Fertility- How does Oriental Medicine help and why is it so effective?
Recent research shows that acupuncture on its own can increase the pregnancy rates of people using IVF by about 40%. It can deliver the same rates for those not using IVF procedures too.
From general fertility clinic experience, recent research and the experience of fertility specialists, this rate can be increased to around 70% by combining both Chinese herbs and acupuncture for support throughout IVF. These figures hold out for non IVF patients too. However, approximately 5% of couples will never be able to conceive despite all combinations of both Chinese and Western treatment methods.
Chinese medicine can improve fertility and pregnancy rates in several ways;-
- Improve ovarian function to produce better quality eggs.
- Regulate hormones to produce a greater number of follicles.
- Increase blood flow to the uterus and increase the thickness of the uterine lining.
- Relax the patient and decrease stress levels.
- Prevent the uterus from contracting.
- Lessen the side effects of drugs used in IVF and gynaecology.
- Strengthen the immune system ( very important as Western medical treatment ususally decreases immunity).
- Improve sperm count and motility to produce better quality embryos.
- Decrease and prevent the chances of miscarriage.
Source;Andrew Orr.
Unexplained infertility can be treated with acupuncture and herbal medicine. Treatment can take between 3-6 months. This will be more successful and quicker if acupuncture is combined with herbal powder prescriptions. Herbal powders are easy to take by adding to a little water and drinking. They are convenient, and easy to carry around in a handbag.
IVF Support
Acupuncture is increasingly being used as an adjunct to modern fertility treatments. Preperation for IVF is best begun a few months prior to implantation in order to make the uterus as receptive as possible. However, treatment just a few weeks beforehand could also make a difference.
The Paulus Protocol is performed just before and after egg re-implantation.
A number of studies have been conducted showing that combining acupuncture with IVF significantly increases the chances of success.
- In various studies it has been found that acupuncture can affect hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone, LH, FSH, GnRH, Cortisol and Prolactin.
- A regulatory effect on the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian-adrenal axis has also been found.
A systematic review published in the British Medical Journal in Feb 2008 concluded that when combined with IVF, 'acupuncture increased the odds of clinical pregnancy by 65%'
It is highly recommended that acupuncture treatment should start around 1 month prior to the start of down regulation
NB Like IVF treatment itself, the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture cannot guarantee a pregnancy.
Source;Paul Johnson.
The Different types of infertility can be summarised below ( from a Chinese perspective).
Type1
The Symptoms
The symptoms of this are infertility, delayed menstruation, backache, pain in the lower abdomen, clear urine and a sallow complexion.
The Cause
This syndrome is caused by taking the contraceptive pill for many years, which can inhibit the growth of the body’s reproductive energy, resulting in coldness of the uterus and failure to conceive. Also, the weather in this country is damp and cold for prolonged periods and often people eat foods which increase mucus and cold in the body such as cheese and milk. This cold and fluid can form in the uterus resulting in a failure to conceive.
The Treatment
As well as acupuncture the following herbal remedies can be prescribed
1 Womb Warming for Conception Remedy
2 Two Herbs Remedy
3 Remedy for Restoring the Vital Energy
Type 2
The Symptoms
Infertility, delayed menstruation or short cycle, irritability, night sweats, tight chest, aching in the rib region, and breast tenderness.
The Cause
This syndrome is mainly seen in professional women who have stressful jobs, or women over thirty who are emotional and worry a lot. Also, poor circulation of energy adversely affects reproductive energy, causing difficulty in conceiving.
The Treatment
As well as acupuncture treatment the following herbal remedies can be prescribed
1 Free and Easy Wanderer Remedy
2 Five Seed Reproduction Pills
3 Go Ji Berry, Chrysanthemum and Rehmannia Remedy
Type 3
The Symptoms Infertility. May have mild fibroids and delayed menstruation, painful periods, pale complexion and tiredness.
The Cause
This syndrome is seen mainly in women who suffer from mild fibroids. Static blood flow in the Uterus results in lumps. The flow of blood and energy stagnates causing irregular menstruation and results in difficulty conceiving.
The Treatment
The first step in treatment is to promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis. At this stage the possibility of conceiving is small. It is necessary to wait until the fibroids become smaller or disappear, before starting to tonify energy and blood prior to further attempts at conception.
The following remedies may be used
1 Peach Kernel and Safflower Four Substance Remedy
2 Digestion Returning Pills
Male Infertility
With acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treatment, sperm quality significantly improves and the sperm count increases. Research has shown that the healthier a male is at conception, the healthier the sperm are, thus producing better embryos. Unhealthy males, and especially smokers generally produce poorer embryos.
Symptoms of male infertility might include tiredness, backache, feeling hot at night.
The following herbal remedies can improve sperm quality and numbers
1 Five Seed Reproduction Pills
2 Tian Gong Jiao Long (a new, quick acting remedy recently developed in China)
Vivienne Outram was taught the treatment of infertility by Professor Shulan Tang who was Professor of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Nanjing University and is one of the few members of the renowned, World Federation of Chinese Medicine, specialising in gynaecology.
A traditional healing system
which helps treat disease by using
healing plants & natural energy.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been used in China for thousands of years due to it’s ability to treat a wide range of health problems. Even today it is provided within Chinese hospitals alongside western treatment.
Introduction to Tongue Diagnosis
3 Typical Tongues!
1)
2)
3)
Pale Tongue (3) Red Tongue(1) Peeled Tongue(2)
Energy deficient Excess Heat Yin deficient
Blood deficient Empty Heat
Yang deficient
Conditions helped by Chinese Medicine include:-
Common modern problems
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Insomnia
- Hypertension
- Low energy levels
- High cholesterol
- Obesity/Weight reduction
- Addictions
- Alcohol/Cigarettes
- Allergies eg Hayfever
- ME
Stomach and Bowel Disorders
- IBS
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Digestive upsets
- Indigestion
Chest and Respiratory
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Sinusitis
- Cough
- Common Cold
- Chest pain
Skin disorders
Gynaecological Conditions
- Irregular/Heavy menstruation
- Infertility
- PMT/Period pain
- Menopausal Syndrome
Pain
- Arthritis
- Sciatica
- Backache
- Tennis elbow
- Knee pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Migraine
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine needles into acupuncture points on the body. The sensation when the needles reach the acupuncture points is usually descrbed as a heavy, tingling sensation, which most people find acceptable. The needles used are disposable and are only ever used once.
According to Chinese medical theory, energy moves along certain pathways in the body. At certain points along these pathways the energy runs close to the surface, just under the skin. It is at these places that we find acupuncture points. Acupuncture points are needled in order to increase energy, or to ublock stagnant energy in different parts of the body. Acupuncture points may be used which are far away from the site of a complaint. A point in the foot may directly affect a condition affecting the head.
Acupuncture is particularly good at controlling pain and treating problems relating to the nervous system. It is also effective in treating stress related problems and some chronic health problems.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine can help a very large number of chronic conditions and is usually combined with acupuncture. The combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine is a particularly effective form of treatment and is often quicker acting and more wide ranging in it's effect than acupuncture used alone.
Herbal tablets are convenient and easy to take and they are more gentle in their effect than raw herbs boiled to make a herbal tea. They are therefore very suitable for westerners not used to herbal medicine.
What is involved in treatment?
Treatment itself involves the insertion of usually 5-10 needles into acupuncture points on the surface of the body. Most energy points are below the knees and elbows, so as long as loose clothing is worn, it is unlikely that you will need to undress for treatment. However, it may be necessary to take some clothing off if a particular part of the body is being treated for example, the shoulder or hip.
The needles are retained for between 20-40 minutes. After the needles are taken out, you are likely to be offered one or two bottles of herbal tablets to take between treatments. They are a complementary treatment to acupuncture and work in a similar way, helping to intensify and shorten treatment. These are easy and convenient to take.
How is a diagnosis made?
The first part of the treatment involves asking questions about your condition. After this the condition will be diagnosed through Chinese medical differentiation. This involves looking at the shape and colour of your tongue and feeling your pulse in six different positions. Then questions willl be asked about your sleep, diet, energy and your tendency to feel heat or cold etc.
How is a diagnosis made?
The first part of the treatment involves asking about your symptoms and how long you have had them for. condiiton. After this the condition will be diagnosed through Chinese medical differentiation. This involves looking at the shape and colour of your tongue and feeling your pulse in six different positions. Then questions willl be asked about your sleep, diet, energy and your tendency to feel heat or cold etc.
Does it hurt?
Acupuncture needles are very thin. Between ten and fifteen acupuncture needles can fit into one conventional hypodermic needle! There is little discomfort when the needles go through the skin. When the needle reaches the acupoint there is a sensation best described as heaviness or a dull ache. This is a good sign, as it shows that the point has been activated and the healing process started. This sensation is generally acceptable and lasts for about a minute. During treatment there may be a pleasant sensation of relaxation.
Is it safe?
The needles used for acupuncture come pre-packaged in sterile containers and are used only once. After being used they are safely disposed of. There is therefore no need to worry about infectious diseases. All Chinese herbs are carefully sourced from approved suppliers with high standards of safety.
Are there any side effects?
Chinese herbal medicine works with your body and does not seek to suppress symptoms . As a result it is usually gentler in its actions than western medicine. In fact many Chinese herbs can be conscidered as super foods, which nourish the body.
Are endangered species used in herbal remedies?
Not in this country. It is illegal to sell such products. The herbal remedies used at the clinic are sourced from ATCM approved suppliers who abide by strict rules regarding safety and the law. It would also be unethical to use such products and against the general ethos of complementary medicine which strives to do good.
How long will treatment take?
This depends on how serious the complaint is and how long the individual has suffered from it. Chronic conditions can take longer to treat. Acute problems may only need 2-3 treatments. Improvements should be noticed within the first few weeks of treatment. Herbal medicine tends to work more quickly than acupuncture.
How often should I come for treatment?
Most people come for treatment once a week initially. It may prove more effective to have treatment twice a week for painful conditions, but this may prove difficult due to financial constraints and time pressures. The time between treatments can be increased once significant improvement is seen, particularly if herbal tablets are taken in between treatments.
What if i can't afford treatment?
Treatment can be modified to reduce costs. Acupuncture treatment can be given less frequently with herbal tablets used in between treatments. Also, dietary advice can be given to help improve a condition. This would help the healing process between longer gaps in acupuncture treatment. Alternatively, herbal tablets can be taken on their own for many complaints. This would suit those on a smaller budget.
Is it alright to have treatment while on medication?
Western medicine is designed to supress symptoms. Chinese medicine works to heal the underlying problems which lead to the appearance of symptoms. Therefore, they tend to work on different levels. As a result there is not usually a conflct between western and chinese medicine as they address quite different aspects of a condition. However, if you take warfarin for any complaint, this should be mentioned at the consultation, as certain herbs might amplify it's effect. You will however achieve better results if you are not currently taking any western medications, as these tend to create stagnation in the body, which may hamper the healing process.
Is it alright to have treatment while on medication?
Western medicine is designed to supress symptoms. Chinese medicine works to heal the underlying problems which lead to the appearance of symptoms. Therefore, they tend to work on different levels. As a result there is not usually a conflict between
