Find better health and beauty with acupuncture.
For over 4,000 years, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have been a complete medical system, which not only treats diseases, but also improves health and vitality. The theories of Yin and Yang, as well as Qi create the basis for Chinese Medicine. Yin and Yang are the two forces that represent light and dark, one cannot exist without the other and the two are in perfect balance. In Chinese Medicine, this balance directly affects a persons’ health. Qi is the natural flow of energies in the body through energetic pathways. It is thought that when Yin and Yang are out of balance, it results in physical ailments. The flow of the Qi is then disturbed, and must be set back to a natural flow to return balance to the body. Healing is accomplished by regulating the flow of energy, in the meridians, or energetic pathways of the body.
Acupuncture consists of the insertion of very fine, hair like filaments into the body at specific points shown to be effective in the treatment of specific health problems. Studies have confirmed the existence and locations of these points. Moxibustion (burning of the herb called mugwort on acupoints), Cupping, Gua Sha (scrapping), and Electrical Stimulation are other treatment modalities used in conjunction with acupuncture to treat specific conditions.
Acupuncture consists of the insertion of very fine, hair like filaments into the body at specific points shown to be effective in the treatment of specific health problems. Studies have confirmed the existence and locations of these points. Moxibustion (burning of the herb called mugwort on acupoints), Cupping, Gua Sha (scrapping), and Electrical Stimulation are other treatment modalities used in conjunction with acupuncture to treat specific conditions.
Acupuncture has opened the door for me in ways that Western medicine cannot. Natalie takes a special interest in patients’ mind, body and health that puts one at ease and makes them comfortable. Since receiving on going treatments, my ailments have subsided. My headaches have diminished and restful nights of sleep are consistent. I highly recommend Palm Wellness Center’s services.
~ Jennette
Acupuncture is safe with no side effects and can treat both chronic and acute conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture’s effectiveness for over 40 common disorders, such as:
Musculoskeletal Disorders Tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, TMJ, sciatica, low back pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia
Pyshoemotional & Neurological Disorders Depression, anxiety, insomnia, headache, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, intercostal neuralgia, post-stroke paralysis, dizziness, tinnitus
Gynecological Disorders Menstrual irregularity, endometriosis, PMS, infertility, menopausal syndrome
Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders Toothaches, earaches, sinusitis, rhinitis, laryngitis
Respiratory Disorders Colds & flus, bronchitis, asthma, allergies, emphysema
Gastrointestinal Disorders Food allergies, nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, ulcers, colitis
Circulatory Disorders Hypertension, high cholesterol, arteriosclerosis, angina pectoris
Urogential Disorders Cystitis, stress incontinence, prostatitis, prostatic hypertrophy
Acupuncture and Reproductive Health
Acupuncture can be a useful tool to assist couples who are trying to conceive both naturally as well as through assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Female Reproductive Health
Acupuncture has been used in China for thousands of years to regulate the female reproductive system. According to the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), when Qi (vital energy) and Blood are circulating freely throughout the body (in channels called meridians), a woman’s health and fertility are increased. When imbalances of Qi and Blood occur in the meridians, physical symptoms result and fertility can be affected. To produce a positive effect on fertility, a minimum of three months is necessary. In some cases, more time is required and it could take up to 6 -9 months. The treatment frequency is usually once per week, in the attempts to affect each of the four phases of the menstrual cycle (menstruation, follicular, ovulation, luteal phase).
Some common female reproductive issues that acupuncture can treat are:
In a study published by Fertility & Sterility in 2002, acupuncture was found to improve the chances of becoming pregnant when used in conjunction with assisted reproductive technologies (ART). This research has shown that acupuncture can help to increase blood flow to the uterus and improve ovum implantation to the uterine wall. Another key point published in this study shows the positive relationship acupuncture has on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. This helps to explain why acupuncture can:
Acupuncture is thought to inhibit the sympathetic nervous system and stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, thus leading to less uterine contractions and more blood flow into the pelvic area. A study published in 1996 by Human Reproduction found that electro-acupuncture did indeed increase the blood flow through uterine arteries up to 10-14 days after an acupuncture treatment on infertile women with higher pulsatility index (PI) associated with decreased blood flow through the uterine arteries. This research is especially important to better explain how acupuncture can improve the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF). In a corresponding study published by Human Reproduction, a high PI in the uterine arteries has been associated with decreased pregnancy rate in embryo-transfer IVF procedures thus inhibiting implantation.
Musculoskeletal Disorders Tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, TMJ, sciatica, low back pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia
Pyshoemotional & Neurological Disorders Depression, anxiety, insomnia, headache, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, intercostal neuralgia, post-stroke paralysis, dizziness, tinnitus
Gynecological Disorders Menstrual irregularity, endometriosis, PMS, infertility, menopausal syndrome
Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders Toothaches, earaches, sinusitis, rhinitis, laryngitis
Respiratory Disorders Colds & flus, bronchitis, asthma, allergies, emphysema
Gastrointestinal Disorders Food allergies, nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, ulcers, colitis
Circulatory Disorders Hypertension, high cholesterol, arteriosclerosis, angina pectoris
Urogential Disorders Cystitis, stress incontinence, prostatitis, prostatic hypertrophy
Acupuncture and Reproductive Health
Acupuncture can be a useful tool to assist couples who are trying to conceive both naturally as well as through assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Female Reproductive Health
Acupuncture has been used in China for thousands of years to regulate the female reproductive system. According to the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), when Qi (vital energy) and Blood are circulating freely throughout the body (in channels called meridians), a woman’s health and fertility are increased. When imbalances of Qi and Blood occur in the meridians, physical symptoms result and fertility can be affected. To produce a positive effect on fertility, a minimum of three months is necessary. In some cases, more time is required and it could take up to 6 -9 months. The treatment frequency is usually once per week, in the attempts to affect each of the four phases of the menstrual cycle (menstruation, follicular, ovulation, luteal phase).
Some common female reproductive issues that acupuncture can treat are:
- Amenorrhea (absent menstrual cycle)
- Irregular menstruation
- Thin endometrium
- Chronic miscarriage
- Luteal phase defect
- Ovulation problems
- Endometriosis
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- High follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
In a study published by Fertility & Sterility in 2002, acupuncture was found to improve the chances of becoming pregnant when used in conjunction with assisted reproductive technologies (ART). This research has shown that acupuncture can help to increase blood flow to the uterus and improve ovum implantation to the uterine wall. Another key point published in this study shows the positive relationship acupuncture has on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. This helps to explain why acupuncture can:
- Regulate the menstrual cycle
- Reduce anxiety, stress, and the hormones secreted during stressful situations that can significantly decrease fertility
- Normalize hormones and the endocrine system to regulate ovulation, especially important in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Acupuncture is thought to inhibit the sympathetic nervous system and stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, thus leading to less uterine contractions and more blood flow into the pelvic area. A study published in 1996 by Human Reproduction found that electro-acupuncture did indeed increase the blood flow through uterine arteries up to 10-14 days after an acupuncture treatment on infertile women with higher pulsatility index (PI) associated with decreased blood flow through the uterine arteries. This research is especially important to better explain how acupuncture can improve the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF). In a corresponding study published by Human Reproduction, a high PI in the uterine arteries has been associated with decreased pregnancy rate in embryo-transfer IVF procedures thus inhibiting implantation.
I waited until I was 41 and on my 2nd marriage to decide to have a child. It's another one of life's ironies that you're emotionally and financially ready, but it's almost biologically too late. My husband and I started trying and I got pregnant on the 3rd cycle of trying. I thought, "This isn't so hard". Boy, was I wrong!
At my first prenatal, the 8 week ultrasound, my doctor told us we were having twins and we were initially shocked by the news, however, they only measured 6 weeks 1 day and suggested I had my dates wrong. The doctor had us come back in 2 weeks for another ultrasound. That ultrasound showed no heartbeats and no growth, something they called "twins demise". My husband and I went from being on top of the world to being deeply sick with sadness. I had a D&C a week later, the day before Thanksgiving, and set out on recovery throughout the holiday season.
By the middle of January, we were okayed to start trying again. I was determined not to have that happen again so I researched what could help my fertility and overall egg health and happened upon acupuncture. I figured if we were going to end up doing IVF, it would be recommended anyhow so I decided to get started on it sooner. I also started to chart my Basal Body Temperature (BBT) so I could have as much information about my body as possible to improve my chances of conceiving again quickly. That's when I found Natalie at Palm Wellness.
Natalie took me in and provided weekly acupuncture treatments with the goal being to get me pregnant as quickly as possible. By my 2nd cycle of acupuncture, I was pregnant again, however, it was quickly declared a chemical pregnancy and I miscarried by the 5th week. With my 4th cycle of acupuncture, we noticed my BBT really beginning to normalize, meaning low lows before ovulation and high highs after ovulation. My charts were beginning to look textbook which was certainly attributable to the acupuncture.
By the 5th cycle (and just two cycles away from us beginning IVF), I became pregnant once again. I am now 8 weeks pregnant with twins (again!) and continuing the acupuncture for the many benefits it offers during the first trimester including the health of the babies and the relief of symptoms. As you can imagine, my husband and I are on top of the world again! And, things seem very different this time. We've seen the babies' heart beats at 7 weeks and I'm experiencing plenty of symptoms like bloating, fatigue, and morning sickness to name a few. However annoying the symptoms may be, I didn't really have any with the first pregnancy so, as you can imagine, I am the happiest sick pregnant woman nowadays.
What Natalie provided was about more than just acupuncture. She has truly been a trusted health advisor to me on just about everything including nutrition, stress, supplementation, fitness, and more. There is a lot of silent suffering when it comes to fertility and miscarriages. Natalie was that one person, besides my husband, that knew absolutely everything. She offered education, consoling, reassurance, and kindness all along the way and I truly appreciate her for that.
~ Stephanie
Male Reproductive Health:
Acupuncture has been shown to aid in the reproductive health of men by addressing the flow of Qi and blood to the meridians and reproductive organs that influence the health of the sperm. Three aspects of the sperm that determine optimal sperm quality are: count, morphology, and motility.
According to the Mayo clinic, about half of all infertility cases are caused by less than optimal sperm quality. Acupuncture has been shown to aid in the reproductive health of men through addressing the three aspects to the quality of the sperm: count, motility, and morphology. In 2005, Fertility & Sterility published a trial showing the effectiveness of acupuncture on sperm quality. This study reported a 13% increase in sperm motility, a four-fold increase in sperm count, and a 16% increase in sperm morphology. Further research is needed to demonstrate what stages and times in spermatogenesis are affected by acupuncture, and how acupuncture causes the physiologic changes in spermatogenesis.
An average treatment frequency is recommended for a minimum of 12 visits over a 72-day period (time it takes for new sperm to form) to see a positive impact on sperm quality.
Acupuncture has been shown to aid in the reproductive health of men by addressing the flow of Qi and blood to the meridians and reproductive organs that influence the health of the sperm. Three aspects of the sperm that determine optimal sperm quality are: count, morphology, and motility.
- Sperm count is the number of sperm that are required for a successful conception. The range is 40 million or more. Regardless if couples are trying to conceive naturally or through ART, an optimal sperm count is necessary. If couples are using the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), during in vitro fertilization (IVF), having a large amount of high quality sperm implies that the environment in which the sperms were developed are more favorable, thus it can improve the chances of having the best sperm to be chosen for injection.
- Sperm morphology is the shape and size of the sperm. Optimal shaped sperm will have better physiological functions and DNA expressions than a poorly formed sperm. The main contributing factor to infertility from males is the sperm quality and quantity.
- Sperm motility is the ability of the sperm to move, preferably in a straight line. Without proper motility, the sperm may not reach the proper area and conception may not happen because of it.
According to the Mayo clinic, about half of all infertility cases are caused by less than optimal sperm quality. Acupuncture has been shown to aid in the reproductive health of men through addressing the three aspects to the quality of the sperm: count, motility, and morphology. In 2005, Fertility & Sterility published a trial showing the effectiveness of acupuncture on sperm quality. This study reported a 13% increase in sperm motility, a four-fold increase in sperm count, and a 16% increase in sperm morphology. Further research is needed to demonstrate what stages and times in spermatogenesis are affected by acupuncture, and how acupuncture causes the physiologic changes in spermatogenesis.
An average treatment frequency is recommended for a minimum of 12 visits over a 72-day period (time it takes for new sperm to form) to see a positive impact on sperm quality.
I am very thankful to Palm Wellness for helping to ease my anxiety! As a Wife, Mom, and Entrepreneur "it" never ends! With the help of acupuncture I'm ready to face whatever "it" is!
~ Michelle