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The first order of business for those who are having difficulty conceiving is, of course, to remove obstructions to reproductive health and to enhance fertility. When I started the Fertile Soul retreat process, this was, of course, our primary motive.
Over the years, however, it became abundantly clear that there was a secondary issue that could not be separated from the first. The pain of not being able to conceive is intimately intertwined with the fertility difficulty. I have found that when the suffering over the issue is alleviated, the obstructions are easier to rectify.
Imagine that you are having a challenge with your conception efforts, but there is no pain and suffering over it. Life goes on, with the same loves, joys, challenges, and richness. The agonizing sense of failure is not there. You love your life, your partner, and experience the beauty and abundance in all of life. One of the best pain relievers is a drug that helps you “forget” the pain pathway, even while the painful stimulus is present. This isn’t about denial; it’s about the healing strength of our attentive powers.
I remember a woman who came to retreat last year making this recognition. She said, “I have come to accept that I may not be able to have a baby. But what I miss most of all is being able to enjoy the simple pleasures of life again.”
We all have the source of life within us. We haven’t lost it, no matter how far off it may seem. If you can imagine your mind letting go of the “infertility” story, if only for an instant, you may be able to be struck by the awe of witnessing the miracle of a sunset again. Of feeling the chill of the winter air and knowing that it doesn’t mean the warmth of all of life is over, just that there is a chill in the air. Spring will come again.
Imagine looking in the mirror and liking what you see; witnessing hope in your eyes again. Imagine experiencing your body as the most wondrous miracle in existence. Imagine being in awe of the creative power that you embody. The story of “infertility” would be just that – a chapter that you are no longer interested in reading.
You may even be able to enjoy holiday gatherings. You may be
able to make new traditions that do not center around the scarcity of your “infertility” story, but instead embrace the creative power as it is still expressing itself. Allow yourself to feel the hurt, anguish and loss. Don’t push any of it away. Only then can you rise above it. Have the courage to stand in the midst of the pain and let it dissolve. Have the courage to cry, and still show up for life.
In the dead of winter, there is a call for life to emerge. That which we resist (infertility), persists. That which we attend to (the Life force) grows stronger. Where is your focus going to be this holiday season? On scarcity or abundance? The choice is yours.
As you show up for life, acknowledge your pain as you enjoy the smell of holiday fragrances. Experience gratitude for what you already have, and share in the gift of giving. The lives of those we admire most were not one sided – they did not hide out from their pain. They stood in the midst of the pain, and found in it the greatest gift life has to offer. The gift of life itself. All of it.
With gratitude,
Dr. Randine
Check out this article from Medical News Today on how acupuncture relieves hot flashes and improves the sex drive of cancer patients:
Acupuncture Reduces Hot Flashes, Improves Sex Drive in Breast Cancer Patients
01 Jan 2010
Not only is acupuncture as effective as drug therapy at reducing hot flashes in breast cancer patients, it has the added benefit of potentially increasing a woman’s sex drive and improving her sense of well-being, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study.
Study results show that acupuncture, when compared to drug therapy, has a longer-lasting effect on the reduction of hot flashes and night sweats for women receiving hormone therapy for breast cancer treatment. Women also report that acupuncture improves their energy and clarity of thought.
The study, published online this week in the Journal of Oncology, is the first randomly controlled trial to compare acupuncture and drug therapy in this way.
“Acupuncture offers patients a safe, effective and durable treatment option for hot flashes, something that affects the majority of breast cancer survivors. Compared to drug therapy, acupuncture actually has benefits, as opposed to more side effects,” says study lead author Eleanor Walker, M.D., division director of breast services in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Henry Ford Hospital.
According to the National Cancer Institute, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. For these women, conventional medical treatment involves chemotherapy and five years of hormone therapy. With such a long course of treatment, side effects of hormone therapy such as vasomotor symptoms – hot flashes and night sweats – can become a major cause of decreased quality of life, and even discontinuation of treatment.
Venlafaxine (Effexor) has been the drug therapy of choice to manage these common and debilitating side effects associated with breast cancer treatment. Venlafixine, however, comes with its own set of side-effects: dry mouth, decreased appetite, nausea and constipation.
Since acupuncture has been shown to effectively reduce hot flashes in menopausal women, Dr. Walker and her research team decided to test the use of acupuncture to combat vasomotor symptoms in breast cancer patients as an alternative to drug therapy.
To compare the two options, 50 patients were recruited from oncology clinics at Henry Ford. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture or venlafaxine treatment for 12 weeks. The drug therapy group took venlafaxine orally each night, 37.5mg the first week and then 75mg for the remaining 11 weeks. The other group received acupuncture treatments twice per week for the first four weeks, and then once a week for the remaining eight weeks.
At the end of 12 weeks, all patients stopped their therapy and were followed for one year. Patients kept a diary to record the number and severity of hot flashes, and took surveys to measure their overall health and mental health.
The study found that both groups initially experienced a 50 percent decline in hot flashes and depressive symptoms, indicating that acupuncture is as effective as drug therapy.
Differences, however, between the two groups began to emerge two weeks post-treatment: The acupuncture group continued to experience minimal hot flashes, while the drug therapy group had a significant increase in hot flashes. The acupuncture group did not experience an increase in the frequency of their hot flashes until three months post-treatment.
Source
Henry Ford Health System
Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/174900.php
For chronic headaches the best treatment may be one of the oldest: acupuncture.
In 1998, the National Institutes of Health accepted acupuncture as a useful alternative treatment for headaches, but warned that there were not enough clinical trials to draw firm conclusions about its efficacy. Now a systematic review of studies through 2007 concludes that acupuncture provides greater relief than either medication or a placebo.
The report, which appears in the December issue of Anesthesia and Analgesia, reviewed 25 randomized controlled trials in adults that lasted more than four weeks. In seven trials comparing acupuncture with medication, researchers found that 62 percent of 479 patients had significant response to acupuncture, and only 45 percent to medicine.
Fourteen of the studies, with a total of 961 patients, compared acupuncture with a placebo, a treatment in which patients were led to believe they were getting acupuncture. Of these, 53 percent found some pain relief with acupuncture, compared with 45 percent who felt better with the placebo. In four studies comparing acupuncture with massage, the massage worked better than acupuncture, but those studies were too small to draw statistically significant conclusions.
“People who get acupuncture prefer it to medication, because of the potential side effects of drugs,” said Dr. Tong J. Gan, a co-author of the review and a professor of anesthesiology at Duke. “This is an alternative treatment that is starting to move into the mainstream.”
Source: NY Times – http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/health/research/16regi.html?_r=1&ref=acupuncture
Have you had success reducing discomfort or pain through the use of acupuncture? If so, share your story!
Check out this article from Science Daily below about a recent study that shows acupuncture to be very effective in relieving depression in pregnancy:
ScienceDaily (Feb. 4, 2010) — In a study to be presented February 4 at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s (SMFM) annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting ™, in Chicago, researchers will unveil findings that show that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for depression during pregnancy.
“Depression during pregnancy is an issue of concern because it has negative effects on both the mother and the baby as well as the rest of the family,” said Dr. Schnyer, one of the study’s authors.
About 10% of pregnant women meet criteria for major depression and almost 20% have increased symptoms of depression during pregnancy. The rates of depression in pregnant women are comparable to rates seen among similarly aged non-pregnant women and among women during the postpartum period, but there are far fewer treatment studies of depression during pregnancy than during the postpartum period.
Dealing with depression is difficult for pregnant women because the use of anti-depressants poses concerns to the developing fetus and women are reluctant to take medications during pregnancy.
In the study, an evaluator-blinded randomized trial, 150 participants who met the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) criteria for Major Depressive Disorder were randomized to receive either acupuncture specific for depression (SPEC, n=52) or one of two active controls: control acupuncture (CTRL, n=49) or massage (MSSG, n=49). Treatments lasted eight weeks (12 sessions). Junior acupuncturists masked to treatment assignment needled participants at points prescribed by senior acupuncturists. Massage therapists and patients were not blinded. The primary outcome was the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, administered by blinded raters at baseline and after four and eight weeks of treatment. Data were analyzed using mixed effects models and by intent-to-treat.
The results showed that the women who received SPEC experienced a significantly greater decrease in depression severity (p<0.05) compared to the combined controls (d=0.39, 95% CI [-1.31, 1.65]) or CTRL acupuncture alone (p<0.05; Cohen´s-d = 0.46, 95% CI [-1.24, 2.31]). They also had a higher response rate (63.0%) than the combined controls (44.3%; p<.05; NNT=5.3, 95% CI [2.8, 75.0]) or CTRL acupuncture alone (37.5%; p<0.05; NNT=3.9, 95% CI [2.2, 19.8]). Symptom reduction and response rates did not differ significantly between controls (CTRL 37.5% and MSSG 50.0%). Mild and transient side effects were reported by 43/150 participants (4 in MSSG; 19 in CTRL, 20 in SPEC). Significantly fewer participants reported side-effects in MSSG than the two acupuncture groups (p<0.01).
“The results of our study show that the acupuncture protocol we tested could be a viable treatment option for depression during pregnancy” said Dr. Schnyer.
Editor’s Note: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100204075105.htm
As the days become shorter and we move into the darkness of the autumn season, it is very common to feel our mood shift as well. We begin to slow down and reflect on the abundance of activity, socializing, and joy the summer brought to our heart spirit. We feel the darkness and chill of the days slowly extinguishing our fire. In Chinese Medicine, the autumn is associated with the emotion of grief and sadness. When darkness is all around us, it is easy to feel the same within. In Western Medicine, many people are diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which is a depressive mood disorder associated with the change in the seasons, mainly winter, but can begin as early as the autumn season.
Chinese Medicine has been shown to be an effective healing modality in the treatment of depression. The National Institutes for Health (NIH) have established the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine which funds research studies in various holistic treatments. In one study done by Dr. John Allen and other researchers at the University of Arizona, acupuncture was used to treat a sample of women with depression. The results showed that 70% of participants experienced at least a 50% reduction of symptoms. This research marked the first U.S. randomized, controlled, double-blind study of acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating depression. The NIH funded study concludes, “Acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones in a good way.”
In Chinese Medicine, we treat the mind, body, and spirit as a whole. Our emotions are considered a cause of disease and each of the 12 organ systems/channels pertains to a certain emotion, thought and belief. We can effectively treat depression by understanding how depression feels to us, and how it manifests in our thoughts and beliefs. These symptoms will then guide us to which organ system needs the most support to create a more sense of well being and peace.
Generally, results with acupuncture and herbs are cumulative, improving week by week. Treatment begins with one or two sessions per week and tapers off as the condition improves.
Acupuncture and herbs are not only safe, but can also effectively be used together with anti-depressant medications.
Trust that in darkness, you will find light!
Allen, J., Schnyer, R., Hitt, S. The Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of
Major Depressive Disorder in Women. Psychol. Sci. 1998:9:397-401
Foods to Keep You Going
In traditional Chinese medicine, Fall is the season associated with the Lungs and Large Intestine organ systems, which protect the body against the invasion of pathogens and safeguard our internal resources. Common ailments during this time of year are often associated with dryness and include colds, flu, allergies, breathing difficulties, bronchitis, skin issues and constipation. To help support these organ systems and cultivate good health, we encourage you to eat “with the season” and choose foods that nourish these systems.
- Autumn is a very drying season. Keep hydrated with warming, moistening and soft foods that help your skin retain its moisture during dry weather. Soups, stews, and roasted vegetables are especially nourishing, and eating warm foods prepares the body for the transition into colder temperatures. Also be sure to drink herbal or caffeine-free tea, or room-temperature water throughout the day.
- In Chinese medicine, white foods are known to alleviate dryness and hydrate the body. Cruciferous white vegetables also contain high amounts of isothiocyanates, which are cancer-fighting compounds and immune boosters. Examples of white foods are white mushrooms, potatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, turnips, parsnips, pears, radishes, and white meat (we don’t recommend refined starches and grains such as white bread and rice, however).
- Enjoy the bounty of the fall harvest, including root vegetables, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins, and use warming spices to reduce phlegm such as cinnamon, cardamom and ginger. Fruits such as apples and pears are especially wonderful when paired with these spices.
- Avoid raw and cold foods, as they create dampness or phlegm that is stored in the lungs. Avoid excess dairy products as well, as they can exasperate phlegm.
- Consider scheduling regular acupuncture treatments and/or asking us for supplements and herbs to support your immune system for the transition into winter.
Stay warm, eat well, and take time to nourish your body and mind as we transition into the busy holiday season. We wish you a healthy and peaceful Autumn!
| What are the needles like?Acupuncture needles are far different from the hypodermic needle used to give injections. The needles are solid and are inserted into the skin from 1/8 to several inches deep. They are pre-sterilized, individually packaged, disposable needles, absolutely insuring that there is no contamination or transmission of disease possible. They are usually painless upon insertion, but you may feel a slight pricking, numbness, heaviness, or distended sensation in the area around the needle when it is planted. The sensations usually last only a moment. | |
| What are acupuncture points and meridians?Acupuncture points are those areas on the body that have been shown to have an influence on pain or body function when stimulated by a needle, pressure, or heat. These points are quite small, and exact location is important for attaining maximum benefit from a given treatment. By inserting needles into points on the meridian pathways, the normal flow of energy may be restored and balanced. The points are organized into twelve classic meridians which are named after the organ systems to which they correspond. There are also eight extra meridians which have distinct functions and address specific conditions. | |
| How many treatments are necessary?It is usually recommended that a series of six to ten treatments be given, initially. However every case is unique, and some can be resolved in only one or two treatments. I will be happy to discuss your case and treatment plan with you frankly and in detail. | |
| What are the side effects of acupuncture?One of the greatest advantages of acupuncture is the absence of serious side effects associated with its use. Rarely, there may be some slight bruising around the area where a needle was placed. | |
| How long does a treatment take?The initial visit usually lasts one and a half to two hours due to the time required for the extensive intake questions and examination. Follow-up treatments tend to take only one hour, but can vary depending on types of modalities used.
Learn more about Acupuncture and its benefits at Acupuncture Denver. |
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