Acupuncture Proven Helpful for Hotflashes in Recent Study

I
In a recent study acupuncture has shown safe and effective in reducing hot flashes in women undergoing long term antiestrogen therapy after breast cancer treatment. The study also showed that acupuncture had no side effects and even boosted libido and improved mental clarity.

The study compared acupuncture with the use of venlafaxine (Effexor) which is currently a standard therapy for relieving hot flashes in breast cancer patients. The study included 50 women 82 % of whom were postmenopausal.25 women were given venlafaxin and 25 were given acupuncture. Both groups experienced significant reduction in hot flashes.

However, after two weeks of treatment, the group taking venlafaxine began to experience significant increases in hot flashes, whereas the acupuncture group's incidence of hot flashes remained low. Women in the group taking venlafaxine had side effects including nausea, dry mouth, headache, dizzines and trouble sleeping. The acupuncture group had no side effects but had increased energy and a sense of well being.

This study was published online 12/28/2009 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.2009.

This is good news for not only breast cancer survivors who wish to avoid taking the anti-depressant venlafaxine and seek relieve from hot flashes, but for all women who experience hot flashes as a result of the hormonal decline experienced in menopause.

For more information on how acupuncture can help in menopause or for breast cancer survivors please visit, www.bethanymuhl.com.

Or call, 310-367-1564 and I will be happy to answer any questions.

Acupuncture for Anxiety and Depression

The holiday season, filled with lots of parties, food and family gatherings can be a fun filled time, but it can also be a time for stress, anxiety and depression for many people. Money and family stresses can seem overwhelming, especially in a year such as we've had when many people are losing jobs or facing salary cutbacks. Normal stress can seem difficult in the best of times, but combined with challenging economic times and holiday pressures it can be overwhelming.

This past year I have had an unusually high number of people coming to see me for stress, stress related ailments, anxiety and depression. I have treated them with acupuncture and herbal medicine and have seen dramatic and welcome improvements in most of them. Depending on the severity of the situation, Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a holistic solution to this very common problem. Mild to moderate depression and anxiety can often improve very quickly with the use of regular acupuncture treatments and customized herbal formulas. It is important that the formulas and treatments be customized as each person is different in their constitution and cause of imbalance.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies. It can be especially effective when used in conjunction with psychological counseling particularly in more severe cases.

For questions on how acupuncture and herbal medicine may help you call 310-367-1564 for a free phone consultation.

Acupuncture During Pregnancy

Many women wonder if acupuncture is safe during pregnancy. It is absolutely safe when given by a trained and skilled acupuncturist. It not only is safe but can help prevent miscarriage, alleviate nausea and morning sickness, reduce aches and pains during pregnancy, reduce heartburn, ensure a good night's sleep and much more.

Since one of my specialties is fertility acupuncture, once a woman becomes pregnant she usually continues with me throughout her pregnancy. Most women report having easier pregnancies and births as a result of the care they get with acupuncture.

During pregnancy it is important to keep the body in balance as it is easy for the Qi energy to get stagnant during this time. When discomforts arise it is a sign that the Qi is not flowing properly in the channels. This is easily remedied with acupuncture.

I usually recommend that women get weekly treatments during their first trimester and at the very least monthly treatments thereafter until the last month of pregnancy. At this point we increase treatments again to help facilitate an easier birth. Of course each woman is different and we structure treatment protocols based on each woman's needs.

If you are pregnant or wishing to become pregnant, consider acupuncture as a wonderful way to ensure your health and well being and to pave the way for an easier birth.

Complementary consultations available. Call for information. 310-367-1564.

Relieve Menstrual Pain with Acupuncture

As a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a specialist in Women's Health and Fertility, I see many women with menstrual irregularities. They come to me with moderate to severe monthly cramps, mood swings, depression and a host of other complaints that can accompany the monthly period. Most women accept and deal with the monthly cycle they have regardless of the pain, suffering and inconvenience it causes them. Or, they go on the pill whether or not they are trying to avoid pregnancy.

When I tell a woman that she does not have to have menstrual cramps she is often surprised. What most women don't know is, there is very easy, very simple solution. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine offer a highly effective, healing alternative. What I do in my clinic is not put a bandaid on the problem, but get to the root imbalance that the woman is suffering to effect a permanent solution.

If you are suffering from menstrual cramps, PMS, irregular periods and more, there is a solution that works to bring relief to your very next period. You simply don't have to live with painful periods any more!

For more information call 310-367-1564 for a complementary phone consultation.

Effective Alternatives to Hormone Replacement Therapy

If you have read the recent news linking lung cancer and hormone replacement therapy then it is likely that you are looking for a safe, effective alternative.

As a specialist in Women's Health and wellness, I have successfully helped many women make the transition from HRT to natural methods using acupuncture and herbal therapy. Each woman's situation is unique with a varying set of symptoms and severity. During a consultation I carefully consider each woman's constitution and specific health situation in order to create a custom treatment. As I create an herbal formula for my patient, I carefully choose herbs and acupuncture treatments to specifically match her set of symptoms. This ensures the greatest success in alleviating menopause symptoms and creating a better quality of life.

If you are ready to make the change from HRT and have questions, I offer complementary phone consultations for your convenience. I may be reached at 310-367-1564.

Or you can visit my website at www.bethanymuhl.com for further information.

Male Factor Infertility Can Be Half the Problem

Male infertility concerns are appearing more regularly in the news lately and for some couples this may come as a surprise. Often times the male partner is overlooked in favor of primarily treating the woman . This however, is changing and more doctors are looking at the man's fertility as frequently as the woman's.

It is thought that about 50% of all fertility cases are related to problems with the male partner. Fertility for the male depends on adequate sperm, unobstructed ability of the sperm to travel through the seminal tract, the ability of the sperm to travel through the woman's reproductive tract to reach the egg and its ability to fertilize the egg. When sperm quantity, quality and motility (ability to swim and move) are reduced it is difficult to fertilize an egg. Physical problems like varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum) also impact fertility, possibly by elevating the temperature in the region thus affecting sperm quality and quantity.

Factors that may contribute to infertility:

• history of prostatitis or genital infection
• testicular trauma
  
• history of early puberty or delayed puberty
• exposure to toxic substances or hazards on the job, such as lead, cadmium, mercury, ethylene oxide, vinyl chloride, radioactivity, and x-rays
• cigarette or marijuana smoke
• heavy alcohol consumption
• exposure of the genitals to high temperatures
• hernia repair
• undescended testicles
• prescription drugs for ulcers or psoriasis
• DES taken by mother during pregnancy
• mumps after puberty

Solutions to male infertility range from surgery, IVF, ICSI, to natural solutions like supplements, acupuncture and herbal medicine.

Chinese Medicine, which incorporates acupuncture and herbal medicine, has shown to be very effective in treating low sperm count, problems with liquefaction, low motility, poor morphology and other problems related to the male reproductive tract.

If you are a couple that has been trying for some time to become parents please consider testing to see if male factor infertility is part of the problem. Having a semen analysis is a good first step. Consult your medical professional for options.

For more information on how acupuncture and herbal medicine can help go to www.bethanymuhl.com or call 310-367-1564 for a complementary phone consultation.

Maximize Fertility & Prepare for Pregnancy, Part 2

Eating a healthy diet is all important for a woman wishing to become pregnant. Preparing your body ahead of time by eating the right things helps insure that you are in the best health possible. It is much easier to conceive and to produce a healthy baby when you are at the peak of health yourself.

Food choices are as important for the months leading up to pregnancy as they are during pregnancy. If you are a gardener you understand the importance of preparing the soil in order to germinate and grow the healthiest and strongest plants. Farmers prepare their soils for planting well in advance of planting the seeds. It is the same for our bodies. By making sure we have the right nutrients and eliminate what might be harmful we create the best environment for fertilization to take place and for a fetus to thrive.

What are some of those good food choices?

• Eat fresh, unprocessed, organic foods whenever possible. Buy fresh from a farmers market if you can and cook it yourself. This is the best way to get the nutrients that your body needs and to eliminate chemicals and preservatives that are harmful to your body. Buying from a farmers market ensures that the food is as fresh as possible and that more vitamins and minerals are still intact. Organic and pesticide free fruits and vegetables also are shown to have more nutrients present than those grown in fields sprayed with pesticides.

• Eat hormone free meats. We absolutely don't want to add synthetically produced hormones to our bodies by eating them in our food. This can disrupt the naturally produced hormones we make within our own bodies.
  

• Add foods containing omega 3 essential fatty acids like wild salmon, sardines and other oily fresh cold water fish that are low in mercury content. Other sources are flaxseeds (ground daily), walnuts, brussel sprouts, cabbage, soybeans and many others. Omega fats are important in maintaining reproductive capability and in fact, a deficiency can lead to infertility. Fatty acids are important components of cell structures, are necessary for skin and hair grow and are important in visual and neurological development. It is most important to have the omega fats present in your body for the developing fetus.
  

We've talked about good things to eat, but there are also important thing to eliminate or reduce.

• Eliminate coffee and caffeinated drinks. Coffee and caffeine can constrict blood vessels in the body, which include those leading to the uterus. To maximize fertility we want to increase the blood flow to the uterus at this time. A small amount of green tea is acceptable (1 small cup) if you must have caffeine.

• Eliminate alcohol which elevates blood sugar levels and leads to damp heat in the body. Damp heat in Chinese Medicine is considered a pathogen and can interfere with conception. Of course alcohol is contraindicated during pregnancy as it can be toxic to the fetus.
  

• Eliminate or reduce sugar. Sugar includes: honey, maple syrup, agave, corn syrup and others. I know this is one of the hardest things for my patients to give up, often even more difficult to stop than caffeine. However, sugar, especially in excess leads to inflammation and this is one of the enemies of fertility. So if you can at least greatly reduce sugar it will be to your benefit. Artificial sweeteners are also not the answer, they are chemically produced and may be injurious to your health.

These are just a few dietary suggestions that can greatly enhance your ability to become pregnant. Try these suggestions and see if you don't feel more energized, feel happier, sleep better and know you are increasing your fertility potential.

If you would like further information on the fertility diet or fertility acupuncture visit my website; http://www.bethanymuhl.com/ or call (310)367-1564.