Treatments

What is Acupuncture?

The use of acupuncture is fairly new to the United States and Europe, though it has been used in Asian countries, mainly China, for thousands of years. There’s a good reason to why it is still used today, which is why millions of Americans have utilized this natural method. Researchers are reporting the many benefits of acupuncture.

Most Popular Treatments

Natural Fertility
IVF / IUI Assistance
Pregnancy and Postpartum Discomfort
Digestive Issues
Pain Relief
Stress Relief
Fatigue
Women’s Issues: PMS, Irregular Periods, Menopause
Weight Loss
Mental Clarity and Energy

How does acupuncture work?

Oriental medicine states that our constitution is regulated by the flow of our life energy (Qi). When our Qi is disrupted, imbalances can arise. This can present as a weakened immune system, cold, flu, stress, depression, and can even lead to more severe illnesses like diabetes or cancer. Acupuncture can restore the flow of our Qi which not only can resolve the condition, but enhance our lives overall. Acupuncturists do this by stimulating specific points on your body, called acupuncture points, with a thin, sterile needle. Although the use of acupuncture needles is the most common, there are four different methods an acupuncturist may use depending on the condition being treated.

• Alternate Method #1: Electroacupuncture
  This is a technique where needles are still used, but they are connected to a device that provides a small electric charge.
• Alternate Method #2: Moxibustion
  There are a variety of ways this technique is used, though the most common involves burning moxa herb directly above the acupuncture points. Don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt in the least.
• Alternate Method #3: Cupping
  This is a form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) where a cup or jar creates suction on the skin causing blood to flow to that area. Is has been used even more since the USA swim team featuring Michael Phelps in the 2012 Summer Olympics were seen with cupping marks on their backs to relieve muscle strain.
• Alternate Method #4: Acupressure
  Instead of a needle, the points are massaged or held with pressure to be stimulated.

Advantages of Using Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Alternative medicine, including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and acupuncture, has been practiced by many cultures for thousands of years. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates between 65 and 80 percent of the world’s population use alternative medicine as their main type of health care. Recognizing its many advantages, TCM has gained in popularity in the West in recent decades. The American Medical Association passed a resolution stating it is “encouraging its members to become better informed regarding alternative (complimentary) medicine and to participate in appropriate studies of it.” What are the advantages of using acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine? Consider our top four.

1. Promotes holistic treatment. TCM teaches a practitioner to evaluate the entire mind and body of the patient, recognizing the two play an integral role. Persons are not treated simply as patients with symptoms and diseases. Instead, practitioners are trained to look for the root cause of health problems, providing treatment that stimulates the body’s natural healing ability.
2. Minimizes side effects. Invasive procedures and drug therapies cause numerous side effects and can build toxicity in the body. TCM minimizes those side effects since it seeks to promote natural remedies.
3. Enhances overall health. Medical studies have shown that when TCM is combined with conventional medical procedures, the outcome for the patient is better. A person’s general health and endocrine system are improved and balanced so that procedures such as IVF, GIFT, ZIFT, ICSI, AHT and TET are more effective. For example, acupuncture and herbal regimes have proven effective for those experiencing fertility problems. TCM improves conception rates, health during pregnancy and postpartum recuperation.
4. Easily integrated. While TCM is effective on its own, integration with Western medicine has shown the most success. The Orient began this practice less than 100 years ago, referring to it as Integral Chinese Medicine (ITCM). The proven ancient medical techniques of acupuncture and herbs combined with modern medicine is an integrated system that provides the best patient outcomes.

Laurie Binder is ready to provide you with the highest standard of alternative medical care. Contact her to learn more about how you can benefit.

Conditions Recommended for Acupuncture by the World Health Organization

Acupuncture is officially recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO)
In the official 2002 report,  Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials, the WHO has listed the following symptoms, diseases and conditions that have been shown through controlled trials to be treated effectively by acupuncture:

According to the WHO official report, Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials, acupuncture can also be effective in the following situations:

• • Diseases, symptoms and conditions for which the therapeutic effect of acupuncture has been shown, but further proof is required. These conditions are effectively treated as in the above list. More clinical trials are required to for scientific documented proof of effectiveness.
  • Diseases, symptoms and conditions reporting some therapeutic effects for which acupuncture is worth trying (nine conditions).

• Diseases, symptoms and conditions in which acupuncture may be tried, provided the practitioner has special modern medical knowledge and adequate monitoring equipment (eight conditions).

Link to the WHO report: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2002/9241545437.pdf

Study of the effect of Acupuncture on assisted reproduction therapy (ART)

Furthermore according to the 2002 study Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy, Acupuncture treatments doubled the probability of pregnancy in patients undergoing embryo transfer with ART.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in assisted reproduction therapy (ART) by comparing a group of patients receiving acupuncture treatment shortly before and after embryo transfer with a control group receiving no acupuncture.

Result(s): Clinical pregnancies were documented in 34 of 80 patients (42.5%) in the acupuncture group, whereas pregnancy rate was only 26.3% (21 out of 80 patients) in the control group.

Conclusion(s): Acupuncture seems to be a useful tool for improving pregnancy rate after ART. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11937123