Dublin Accupuncture

JOANNE MC GOVERN

Dip. Ac., Lic. Ac., ITEC., Dip. Chinese Herbs, Dip. Stress Management., Dip. Nutritional Advisor.,MAFPA.,

Members of the AFPA approved by Quinn, VHI, VIVAS and HSA for Out-Patient insurance purposes

ALLERGY TESTING, FERTILITY ENHANCEMENT, BIO-RESONANCE /

VEGA TESTING, MUSCLE TESTING, ACUPUNCTURE, STRESS RELIEF,

DIET AND NUTRITION, CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE, ETC.

WHAT CAN WE TREAT?

allergies, male and female fertility issues, muscle and joint problems, menopause, chronic fatigue, candida, I.B.S. digestive and bowel disorders, skin conditions, psoriasis, ecezma, insomnia, stress, asthma, sinusitis, smoking cessation, tinnitus, vertigo, urogenital disorders, menstrual disorders, back pain, oedema, palpitations, poor circulation, infertility, miscarriage prevention, mouth ulcers, low immune system, gynaecological complaints, celiac disease, headache and migraine, cancer care,- etc

Gynaecology

In Chinese medicine there are numerous gynaecological conditions. The most common include:

Irregular periods

PMT

Polycystic Ovary PCOS

Infertility (including male)

Vaginal thrush (candidiasis)

Habitual miscarriage

Menopause

Painful periods

Endometriosis

Mourning sickness

Amenorrhea – absence of period

Pregnancy

Labour

Breast-feeding

Hormonal skin problems

Hormonal headaches

Research on the effects of Acupuncture on Gynaecological Conditions.

The effect of acupuncture on polycystic ovarian syndrome:

25 patients were treated with acupuncture. Result 20 patients recovered regular menstruation. 10 of the 16 patients with sterility were able to become pregnant. Acupuncture can safely and effectively treat PCOS.

http://www.aborm.org/research/RoleOfTCMwithOrWithoutAcupunctureOnReproductiveMedicine.pdf

The effects of acupuncture on IVF and ICSI:

A randomised controlled clinical study on 225 patients was carried out. In group one 116 patients received acupuncture, while in group two 109 patients received a placebo. The pregnancy rates for IVF and ICSI in group one were double the rate of group two. Conclusion: Acupuncture can be of great benefit to IVF and ICSI.

http://www.aborm.org/research/RoleOfTCMwithOrWithoutAcupunctureOnReproductiveMedicine.pdf

PERIOD PAIN

For many women period pains are the bane of their existence. At least one day per month, they find themselves laid up, coping with pain that ranges anywhere from mildly inconvenient to borderline unbearable. They have accepted this unfortunate pattern as unavoidable, their penance for opting against birth-control pills. It doesn’t have to be this way. Women really can have their cake and eat it too: Acupuncture gets rid of menstrual cramps once and for all, no Pill required.

http://acutakehealth.com/get-rid-of-period-cramps-once-and-for-all

Acupuncture and the management of dysmenorrhea pain/painful periods:

In a controlled test over a year, a group of women were split into 4 groups. Only group 1 were given acupuncture for dysmenorrhea pain. 90.9% of group 1 showed a reduction in pain. Conclusion: Acupuncture can help to reduce pain in primary dysmennorrhea.

http://www.aborm.org/research/RoleOfTCMwithOrWithoutAcupunctureOnReproductiveMedicine.pdf

Acupuncture and the management of the Menopause

A study of 53 post menopausal women was performed. 27 were given reel acupuncture while the remainder, were given sham acupuncture. The sham group showed no significant improvements. The real acupuncture group showed a significant reduction in hot flushes and other annoying menopausal symptoms. Conclusion: Acupuncture can be of great benefit to menopausal women.

http://www.altmeds.com/menopause-related-problems/articles/acupuncture-cools-hot-flashes-in-turkish-study

Here are some common patterns Chinese Medicine Patterns which encompass many gynaecological symptoms.  The treatment of all these patterns would include acupuncture and or herbal medicine.  Diet and lifestyle would also usually be examined.  Diagnosis is made after taking a full case history on the patient.  Tongue, pulse and facial diagnosis are all used to help build a firm picture of which syndrome is involved.

Liver and heart blood deficiency, depleted conception and penetrating vessel, spleen qi deficiency.

Signs and symptoms may include:

Prolonged early or late periods, heavy or scanty periods, PMT, inability to conceive, irregular periods, habitual miscarriage, dry eyes, insomnia, tendo-muscular aches and weakness, palpitations, cracked finger nails, dry skin and hair, restlessness, anxious, irritable, tiredness, feeling cold.

Treatment principle:

Nourish the blood, tonify qi, regulate the blood, and regulate the conception and penetrating vessels.

Damp-heat in the lower body (leucorrhoea/candidiasis)

Signs and symptoms may include:

Vaginal itching and discharge, burning heat or redness of the genitalia, dry mouth.

Treatment principle:

Clear heat, eliminate damp and harmonise the conception and penetrating vessels.

Kidney yin deficiency (menopause)

Signs and symptoms may include:

Hot flushes, insomnia, anxiety, palpitations, dryness of the throat and vagina, restlessness, backache, a sensation of heat in the palms, soles and chest, prolonged / shortened menstruation

Treatment principle:

Tonify the kidneys and calm the mind.

Blood stagnation (uterine bleeding)

Signs and symptoms may include:

Painful periods, persistent uterine bleeding, lower abdominal pain, clots, spotting, profuse bleeding.

Treatment principle:

Move blood, and resolve blood stasis.

Kidney deficiency (infertility)

Signs and symptoms may include:

Infertility, prolonged menstrual cycle, loose stools, low back pain and weakness.

Treatment principle:

Tonify the kidneys, regulate and tonify the conception and penetrating vessels.

Liver qi stagnation ( PMT)

Signs and symptoms may include:

Outbursts of anger, tiredness, irregular periods, painful periods, belching, sighing, nausea, pent up anger, moodiness, headache, insomnia, clots, low back pain, and menstrual dizziness.

Treatment Principle:

Sooth the liver, regulate qi, move blood.

Consultation

On your first visit a full consultation will be given. This will include checking for organ imbalances nutritional deficiencies, diet and lifestyle demands, and tongue and pulse diagnosis. We will also get a full medical history from you. Depending on your diagnoses a treatment plan will be devised for you. This may include – Acupuncture, auricular acupuncture or needle free acupuncture, Chinese medicine, Diet and lifestyle recommendations.

It is important that your diet contains adequate nutrition and energy giving foods. It is equally important that these foods are being properly absorbed. Water, sleep and aerobic exercise are vital to maintain optimal health and energy. At the clinic we will assess your daily requirements to achieve this.

In Chinese medicine different food possess different properties e.g. If you have blood deficiency you will be advised to eat some foods that can nourish blood like rice and chicken eggs. While if you have a damp condition you may be asked to reduce your intake of foods which cause dampness e.g. greasy foods.

You may also be recommended to have an allergy / food intolerance test at the clinic.

Written by Joanne Mc Govern – Dip Ac., Lic Ac., Dip. Chinese Herbs, Dip. Nutritional Advisor, Dip Stress Management Consultant.

http://acupunctureandallergytesting.blogspot.com/

http://www.daatc.com/

This is something that we support in our clinic.  It is something we cover in our initial consultation for anyone trying to conceive or hoping to start in the near future.  This article is from the Sydney Morning Herald and is by Michelle Bridges who is an author and a trainer on “The Biggest Loser”.  Our clinic would agree and employ most of the advice in this article.

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/wellbeing/detox-to-boost-fertility-20110712-1hbe4.html

Midwives are widely using acupuncture in countries around the world with great sucess.  This article highlights just how much it is being used without getting a huge amount of press!  I found the article on PulseToday and it is from the blog of Edzard Ernst.

http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/comment-blogs/-/blogs/12377499/acupuncture-use-by-midwives

Miscarriage is defined as any pregnancy which ends spontaneously, before the fetus can survive.  It occurs in 15% to 25% of all pregnancies. This rate can be higher with A.R.T    Miscarriage usually occurs before 13 weeks. It can have a devastating effect, on all those concerned.   Today there is support for those who have suffered a miscarriage.

http://www.miscarriage.ie

Causes

Some causes of miscarriage still remain a mystery.  Some of the known causes include – genetic abnormalities, immune disorders eg, systemic lupus,  hormonal eg, cushings disease,  uncontrolled  diabetes, assisted conception eg, IVF.  Chronic health problems eg, hyper or hypothyroidism.  Vitamin or mineral deficiency eg, zinc. Uterine abnormalities eg,  fibroids,  viral or bacterial infections.

Defective sperm and low sperm count. Research from the department of obstetrics and gynecology in Sweden showed, 4% of abnormal sperm in normal pregnancy, compared to 48% of abnormal sperm in miscarriage.  Sperm counts in normal pregnancy were 138.7 million per cubic centimeter, while in the case of miscarriage they were only 110.2 million per cubic centimeter.

http://www.acubalance.ca/node/129?phpMyAdmin=c88b89a2627aaac25652af40e7ea84eb&phpMyAdmin=UTkcjUemf

The age of both parents can also be a factor.  A joint study was carried out from November 2010 to March 2011.  The findings showed that there is an eight fold risk of miscarriage if the father is over 40 yrs of age, and women older than 34yrs of age were two fold more likely to miscarry.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1140200/1/.html

Caffeine consumption.  Over 88,000 pregnant women were involved in Danish research, on the relationship between coffee and fetal death. One cup per day increased the fetal death rate by 3%.  Seven or more cups of coffee per day increased the rate by up to 59%.

http://www.acubalance.ca/content/coffee-linked-doubled-fetal-death-rate

Obesity can increase the rate of miscarriage.

http://miscarriage.about.com/od/endocrinefactors/i/obesity_2.htm

Smoking can severely impact on sperm quality and quantity.  Smoking in women can also increase the rate of miscarriage.

http://infertility.about.com/od/researchandstudies/a/male_fertility_smoking.htm

Alcohol increases chances of miscarriage.

http://alcoholireland.ie/alcohol-policy/alcohol-and-pregnancy/

Signs and symptoms.

The most common symptoms are cramping and vaginal bleeding.  90% of all vaginal bleeding in the first 7 to 11 weeks, will result in ongoing pregnancy.  All cramping and bleeding should be checked out.  The Doctor may order an ultrasound to assess the pregnancy and to rule out ectopic pregnancy.  A blood test measuring HCG levels may also be required.  A new test called the PVI test can predict  the chances of miscarriage, with  77% accuracy.

http://www.yourtango.com/201183502/new-pregnancy-research-predicts-miscarriage-77-percent-accuracy

How Acupuncture and TCM can help

http://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/latest-news/acupuncture_helped_brampton_couple_have_longed_for_baby_1_955

1  Relaxes and reduces stress

2  Improves blood flow to the ovaries and the uterus

3  Regulates the hormones.

4  Improves function of the ovaries to produce better quality eggs

5  Improves quality and quantity of sperm

http://www.jcm.co.uk/research-archive/article/acupuncture-improves-sperm-quality-610/

http://www.jcm.co.uk/research-archive/article/acupuncture-improves-sperm-motility-604/

6  Improves thickness of the uterine wall

7  Reduces uterine contraction (miscarriage)

8  Reinforces Qi to hold fetus in place (miscarriage)

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/02/08/i-suffered-five-miscarriages-then-i-gave-birth-to-lucy-t

9  Improves absorption of nutrients

10  Decreases the chances of miscarriage

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/02/08/i-m-cherishing-every-moment-with-baby-elin-after-my-

Consultation

On your first visit a detailed assessment is carried out.  This includes, Chinese tongue, pulse and facial diagnosis, past and current medical history, nutrition diet and lifestyle assessment.

A personalised diet and lifestyle plan will then be worked out for you.

It is important to get yourself, and your partner as fit and healthy as possible before conception. Regular aerobic exercise, a healthy diet, adequate water intake  and proper sleep are essential for health and well being.

Why do foods matter?

To maintain a healthy weight.

Zinc deficiency impacts on healthy sperm production in men.  In women it can cause problems with maintaining the pregnancy .

For good progesterone levels Magnesium and Vitamin B6 need to be in good supply in the diet.

Vitamin C – Vital for the absorption of iron, and healthy lining of the uterus.

Oily fish which is rich in omega 3 and 6, vital for the development of the babies eyes and brain.

Iron rich foods eg red meat are important, to help make extra blood needed by you and baby.

There are also foods which should be avoided during pregnancy eg,

Raw or cured meat and fish as they can contain harmful bacteria and viruses.

Some fish eg marlin and swordfish contain high levels of mercury.  This can harm the development of the babies nervous system.

Unpasteurised dairy products, such as  soft and mould ripened cheeses, like brie and Stilton, can contain the bacteria listeria.

http://www.feedingforlife.ie/pregnancy/diet-and-nutrition/diet-assessment-tool

Acupuncture treatments will also be advised.  Acupuncture may be advised for both partners prior to conception.  In cases of poor sperm quality and quantity ( depending on your diagnosis ) 3 months acupuncture treatment is advised. For women who have suffered miscarriage / are having ART eg  IVF, ( depending on your diagnosis ) we reccommend acupuncture treatment for 3 cycles.  After conception the emphasis for acupuncture treatments is on miscarriage prevention, and a healthy pregnancy.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CYD/is_1_40/ai_n8968477/

Written by Joanne Mc Govern. – Dip. Ac., Lic. Ac., Dip. Chinese Herbs, Dip. Nutritional Advisor.

A new study done by Yale Universtity/University of Pittsburg, has shown a 30% reduction in hot flushes suffered by women as a result of their chemotherapy treatment of breast cancer.  The acupuncture points that were used are traditional ones used for treating hot flushes and menapausal symptoms.  The study found there was “a significant difference in the average physical quality of life” during acupuncture treatment.  It has long since been widely accepted that acupuncture is an effective treatment of menapausal symptoms in general.

This article is from Continuing Education Online – Healthcare Medicine Institute.

http://www.healthcmi.com/index.php/acupuncturist-news-online/418-acupuncturehotflasheschemotherapyyalestudy

A review of studies was carried out.  Data from 13 trials was considered.  9 were based on acupuncture treatment and 4 on acupressure.  The conclusions included the following:

• Acupuncture patients experienced less intense pain
• There was increased satisfaction with pain relief from acupuncture
• Reduced use of pharmacological analgesia where acupuncture was used
• Fewer instrumental deliveries from acupuncture were found compared with standard care
• Pain was reduced in the acupressure group compared to the placebo group

So all of this is very promising.  It was concluded that more research into acupuncture for Labour pain relief was indicated.  The full results can be viewed on PubMed here…

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21735441

The “New England Journal of Medicine” recently published an article which states that acupuncture and ginger may be beneficial to women suffering with nausea and vomitting in pregnancy.  The article is from the Health Care Medical Institute.  Anything that helps morning sickness has to be a good thing!

http://www.healthcmi.com/index.php/acupuncturist-news-online/408-acupunctureceusgingermorningsickness

Evidence is now sugesting that acupuncture can help with certain types of infertility.  This is an interesting article by Hilary Easmom highlighting this.  Acupuncture is increasingly becoming thought of as main stream treatment of fertility issues.  Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with Chinese Herbs.  This article highlights the potential for acupuncture and chinese herbs in the treatment of recurrent miscarriage, high FSH levels, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.  It can also help improve conditions such as endometriosis.

http://www.empowher.com/female-infertility-overview/content/acupuncture-may-help-infertility#comments