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Qi Mail™ The Acupuncture Newsletter
Acupuncture and Reproductive Health
Current statistics state that one in five couples over the age
of 30 have difficulty conceiving after one year of trying. Many of
these couples are turning to acupuncture and Oriental medicine for a
safe, effective and natural solution to have a healthy baby.
Oriental medicine has a long history when it comes to enhancing
fertility for both men and women. In fact, evidence that acupuncture
and herbal medicine have been used to aid fertility can be found in
early medical literature dating back to 3AD.
Fertility treatments were first recorded by Zhang Zhong Jing, a famous
physician from the Han Dynasty, in his discussion of diseases in women
in the Jin Gui Yao Lue orEssentials of the Golden Cabinet.
How Acupuncture Can Enhance Fertility
According to the principles of Oriental medicine, a person's health
is determined by the quality of Qi, the vital life energy, and blood
circulating through the body. When Qi and blood are circulating
properly, the body is properly nourished and functioning optimally
which, in turn, enhances fertility.
Researchers have confirmed its benefit in the following areas:
1. Regulate menstrual cycle.
2. Improve sperm count and motility.
3. Reduce stress and anxiety associated with infertility.
4. Normalize hormone and endocrine systems.
5. Improve blood flow in the uterus.
6. Decrease chance of miscarriage.
7. Increase the chance of pregnancy for women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Fertility treatments vary from person to person, but are usually
scheduled for at least three consecutive cycles (twelve weeks).
Treatments can include acupuncture, customized herbal therapy, stress
reduction and dietary counseling. Treatments work alone but are an
excellent addition to any Western intervention.
Please call for more information of to schedule a consultation.
Acupuncture Increases IVF Success by 65%
Women undergoing IVF were 65 percent more likely to become pregnant
when they combined the procedure with acupuncture, a recent study has
shown.
The remarkable success rate occurred across seven acupuncture trials
involving 1,366 women in a systematic review and meta-analysis
published in a February, 2008 issue of the British Medical Journal.
Acupuncture was delivered either just before or just after embryo
transfer – a step in the process of in vitro fertilization (IVF)
whereby one or several embryos are placed into the uterus.
The research was carried out by scientists from the University of
Maryland in the United States and the VU University of Amsterdam in
Holland.
It is thought that acupuncture stimulates the neurotransmitters that
trigger the production of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, which
controls the menstrual cycle and a woman's ovulation.
Acupuncture is also thought to stimulate blood flow to the uterus and
boost the production of endogenous opioids, inducing the body to relax.
Source: British Medical Journal, February 2008
Acupuncture Improves Sperm Quality
A study published in the July 2005 issue of the journal Fertility
and Sterility found that acupuncture helped infertile men by apparently
helping improve sperm quality in their semen.
In the research project, 28 men received acupuncture in addition to
traditional infertility treatments, while another 12 men received only
the traditional treatments. All of the men were diagnosed with
infertility of unknown origin.
Acupuncture was associated with fewer structural defects in the sperm
of men who received it, although it had no effect on other
abnormalities, such as sperm immaturity or premature death.
Previous studies have shown a link between acupuncture and improved sperm production and motility.
Source: Fertility and Sterility, July 2005
Foods for Fertility
"Your body is like a garden... As in all gardens, the seed we hope to
plant in our bodies grows best when we cultivate the ground and plant
and nurture the seed in harmony with the laws of nature. You wouldn't
put a tender plant in clay soil without first tilling and amending the
earth - at least not if you wanted to give that plant its best start.
You wouldn't plant in the dead of winter, or in the dry season without
water, or in a sunless place. Likewise, if we tend our bodies, minds,
and spirits with an awareness of the laws of nature, we improve our
chances of welcoming the gifts of Quan Yin, the fertility goddess."
Angela Wu, L.Ac., author of Fertility Wisdom.
Black Beans
According to Oriental medicine, the energy of the Kidney system is
important for reproduction and fertility enhancement often starts with
the Kidneys. A good example of a food that nourishes the Kidneys and
promotes fertility is black beans.
Health Benefits of Black Beans
From an Eastern perspective, black beans are warming in nature. They
are thought to tonify the Kidney Qi and nourish Yin and Blood.
From a Western perspective, black beans are an excellent source of protein, folate, iron and fiber and are rich in antioxidants.
Loaded with Antioxidants
Research published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food
Chemistryindicates that black beans are as rich in antioxidant
compounds called anthocyanins as grapes and cranberries, fruits long
considered antioxidant superstars.
When researchers analyzed different types of beans, they found that,
the darker the bean's seed coat, the higher its level of antioxidant
activity. Gram for gram, black beans were found to have the most
antioxidant activity, followed in descending order by red, brown,
yellow, and white beans.
Overall, the level of antioxidants found in black beans in this study
is approximately 10 times that found in an equivalent amount of
oranges, and comparable to that found in an equivalent amount of grapes
or cranberries.
Source: Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, November 2003
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Classes & Events
Mondays:
Ashtanga Yoga 7:00-8:30 pm (some yoga experience recommended)
$10 drop in or $50/6 (no registration needed)
Wednesdays:
Qi Gong 12-1 pm , $35/5 Register at 402-2430 Next Series Begins March 25
Gentle Yoga with Karen DiGirolamo
6:00-7:15 pm, $10 drop-in or 5/$40
Thursdays:
Qi Gong 7-8:15 pm , $50/6 Register at 402-2430 Next Series Begins March 5
MONTHLY EVENTS:
Saturdays March 14 & 28
Yoga Explorations -suitable for all levels and beginners welcome
10am-12 pm, $15 per class *Reserve a space at 243-8852 or shanaherron@hotmail.com
March 11, Resolve Infertility Support Group, 7:30-9 pm, Free
March 29, Deep Peace Restorative Yoga, 3-5 pm, $25 *Registration required due to space: call 402-2430
March 22, Yoga for Women's Reproductive Health-Maiden, Mother and Crone- Workshop with Karen DiGirolamo. Gentle stretching, active supported and restorative poses to balance the reproductive system for all stages of life. 3-5 pm. $25, call 402-2430 to register.
Artemesia will be hosting National Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi Classes starting in late April-more details to come
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