The following article was prepared by Randine Lewis, Ph.D., founder of The Fertile Soul and the CEFP community, for purposes of helping patients to understand how Chinese Medicine interprets AMH markers as “potential” indicators for fertility.  Susan Fox is a member of the CEFP community, an international group of practitioners dedicated to treating fertility challenge using principles of The Fertile Soul method.

AMH – What Does It Really Mean?  Markers of Ovarian Reserve Viewed Through the Lens of Chinese Medicine   By Randine Lewis, Ph.D., L.Ac.

“Ovarian reserve” testing can be intimidating and daunting. The results often feel like a fertility death sentence. When viewed through the eyes of Chinese medicine, however, these laboratory markers of ovarian potential can actually make diagnostic sense, and help determine the best natural therapeutic course for you.  It will be helpful to understand a little reproductive physiology first.

Brain Hormones:

The pituitary gland, which sits behind your eyebrows, emits FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) in response to messages translated by the hypothalamus, which secretes Gonadotropic releasing hormone (GnRH) in response to the hormone levels in your blood, and your emotional response to your environment. This hormonal command post, like all of the hormones in your body, responds to internal chemical messages conveyed through the blood, and emotional interpretations of your external environment.

These external and internal messages determine how the pituitary hormones interact with and are able to communicate with your ovaries, and how the ovarian output communicates back to the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

Ovarian Hormones:  Activin and Inhibin B are protein complexes within the ovarian follicule. Activin enhances FSH secretion, cellular proliferation and plays a role in menstrual regulation. Inhibin B, on the other hand, down regulates and inhibits GnRH from the hypothalamus, and FSH secretion from the pituitary gland.

When the system is in sync, the hypothalamus secretes GnRH to trigger the pituitary gland to release small amounts of FSH during the last few days of the previous menstrual cycle, which rise until the beginning of the next follicular phase. FSH recruits Graafian (or antral) follicles, which have been growing within the ovary for the better part of a year. Around three months before these follicles are ovulated, they enter the tonic growth phase, where protein synthesis occurs. Follicles that have interacted optimally with the internal environment have the potential to become dominant follicles, primed by FSH. They then secrete estrogen, and express LH receptors, which allow the chosen dominant follicle to mature and become capable of ovulation.

Higher levels of Inhibin B indicate that the ovarian follicle is doing its job of putting out adequate estradiol. Inhibin B provides negative feedback to the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to let them know to turn down the GnRH and FSH, as output is sufficient.

The High FSH Craze  Within the last ten to 15 years, reproductive medicine has been making quite a fuss over high FSH levels. Chinese medicine doesn’t focus so much on the unqualified meaning of laboratory values like Western medicine does; we view lab results energetically according to what is behind them, rather than providing meaning to the absolute numerical value.

The body energetically views the ovaries as “essence”, an elemental potential, like the primordial follicles within them. Follicles are only potential until they begin to interact with their internal environment, which is responding to cues coming from our interpretation of our external environment. All of this is subject to change, when we change our internal environment, and our response to our external environment. FSH, on the other hand, is viewed as “heat”, which activates the potential of the ovaries’ essence in the form of eggs, and resulting blood levels of estradiol (or yin). When the essence is adequate, it doesn’t require much heat to ignite the ovaries. When the essence is weak (due to stress, lack of restoration, follicular malnourishment, and the demands of life), it takes more heat to induce the necessary ovarian response, indicative of present ovarian health.

To put it simply and in energetic terms, those who have high FSH and low estradiol levels generally have too much heat, in relation to the underlying essence capable of responding to FSH stimulation. Although optimal FSH values are seen as <10, The Fertile Soul Method ® has helped women whose FSH values are well over 100 conceive naturally. First, however, we have had to energetically reduce their heat, and maximize their essence, which allows the FSH to activate healthy follicles.

Although Western medicine views the reproductive system as an ever-deteriorating disease process waiting for intervention, Chinese medicine employs a different lens. We view the body/mind/spirit as an ever adaptive system, which, when given appropriate environmental cues, has a miraculous ability to manifest its highest potential.

The Low AMH Frenzy  As if high FSH values, and low estradiol/inhibin-b levels weren’t enough to convince you of your need for drastic intervention and donor eggs, the newest craze in ovarian reserve testing is a hormone known as Anti-Mullerian Hormone or AMH.

Again, some reproductive physiology will be helpful to make sense of this hormone.  During embryonic development, male testes produce AMH, to inhibit the expression of Mullerian ducts, which become female sexual organs. In the presence of AMH, the primordial urogenital ridge bears Wolfian expressions of prostate, testes and vas deferens, rather than the female Mullerian expressions of fallopian tubes, uterus and vagina. We could look at Anti-Mullerian Hormone as a “holding back” hormone. After birth, AMH becomes expressed by females, within the granulosa cells of the ovary, where it inhibits the responsiveness of growing follicles to FSH. Since human beings aren’t made to raise litters, the body’s internal wisdom does not allow the recruitment of all of the primordial follicles, as only one dominant follicle is chosen for ovulation during each menstrual cycle. If FSH is viewed has heat, and estradiol is viewed as yin, AMH is viewed as the “essence potential”, or the ability to hold back the ovarian essence from interacting with the pituitary gland’s igniting fire. The greater the body’s ability to hold back ovarian essence, the easier it is for the FSH igniting potential to activate a response in the form of a healthy egg and its resulting estradiol levels. Therefore, higher AMH values are indicative of a greater abundance of interactive follicles. The range of AMH values run between 0-6 ug/L. The closer you are to 6, the greater the force behind the dam. Once again, The Fertile Soul Method ® has helped women whose AMH values were zero conceive naturally. How does this work?

Putting It All Together  We are endowed with a primordial pool of follicles during fetal development. At birth they measure near one million; by the time we enter menarche, they number about 500,000, and by the time we approach the perimenopausal years we have around ten thousand. These primordial follicles do not undergo any change or deterioration until they begin to circulate within the ovaries’ response to its internal environment, which is an inner result of how we relate to our external environment.

The hypothalamus interprets our emotional response to our environment (via neurochemicals), and translates it into hormonal messages in the form of GnRH or Gonadotropin Inhibitory Hormone. These chemicals then trigger the appropriate response from the pituitary gland, whose hormones signal the gonads to release their germ cells and hormones. The resulting blood laboratory values are a manifestation, not a cause. These circulating hormone levels feed back to the hypothalamus, along with our emotional response, to regulate its ongoing release of brain hormones. Because of this adaptive feedback system, supplying external hormones will not improve the function of the ovaries; only suppress their release. In order to improve the functioning of any part of this system, the entire system must be addressed.

Tiny follicles leave their primordial pool (again, not changed since before birth), and enter into the growing pool of follicles, where the dominant follicles are activated by FSH fire from the pituitary gland. The number of circulating follicles depends upon many factors – blood flow to the ovaries (which can be enhanced), nutritional and hormonal fuel to the ovaries (which can be enhanced), our emotional response to our environment (which can be enhanced), our ability to restore and access the follicles to allow them to enter into a healthy internal environment (which can be enhanced.) The number of follicles in the growing pool determines the levels of AMH. Only the chosen dominant follicle will mature in response to the pituitary gland’s release of luteinizing hormone during ovulation. LH can be viewed as the energetic trigger, causing the entire cascade to produce the potential for release, fertilization, implantation and continued growth.

An early antral follicle releases estradiol in the form of yin. If the endocrine system provides messages that this system is conducive to new life, the ovaries perceive a great internal potential to produce more follicles. They will respond with more yin, access more essence, and the entire cascade will dance into full expression. AMH values will rise. FSH values will tend to lower, as very little flame is necessary to keep the fire going. More follicles will produce greater levels of inhibin B. The body will select a dominant follicle; LH will mature its residing egg, and allow the release of a healthy potential.

Keeping The Fire Burning  A simple analogy – FSH is the flame. The uterus is the oven. LH is the opening of the flue. The ovaries are the wood; Estradiol measures the available wood for burning, inhibin B could be seen as the damper that keeps the fire from burning out of control, and AMH could be seen as the lighter fluid. If we are trying to ignite the spark of life and keep it going, we need to ensure all of our provisions are adequate. Assisted reproductive technology gives you one tool – more fire. However, if we need a drier oven, if we need to gather more wood, soak it in more fluid, or reduce the wind that is keeping the spark from igniting, more fire is not the only answer. In fact, sometimes more fire actually keeps the materials from being able to burn on their own. A flame-thrower is not the best way to tender the gently burning fire of life. Some ways you can improve your capacity on your own:

Reduce stress Perform reproductive and femoral massage

Take anti-oxidants Eat organic, natural fruits and vegetables

Get adequate rest Practice internal deep breathing techniques

Acupuncture Keep yourself in supportive environments

Chinese Herbal therapy

The Fertile Soul Method ® is proven to maximize your reproductive potential. Most of our patients are 40 or over; most have high FSH, low AMH, other hormonal abnormalities, or have been diagnosed with poor ovarian reserve, poor egg quality, endometriosis, or recurrent miscarriages. Most have not found their answers solely within Western reproductive medicine. Most have been able to rectify their internal energetic imbalances through our program, and produce new life.

Dr. Randine Lewis is the founder of The Fertile Soul, the president of the Continuing Excellence in Fertility Professionals, the author of The Infertility Cure, and The Way of the Fertile Soul. Find out more about Dr. Lewis’ work at www.thefertilesoul.com, and about The Fertile Soul’s network of professional fertility acupuncturists at www.thefertilesoulcefp.org.

Copyright 2010 The Fertile Soul

Announcing The 2010 Integral Transformative Practice International Annual Conference!

The Intention of the Universe: Our Evolutionary Destiny, takes place June 11 & 12, at St. Stephen’s Church in Belvedere, CA. This spirited event attracts a community of integral practitioners and the general public from all over the country to meet, socialize and explore emerging trends.

Are you seeking a way to express your best and most authentic self?

If so, join us on the journey of Integral Transformative Practice (ITP).

ITP is cross-training for the body, mind, heart and soul. It’s designed for all people, particularly those with busy lives. Through deliberate daily practice, you transform yourself – and our world – for the better.

ITP is a practice, not a quick fix. It’s a path, not a patch.

For more information please see

www.itp-international.org

At the upcoming 2010 conference, keynote speaker, Jeff Kripal, Professor of Religious Studies at Rice University, will present key concepts from his most recent book,

Authors of the Impossible, a history of psychic phenomena through the last two centuries of Western thought. In this work, Kripal provides a framework for exploring ideas and events cited as paranormal. Michael Murphy, ITP and Esalen co-founder, will join Kripal for a panel discussion along with other guest panelists.

Additional conference activities include movement, meditation, Leonard Energy Training (LET) exercises as well as small group breakout sessions and interactive presentations by members of ITPI’s Mastery program. The annual conference is ITPI’s major fundraising event for the year and showcases a silent auction, raffle and a variety of ITP products for sale. The conference concludes with a festive reception and party with drinks, sumptuous hors d’oeuvres and live jazz.

The Thyroid Fertility Connection and Hashimoto’s Disease, Part I of III

by Karen Reynolds, L.Ac., M.S., R.N.

Elizabeth is a hardy, healthy small business owner known for her creativity, drive and sense of humor. In the last 2 years she has fallen pregnant easily; but has had 3 miscarriages, each early within the first trimester. Her medical doctor had attributed her pregnancy losses to advance maternal age. Following the last miscarriage, she began noticing that her energy level seemed inordinately high, even after 12 hours of hard work. She also began spontaneously losing weight. This pleased her; but it was peculiar that neither her diet nor activity level had changed.

Next she started experiencing heart palpitations and feeling as though her insides were quaking. Friends and family dismissed it as anxiety, overwork and stress, though Elizabeth is not an anxiety prone woman. These symptoms culminated in awakening one morning with double and blurred vision and a headache so severe that she could not drive or function.

It turns out that Elizabeth has Hashimoto’s disease-an autoimmune disease of the thyroid. Autoimmune means that the body attacks itself or identifies its own tissue as foreign. It is important to realize that with Hashimoto’s disease, women can have fluctuating bouts of BOTH Hyperthyroid (fast/overdrive) and Hypothyroid (slow/sluggish) symptoms.

For some women, the symptoms change rapidly from week to week.

Hashimoto’s disease is complex with regard to how it disrupts fertility and can contribute to recurrent miscarriage. During hypothyroid bouts, the disease impacts progesterone production. During hyperthyroid bouts, the disease imparts extreme inflammatory stress and temperature dysregulation. The matter is further complicated by the fact that some women have the commonly checked TSH blood level (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) registering within “normal” ranges; yet they do have Hashimoto’s disease. For your review below are listed typical Hyperthyroid and Hypothyroid symptoms.

Hyperthyroid Symptoms

Heart palpitations, heart racing

Agitation

Anxiety

Nervousness

Feeling like your interior of your body is trembling

Insomnia

Loss of weight without diet or activity change

Hypothyroid Symptoms

Marked fatigue, despite getting enough sleep

Unable to lose weight, even with a strict nutritional intake

Gaining weight, even with a strict nutritional intake

Poor concentration

Memory loss

Hair loss/thinning: on scalp, body, and genitals

Loss of outer edge of eyebrows

Extremely dry skin

Dandruff

Constipation despite fiber, fluids, and over the counter medications

By the time Elizabeth saw me for acupuncture, she was physically and emotionally drained.

I was stunned to find that nowhere along her course of evaluation were blood levels for antibodies drawn. This is a must. Labs called Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Antibodies (abbreviated TSH Ab), had been drawn to rule out Graves Disease. These were indeed negative for Elizabeth; but she still had Hashimoto’s.

There are two basic and inexpensive antibodies blood tests, which should always be checked when there is a question of thyroid disease or Hashimoto’s. In my practice, I routinely order these markers. My patients pay $29 for each test plus a $7 lab draw fee.

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies abbreviated TPO Ab.

Thyroglobulin Antibodies abbreviated TGB.

Elizabeth had extremely elevated numbers of both Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies and Thyroglobulin Antibodies.

Conventional medicine does not typically recognize steps, which autoimmune patients can actively take to attempt to quench the inflammation that occurs within their bodies due to autoimmune thyroid issues. This may be one reason why antibody draws are often not completed. The conventional medicine tack that is frequently taken is that the thyroid will eventually be burned out, so to speak, by the body’s repeated autoimmune attacks. Then the woman will simply be on thyroid hormone supplementation for the rest of her life.

What about the woman’s body, mind and spirit weathering the extremes of these overdrive states? What about the physiological impacts to a woman’s overall health during these flares? Any woman who has ever experienced this phenomena will tell you she wants options.

In addition to seeking medical care and acupuncture, here are some things you can do to take care of your own thyroid if you have or suspect you have Hashimoto’s disease.

By following these self-care measures, you can assist your body in more optimal hormone regulation and reduction of inflammation, so as to improve your chances to fall pregnant.

First of all: see your MD and Acupuncturist. Have the appropriate labs assessed and interpreted to determine the function of your thyroid.

Cut out gluten from your diet-FOREVER.

This is a strong statement, I realize. There are voluminous amounts of evidence that gluten is akin to gasoline on the fire of autoimmune issues. Sometimes my patients will say to me “Can’t I just have a slice of birthday cake once a year?” Please note: one exposure to gluten revs up your immune system for up to 8 months. One slice of birthday cake could have long standing impacts to your thyroid, causing a flare.

An autoimmune thyroid flare can in turn cause your body to attack your thyroid.

You have power within your habits to attempt to preserve your thyroid’s function. Avoiding gluten is one power you can exercise.

I will have more information on gluten and how it affects the thyroid in Part III of this series. Complex carbohydrates that are OK to include in your diet are

potatoes, rice, quinoa, and wheat-free oats.

Avoid iodine supplementation and avoid iodated salt.

This may seem counter intuitive. From a biophysiology standpoint, iodine stimulates increased production of Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO). For a woman who has antibodies (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies TPO Ab) to her own TPO, this surge of TPO can cause flares. Sea salt is fine. Cook your own food as much as you can.

The other iodine warning is to avoid, if possible, scans requiring use of intravenous iodine based dye. Patients generally must sign consent for the iodine contrast dye to be used. Chemically flooding your system with an iodated dye can do exactly the same thing as iodated salt. However a contrast dye injection is in far greater quantities and infused directly into your blood stream. With any testing procedure, you all must weigh the pros and cons. Actively consider these with your MD, should it be necessary for you.

Increase antioxidants in your diet and with supplementation.

We often hear about antioxidants associated with warding off cancer or used in

anti-aging protocols. If you have Hashiomotos disease or suspect it, your body will use antioxidants to quench that flaming fire of inflammation caused by the autoimmune response. The great thing is that antioxidants are abundant in green leafy vegetables, they are widely available as supplements, and there is plentiful information about them on-line. Cindy Bailey’s fabulous book The Fertile Kitchen Cookbook models a diet naturally high in antioxidant rich foods to nourish your body. Additional information on antioxidants will be provided in Part III of this series

In my acupuncture clinic, I specialize in the treatment of fertility of both men and women, women’s health, and functional endocrinology. More of my fertility patients have thyroid issues than those who do not; so this is a treatment passion of mine. Drawing from my 20 years of experience as an ICU RN, I make extensive use of lab testing. I also utilize acupuncture, antioxidants, dietary changes and nutritional supplementation to optimize health, wellness and vitality for the amazing women and men who I have the great honor treat.

Stay tuned for Parts II and III of the Thyroid Fertility Connection!

Be well and Namaste.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at:

kreynolds@balancerestored.com

Balance Restored Center for Integrative Medicine

600 Miller Avenue

Mill Valley, CA 94941

Ring: 415.381.8500 Ext. 4

See my blog for additional information:

http://karen-reynolds.com

Interview with Donna Marie Scippa, Nurse Practitioner at Whole Health Associates in San Rafael, California.

Interviewer: Karen Reynolds, Licensed Acupuncturist and R.N. in Mill Valley, California.

Hot Topic: Breast Thermography

KR: Donna Marie, how did your first become interested in breast Thermography?

DM: My mother died of breast cancer when she was 33. Since then, and after becoming involved in women’s health, I’ve thought that there needs to be a way to help women to prevent disease instead of waiting until they get sick.

Thermography looks at heat shifts in the breast at an early enough stage that we have time to make the changes needed to reverse the process. The beautiful thing about Thermography is that it picks up signs of a possible cancer earlier than any other form of breast screening. Cancer has already formed by the time a mammogram identifies it. This is about education and prevention. I don’t think women should be dying of breast cancer at 33. By pinpointing abnormal heat early, we have the opportunity to help a woman stop the formation of abnormal cells with diet and supplements and life-style changes.

What’s interesting to me is that in reading my mother’s hospital records, the treatment was not all that different in 1954 than it is today. It has been said that we have this new Cadillac of chemotherapy, but chemotherapy and radiation still completely depletes the patient’s immune system in the process, just like radiation did in 1954. I want to give women the information on how to enhance their immune system so that their body can fight cancer cells naturally and BEFORE they actually become an aggressive disease.

Realistically, no amount of radiation is safe. We are exposed to low levels of environmental radiation everyday, which is bad enough; but mammograms radiate a highly sensitive area on a regular basis, which obviously cannot be healthy. I’m not saying that mammograms are not valuable or that they don’t save lives. However, statistics show that mammograms have not made a noticeable difference in death rates of women from breast cancer. Yet, I’m not telling women not to get mammograms; I’m encouraging the inclusion of Thermography in breast cancer awareness and prevention plans, to help differentiate high-risk women, pick up heat changes in the breast early, and give women a significant chance of beating an aggressive disease.

Less is more. Taking into consideration family history, individual risk, age etc. all women don’t have to get a mammogram every year. Thermography can help us use mammogram more judiciously instead of radiating all women on a yearly basis. In fact, The US Preventative Task Force recently said that women in their 40’s should not get mammograms. This makes sense in that women in their 40’s tend to have more dense breast tissue and mammogram is not as accurate in a woman with dense breasts. That being said, what they failed to do is give women another option. It’s basically mammogram or nothing. This is where Thermography can be so incredibly helpful in screening those who don’t need, or would not necessarily benefit from, mammogram.

The Task Force also noticed that we were picking up a lot of false positives with mammograms, which resulted in more biopsies and thus more stress. Mammograms are 80-85% sensitive and specific, while Thermograms are 90% sensitive and specific. Meaning that 90% of the time a Thermogram is correct. Given what they saw, mammograms are more helpful for women between the ages of 50-70. Thermograms are safe, affordable, non-invasive tests, which can give women outside this age box assurances without radiation.

KR: Can you share with us some basics about how Thermograms work?

DM: A Thermogram is a physiologic test; basically, it measures heat. All of us are heat generators and most of the heat we produce is normal. A Thermogram detects abnormal heat in the breast tissue. This may be the first sign of a breast cancer forming. Interpreting a Thermogram requires a complex computerized system, which measures heat in the breast through state-of-the-art medical infrared photography.

In comparison, a mammogram is an x-ray, which is a structural test. Mammograms can pick up things like micro calcifications and masses in breast tissue, which may or may not be benign.

KR: What should women know about pre-instructions for Thermograms?

DM: Basically things that heat or cool the body can impact a Thermogram reading. We have very specific instructions on our website www.wholehealthassociates.tv. Things like topical creams, bathing, sun exposure and exercising prior to a Thermogram will change the results. Chiropractic adjustments or acupuncture prior to a Thermogram can also impact the reading.

KR: Why do some MD’s seem to mistrust the value of Thermograms?

DM: More and more, MD’s are opening to Thermography because they are realizing its value. Their patients are seeking to be more proactive about their health care choices and are asking their doctors to be more inclusive when it comes to Thermography. The MD’s that are not open to it tend to be more conservative and are not looking beyond what the AMA is telling them is the standard of care. I am trying to introduce Thermograms to the community as an integral part of breast health screening, and therefore should be included in the modern standard of care.

KR: Donna Marie, I thank you for your work, your inspiration, and your dedication on this issue. I have been so grateful to have an alternative for my patients who desire less radiation exposure, especially fertility patients.

For more information please see:

www.breastthermography.com the website of Dr. William Amalu, an expert in Thermography, for a more complete list of published studies and up-to-date information on Thermography.

For anyone who would like to contact Donna Marie Scippa, RN,NP,CTT:

Phone: (415) 299-0396

e-mail: dscippa@yahoo.com

Office address: 880 Las Gallinas Aveue, Suite 1

San Rafael CA 94903

Revitalize Your Relationship

Becoming a parent is one of life’s most incredible experiences…but it also brings enormous stress and strain to even the most solid relationship. Come and enjoy a fun Parents Date Night to help you rediscover why you wanted to take your journey together in the first place. Your strong connection as a couple is the best gift you can give yourselves to build the foundation for a strong, healthy family.

When:  Tuesday May 18th 6:30PM to 8:00PM

Where: Balance Restored Center for Integrative Medicine

600 Miller Avenue

Mill Valley, CA 94941

Fee:     $30/couple

Group facilitated by Catherine Lucey, Supervised by Dr. Ellen Hammerle, Ph.D., LMFT #32398 Community Healing Centers.

For more information, please call 415.848.9100 x 2 OR visit: www.shinefamilyresources.com

If the only tool you have is a hammer,

you tend to treat the world like a nail. (Anonymous)

What:

Ear Acupuncture is your tool to help reduce or stop smoking within 5 weeks.

Where:

The Acupuncture Practice of Karen Reynolds, L.Ac., M.S., R.N

600 Miller Avenue

Mill Valley, CA 94941

Phone: 415.381.8500 Ext. 4

kreynolds@balancerestored.com

On line scheduling available www.balancerestored.com -please select Smoking Cessation/Detox Treatment.

10 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge

On-site parking

Plan: 2-3 Ear Acupuncture Treatments during Weeks #1 & #2

1 Ear Acupuncture Treatment during Weeks #3, #4, and #5

Cost: Price $55 for each treatment**

**During the first two weeks, if you schedule & show up for a 3rd                                     treatment: It’s free!

Time: Treatments take 30 minutes total.

Why:

It’s cheap.

It’s fast.

It’s easy.

It’s relaxing.

It improves your health and well-being

It works.

Ear acupuncture raises serotonin levels in your brain.

What does serotonin do?

Reduces pain.

Reduces anxiety, nervousness and worry.

Reduces cravings.

Helps you break your habit and get on with your life.

Acupuncture in Pregnancy, Childbirth, Postpartum

Susan Fox, L.Ac., M.S., FABORM, CEFP

Recently I was asked to give a talk on when and why to consider acupuncture during pregnancy, childbirth & postpartum.  I prepared the following summary as a guide.  I hope you find this useful for yourselves, your loved ones and your clients.  You should consider acupuncture during the

First Trimester: (1 – 12 weeks)

With the rapid growth of fetus and hormonal changes occurring, some symptoms that can be treated with acupuncture include:

· Morning Sickness – mother’s Qi is disturbed by growing fetus

· Bleeding – always use complementary medicine in conjunction with Ob/Gyn care for issues such as this

· Urinary tract infections

· Fatigue

· Anxiety

Second Trimester: (13 – 28 weeks)

Baby’s organs are maturing, bones are hardening, respiratory passages are developing. Estrogen/progesterone production cause decrease in smooth muscle tone, including stomach and cardiac sphincter.  Symptoms that may arise that can be treated with acupuncture include:

· Heartburn

· Digestive irregularities – constipation

· Varicose veins and hemorrhoids

· Lower back and sciatica pain

Third Trimester: (29-40 weeks)

Baby is gaining weight at 1 oz (28 g)/day. It’s nerve cells increase, lungs and immune system mature, digestive tract develops, bones lengthen and harden, growth spurts in brain. Mother needs approx 200 extra calories/day and protein need is very high. Mother’s blood volume has increased by approximately 40%.  Symptoms that arise in the third trimester that can be addressed with acupuncture and Chinese medicine include:

· Anemia

· Insomnia

· Muscle cramps (usually legs).  You’ll always want to work with your Ob/Gyn or vascular specialist to rule out Deep Vein Thrombosis

· Edema

· Breech presentation – acupuncture can help turn a breech presentation duirng the period  32 -35 weeks using moxabustion.  The exceptions to this include twins, hypertension, or bleeding

Labor

· Acupuncure induction, with or without electrostimulation, is very effective in inducing labor

Fourth Trimester: Postnatal period

· Depression and emotional problems, frequently caused by hormonal fluctuations, can be addressed with acupuncture.  Depending upon severity of symptoms, you may want to combine acupuncture and prescription medication as recommended by your Pediatrician

· Lactation problems – insufficient milk production and/or mastitis are common issues easily addressed by acupuncture.

· “Mother roasting” – Keeping mother’s abdomen warm with moxa or hot stone therapy helps with the healing process that is crucial to a postpartum mother.  Pregnancy and childbirth are greatly depleting to mother’s Qi, and this tonification process helps mom return to her vital health quickly.

· Caesarean section postnatal care - acupuncture around a caesarean scar can help bring blood flow to the area of injury and hasten the healing process

Liver Detox Pathways and Essential Nutrients

‘Tis the Season to Detox

In Chinese medicine, Spring is the perfect time to detox the body by supporting the liver. As we come out of winter, the body is ready to process what we have accumulated in “hibernation.” Even if we have been healthy most of the year and through the Holidays, our modern environment and lifestyles expose us to many toxins—car exhaust, plastics, pesticides, heavy metals just to name a few. An annual detox protocol is crucial to keeping our biggest filtration and detox system, the liver, running smoothly.

The liver is the most important organ involved in our natural detoxification process. It uses enzymes to drag chemicals and toxins out of the blood and into the stool. If the liver is exposed to more chemicals than it can handle, our body retains the chemicals. A good detox helps people unload this build up of chemicals and many people will notice an improvement in chronic problems like allergies (link to blog), headaches, migraines, and digestive issues.

At Christmas time, many of us ask for “toys”. Around the New Year, we typically formulate those blasted resolutions. Then by March life has managed to cloud those well-intentioned and meaningful goals. Now is the perfect time to revisit that we are still in the first quarter of 2010-the year of the Metal Tiger. See below for what the Tiger energy will bring to us.

2010 the Year of the Metal Tiger

The year of the Metal Tiger is a perfect year for adventures and to attack issues, which formerly have been challenging or possibly not evolving constructively. 
This year combines the passion of the Tiger with the precision of cold steel. A powerful and possibly chaotic combination this is!

Tiger energy is fierce, swift in action, and loyal in protection of family and home. In this Tiger year, you will likely find your home feeling safe and sound. The Tiger introduces an element of bedlam too. Think of herds scattering when the big cat bounds on the scene. This is not necessarily a bad thing.

Action makes things move. Movement is progress. For peace-loving, gentle souls, this year is a good one to land soft-footed and deftly dodge the canine commotions.
Do keep in mind that the Metal Tiger energy surrounds us all. The same force that propels you forward will be driving your opponents, so choose your stance wisely. Tigers are known to be restless and can jump too quickly, so give thought to your pouncings to gain the best result.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Sinus Problems? Nagging cough? Read this!

Each year the cold, flu and allergy season
shows up in a unique way.

This year there is a plethora of sinus
congestion and lingering coughs. The coughs
are worse at night, are not necessarily productive
and ultimately are draining. Is this you, your mate
or your child?

Did you know that Oriental medicine has highly
specific herbal categories and formulas
which address these types of patterns?

Not only do I have great success in treating
colds, flus and allergies for adults; but I also
treat kids. Herbs are safe for children and can
improve immune function in a non-pharmaceutical,
gentle way!

For an appointment or questions, please ring my office:
415.381.8500 Ext. 4

On-line scheduling available-select the
Make an Appointment button at www.balancerestored.com
Be well,

Karen Reynolds, L.Ac., M.S., R.N.
Balance Restored Center for Integrative Medicine

600 Miller Avenue

Mill Valley, CA 94941