Karen Reynolds Acupuncture

PCOS, Babies and You Part II

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imagesWelcome to Part II of PCOS, Babies & You

Are you are trying to get pregnant but having problems with regular ovulation or your menstrual cycle? This blog has important information about what is called: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS directly affects fertility, but here is how acupuncture helps.

There are many fertility blood tests out there. Two important ones are:

  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and
  • Luteinizing Hormone.

These are best drawn on your Cycle Day #3. For the purposes of fertility, it is healthy for Lab work for fertilityyour FSH and LH to be in what is called a One to One ratio. So for example: if a woman’s FSH is 6, ideally her LH would also be 6. Women with Polycsytic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) have a much higher LH (often 2-3x more LH) than FSH.

Science shows that acupuncture improves this very important fertility ratio of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone in your body. 1 (Please see Part I of this blog for additional information about other signs of PCOS.)

 

Acupuncture is effective for PCOS. Here is how:

Acupuncture promotes ovulation. 2

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are highly effective in lowering testosterone levels in women with PCOS. 3 (Testosterone is another hormone, which is related to getting pregnant. It is usually high in women with PCOS.)Chines herbs for fertility/KReynoldsAcupuncture.com

The results of a clinical trial by a researcher, Shi reflect lowering testosterone levels by 80.6% with Chinese herbs alone and lowering testosterone levels by 93.8%using       both acupuncture and Chinese herbs together.

Acupuncture regulates:

  •             Hormone (endocrine) functions (like FSH, LH & Testosterone)
  •             Blood sugar levels,
  •             Cholesterol (lipid) levels. 4

 A study done by the famous infertility researcher, Elisabet Stener-Victorin, states that Acupuncture when received consistently over time has lasting benefits on hormones and ovulation for PCOS. 5

PCOS is complicated. It impacts your ovulation, menstrual cycle, fertility hormones as well as blood sugar and cholesterol. Your body is a finely tuned but also delicate operation. Anything that throws wrenches in your gears, distorts your baby making production line. Acupuncture can help you and baby making run more smoothly.Fertility, Babies, KReynoldsAcupuncture.com

Thank you for reading PCOS, Babies, and You~Parts I & II. All content here is written personally by me in with the goal that it is be helpful to you. Please enjoy and feel free to share with me your thoughts or questions here. As long as you include the link for this blog entry to credit me as the author, it is fine to repost or share this article if you wish. For scheduling information and appointment availability, do please visit my website at: KReynoldsAcupuncture.com.

1 Pastore, L.M., Williams, C.D., Jenkins, J., Patrie, J.T. (2011). True and sham acupuncture produced similar frequency of ovulation and improved LH to FSH in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 96(10):3143-3150.
 2 Liu, Z.C., Sun, F.M., Zhu, M.H., Wang, X.Z. (2004). Effect of acupuncture on insulin resistance in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science, 2(6): 8-11.
3 Shi, Y., Feng, H.J., Liu, H.R., Zhu, D. (2009). Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with Chinese herbs on polycystic ovary syndrome of kidney deficiency and phlegm stasis type. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu, 29(2):99-102. Chinese.
4 Liu, Z.C., Sun, F.M., Zhu, M.H., Wang, X.Z. (2004). Effect of acupuncture on insulin resistance in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science, 2(6): 8-11.
5Stener-Victorin, E., Jedel, E., Manneras, L. (2008). Acupuncture in polycystic ovary syndrome: Current experimental and clinical evidence. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 20(3): 290-298.

 

 

Semen Analysis: Sperm Samples What You Need to Know Part III

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What you need to know about sperm samples Part III

Part I of this blog series discusses fertility physical examination for men as well as most recommended sperm sample processing. Part II reviewed specific steps in collection and transport as well as important directions to assure accurate results. Part III provides for you some information on viewing your results. I strongly recommend that any results you obtain are reviewed in a formal consultation with your Urologist, Reproductive Endocrinologist or MD, because there are far greater complexities to fertility than sets of numbers.

 

World Health Organization Limits of Adequacy for Semen Samples (1999)

Volume                                     >1.5 ml

Concentration                         >20 million/ml

Motility                                     >50-60%

Morphology                         >30%

Forward progression             2 on a scale of 0-4

 

Limits cited from World Health Organization Limits of Adequacy for Semen Samples 1999 and www.bcm.edu/healthcare/care-centers/urology/procedures/male-infertility-evaluation/semen-analysis.

Semen Analysis Terms and Definitions

Density=                                    how many million sperm per milliliter of semen fluid.

Motility=                                    the percentage of sperm with any movement

Morphology=                                    pertains to sperm shape and physical characteristics

Forward progression=            quality of sperm movement rated on a 0-4 scale

 

This 3 part blog series is intended to give you key information on semen analyses and steps to take toward male fertility and health. Do please feel free to comment or ask questions on my blog or per my Facebook page at: Karen Reynolds, LAc, RN Acupuncture for Optimal Health.

More Holiday Stress Busters

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When it comes to holiday stress, say no. There is a lot of pressure at this time of year to dole out, not only monetary resources, but also your energy or to what acupuncturists broadly refer as Qi (“chee”).

Your Qi is precious, just like delicate presents. It’s OK to decline an invite and even to share that part of taking care of yourself this season is to get enough rest and down time to stay healthy.

tips to reduce stress during holiday seasonStay hydrated. From end of November thru January first, meals become more erratic and more exotic. Fill a water bottle in the morning, squeeze the juice of half of a lemon into the water and then drop in the whole lemon rind too. Sip throughout during the day. Lemon rind naturally contains lemonene, which supports the liver with cleansing the body. The lemon flavor often encourages you to drink water too.

Keep your neck covered and opt for drinking warm fluids vs iced ones. The neck, especially the back of your neck, has what are called “Wind” acu-points. Colds and flu bugs can more easily access the body through these areas; so a scarf is a valuable and easy protection. Chilled fluids challenge the digestion of Spleen and Stomach Qi.

Your digestion is likely already challenged during the holidays. Give your tummy a break and drink toasty fluids in when you have a choice.

Get some acupuncture. Acupuncture boosts your immune system and reduces stress hormones like cortisol, which rises when you are stressed. I often share with people that the most frequent question at my front desk when people are checking out is: “Did you hear me snoring?”.

Sleep and rest rejuvenate the body and soul and rejuvenation is another preserver of sanity during this holiday season.

Have you Heard about the Tahiti Pose?

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I bet you have heard of Tahiti. You might even be plotting to escape there right now. But do you know about Tahiti pose?

I promise it’s not a convoluted something from yoga class, which causes pain. A photo of Tahiti pose is shown here.

quick and easy exercise for stress reliefYep, that’s it. Prop your legs up on a chair, any chair, and stretch your arms above your head. Close your eyes and hang out for 10 minutes. There is no fancy equipment required: just you, your legs and an unsuspecting chair.

Ten minutes in Tahiti pose is more restful than a nap.

Most of us can easily burn up 10 minutes fretting over holiday related tasks and the lack of time to seem to get around to each job. However studies show we are monumentally more efficient when we are calm, centered and rested.

Tahiti pose also naturally drains the lymphatic system of the lower body. The lymph gets easily congested with too much standing, walking, and eating rich foods like those at office parties and family gatherings.

So take advantage of some quick, easy Tahiti pose breaks to chill you out and keep you healthier.

Acu-points are truly amazing!

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Did you know that acu-points on your body can do truly amazing things?

For example, there are points that can help your body process hormones, so you are less cranky during your menstrual cycle (or for the guys reading this, for assistance, in surviving a woman’s cycle). As I’ve previously noted, there are also acupuncture points which boost your immune system or help you heal after an injury.

Here’s the kicker:

the health benefits of accupunctureDid you know that there are even acupuncture points that can help with non-physical issues?

This might be when your heart is broken, or your spirit is weary with grief, or you are feeling depressed. Acupuncture points have the expanse of treating body, mind and spirit, if applied as such. However, not all practitioners are trained in mind and spirit level treatments. From my gifted, generous teachers, and from dogged years of study, I’ve learned ways of using acupuncture points as supports to mind and spirit, because sometimes your biggest complaint is not physical.

Here is an example of exactly that. My patient, “Emma”, is a bookkeeper and investor. She just completed a grueling tax season, had rested and taken adequate time off thereafter, but couldn’t seem to get back in the groove. At her last visit, she sat in front of me saying, “I’m messing around playing online solitaire and making tea instead of doing my work.” She jokingly continued, “Do you have a point that cures procrastination and lack of focus?”

Why, yes, I do! The 2 main acu-points I used for her were:

  • Liver 13 aka Gate of Complete Works and
  • Liver 14 aka Gate of Prospects.

The significance and correct translation of acu-point names is key. Chinese characters, which make up acu-point names, have detailed, and sometimes hidden, meanings for use.

The word “Gate,” as it is used for the above noted acu-points, does not simply mean a door or passage. “Gate” in Chinese medicine refers to swinging doors like saloon doors. It speaks to communication or flow of information in both directions to benefit both sides of the gate. It is seen as heaven communicating its wisdom to humans. Humans in turn can inquire with heaven when stumped about life. “Heaven,” as defined in the Chinese medicine system is not religious. “Heaven” is the universal storage house that readily shares with us divine information about how we can be successful, happy, and healthy.

So, Liver 13 Gate of Complete Works is about completion of something meaningful, such as in Emma’s case: needing to complete a business plan for a new side business. This acu-point gives you strength to finish a challenging task.

Liver 14 Gate of Prospects allows the patient to see the future with generous hope. It helps the patient visualize a successful endeavor and see the process as unfolding forward to fruition….as opposed to getting side-tracked with solitaire and tea making.

Acupuncture for the non-physical does not require disclosing a taxing, point-by-point description of life events either. If what is bothering you is not a physical complaint, stating a few key descriptions about what is up will undoubtedly have 3,000 year old, wisdom-filled, acu-point at the ready. It’s an amazing thing about acupuncture and one reason I love my job and love helping people.

Next time you are feeling out of sorts or like you’ve temporarily lost the plot, consider an acupuncture session to support your mind and spirit, as well as your body.

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