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• When a couple has been trying to conceive for over a one year without any results, biomedicine refers to this as infertility. 12% to 15% of couples go through this sensitive time.
• One third of couples with infertility, is due to complication from low sperm count, low sperm motility, abnormal sperm, or other male-related conditions.
• The second third of infertile couples is related to women’s health, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, thyroid dysfunction, hormonal imbalance, low egg quality, hyperprolactinemia, etc.
• The last third of couples with infertility, is a result of both the male and female, or an unknown cause.
• In Chinese medicine, infertility in men and women can be from blood deficiency, kidney deficiency, stasis of blood, cold in the womb or damp-phlegm.
• A randomized controlled trial, researching the role of acupuncture in improving women’s reproductive functioning, found that the women who received acupuncture conceived within an average of 5.5 weeks compared to 10.67 weeks for the lifestyle adjustement only group, so half the time!
• A powerful acupuncture point used on women is Zi gong xue. It translates to “Palace of Child” the women’s uterus. This point helps regulate menses, regulate and raise qi. For men, Ren 4, the origin gate. This point strengthens and nourishes the Kidneys (Qi, Yin and Yang) and Essence.
• If you want to increase your chances of getting pregnant, some of the lifestyle changes you might want to make include: keeping lower abdomen warm, eating warm soups and bone broths, cease drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes.
• Treatment plans depend on how the individual’s body responds to acupuncture. In general 1-2 treatments for 6 weeks is a good starting point.
• Herbal medicines that may be prescribed for women are Evergreen-Blossom (phase 1 through 4) which supports menstruation, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases. For men, Evergreen–Vitality is designed to increase sperm motility and address erectile dysfunction.

By Kayla Forstall and Dr. Guillaume Vincent

In a German study, titled “Acupuncture Beats Antihistamines For Allergic Rhinitis”  Acupuncture outperformed the control group and the medication group (fluticasone propionate) for both reduction of symptoms and downregulation of serum IgE, IL-1 β, and TNF-α. These substances are proinflammatory mediators. IgE is an antibody that functions in immunity but is also involved in hypersensitivity related to asthma, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis. IL-1 β is a proinflammatory cytokine with pyrogenic (fever producing) properties. TNF-α is another cell signaling protein (cytokine) with proinflammatory actions. It is involved in systemic inflammation, acute reactions, and is an endogenous pyrogen. Results were confirmed with enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. Modern research supports the use of acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

• According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, between 10 to 30% of the worldwide population is affected by allergic rhinitis. 7.6% of people in the US over the age of 18 have hay fever.
• Allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis, are a reaction of the immune system to a foreign substance such as pollen, dust, or pet dander. 
• Acupuncture helps with balancing the immune system, relieving itchy dry eyes, clearing a stuffy nose, associated headaches, and releasing built-up pressure in the sinus cavity. 
• Acupuncturists identify allergies as an external wind invasion. The wind invasion can be accompanied by heat, cold, and phlegm. For example, a sore throat is a heat sign, chills are a cold sign, and abundance of sputum is a phlegm sign. 
• Popular acupuncture points to help with the symptoms include Bi Tong and Gallbladder 20. Bi tong is located right over the maxillary sinuses and Gallbladder 20 vents exterior wind.
• Herbal formulas that may be prescribed for allergies are Evergreen Magnolia Clear Sinuses and Puria Clear Sinuses. The main differentiating herbs from these formulas are Ge gen and Xin Yi Hua. Ge gen releases the exterior from wind, especially the upper back muscles and neck. Xin Yi Hua is a magnolia flower, it helps expel wind-cold and unblocks nasal passages. 
• Treatment plan depends on the severity of the symptoms. In general, during an acute phase, 1 to 2 times per week for 4 weeks, followed by maintenance care 1 treatment every 2 weeks, is recommended. For prevention, 1 treatment per week starting at least one month before your allergy season begins.
• Lifestyle changes during the allergy season can greatly benefit symptoms. Diet adjustments, avoiding foods and beverages that create inflammation and phlegm such as dairy, processed sugars, alcohol, caffeine, gluten, spicy foods.  Cleansing the air by using air filters to eliminate particles that may cause an immune response and wearing a mask outdoors when the pollen count is high.

Source: 

“Acupuncture Beats Antihistamines for Allergic Rhinitis .” NCCAOM, HealthCMI, 5 Apr. 2018, https://www.nccaom.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/Acupuncture%20Beats%20Antihistamines%20For%20Allergic%20Rhinitis.pdf.

By Kayla Forstall and Dr. Guillaume Vincent, L.Ac. 

• Dermatitis is a general term that describes a common skin irritation. The cause and appearance varies from person to person. It may be itchy, flakey, and may ooze.
• Atopic Dermatitis, also known as eczema, is the most common dermatitis. An estimated 16.5 million adults have atopic dermatitis.
• A study, published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, showed that acupuncture combined with Chinese herbs offered beneficial effects to patients. Twenty patients were treated for twelve weeks with acupuncture, twice a week, and herbal medicine, three times a day, for mild atopic dermatitis. In this study, the average Eczema and Severity Index (EASI) fell from 4.99 to 1.81, and 78.8% of patients experienced a decrease in symptoms.
• Acupuncturists use the color, texture, and overall location of the dermatitis patch to determine the root cause.

  

• Skin patches that are red signify heat, flakey texture denotes dryness, itching is a sign of wind, and oozing from the skin shows dampness.
• Common acupuncture points include San Jiao 5 to dispel wind and Large intestine 11 to clear heat.
• The herbal formula Dermatrol (PS) by Evergreen, contains Wu Shao She as the chief herb. It helps to dispel wind-dampness to stop itching and inflammation.
• Reducing consumption of sugar, alcohol, caffeine, dairy, and spicy foods will reduce heat and dampness to the body and decrease inflammation.
• Be cautious using products such as soap, lotions, perfume oils, and laundry detergent as they may cause irritation.
• The recommended treatment plan: two acupuncture treatments per week for a month including the use of prescribed Chinese herbal formulas, followed by maintenance and prevention.

By Kayla Forstall and Dr. Guillaume Vincent