Research has shown (see http://www.acuweb.org.uk) that concurrent treatment with acupuncture during the IVF process improves success rates by a further 15%. Ideally I prefer to see prospective patients for 4-6 weeks prior to embryo implantation in order to prepare them physiologically and psychologically for the event. It is also important to see them pre and post embryo implantation on the day of transfer for maximum benefit.

A second important conclusion is that you can treat the mind through a physical intervention in the body, and this is where acupuncture comes in. Each human has a network of twelve channels or meridians that traverse their body from head to toe and these are punctuated by acupuncture points that are potential gateways to the psyche. Many of them have special names denoting their influence such as ’Gate of Hope’ (Liv 14), ’Root of the Spirit’ (GB 13), ’Spirit Storehouse’ (Kid 25), ’Spirit Gate’ (Ht 7), ’Spirit Path’ (Ht 4) amongst many others. These points can be used to treat common emotional imbalances such as irritability/rage, stress, anxiety, panic attack, obsession, depression, sadness, grief/loss, lack of joy, fear/phobia and in fact pretty much any emotional distress known to humanity. There have been clinical studies on the effect of acupuncture on schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and panic disorder – subjects for further bloggs!

And so it is possible for the practitioner of acupuncture to discern the temperament of an individual and choose acupuncture points that will bring emotional balance back. If you would like to know more give me a ring or check out my website at www.acuweb.org.uk .

Feeling heavy, muzzy-headed, bloated? It could be what in Chinese Medicine we refer to as a symptom of ‘Damp’. One of the causes of Damp is what we eat, particularly dairy food. I don’t ask my patients to exclude milk, cheese, eggs etc. but will advise that they cut down if one of their ailments is a consequence of Damp.

Hot flushes, constipation, thirst and anger outbursts? This could be a result of Heat. Cutting down on coffee (replace with warm water, Roobios, herb teas), alcohol and ‘hot’ foods such as curries will help reduce the symptoms.

Mood swings, constriction in the throat, built up rage? It could simply be that your Qi (energy force) is stuck and needs moving. A walk in the park, round the shops or just dancing to music will get the Qi moving and you’ll start seeing improvements.

You see? You should expect lifestyle advice and its often straightforward, simple to implement and will do you the world of good … alongside those needles !

See www.acuweb.org.uk for more on acupuncture.

It is normally described as leg pain in the form of an ache, shooting pains or tingling in one leg.

A good Sciatica website looks at its causes and conventional and complementary treatments, a good link for some genuine information on the subject.

A real misconception about Chinese Medicine and acupuncture is that it is an alternative to conventional medicine. This is not necessarily true. In many cases, my patients find acupuncture benefits them alongside the care and treatment they recieve from their GP or consultant. In fact, acupuncture can be prescribed by NHS doctors to help counteract some of the uncomfortable side-effects of cancer medication. It’s advovated here at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America and in the UK, Cancer Reaserch UK also talks about the benefits of acupuncture and cancer therapy.

Visit me at www.acuweb.org.uk

But what is an acupuncture point? Well, they are identified by hollows in the structure of the body and are areas that are particularly responsive to the flow of Qi, they also lie in channels called meridians. By manipulating the Qi at these points, the body is able to respond by balancing its yin and yang, resulting in harmony and good health.

The main reason an acupuncturist chooses a point is, of course, its function. Particular points are able to restore the balance of Qi, clear Heat, warm the body, clear the Mind and restore the Spirit etc .. the list goes on.

But one of the other things that can steer a practitioner towards a point is it’s name and there are some beautiful and poignant names that work so well.

Take for example a point most acupuncturists will know as Stomach 25. Its Chinese Pin Yin  name is Tianshu, which means Heavenly Pivot. Tian means Heavenly and in Chinese Medicine signifies a “Spirit” point, which suggests that this point can effect the emotional and spiritual side of a person as well as having an influence on the abdomen. St25 is level with the umbilicus and is the most  distal of the Spirit points lying at the centre of the body between Heaven and Earth. As the name suggests, it is the central place and can be used when a person needs to come back to their “centre”, to realise their true worth and keep them grounded.

I’ll be talking about point names and their functions on my Twitter feeds. So, please follow me to learn more. You can also find me here at www.acuweb.org.uk .

Back in 2009 (sorry, I just couldn’t resist the pun), the BBC reported how the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) said that patients with persistent low back pain should be offered acupuncture, massages or exercises on the NHS.

I treat many patients with back problems.

The British Occupational Health Research Foundation (BOHRF) states that 40% of the population are affected by back pain and 50 million working days are lost. The cost to the working public is  about £5 billion (or £200 for every employee) in sickness absence costs.

If you suffer from back pain and nothing, so far, has seemed to work, go to my About page and give me a call or visit my website at www.acuweb.org.uk . Let’s see if acupuncture can help get you pain-free.

The BAcC publishes a Code of Professional Conduct that governs ethical and professional behaviour, while its Code of Safe Practice sets benchmark standards for best practice in acupuncture.

As a BAcC member, I am bound by these codes and am accountable to the BAcC and can offer you the following assurances:

•  compliance with current UK health and safety legislation

•   full medical malpractice and public/products liability insurance cover

•  expert practice skills maintained by following a mandatory individual           programme of continuing professional development (CPD)

•  compliance with BAcC Code of Safe Practice and Code of Professional Conduct

•  current approval by the National Blood Service to issue certificates to patient who want to give blood

Visit me at www.acuweb.org.uk

I, obviously, reassure my patients and  show them that the needles used in acupuncture are very fine. So fine, many people do not even notice when a needle is inserted.

However, for those people who really don’t want any needles, there are alternatives. I’ve talked about Chinese Herbs in an earlier blog and these can be taken in capsule form and swallowed as conventional medication. Acupressure can also be extremely effective and this is where pressure is put on the acupuncture points with the fingers without the use of needles.

Other techniques can also be used to manipulate the flow of Qi.

These include:
•   Tui Na massage
•   Gua Sha
•   Cupping
•   Qi Gong

So, don’t dismiss acupuncture outright. There will be other ways an acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Practitioner can help with your ailments.

Acupuncture theory is based on the idea that our bodies can become imbalanced as a result of our physiology, environment, or emotions. These imbalances eventually lead to diseases such as infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis or other anovulatory conditions, not to mention conditions such as premenstrual syndrome and painful periods. By arriving at a diagnosis the acupuncturist can set about repairing the underlying imbalances that are causing the problem and therefore restore the individual back to health and fertility.

Treatment:

I usually recommend an initial series of between 4 and 6 weekly treatments in order to begin the process of rebalancing the body. After this it would be typical to have two treatments per monthly cycle, one at approximately 10 days and one at 21 days until preganancy is achieved.
Assisted IVF

Recent studies have shown that using acupuncture in conjunction with IVF increases pregnancy rates by up to 43% compared to the more typical 26% (Fertility & Sterility2002:  vol 77(4), 721-4) . Acupuncture has been shown to increase blood flow to the womb, relax the muscles of the womb to prevent cramping and consequent expulsion of the embryo, and also to reduce the general anxiety associated with the IVF procedure.

Treatment:

Acupuncture treatment involves insertion of a number of needles in the body and ears before and after embryo transfer.

And After you become pregnant!
Acupuncture is a safe, effective and drug free way of treating illness during pregnancy. For example it can help with preg9nancy induced morning sickness and back pain. Acupuncture can also turn breech babies with an 80% success rate.

Visit me at www.acuweb.org.uk