Treating Irritability and Moodiness with Acupuncture
Everyone suffers from irritability and moodiness from time to time, but if you find that a short temper and frustration are becoming a constant issue for you, then acupuncture may be able to help.
Often irritability and moodiness are the consequence of chronic stress in your life. Over time these emotions can progress into more serious emotional conditions such as anxiety and depression as well as other health conditions such as digestive problems, trouble sleeping and the tendency to get sick more frequently.
Liver Qi Stagnation and Emotions
Within Oriental medicine emotional disorders can be associated with a number of different patterns of disharmony; however, anger, irritability, and frustration are all signs that our qi is not flowing smoothly. The liver is responsible for the smooth flow of qi (life force) throughout the body and for smoothing our emotions. When the liver’s function of moving qi is disrupted, qi can become stuck. This is referred to as liver qi stagnation.
Liver qi stagnation is one of the most common patterns of disharmony seen in today’s patients. In addition to irritability and moodiness, signs and symptoms may include distending pain in the area below the ribs, stuffiness of the chest, sighing, abdominal distention, nausea, sour regurgitation, belching, diarrhea or constipation, feeling of a lump in the throat, irregular periods, painful periods and distention of the breasts prior to periods. Liver qi stagnation is commonly associated with PMS.
Acupuncture is excellent at relieving liver qi stagnation. Treatment for irritability and moodiness associated with liver qi stagnation focuses on moving qi and supporting the liver and spleen organ systems with acupuncture, lifestyle and dietary recommendations and perhaps an herbal formula.
If you are concerned that your emotions may be interfering with your health and wellness, please call to see how acupuncture can help.
Move Your Qi!
The liver is responsible for the smooth flowing of Qi (life force) throughout the body. When the liver functions smoothly, physical and emotional activity throughout the body also runs smoothly. So, for optimum health, move your Qi!
Stretch - The liver controls the tendons. According to Oriental medicine, the liver stores blood during periods of rest and then releases it to the tendons in times of activity, maintaining tendon health and flexibility. Incorporate a morning stretch into your routine. Try yoga or tai qi.
Eye Exercises - The liver opens into the eyes. Although all the organs have some connection to the health of the eyes, the liver is connected to proper eye function. Remember to take breaks when looking at a computer monitor for extended periods of time and do eye exercises.
Eat Green - Green is the color of the liver. Eating young plants - fresh, leafy greens, sprouts, and immature cereal grasses - can improve the liver’s overall functions and aid in the movement of qi.
Try Something Sour - Foods and drinks with sour tastes are thought to stimulate the liver's qi. Put lemon slices in your drinking water, use vinegar and olive oil for your salad dressing and garnish your sandwich with a slice of dill pickle.
Do More Outdoor Activities - Outside air helps liver qi flow. If you have been feeling irritable, find an outdoor activity to smooth out that liver qi stagnation. Try hiking or take up golf.
Enjoy Milk Thistle Tea - Milk thistle helps protect liver cells from incoming toxins and encourages the liver to cleanse itself of damaging substances, such as alcohol, medications, pesticides, environmental toxins, and even heavy metals such as mercury.
Get Acupuncture Treatments - Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help improve the overall health of your liver as well as treat stress, anger and frustration, which are often associated with liver qi disharmony.
Periodic acupuncture treatments can serve to tonify the inner organ systems and can correct minor annoyances before they become serious problems.
The Four Gates Treatment for Moving Qi
A popular treatment for the stress, anger, and frustration associated with liver qi stagnation is known as the “Four Gates.” The four gates are the right and left side acupuncture points Liver 3 (Taichong) and Large Intestine 4 (Hegu).
Together these four acupuncture points enhance the circulation of qi and blood throughout the body and have a calming and analgesic effect. They are also used to alleviate pain.
Large Intestine 4 is located on the padded area of your hand between the thumb and index finger, between the first and second metacarpal bones. Massage this point with your thumb on both hands for approximately 30 seconds.
Liver 3 is located in a hollow on the top of your foot below the gap between your big toe and the next toe, between the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones. To stimulate this point, place your right heel in the juncture between the bones that attach to the large and second toes and gently knead the point for approximately thirty seconds. Then switch sides to stimulate liver 3 on your other foot.
Signs and Symptoms of Liver Qi Stagnation
Here are some of the symptoms commonly associated with liver qi stagnation:
* Pain or discomfort anywhere along the sides of the body
* Depression
* Mood swings
* Sighing
* Hiccups
* Frustration
* Inappropriate anger
* Sensation of a lump in throat
* Difficulty swallowing
* Bitter taste in mouth
* Constipation or diarrhea
* Abdominal distention and discomfort
* Stomachache that improves after massage
* Stomachache that worsens with anger
* PMS with irritability or swollen breasts
* Irregular or painful periods
* Poor appetite
* Churning sensation in stomach
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Free De-Stress Kit + the Magic of Mint
De-Stress Kit for Changing Times by Doc Childre of the Heartmath Institute
In light of the current economic situation and high unemployment of late, it is no surprise that stress is on the rise. Recently, Doc. Childre of the Hearthmath Institute - an internationally recognized institute dedicated to facilitating heart based living - published this free ebook detailing simple methods for decreasing stress towards maintaining and increasing heart health. It is a short 15 page pamphlet with practical tips and advice for getting stress under control to help you live your life from a place of balance rather than fear and I highly recommend you download and read it or pass it on to a friend. Here is a sample exercise I found particularly useful:
“Sit quietly and from your heart remember that enough stress is already going on, without having to wear a backpack of fear on top of that. Breathe quietly through the area around your heart and imagine that you are breathing in the attitude of courage and strength to do what you have to do, without being preoccupied with fear. Doing this with a genuine attitude helps take the significance out of fear. Practice this for a few minutes a day and anytime you feel a strong wave of fear. It can begin to make a difference.”
You can download the complete ebook HERE or visit the Learning Center on my website for more information. The Heartmath Institute also has a variety of tools available for decreasing stress, anxiety, blood pressure and increasing heart health. You can find their books and biofeedback tools in my Amazon Store.
Bo He. Good for more than just Mojito’s
Bo He [pronounced Bu-o-uh Huh] is very common in the Pacific Northwest, many of us have probably pulled it as a weed or used it in Mojito’s. Can you guess what it is? Peppermint! As a lightweight, acrid and aromatic herb, it helps move and disperse “pathogenic factors” which contribute to colds, flus and allergy symptoms. Bo He can also move Liver Qi for reducing stress and pain. Here is a summary of Bo He’s actions and indications:
Bo He; Herba Menthae:
Channels Entered: Lung, Liver
Temperature/Flavor: Cool, Acrid
Functions/Indications:
**Disperse Wind-Heat treating early stage colds and flus with fever, slight aversion to cold and headache
**Clear the head and eyes and benefit the throat for headache, red eyes, swollen throat
**Vent rashes for early stage measles or itchy skin conditions
**Course Stagnant Liver Qi for treating abdominal distention and pain as well as feelings of stress or emotional constraint.
Energetically it enters the Lung and Liver channels and is cool in nature, and since it is lightweight, it rises to the orifices clearing stagnation from the head and eyes in particular. This means peppermint as part of an herbal decoction, or as plain old peppermint tea is especially useful in relieving head and eye symptoms associated with colds, flus and allergies. Also, since Bo He enters the Liver channel as well as the Lung, it can also be used to alleviate “Liver Qi Stagnation” which can manifest as abdominal pain and distention or as stress - a feeling that you are stuck, trapped or overwhelmed by life. By freeing your Liver Qi or energy you can relieve some of this tension to balance the emotions. If you are using fresh mint from your yard simply pick the plant and boil it in water for 10-15 minutes to make a tea. You can also focus your “treatment” by using different parts of the plant - the leaves enter the Lung channel more readily for cold and flu symptoms while the stems enter the Liver channel more readily for abdominal discomfort and stress.
Follow me on Twitter!
I'll be using Twitter to post interesting links and information and to list last minute appointment availability when I have cancellations. Click above to go to my Twitter page. Tweet!!
Sign up for QiMail
QiMail is a an additional monthly newsletter delivered mid-month to your inbox that is filled with Chinese Medicine Information only. If you just can't get enough and you want even more health tips to help you stay well, click HERE and enjoy! QiMail newsletters are also posted on my Blog at Blogger.com if you've missed an issue and want to check it out.
Amazon Store
I'm constantly expanding the items in my new Amazon Store to include my favorite books about health, wellness, nutrition and Chinese Medicine as well as teas, healthy snacks and now some of my favorite cold and flu remedies. A great resource for hand-picked wellness resources.
Learning Center Growing, Virtual Dispensary Coming!
I've written my first article about Food Allergies and Elimination Diets and posted it to my new Learning Center and will continue growing the articles and links online so please check it out when you get a chance. Soon I will also have a Virtual Dispensary up and running where you can order and refill your favorite herbs and supplements directly online if you can't make it in to the office. Stay tuned!!
In light of the current economic situation and high unemployment of late, it is no surprise that stress is on the rise. Recently, Doc. Childre of the Hearthmath Institute - an internationally recognized institute dedicated to facilitating heart based living - published this free ebook detailing simple methods for decreasing stress towards maintaining and increasing heart health. It is a short 15 page pamphlet with practical tips and advice for getting stress under control to help you live your life from a place of balance rather than fear and I highly recommend you download and read it or pass it on to a friend. Here is a sample exercise I found particularly useful:
“Sit quietly and from your heart remember that enough stress is already going on, without having to wear a backpack of fear on top of that. Breathe quietly through the area around your heart and imagine that you are breathing in the attitude of courage and strength to do what you have to do, without being preoccupied with fear. Doing this with a genuine attitude helps take the significance out of fear. Practice this for a few minutes a day and anytime you feel a strong wave of fear. It can begin to make a difference.”
You can download the complete ebook HERE or visit the Learning Center on my website for more information. The Heartmath Institute also has a variety of tools available for decreasing stress, anxiety, blood pressure and increasing heart health. You can find their books and biofeedback tools in my Amazon Store.
Bo He. Good for more than just Mojito’s
Bo He [pronounced Bu-o-uh Huh] is very common in the Pacific Northwest, many of us have probably pulled it as a weed or used it in Mojito’s. Can you guess what it is? Peppermint! As a lightweight, acrid and aromatic herb, it helps move and disperse “pathogenic factors” which contribute to colds, flus and allergy symptoms. Bo He can also move Liver Qi for reducing stress and pain. Here is a summary of Bo He’s actions and indications:
Bo He; Herba Menthae:
Channels Entered: Lung, Liver
Temperature/Flavor: Cool, Acrid
Functions/Indications:
**Disperse Wind-Heat treating early stage colds and flus with fever, slight aversion to cold and headache
**Clear the head and eyes and benefit the throat for headache, red eyes, swollen throat
**Vent rashes for early stage measles or itchy skin conditions
**Course Stagnant Liver Qi for treating abdominal distention and pain as well as feelings of stress or emotional constraint.
Energetically it enters the Lung and Liver channels and is cool in nature, and since it is lightweight, it rises to the orifices clearing stagnation from the head and eyes in particular. This means peppermint as part of an herbal decoction, or as plain old peppermint tea is especially useful in relieving head and eye symptoms associated with colds, flus and allergies. Also, since Bo He enters the Liver channel as well as the Lung, it can also be used to alleviate “Liver Qi Stagnation” which can manifest as abdominal pain and distention or as stress - a feeling that you are stuck, trapped or overwhelmed by life. By freeing your Liver Qi or energy you can relieve some of this tension to balance the emotions. If you are using fresh mint from your yard simply pick the plant and boil it in water for 10-15 minutes to make a tea. You can also focus your “treatment” by using different parts of the plant - the leaves enter the Lung channel more readily for cold and flu symptoms while the stems enter the Liver channel more readily for abdominal discomfort and stress.
Follow me on Twitter!
I'll be using Twitter to post interesting links and information and to list last minute appointment availability when I have cancellations. Click above to go to my Twitter page. Tweet!!
Sign up for QiMail
QiMail is a an additional monthly newsletter delivered mid-month to your inbox that is filled with Chinese Medicine Information only. If you just can't get enough and you want even more health tips to help you stay well, click HERE and enjoy! QiMail newsletters are also posted on my Blog at Blogger.com if you've missed an issue and want to check it out.
Amazon Store
I'm constantly expanding the items in my new Amazon Store to include my favorite books about health, wellness, nutrition and Chinese Medicine as well as teas, healthy snacks and now some of my favorite cold and flu remedies. A great resource for hand-picked wellness resources.
Learning Center Growing, Virtual Dispensary Coming!
I've written my first article about Food Allergies and Elimination Diets and posted it to my new Learning Center and will continue growing the articles and links online so please check it out when you get a chance. Soon I will also have a Virtual Dispensary up and running where you can order and refill your favorite herbs and supplements directly online if you can't make it in to the office. Stay tuned!!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
"Your Genes Are Not Your Fate"
A Tip of the Hat to Dr. Dean Ornish
This short 3 minute video is a brief talk by Dr. Dean Ornish, a man who proved scientifically that heart disease is REVERSIBLE through diet, exercise and lifestyle change. He is also the author of "The Spectrum: A Scientifically Proven Program to Feel Better, Live Longer, Lose Weight and Gain Health" and "Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease" among other things. I hope you enjoy this short video about his perspective, key to which is stress reduction and avoiding/reducing chronic stress in particular. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are a great way to combat stress. By balancing the bodies energetic system, especially the Liver and Heart meridians which govern the mind and emotions, Acupuncture, reflexology and Chinese Herbs can decrease anxiety, increase calm and increase your capacity to "stay cool" during a crisis.
Website Redesigned with more Educational Information + Amazon Store of Patient Resources!
That's right! I felt it was time for my website to have a new pair of shoes and so voila! I gave it one. In addition to a new look I've added a Learning Center which will be populated with articles about health, Chinese diet and lifestyle advice, information about Chinese medicine treatment for specific disorders and more. For now it has some good links to some of my favorite resources for learning more about getting well and staying that way as well as a link to my new Amazon Store! I've been feeling recently like I recommend so many books and resources to patients that I'm constantly sending out emails with links to more information and I wanted to consolidate that information to one location that would be easy for patients and people wanting to learn more about Chinese medicine and health to go. I'll be increasing and updating the inventory there frequently, so check back often, AND I will be adding a music section with the tunes I play in my office as well - I get requests for those CD's a lot! Check in out using THIS link.
Green Tea - A cup a day to keep the doctor away
Green tea has been used as medicine in China for thousands of years and recently, the west has been catching on. Traditionally used in combination with Chinese Herbs for headache, mental fog, colds and flu's, it provides the body with powerful antioxidants that have been proven effective in increasing the strength of the immune system, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots (thus decreasing stroke and heart attack risk) and decreasing LDL (bad cholesterol) levels just to name of few of its most exciting health benefits. If you want to add one simple thing to your routine to increase your health and longevity, adding green tea into your diet is a great way to go but people often wonder how much is too much? And what if you want decaf? Is it still effective? To answer the first question - officially, you can't have too much as long as the caffeine isn't effecting you in a negative way but personally, I recommend no more than 3 cups of caffeinated green tea per day. While green tea has much less caffeine than coffee, it is still caffeinated and caffeine can contribute to stress, anxiety, tension as well as miscarriage so I always advise decreasing caffeine in the diet as much as possible. Luckily, decaffeinated green tea IS as effective as caffeinated green tea but then the question becomes - where do we get good decaf? Bag teas typically contain the lowest grade tea leftovers and lack the delicate tantalizing flavors of whole leaf green tea, but I for one have not been able to find whole leaf decaf. Luckily there is a simple - and ancient - solution. Throw away the first steep and drink everything after. Most of the caffeine in green tea is lost during the first steep so if you throw this away you are left with delicious decaf which you can consume to your hearts delight with all the great health benefits and flavor you desire, and you're only limited by how many steeps you can get out of a single pot. Traditionally in Chinese tea ceremonies the tea from first steep is used to warm the cups but is discarded and not consumed. My favorite tea shop in town is the Tao of Tea which has stores in SE Belmont area, in the Pearl district and inside the Chinese Garden downtown. They are very friendly about helping you learn more if you have questions.
Hope to see you soon!
Well, I hope this message finds you well and that you enjoy the Ornish video with a nice cup of green tea in hand. Please do check out the revisions to my website if you get a chance and stay tuned for more educational content - its coming soon! Yours - Rebecca
This short 3 minute video is a brief talk by Dr. Dean Ornish, a man who proved scientifically that heart disease is REVERSIBLE through diet, exercise and lifestyle change. He is also the author of "The Spectrum: A Scientifically Proven Program to Feel Better, Live Longer, Lose Weight and Gain Health" and "Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease" among other things. I hope you enjoy this short video about his perspective, key to which is stress reduction and avoiding/reducing chronic stress in particular. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are a great way to combat stress. By balancing the bodies energetic system, especially the Liver and Heart meridians which govern the mind and emotions, Acupuncture, reflexology and Chinese Herbs can decrease anxiety, increase calm and increase your capacity to "stay cool" during a crisis.
Website Redesigned with more Educational Information + Amazon Store of Patient Resources!
That's right! I felt it was time for my website to have a new pair of shoes and so voila! I gave it one. In addition to a new look I've added a Learning Center which will be populated with articles about health, Chinese diet and lifestyle advice, information about Chinese medicine treatment for specific disorders and more. For now it has some good links to some of my favorite resources for learning more about getting well and staying that way as well as a link to my new Amazon Store! I've been feeling recently like I recommend so many books and resources to patients that I'm constantly sending out emails with links to more information and I wanted to consolidate that information to one location that would be easy for patients and people wanting to learn more about Chinese medicine and health to go. I'll be increasing and updating the inventory there frequently, so check back often, AND I will be adding a music section with the tunes I play in my office as well - I get requests for those CD's a lot! Check in out using THIS link.
Green Tea - A cup a day to keep the doctor away
Green tea has been used as medicine in China for thousands of years and recently, the west has been catching on. Traditionally used in combination with Chinese Herbs for headache, mental fog, colds and flu's, it provides the body with powerful antioxidants that have been proven effective in increasing the strength of the immune system, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots (thus decreasing stroke and heart attack risk) and decreasing LDL (bad cholesterol) levels just to name of few of its most exciting health benefits. If you want to add one simple thing to your routine to increase your health and longevity, adding green tea into your diet is a great way to go but people often wonder how much is too much? And what if you want decaf? Is it still effective? To answer the first question - officially, you can't have too much as long as the caffeine isn't effecting you in a negative way but personally, I recommend no more than 3 cups of caffeinated green tea per day. While green tea has much less caffeine than coffee, it is still caffeinated and caffeine can contribute to stress, anxiety, tension as well as miscarriage so I always advise decreasing caffeine in the diet as much as possible. Luckily, decaffeinated green tea IS as effective as caffeinated green tea but then the question becomes - where do we get good decaf? Bag teas typically contain the lowest grade tea leftovers and lack the delicate tantalizing flavors of whole leaf green tea, but I for one have not been able to find whole leaf decaf. Luckily there is a simple - and ancient - solution. Throw away the first steep and drink everything after. Most of the caffeine in green tea is lost during the first steep so if you throw this away you are left with delicious decaf which you can consume to your hearts delight with all the great health benefits and flavor you desire, and you're only limited by how many steeps you can get out of a single pot. Traditionally in Chinese tea ceremonies the tea from first steep is used to warm the cups but is discarded and not consumed. My favorite tea shop in town is the Tao of Tea which has stores in SE Belmont area, in the Pearl district and inside the Chinese Garden downtown. They are very friendly about helping you learn more if you have questions.
Hope to see you soon!
Well, I hope this message finds you well and that you enjoy the Ornish video with a nice cup of green tea in hand. Please do check out the revisions to my website if you get a chance and stay tuned for more educational content - its coming soon! Yours - Rebecca
February QiMail Newsletter - Fertility
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 or Essentials 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
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 or Essentials 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
Monday, January 26, 2009
Happy Chinese New Year - Celebrate the Year of the Ox
Year of the Ox - Prosperity and Peace
January 26th, 2009 marks the Chinese Year of the Earth Ox. According to the 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs, the Ox is a hard working animal who achieves great things through perseverance, patience and hard work. This means the lunar year of 4707 (2009 by our standard calendar) is destined to bring us peace and hard won prosperity - the kind you know that you've earned through hard work and stubborn determination. This is the year of the classic American Dream, the year that its possible to reach any goal you're willing to work hard enough to achieve. So stop procrastinating, put your nose to the grindstone and put aside your fears because the Ox is here to help you stay the course to achieve what you desire. And so am I!!
Special offer thru February - my gift for the Year of the Ox, and great for Valentine's Day!
To celebrate the Year of the Ox and help you achieve those dreams for 2009 I am running a special offer from now until February 28th.
Find me on Facebook
Yes! I've joined the business revolution and created a page for my business on Facebook. If you have a facebook page, please fan me and if you have a moment, I would GREATLY appreciate a facebook review!
So here's wishing you the best in the Year of the Ox - a year filled with peace, prosperity and success. I hope to see you soon! - Rebecca Hurwood, LAc
January 26th, 2009 marks the Chinese Year of the Earth Ox. According to the 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs, the Ox is a hard working animal who achieves great things through perseverance, patience and hard work. This means the lunar year of 4707 (2009 by our standard calendar) is destined to bring us peace and hard won prosperity - the kind you know that you've earned through hard work and stubborn determination. This is the year of the classic American Dream, the year that its possible to reach any goal you're willing to work hard enough to achieve. So stop procrastinating, put your nose to the grindstone and put aside your fears because the Ox is here to help you stay the course to achieve what you desire. And so am I!!
Special offer thru February - my gift for the Year of the Ox, and great for Valentine's Day!
To celebrate the Year of the Ox and help you achieve those dreams for 2009 I am running a special offer from now until February 28th.
- 3 one-hour Acupuncture Treatments for $165 (a $195 value)
- 3 one-hour Foot Reflexology Treatments for $195 (a $225 value)
Find me on Facebook
Yes! I've joined the business revolution and created a page for my business on Facebook. If you have a facebook page, please fan me and if you have a moment, I would GREATLY appreciate a facebook review!
So here's wishing you the best in the Year of the Ox - a year filled with peace, prosperity and success. I hope to see you soon! - Rebecca Hurwood, LAc
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
January Newsletter - New Year's Rejuvenation
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Friday, January 2, 2009
Happy New Year from All Ways Well
Happy New Year!
2009 is here! Now accepting Kaiser, Health Net and Providence Insurance!
Well, it seems we've survived the snow storm and now that 2009 is here it is time to start anew. In the spirit of the new year I am proud to share that I am now a preferred Acupuncture provider with Kaiser Permanente and with the American Specialty Health (ASH) Network which provides complementary and alternative medicine coverage to Providence Health Plan patients and Health-Net of Oregon patients. If you have insurance coverage through either of these providers, please bring your insurance card with you to your next treatment so I can verify your benefits and bill accordingly for future treatments. If you know someone on either of these plans who is looking for an LAc, please consider referring them my way!
Insurance reminder - deductibles must be met for '09
I have high hopes that 2009 is going to be a fabulous year full of positive change, exciting growth and happiness yet it does mean that our insurance deductibles have reset with the calendar year. Therefore, if acupuncture treatment is subject to a deductible under your insurance plan you will be responsible for paying out of pocket until that deductible is met before insurance will pay for your treatments. If you are unsure what your deductible is, or if acupuncture is subject to a deductible under your plan, please don't hesitate to call or email me and I will be happy to help you find answers. The sooner you meet your deductible the sooner your insurance will cover ongoing treatment, so don't hesitate to book an appointment!
New Year Resolutions - need help?
While acupuncture is the biggest part of my practice, I am a holistic Chinese Medicine practitioner at heart; this means I strive to combine acupuncture with Chinese dietary therapies, nutritional recommendations, Chinese herbs, Chinese bodywork therapies (such as foot reflexology) and meditation techniques when appropriate. This makes Chinese medicine an excellent adjunct to helping you meet your New Year Resolutions! Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can help you with techniques for reducing stress, with treatments to optimize metabolism and reduce cravings for weight loss, with reducing the withdrawl symptoms of quitting smoking and so much more. If you're looking for a way to keep on track with those resolutions and ensure that 2009 is the best and most accomplished year yet, consider a course of holistic and personalized acupuncture treatments to help you succeed. Free consultations are always available and you can book consultations and appointments online anytime.
Back in the Office January 3rd - See You Soon!
I will be back in the office Saturday, January 3rd from my holiday break to resume my normal Tues-Sat schedule. I hope you all had wonderful holidays and fantastic New Year celebrations. Please remember that if you have any questions or concerns about health related issues, I'm only a phone call or email away and I'll always be happy to help you in any way I can. Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you soon! - Rebecca Hurwood, LAc
Here is a list of insurance plans currently accepted:
In-Network Provider with...
2009 is here! Now accepting Kaiser, Health Net and Providence Insurance!
Well, it seems we've survived the snow storm and now that 2009 is here it is time to start anew. In the spirit of the new year I am proud to share that I am now a preferred Acupuncture provider with Kaiser Permanente and with the American Specialty Health (ASH) Network which provides complementary and alternative medicine coverage to Providence Health Plan patients and Health-Net of Oregon patients. If you have insurance coverage through either of these providers, please bring your insurance card with you to your next treatment so I can verify your benefits and bill accordingly for future treatments. If you know someone on either of these plans who is looking for an LAc, please consider referring them my way!
Insurance reminder - deductibles must be met for '09
I have high hopes that 2009 is going to be a fabulous year full of positive change, exciting growth and happiness yet it does mean that our insurance deductibles have reset with the calendar year. Therefore, if acupuncture treatment is subject to a deductible under your insurance plan you will be responsible for paying out of pocket until that deductible is met before insurance will pay for your treatments. If you are unsure what your deductible is, or if acupuncture is subject to a deductible under your plan, please don't hesitate to call or email me and I will be happy to help you find answers. The sooner you meet your deductible the sooner your insurance will cover ongoing treatment, so don't hesitate to book an appointment!
New Year Resolutions - need help?
While acupuncture is the biggest part of my practice, I am a holistic Chinese Medicine practitioner at heart; this means I strive to combine acupuncture with Chinese dietary therapies, nutritional recommendations, Chinese herbs, Chinese bodywork therapies (such as foot reflexology) and meditation techniques when appropriate. This makes Chinese medicine an excellent adjunct to helping you meet your New Year Resolutions! Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can help you with techniques for reducing stress, with treatments to optimize metabolism and reduce cravings for weight loss, with reducing the withdrawl symptoms of quitting smoking and so much more. If you're looking for a way to keep on track with those resolutions and ensure that 2009 is the best and most accomplished year yet, consider a course of holistic and personalized acupuncture treatments to help you succeed. Free consultations are always available and you can book consultations and appointments online anytime.
Back in the Office January 3rd - See You Soon!
I will be back in the office Saturday, January 3rd from my holiday break to resume my normal Tues-Sat schedule. I hope you all had wonderful holidays and fantastic New Year celebrations. Please remember that if you have any questions or concerns about health related issues, I'm only a phone call or email away and I'll always be happy to help you in any way I can. Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you soon! - Rebecca Hurwood, LAc
Here is a list of insurance plans currently accepted:
In-Network Provider with...
- Regence BlueCross BlueShield
- Premera Blue Cross
- Lifewise
- ODS Health
- Kaiser Permanente
- ASH Network
- Providence Health Plan
- Health-Net
- PacificSource
- City of Portland (ODS)
- Reliant
- Cigna
- Great West
- All other providers with out of network coverage
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