“It can allow you to cross the line from infertile to fertile by helping your body function more efficiently, which in turn allows other, more modern reproductive treatments, like IVF, to also work more efficiently,” says James Dillard, MD, assistant clinical professor, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and clinical adviser to Columbia’s Rosenthal Center for Complementary and Alternative Mededicine.

Indeed, in a study of 160 women, published April 2002 in the reproductive journalFertility and Sterility, a group of German researchers found that adding acupuncture to the traditional IVF treatment protocols substantially increased pregnancy success.

In this study one group of 80 patients received two, 25-minute acupuncture treatments — one prior to having fertilized embryos transferred into their uterus, and one directly afterwards. The second group of 80, who also underwent embryo transfer, received no acupuncture treatments.

The result: While women in both groups got pregnant, the rate was significantly higher in the acupuncture group — 34 pregnancies, compared with 21 in the women who received IVF alone.

From WebMD

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Losing weight is easier said than done. Being obese is an much a struggle physically and socially as it is emotionally and mentally. Most overweight people at one time or another have given in to fad diets, gadgets, or get thin quick exercise schemes promoted by the media only to be disappointed and eventually relapse. In the rate instances these programs do bear results they usually are short-lived.

When it comess to understanding inner alchemy, Traditional Chinese Medicince and Acupuncture offer insight and practices that just aren’t found in workout tapes and diet pills. Obesity has no singular cause. Genetic, age, lifestyle, constitution, emotion, and diet are all factors tht contribute to the likihood of obesity. The foods we crave depend on the imbalances in our internal system. At time, those very foods are the ones our bodies can not digest which can create a vicious cycle. This can be due to an enzyme deficiency. In the case of low blood sugar which many obese people experience their bodies can not digest the complex carbohydrates such as those found in fruits so they reach for simple sugars like those in candies and sweets. Ingesting these sugars raises insulin levels, which can lead to Diabetes their blood sugar quickly drops back down leaving them feeling the need to eat again. In short eating unnatural goods throws the entire system out of balance. Acupuncture can help normalize the system, and aid weight loss when accompanied by proper diet and exercise.

In a Russian study of obese children it was found that regular Acupuncture treatments resulted in the normalization of blood and serum levels, decrease of overall body mass and fatty tissie content, and increased exercise performance abilities. In other studies conclusive evidence was offered to show needling of auricular points helped to lower the appetite, increase satiety with less food, as well as lower insulin and lipid levels. A balance system also provides more circulation of blood and nutients to the muscles, bones, and tissues so that an individual can exercise longer thus burning more stored fat without becoming tired or light headed which can be discourged factors when beginning an exercise program.

Acupuncture in itself will not melt fat away but in certainly does address the health issues that accompany obesity and lead to becoming overweight. Stimulation of the endocrine system can regulate not only the metabolism but many other functions of the body. Acupuncture not only focuses on an individual’s problem ares such as kidney or spleen function but it also balances the whole person. It gives them an oppurtunity to experience health and how they can feel better despite their external appearances. This is very profound and powerful as it generates a real experience of feeling at home in their bodies and gives them the motivation to take an active role in their own well-being.

Article from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine

DEFINITION AND SYMPTOMS
Diabetes Mellitus, is a disease in which the pancreas produces insufficient amount of insulin, or in which the cells fail to respond appropriately to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the cells to absorb glucose (sugar), so that it can be used as a source of energy. In people with diabetes, glucose levels build up in the blood and urine, causing excessive urination, thirst, hunger, and problems with fat and protein metabolism. Diabetes mellitus differs from the less common diabetes insipidus, which is caused by lack of the hormone vasopressin (ADH), which controls the amount of urine secreted.

TYPES
Type 1:  Diabetes is classified into two types. In Type 1 diabetes, formerly called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and juvenile-onset diabetes, the body does not produce insulin or produces it only in very small quantities. Symptoms usually appear suddenly, typically in individuals under 20 years of age. Most cases occur around puberty and around age 10 to 12 in girls and age 12 to 14 in boys. In the United States Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5 to 10 percent of all diabetes cases. In Canada, Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 10 percent of all diabetes cases.
Type 2: In Type 2 diabetes, formerly known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and adult-onset diabetes, the body’s delicate balance between insulin production and the ability of cells to use insulin goes wrong. The symptoms or characteristics of Type 2 diabetes include those found in Type 1 diabetes, as well as repeated infections or skin sores that heal slowly or not at all, generalized tiredness, and tingling or numbness in hands or feet.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Increased thirst, a frequent urge for urination, hunger, a flu-like feeling, including weakness and fatigue, unexplained weight loss, blurred vision, irritability, slow healing of cuts and bruises, tingling or numbness in hands or feet, red, swollen and tender gums, recurring infections of the gums, skin, vagina or bladder

COMPLICATIONS
Short-term complications: low blood sugar, high blood sugar
Long-term complications: nerve damage, kidney disease, eye disease, cardiovascular disease, increased risk of infection

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS AND FORMULAS
In Oriental Medicine, Diabetes is categorized under “Xiao Ke”.

1. LU Heat with Fluid Deficiency
S/S: thirst with desire to drink even after drinking, dry and heat sensation in the throat, polyuria, red tongue, lack of saliva, thin yellow coating, rapid pulse

Modified Xiao Ke Fang (Dan Xi Xin Fa, 1481)

2. ST Heat
S/S: thirst with drinking lots of water, hungry easily even after big meal, thin body, dry stool, frequent urination, red tongue, yellow coating, slippery and rapid pulse

Modified Yu Nu Jian (Jing Yue Quan Shu, 1624)

3. Qi and Yin Both Deficiency
S/S: mental fatigue, tiredness, shortness of breath worse with exertion, weakness of lower limbs, dryness of mouth and throat, five palms heat, drinking lots of water, polyuria, slight pale tongue with teeth mark, thin white coating, lack of saliva, thready pulse

Modified Ren Shen Bai Hu Tang (Za Bing Yuan Liu Xi Zhu, 1773)

4. Yin and Yang Both Deficiency
S/S: Pain on the lower bak and knee, aversion to cold, cold limbs, spermatorrhea, impotence, frequent urination during night time, dizziness, tinnitus, dark face, slight pale and swollen tongue, white coating, deep and week pulse.

Modified Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (Jin Gui Yao Lao, 3rd century)

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Here is an interesting article about acupuncture and weight control from PubMed, NIH.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Many overweight people are aware that diets can help with weight loss but have difficulty in suppressing their appetite. Acupuncture stimulates the auricular branch of the vagal nerve and raises serotonin levels, both of which have been shown to increase tone in the smooth muscle of the stomach, thus suppressing appetite. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation of specific auricular acupuncture points on appetite suppression.

METHODS:

Sixty overweight subjects, randomly divided into an active and a control group, used the AcuSlim device twice daily for four weeks. The active group attached the AcuSlim to the acupuncture ear points shenmen and stomach, whereas the control group attached the device to their thumb where there are no acupuncture points. The goal of a 2 kg weight loss was set and changes in appetite and weight were reported after four weeks.

RESULTS:

Of those who responded, 95% of the active group noticed suppression of appetite, whereas none of the control group noticed such a change. None of the control group lost the required 2 kg, with only 4 subjects losing any weight at all. Both the number of subjects who lost weight and the mean weight loss were significantly higher in the active group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Frequent stimulation of specific auricular acupuncture points is an effective method of appetite suppression which leads to weight loss.

Richards D, Marley J.

Acne is among the most common of skin conditions.  It afflicts almost all of the adolescents to some degree, and can extend into adulthood.  The degree of severity can vary widely, from a few white heads and blackheads, to extensive formation of cysts.  Sometimes scarring can occur.  But no matter how bad, acne can have a significant effect on social and emotional health.   It can also be the source of physical pain and local skin infections.

According to Western medicine, acne is a disorder of the hair follicle sebaceous gland.  This gland can get clogged up from a skin, which is normally shed off the body.   The clogged pore then becomes a pimple.  Hormones and bacteria in the skin further exacerbate the clogging of pores.  In some people, the pimple can become inflamed leading to development of large painful pimples, commonly referred to as cysts.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Viewpoint

TCM considers physical, emotional, and environmental factors of the individual when treating skin problems.  From a TCM perspective, acne is most often associated with heat and dampness effecting the organs and channels of the lungs, stomach, and spleen.

In Chinese medicine, each organ has specific functions and is connected to a channel that runs from the skin’s surface internally to connect with the organ.  The organs involved with acne are because of both the function as well as the locations of their channels.

Lung - The lung is in charge of the skin.  So any skin disease can therefore be related to the lung.  We often see this in some skin diseases, such as eczema, which often occurs with lung problems.  The lung also regulates the opening and closing of the pores, which is one way that the heat that causes acne can escape from the body.

Stomach - The stomach naturally tends to be warm, which is how it helps in digestion of food.  However, this propensity for heat can easily gather extra heat, which can manifest as pimples along the stomach channel, which covers the chest and the face.   Dampness in the stomach also may be a factor, which leads to greasy oily skin.

Spleen - Finally, the spleen is also involved.  The spleen is in charge of digestion.  When digestion is working well and harmonized the body generates ample amount of energy and is able to get rid of dampness.  If the spleen is not working well, dampness can accumulate and lead to greasy skin and acne.

These disharmonies have many overlapping causes.  Stress, overwork, and congenital factors are some of the most common reasons.  Food choices are also a common cause.  Eating greasy, spicy, and heavy foods disrupt the function of the spleen in digestion that can lead to dampness, which can influence an acne flare-up.  Which is why eating greasy pizza, too much chocolate, and spicy Mexican food can be bad for acne.

TCM Diagnosis and Treatment

By taking the pulse, asking in-depth questions, and observing the tongue and skin, the TCM practitioner will make an individualized diagnose according to TCM patterns.  The treatment is tailored to fit to each person’s pattern diagnosis.  Depending on the condition, treatment may involve acupuncture, Chinese herbs, or both.  Generally, mild acne can be treated with acupuncture, but more severe and complex cases often require Chinese herbs as well.

Lung and stomach heat is the most common form of acne.  This manifests as white or black heads on the face around the cheeks, nose, and forehead, as well as the chest, and upper back.  Skin looks oily and may have a slightly reddish hue.  The tongue will have a yellow coat.  The goal of this treatment is to clear heat from the lungs and the stomach.  Generally, the acupuncture treatment is on the lung and Stomach channels, which go along the arms and legs.  Lung 5, at the elbow, is often used, as well as Stomach 36 below the knee.  Herbs such as pi pai ye, huang qin, and sang bai pi may be used to clear heat from the lungs and stomach.

Sometimes the heat is very strong, leading to dry mouth and thirst.  To clear this heat and nourish the fluids of the body, herbs such as xuan shen and mai men dong are added.  If there is significant dampness in the stomach, the skin will be more oily and greasy.  Often this will lead to large acne and cysts on the chest and back.  Herbs such as bai zhu and yi yi ren may be added to clear even more heat.    For those with this type of acne, it is very important to avoid greasy foods.

The skin around areas of acne may become red causing a general reddish complexion, which may remain after the pimples have been cleared.   This is because the heat has entered the blood level.  Herbs such as honeysuckle flowers, rose hips, and lotus flowers can be used for this condition.  Heat toxicity develops when the skin becomes infected.  Toxicity manifests as is redness, pus, and pain.  Herbs such as honeysuckle and dandelion may be used for this.

In women, if acne becomes worse around the menstrual cycle, it may be related to the qi, the body’s energy, and blood.  Qi flows throughout the body’s channels.  Emotions such as stress, frustration, and anger can cause the qi to slow down to stagnate.  Frequently, acne and other skin problems which occur around the menses are caused by qi and blood stagnation.  For this acupuncture points such as Liver 3 on the foot, and Spleen 6 above the ankle may be used.  Herbs such as yi mu cao, xiang fu, and bai shao may be added.

Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture is a holistic treatment.  It can help those with all degrees and types of acne with clearing the skin, as well as improve overall wellness.

This article is from acufinder.com
By: Joseph Alban MS, L.Ac

Is it really a facelift? The answer is an unequivocal no. Nor is it intended to replace a facelift. Cosmetic acupuncture entails no incisions, sutures or acid peels and it will not produce sudden, drastic changes in underlying structures. In fact, the American Cosmetic Acupuncture Association discourages the use of the term, “facelift” in connection with acupuncture, as this creates unrealistic expectations and, ultimately, disappointment. Remember, it took decades of stress, sun damage and exposure to environmental toxins for your skin to reach a state of crisis, and the damage will not be instantly undone. The remedy cosmetic acupuncture may offer is the reduction or erasure of fine lines and the softening of deeper ones. Additionally, patients may experience the firming of jowls and a reduction in the size of under-eye bags. It is not unusual for clients to report enhanced skin tone, increased energy and eyes that sparkle.

But it doesn’t stop there. Since facial acupuncture is based on time-tested principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a person’s overall health may also benefit. Insomnia may be corrected and weight gain may be controlled. Cosmetic acupuncture is, after all, a whole-body treatment. In the Traditional Chinese Medicine view, a person’s face is affected selectively by his or her internal organs. Facial features reflect organic strengths, and as internal organs are fortified, one’s face reflects the improvement. Besides addressing a patient’s condition holistically, the practitioner will probably work locally, inserting painless, ultra-fine needles into–and around–specific wrinkles, acu-points or muscle points, depending on the technique employed. Techniques can be Spartan or luxuriant, and practitioners will often incorporate herbal poultices, moisturizers, pulsed light or essential oils into a treatment. An imperceptible electrical current may also be passed among the needles.

If your features are tired, your eyes are baggy and your skin is without luster, yet you do not feel the need for cosmetic surgery, then facial acupuncture may be for you. The freedom from post-treatment downtime and the experience of enhanced vitality contribute to the ever-increasing popularity of this Asian art. If you are willing to try something different and new, you may find that facial acupuncture is the perfect partner in your quest for rejuvenation and renewal.

This article is from www.acupuncture.com by Charles Yarborough, L.Ac.

The modern world is extremely stressful which normally over stimulates the nervous system resulting in reduced blood flow to the reproductive organs in both men and women. Acupuncture relaxes the sympathetic nervous system, allowing greater blood flow to the ovaries, the lining of the uterus, and the testes. Egg , sperm, & uterine lining quality are improved, the endocrine or hormonal system is in a greater state of balance, all of which increases the chances of pregnancy and maintaining pregnancy. Acupuncture gets things moving, while herbs nourish certain deficiencies that have contributed a patient’s inability to conceive. Individualized nutritional counseling, according to Chinese medicine principles, can also enhance fertility and improve pregnancy outcomes by reversing some of the effects of poor eating habits.

Most fertility patients are treated twice weekly while attempting to conceive and every week or bi-monthly during the first trimester to help maintain pregnancy, but individual cases differ. With IVF, pre- & post-transfer acupuncture greatly improves the odds of conceiving.

Posted in Yinyang House by Andrew Lagomarsino

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In the Traditional Eastern medicine approach, the disease begins with a deficiency of yin. This seems contradictory to the appearance of the patient, who often shows obese constitution and low metabolism, signs that would correspond to excess of yin and deficiency of yang. However, the patients with early stage of diabetes actually have a hyperactive metabolism that does not provide useful energy. Hence, the food nutrients are not successfully utilized; hunger persists, sugar pours out in the urine, thirst develops, and there may be easy sweating. This yin deficiency then generates heat that becomes pathological and then parches the yin. The imbalance of yin and yang eventually degrades and inhibits the qi, so that qi and yin deficiency co-exist. At this point, secondary effects, such as blood stasis and damp-heat, manifest, causing many serious symptoms (29). Without proper nourishment of qi and yin, yang eventually becomes impaired, and the patient, now with advanced disease, has a combined deficiency of qi, yin, and yang.

Acupuncture therapy is a common approach to treating diabetes in China. Many Americans assume that acupuncture is only suitable for treating pain, perhaps because the initial introduction of acupuncture was mainly for this application. Indeed, the general opinion here appears to be that acupuncture ought to be used mainly for treating chronic back pain. Therefore, relatively few people have turned to acupuncture for treating the disease. Increasingly, people with pain and other health problems for which acupuncture is selected also have diabetes.
In the U.S., it is uncommon for people to receive acupuncture therapy every day, as is the method used in the clinical studies reported in the Chinese medical journals. Instead, one may undertake a course of therapy with acupuncture once or twice per week. Needless to say, the impact of the intermittent treatment is not as great as with daily acupuncture. However, through the combination of the less frequent acupuncture and the daily ingestion of herbs, one might reasonably expect to accomplish results comparable to those reported in China where the majority of patients get some degree of blood sugar normalization and relief of symptoms. Best results are expected for younger individuals and those who have had diabetes for only a few years.  Most acupuncturists in the U.S. have not been called upon to treat many patients with diabetes, mainly because of the misconception that acupuncture is not suitable for that disorder. Nonetheless, acupuncturists are in a position to provide expert treatment because the points to be needled are also used (in various other combinations) for treating other disorders. For example, the acupuncture point zusanli (called ST-36) is one of the most commonly used points for chronic diseases and is used especially when the disease is obviously affected by dietary factors.

This article is from Journal of the institute for traditional medicine and preventive health care by Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon.

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