupuncture for Pregnant and Laboring Women
(Note: this information comes from Laurel Axen Carroll, a licensed acupuncturist (www.ancientcurrent.com). Thank you Laurel).

Traditional Chinese medicine is a useful tool for women looking to enhance their fertility, alleviate the symptoms of pregnancy, induce labor, turn a breech baby and to nourish their body postpartum. Acupuncture has little to no side effects, and it’s safe for you and your baby. Usually during a first visit the practitioner will ask you lots of questions about your main complaint as well as questions concerning your diet, sleeping patterns, and lifestyle. As a holistic medicine there is no separation between the mind and the body, therefore everything is taken into consideration before an illness can be diagnosed and treated. A typical treatment usually lasts about an hour and most people report feeling very relaxed or energized after treatment.

I have worked with woman in all stages of pregnancy, and have found acupuncture helps address all sort of things such as: nausea, fatigue, depression, anxiety, constipation, round ligament pain, sciatica, insomnia, acid reflux, anemia, congestion, hemorrhoids and varicose veins. A pretty impressive list.

Acupuncture for Labor:
Acupuncture can be an excellent tool during labor especially if your labor is “failing to progress”, meaning that one’s labor is prolonged or not proceeding efficiently. This is usually seen when a woman has done a lot of work and has labored extensively but hasn’t dilated as much as would be expected. Specific points can help drop the baby into correct position to facilitate labor. Acupuncture can also be used effectively for pain relief. In this case the needles are stimulated quickly and removed to allow the woman to move through the contractions. For a labor that is progressing normally acupressure can be just as effective as acupuncture.

In my practice I have come to really love the pre-birth treatment that starts at 36 weeks gestation and ends with the onset of labor. I have seen so many women go into labor “on-time” avoiding medical induction. Most women come back and report smooth, efficient labors as well. I personally can remember the intensity of the last few weeks of pregnancy and enjoy communicating with women during this time. It is such a crazy precipice to be teetering on…waiting to meet your baby for the first time, the endless list of unknowns. If there is anything that I can impart to my clients during this time it is to have faith in your body. Every woman has the tools and skills to labor correctly, you just have to dig deep and trust.

Resources, Research:
A recent study showed that woman who had acupuncture sessions leading up to their labor had 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.  Debra Betts conducted this study on pre-birth acupuncture. She is an incredible midwife/acupuncturist from New Zealand who wrote the bible on treating pregnant women, The Essential Guide to Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth.  If you go on her website: http://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz you can find links to her studies along with a downloadable booklet on pressure points for labor. Studies include acupuncture for morning sickness, routine pre-labor, cervical ripening and breech presentation.

Drinking During IVF Reduces pregnancy rates: BBC October 21, 2009

IVF couples warned over drinking

Couples trying to conceive are urged to think about their lifestyle choices

This post has moved. Please click this link for the full article.

Top 10 Reasons I Love Being an Acupuncturist October 17, 2009

Famous physician Dr. Hua Tuo, 3rd Century.

Top 10 Reasons I love being an Acupuncturist:

1.    Acupuncture works.
2.    Using a three thousand year-old medicine on a daily basis is cool.
3.    Healing is my destiny.
4.    Treating people gives me a complete sense of calm and focus.
5.    Traditional names of the points are awesome. ie; gushing spring.
6.    Observing people making positive changes in their lives is satisfying.
7.    Pregnancy is a joyfully infectious time (and I treat a lot of preggers).
8.    Acupuncture enables your brain to cease chatting.
9.    Coming off medications is one step towards complete freedom.
10.  Chinese herbs are magical.

Ear Acupuncture Curbs Back Pain in Pregnant Women October 17, 2009

I just saw this study posted and found it interesting. It is often a mild dilemma treating lower back pain in pregnancy as a lot of the points that can help treat pain also induce labor. I stay away from the lower back and sacral areas until after 37 weeks. Auricular acupuncture is a safe and effective alternative. Read the following study for some stats.

October 16, 2009

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – A special acupuncture technique can help ease lower back and pelvic pain in pregnant women, new research shows.

In a study, women who had pressure needles held in place with tape at three acupuncture points in their ears for one week, were more likely to experience significant reductions in lower back and pelvic pain than those who had the needles placed at three “sham” points or women in a control group who didn’t get real or fake acupuncture.

Pregnant women often suffer from pain in the lower back and pelvis — and this can set the stage for chronic pain later on, Dr. Shu-Ming Wang of the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut and colleagues note in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Ear acupuncture might offer a drug-free way to help ease pain in these women, Wang and colleagues say.

They randomly assigned 159 women in the 25th to 38th week of pregnancy to receive real acupuncture, acupuncture delivered to points that would theoretically not affect pain in the pelvic or lower back area, and a control group.

Every woman was also instructed to use self-care as needed, including resting, taking acetaminophen, and applying warm and cold compresses.

All of the 152 women who completed the two-week study reported some degree of pain reduction and improvement in their ability to function.

A 30 percent or greater reduction in pain was reported by 81 percent of women in the acupuncture group, 59 percent of women in the sham acupuncture group and 47 percent of women in the control group. The difference between the sham and control groups wasn’t statistically significant.

Thirty-seven percent of women in the acupuncture group were pain-free after a week of acupuncture, compared to 22 percent in the sham group and 9 percent of the control group. Improvements in function were significantly greater among women who had real acupuncture compared to those who got the fake version or received no treatment.

Contact Laurel@ancientcurrent.com for more information.

Acupuncture to Reduce Morning Sickness October 15, 2009

The first trimester can be really brutal.  There are so many reasons why; the nausea, vomiting, the bloating, the fatigue, the smells, the breast pain, the fact that no one knows, your pants don’t fit, you cant really call yourself “cute” yet. The problem is that you just don’t get the love and attention that you need. Everyone saves that energy for the 2nd trimester when you feel fabulous. Anyway, some how we all get through it (mostly surviving on bagels, pizza and ginger ale) and move onto more fun stages of pregnancy.

I had some morning sickness with both pregnancies and although i wasn’t vomiting I  was queasy for about 10 weeks. I really feel bad for the women that are horribly sick and cannot stand being pregnant because they are puking in plastic bags all day long.

Acupuncture has been clinically proven to reduce nausea. I have seen this first hand while treating patients at the Saint Vincent’s Oncology department in graduate school. Cancer patients undergoing chemo and radiation felt markedly better with weekly acupuncture. They reported increased appetite, decreased nausea and an increase in energy. I have also treated many a pregger who reported less mouth watering, less low grade nausea and less dry retching.

Study on Acupuncture to Reduce Morning Sickness:

The objective was to compare; traditional acupuncture treatment, acupuncture at Neiguan P-6 only, sham acupuncture and no acupuncture treatment for nausea and vomiting. 593 women who were less than 14 weeks pregnant were randomised into 4 groups and received treatment weekly. Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for women who experience nausea and dry retching in early pregnancy.

The acupuncture group, in which points were chosen according to a traditional acupuncture diagnosis, received two 20 minute acupuncture treatments in the first week followed by one weekly treatment for the next four weeks. The sham acupuncture group were needled at points close to but not on acupuncture points. Both the acupuncture group and the sham acupuncture group received their treatment from the same acupuncturist.

The outcomes of treatment were measured in terms of nausea, dry retching, vomiting and health status.

Results:

When compared to the women who received no treatment; the traditional acupuncture group reported less nausea throughout the study and less dry retching from the second week The Neiguan P-6 acupuncture group reported less nausea from the second week and less dry retching from the third week. The sham acupuncture group reported less nausea and dry retching from the third week.

So while all three acupuncture groups reported improvement with nausea and dry retching, it was the traditional acupuncture group that had the fastest response. Patients receiving traditional acupuncture also reported improvement in five aspects of general health status (vitality, social function, physical function, mental health and emotional role function) compared to improvement in two aspects with the Neiguan P-6 and Sham acupuncture groups. In the no treatment group there was improvement in only one aspect.

Although there were no differences in vomiting found in any of the treatment groups the authors speculated that more frequent treatments might have produced greater benefits.

In assessing the safety of acupuncture in early pregnancy data was collected on perinatal outcome, congenital abnormalities, pregnancy complications and the newborn. No differences were found between study groups in the incidence of these outcomes suggesting that there are no serious adverse effects from the use of acupuncture treatment in early pregnancy.

Beat Morning Sickness Special: Save $50 on 4 treatments. Offer valid until December 15th 2009.

Please contact Laurel@ancientcurrent.com or visit www.ancientcurrent.com to set up an appointment.

Acupuncture to Reduce Stress October 13, 2009

“Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.”
~Baron Baptiste

Many sources site stress as the number one killer to date. Stress can take on many different forms, and can contribute to symptoms of illness. Common symptoms include headache, sleep disorders, difficulty concentrating, short-temper, upset stomach, job dissatisfaction, low morale, depression, and anxiety.

We all have stress we just need to figure out how to cope without it taking it’s toll on the vital organs of the body. I mean, what is more important than your body? It is your vehicle for LIFE.

Read on for some tips for reducing stress. I am also offering a stress reduction special for October and November.
* Tend : protect and care for your children…oxytocin release.

* Get a babysitter (maybe it is those kids are driving you nuts).

* Befriend. chatting and giggling advised.

* Relax. breathing, yoga, meditation, couch time.

* Acupuncture. Read study below on how acupuncture works.

* Make time for yourself. even 15 minutes can help.

* Sleep. 7-9 hours boosts immunity.

* Sex. Oxytocin is good.

* Move that body…see above.

* Eat right. you know the drill.

* Get help from a professional if you need it.

* Compromise. being right all the time doesn’t foster friendship.

* Write down your thoughts. conjuring Pablo Neruda…

* Help others. Its nice not to think about yourself.

* Get a hobby.

* Set limits. There are only so many hours in the day.

* Plan your time.

* Avoid: drinking too much alcohol, using drugs, smoking, or overeating.

Stress Reducing Bargain:

Save 15% on 5 Treatments. $63 Value.
Acupuncture can help calm the mind, ease anxiety and remember how you innately want to feel…awesome.

Facial Rejuvenation: Packages include full body and facial rejuvenating acupuncture and acupressure. Save 10% on Packages of 10. $100 Value.

offer valid until November 15th 2009.

contact: Laurel@ancientcurrent.com for more information.

Acupuncture Calms Mom’s Stress, Anxiety October 11, 2009

By Jeanie Lerche Davis
WebMD Health News

Oct. 15, 2003 — A parent’s anxiety leaps when their child is going into surgery. But a new study shows acupuncture needles — carefully placed around the mother’s ear — can decrease her anxiety. When moms are less anxious, there’s less anxiety in children, experts say.

 

Auricular or ear acupuncture has long been known to relieve stress and anxiety. Until now, however, it was not known that needles placed around the ear were so effective in relieving parental anxiety associated with a childs’ surgery, a constant and very real concern for doctors.

 

Researcher Shu-Ming Wang, MD, at the Yale University School of Medicine. Wang presented study findings at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists being held in San Francisco this week.

 

In Wang’s study, 43 mothers randomly chosen to get auricular acupuncture 30 minutes before their child’s surgery had significantly less anxiety than the 49 mothers who got acupuncture but at the shoulder points, wrists, and joint positions.

 

Also, there was significantly less anxiety in children who’s mothers received auricular acupuncture to reduce anxiety when they were wheeled into the operating room, and when the anesthesia mask was put on their faces.

 

In fact, after the surgery was over, 51% of the auricular acupuncture-group mothers asked to keep the needles in place.

 

While mothers were skeptical about the acupuncture procedure, the results were indisputable, researchers say.

 

“After the insertion of needles into the [ear], most of them were pleasantly surprised and asked, ‘Is that it?’” says Wang in a news release. The procedure involves small needles that resemble flat thumbtacks. They are unobstrusive, effective, have no side effects, and are virtually painless.

 

In fact, “many of the patients laughed after I showed them the needles, and only a handful of them experienced a slight stinging sensation,” Wang says.

Calm Mothers Ease Anxiety in Children

 

A relaxed mother helps the child to relax, Wang stresses. Studies have shown that parents’ anxiety can affect the child’s recovery, triggering clinging, nightmares, bedwetting, and aggressive behavior — all signs of extreme anxiety in children.

 

Actually, a parent’s anxiety can be a nightmare for all involved. In rare cases, it can even be dangerous. In one case, an anxious parent actually pulled a semiconscious child away from the middle of getting anesthesia, Wang says.

 

Wang has personally witnessed crying parents enter operating rooms, creating anxiety in children. This “invariably causes the child to cry and affects the procedure,” Wang explains. “All this anxiety distracts health-care providers’ attention away from the most important person in the procedure, the child.”

 

In another incident, a mother fainted during a procedure and injured herself.

Ancient Procedure Helps Today’s Patients

 

How does the ancient Chinese tradition of acupuncture work? No one knows, says Wang. However, countless studies show what the Chinese have long known — that it does work.

 

Acupuncture is being used increasingly in anesthesiology and other medical procedures. The needles are unobstructive, painless, effective, and cause no side effects, Wang explains.

 

While acupuncture is not for all illnesses, “I strongly believe that if we can combine the best of acupuncture with the best of medicine, we will achieve the best care of our patients,” Wang says.

 

Reducing anxiety in children — and their mothers — before surgery can go a long way toward a better recovery, Wang concludes.

Acupuncture Special: Save 15% on 5 treatments till November 15th.

e-mail Laurel@ancientcurrent.com for more information.

 

Improving Male Fertility October 6, 2009

MALE FERTILITY OR INFERTILITY

many of the nutritional supplements were found on: http://www.fertilinet.com

In about 40% of infertile couples, the cause of the infertility lies with the males. There are many reasons for male infertility. For couples who are  trying to conceive, it only makes sense to have an evaluation done on the males fertility health when conception hasn’t occurred after 6 months.

There has been a tremendous amount of misinformation about the best way to time intercourse to increase the chance of conception. Most of this misinformation has come from physicians who have confused obtaining a standard semen analysis with promoting conception. It has been clearly shown, both with normal sperm counts and low sperm counts, that daily intercourse during the fertile period produces the highest pregnancy rates. You cannot “save it up” and you cannot have intercourse too often. The fertile period starts 6 days before ovulation and ends the day after ovulation.

Quick Fact: It takes approximately 72-90 days to produce mature sperm. Sperm is produced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are many factors that can decrease or cease sperm production. Here are a few:

• Illness
• Excessive Caffeine
• Stress
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Street and certain Prescription Drugs
• Some over the counter medications
• Injury to the testicles
• Blockage in the Vas Deferens
• Excessive Heat to the testicles
• Vitamin Deficiencies
• Varicocele:a varicose enlargement of the veins of the spermatic cord that may cause infertility through a significant decrease in the quality and quantity of the sperm.

Normal semen values as outlined by the World Health Organization are as follows:

PARAMETER	MINIMUM VALUE
Volume (mL)	2.0
Sperm Concentration (million/mL)	20
Motility (%)	50
Forward Progression (0-4)	3
Normal Morphology (%) (WHO)	30
Normal Morphology (%) (Strict)	14
Total Sperm Count (million)	40
Total Motile Sperm (million)	20
Total Functional Sperm (million)	6

Morphology-Normal and Abnormal Forms

Normal Forms	Abnormal Forms

Improving Male Fertility
There are natural ways to improve male fertility.
There are few common rules to start with.

1. Limit or eliminate caffeine intake.
2. Stop smoking
3. Stop Recreational Drugs
4. Wear Loose Underwear (boxers)
5. Stay out of Hot Tubs
6. Quit drinking alcoholic beverages

Low Motility?
Guaifenesin (Plain Robitusson-no letter extensions) can improve motility by thinning out the semen allowing for your guys to swim up stream easier. Vitamin C and Zinc can also help.

Acupuncture:

Acupuncture has been proven in numerous clinical trials to have a profound effect on increasing sperm count and motility. In a study, researchers looked at the effects of acupuncture on the structural health of sperm in men with infertility of unknown cause. (Dr Jian Pei, Fertility and Sterility, July 2005, Vol 84, Issue1, pp. 141-7)

Twenty-eight infertile men received acupuncture treatments twice a week for five weeks, and 12 received no treatment and served as a comparison group.

Researchers analyzed sperm samples at the beginning and end of the study and found significant improvements in sperm quality in the acupuncture group compared with the other group.

Acupuncture treatment was associated with fewer structural defects in the sperm and an increase in the number of normal sperm in ejaculate.

But other sperm abnormalities, such as immature sperm or sperm death, were unaffected by acupuncture.

The researchers write that acupuncture treatment is a simple, noninvasive method that can improve sperm quality.

From AlternativeMedicineChannel.com

Nutrition
The importance of a healthy diet cannot be overstated. To function properly, the reproductive system requires the proper vitamins and minerals. Nutritional deficiencies can impair hormone function, inhibit sperm production, and contribute to the production of abnormal sperm.

•    Eat a natural foods diet that focuses on fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, poultry, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
•    Drink ½ of body weight in ounces of water daily (e.g., a 150 lb man would drink 75 oz of water).
•    Eliminate processed and refined foods (e.g., white flour), junk food, sugars, alcohol, and caffeine.
•    Avoid saturated fats and hydrogenated oils (e.g., margarine); use olive oil.
•    Pumpkin seeds are naturally high in zinc and essential fatty acids which are vital to healthy functioning of the male reproductive system. Eat ¼ to ½ cup a day of pumpkin seeds to help maintain a healthy reproductive system.

Supplements
The following supplements have been shown to increase sperm count and/or motility. Allow 3-4 months for the supplements to work.

•    Arginine
•    Coenzyme Q10—Increases sperm count and motility.
•    Flaxseed oil—Take 1 tbsp daily. Is a source of essential fatty acids.
•   L-carnitine
•   Multivitamin
•   Selenium-Improves sperm motility.
•    Vitamin B-12
•    Vitamin C
•    Vitamin E
•    Zinc-Required for a healthy male reproductive system and sperm production.

e-mail: laurel@ancientcurrent.com to schedule an appointment today.