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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

Let’s clear up some misconceptions about this healing practice.

1. People think acupuncture is too expensive.

It’s true that there are many clinics that charge $75 – $125 for a single acupuncture treatment.

It’s also true that there are places you can be treated for $40 or less. Community acupuncture clinics (like ours) and internship clinics at acupuncture schools usually charge anywhere from $15 – $40 per treatment.

Our rate is $33.00 per treatment. Periodically, we sell packages, ie: 4 for $120 treatment packages offering a 10% discount. This brings down the rate to $30.00 per visit. We are also in the process of developing subscription offers.

2.  People think acupuncture is painful.

In general, acupuncture is a mostly comfortable experience. The large majority of people who receive acupuncture do not experience pain. Occasionally, one of the needles might hurt a little, but it can be removed or replaced with one that feels better. No acupuncturist wants their patient to feel discomfort, so tell your acupuncturist if a needle bothers you after the initial insertion.

At Acupuncture Together, we use some of the thinnest acupuncture needles on the market. Most people who visit our clinic do not experience any discomfort when receiving their acupuncture treatments.

3.  People don’t know what acupuncture can help them with.

The quick answer is almost anything! The most common reasons people get acupuncture at Acupuncture Together are:

Allergies  Anxiety  Arthritis  Asthma  Bell’s palsy  Chemo side effects Depression  Digestive problems  Eczema  Fatigue  Fertility  High blood pressure  Hives  Hot flashes  IBS  Injuries  Insomnia  Jet lag  Knee pain Migraines  Neck pain  Plantar fasciitis  PMS  Rashes  Stress  Sugar addiction  Surgical recovery  Tendonitis  Tennis elbow  TMJ

If you are interested, give acupuncture a try! It doesn’t have to be expensive, it probably won’t hurt, and it will most likely help you feel better.

 

 

More and more, people are discovering the power of acupuncture for healing both mind and body.

Every cell of your body has an energy or life force to it that has its own natural, healthy vibration. Sometimes our vibrations get out-of-whack, causing dis-harmony or dis-ease. This can affect us physically, mentally, and emotionally. Acupuncture is regarded as energy/vibrational medicine because energy is moved.  Blockages are released and a balanced free flow of life energy is restored.

In the early years of my acupuncture practice, I found I did not feel good about treating patients one at a time in a room by themselves and charging $75 per treatment. It seemed most of my patients could not afford to come as often as they needed to get better and stay better. Something about that just did not feel right to me. I learned about the community acupuncture business model and changed my business structure.

I offer 45 minute personalized acupuncture sessions in a peaceful community room. These sessions help to bring the energy of your being into a more harmonious, balanced vibration. Because multiple people are having their treatments at one time, I am able to keep the rate low – at $28.00 per session.

I’ve been providing acupuncture treatments this way since 2010.  I am continuously amazed at the affects that acupuncture has on the people that visit the clinic. The power of stillness, a peaceful environment, and tiny needles inserted into certain energy points on the body help quiet mental chatter. People sleep better. Pain dissipates. Allergies and sinuses improve. Skin looks better. People are in better moods and have mental clarity and more energy.

I enjoy being in a peaceful room full of relaxed people. I like knowing they will feel better when they leave and that the skills I have as an acupuncturist help facilitate this.

Weekly acupuncture sessions will improve your life. You will have more energy, sleep better, handle stress better, and be in a better mood. You will feel better physically. You will just feel better!