This just in from registered dietitian and licensed acupuncturist Karen Siegel. Karen's practice is in Houston, Texas, if you are interested in consulting with her.
Acupuncture Benefit Seen In Pregnancy By SHIRLEY S. WANG
Acupuncture designed to treat depression appears to improve symptoms in pregnant women, suggesting it as an alternative to antidepressant medication during pregnancy, a study found.
The study, published Monday in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, is the largest to date examining the effectiveness of acupuncture to treat depression in pregnant women. It was funded by a grant from the government's Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality."Acupuncture that we have tested works for pregnant, depressed women," said Rachel Manber, a study author and professor at Stanford University. However,"no single study is enough to make policy recommendations," she said.
Depression in pregnancy is a risk factor for postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is associated in some studies with poorer cognitive and emotional development in children. Some have linked depression in pregnancy and low birth weight.
As many as 14% of pregnant women are thought to develop depression at some point during their pregnancy, according to the study authors, comparable to numbers who suffer from postpartum depression. Antidepressants are generally considered safe for use in pregnancy, but research has been limited and concerns continue to grow, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Acupuncture attempts to treat conditions by stimulating points on the body, most often with needles stuck in the skin and moved by hand or electrical stimulation, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
In the study, 150 clinically depressed pregnant women who weren't previously taking antidepressants were randomly assigned to get either acupuncture for depression, acupuncture not specifically designed for depression, or massage for eight weeks. Some 63% of women in the acupuncture-for-depression group responded to treatment, compared with 44% in the other groups.
Printed in The Wall Street Journal, page D3, February 23, 2010
I recently received a newsletter from one of our network members that I wanted to share with you. Karen Siegel, in addition to being a registered dietitian, is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist. Her practice is located in Houston, Texas. She writes a wonderful newsletter entitled,"Qi Mail", which some of you might really enjoy. I am pasting the contents of her most recent newsletter for you to sample. Karen's contact information is listed below, if you'd like to schedule an appointment, or sign up to personally receive these wonderful newsletters. The actual layout is much more beautiful than what I can reproduce here, I can only paste the content in Blogger's format. As many of you are likely rushing around this weekend to get the last few holiday gifts, foods, and details taken care of, I thought this topic was especially pertinent. Enjoy!
REST, RESTORE, REVITALIZE
In nature, winter is the season where all living things slow down, conserve their energy and prepare for the outburst of new life and energy in the spring. Our bodies are instinctively expressing the fundamental principles of winter – rest, restoration and revitalization.
The Nei Ching, one of the earliest surviving medical books on acupuncture, advises: “During the winter months one should refrain from overusing energy. Retire early and get up with the sunrise, which is later in winter. Desires and mental activity should be kept quiet and subdued, as if keeping a happy secret.”
Eating warm hearty soups, dressing warmly, and refraining from cold and raw foods is also recommended.
Element: Water Nature: Yin Organs: Kidney, Urinary Bladder, Adrenal Glands, Ears and Hair Emotion: Fear and Depression Flavor: Salty
Seasonal acupuncture treatments in winter serve to nurture and nourish kidney Qi (the organ associated with winter) which can greatly enhance the body's ability to thrive in times of stress and aid in healing, preventing illness, and increase vitality.
Call now for more information or to schedule your seasonal tune-up
De-stress this Winter with Acupuncture
While optimal health and well-being in the winter season calls for rest, energy conservation and the revitalization of body and spirit, your holiday activities may have a different agenda. This year can be filled with a mad scramble of visitors, family get-togethers and frantic shopping trips. Compound the usual seasonal pressures with the constant barrage of bad economic news and you may find this to be one of the most stressful times of the year.
Stress, frustration and unresolved anger can cause a disruption in the flow of qi or energy through the body. These energetic imbalances can throw off the immune system or cause symptoms of pain, sleep disturbances, mood changes, abnormal digestion, headaches, and menstrual irregularities, and, over time, more serious illnesses can develop. Acupuncture treatments can correct these imbalances and directly effect the way you manage stress.
Studies on Acupuncture and Stress
Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of stress.
A 2008 study published in Anesthesia & Analgesia found that acupuncture point alleviated preoperative anxiety in children while a 2003 study conducted at Yale University showed that ear acupuncture significantly lowered the stress level of the mothers of children that were scheduled for surgery.
A German study published in Circulation found that acupuncture significantly lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The extent of the blood pressure reductions by acupuncture treatments was comparable to those seen with antihypertensive medication or aggressive lifestyle changes, including radical salt restrictions.
Another study from the University of New Mexico measured the affects of acupuncture on 73 men and women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The researchers found the acupuncture treatments to be as helpful as the standard treatment of cognitive behavioral therapy.
Needless to say, if the stress in your life is throwing you off balance, consider acupuncture therapy to regain peace of mind, regulate your immune system and stay healthy.
Miso Soup with Scallions
Did you know that Miso Soup with Scallions is actually an ancient herbal remedy for colds?
In 300 AD famous herbalist, Ge Hong, writes about Miso Soup with Scallions in a book called, Bei ji zhou hou fang or Emergency Formulas to Keep Up One’s Sleeve.
The soup is indicated for the onset of a cold when a person is just beginning to feel a headache, stuffy nose and a slight fever. So, the next time you feel a cold coming on, be sure to have your miso!
Miso Soup (Serves 4)
Ingredients:
* 6 cups water * 3-4 Tablespoons Aka Miso or red soy bean paste (usually sold in the refrigerated section) * 3-5 green onions stalks, chopped
Directions:
* Dissolve the miso in a little bit of boiling water (about 2 tsp.) * Bring water to a boil in a saucepan and add the miso & scallions. * Simmer for 5-10 minutes. * Remove from heat top with green onions and serve.
Variations: you can add various other ingredients to make a more substantial soup, such as tofu, seaweed, fresh mushrooms, cooked shrimp, snow pea sprouts, cooked rice noodles, or paper-thin slices of fresh ginger.
Be a Good Friend Refer someone you know for acupuncture and get $10 off your next acupuncture treatment.
Stress Busting Foods
The foods that you eat play a crucial role in your overall well-being as well as your ability to handle stress.
Over 1400 chemical changes occur as stress hormones, such as cortisone, sap important nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin C and magnesium from the body.
Here are three foods that can replenish your supply of these nutrients and enhance your ability to manage stress:
Cauliflower – Cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale are chock full of stress-relieving B vitamins. Cauliflower is also one of the very best sources of vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid.
Pantothenic acid helps turn carbohydrates and fats into usable energy and improves your ability to respond to stress by supporting your adrenal glands. Fatigue, listlessness, numbness and tingling or burning pain in the feet are all indications that you may need more vitamin B5 in your diet.
Salmon – Salmon is a healthy and delicious way to get your dose of B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. Vitamin B12 supports production of red blood cells, allows nerve cells to develop properly and is essential to the synthesis of the “happy” brain chemical serotonin.
Among the many benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, a 2003 study published in Diabetes & Metabolism found that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids significantly reduced the stress response and kept the stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine in check.
Blackberries – Blackberries are jam packed with Vitamin C, calcium and magnesium. Vitamin C has shown to be a powerful stress reducer that can lower blood pressure and return cortisol levels to normal faster when taken during periods of stress.
Magnesium and calcium act together to help regulate the body's nerves and muscle tone. When there is too little magnesium in your diet, nerve cells can become over activated and can trigger muscle tension, muscle soreness, muscle spasms, muscle cramps, and muscle fatigue.
Blackberries have more than double the amounts of vitamin C, calcium and magnesium than their popular cousin, the blueberry.
Acupuncture is increasingly being valued for its potential in treating PCOS and infertility. Karen Siegel, one of our network members in Houston, Texas, is a licensed acupuncturist in addition to being a registered dietitian. She treats PCOS, eating disorders, and other PCOS-related issues in a most unique fashion, given her combined Eastern and Western training.
Here is a video of a demo she did on a radio talk show host in Houston which shows how acupuncture is done.
One of the most frequent questions I get, when I recommend acupuncture, is whether or not the needles hurt. You can see in Karen's demo that the radio host continues on with his work even though he's in the middle of a treatment.
Karen's comment about Western medicine and stress is important. It's the one part of PCOS that medication and surgery has a hard time addressing.
Perhaps acupuncture is a tool that can enhance your own treatment progress.
If you'd like to work with Karen, she can be found at the Acupuncture and Nutrition Clinic in Houston, Texas.
Results of a research study are going around today, and it appears as though it's got some women with PCOS more than a little bummed out.
Entitled,"True and Sham Acupuncture Produced Similar Frequency of Ovulation and Improved LH to FSH Ratios in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome," it reports the finding that when 84 women with PCOS were divided into two acupuncture treatment groups, one receiving the"official" treatment and one receiving a treatment that looked and felt like acupuncture but really wasn't…both groups showed some improvements in ovulation rate, LH to FSH ratio, and serum LH. The immediate summary/news byte that's being circulated, is that acupuncture doesn't work for PCOS.
Not so fast, Tweeters!!!
Here are some other things the study reported.
1. Both groups improved. So there was something about going into an acupuncture office that helped. Could it be the fact that acupuncture treatment is more hands on than Western medicine? There are studies documenting the healing power of human touch. Could it be that the subjects themselves were biased already, going into the study, believing they would get better? This study could really be documenting the power of the mind in healing. These women may have reduced their stress, and cortisol levels, simply by believing they were going to heal, rather than being controlled by fear and anxiety that we write about so often on this blog.
2. Secondly, in the acupuncture group, there were better correlations between insulin and ovulation, and testosterone and ovulation than in the other group. In other words, hormones were communicating better and responding to each other better. Meaning that acupuncture may not be the answer on its own, but it may help prep the body to start responding to other things like better diet and yoga.
I personally know, I've referred several clients for acupuncture and they've become pregnant. However, they spent a couple of months improving their diet, exercise, and stress management skills before going for treatment. In other words, they didn't use the option with the mentality that it was going to give them license to eat potato chips, not exercise, sleep two hours a night, and let acupuncture do all the work. It was the jump start that allowed the fruits of their commitment to blossom and ripen.
3. Thirdly, it didn't hurt anyone. So if it's doing no harm, and something about the process is helping, there's no need to completely discount it. It can certainly be a successful adjunct to healthier living.
Bottom line, acupuncture may not be a miraculous stand alone treatment, but there may be something about the nature of the delivery of the treatment that encourages healing and hormone balance.
Lisa M. Pastore, Christopher D. Williams, Jeffrey Janekins and James T. Patrie. True and Sham Acupuncture Produced Similar Frequency of Ovulation and Improved LH to FSH Ratios in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism August 3, 2011 jc.2011-1126
Several years ago, I heard inCYSTer Karen Siegel speak about she treats PCOS. Karen is a registered dietitian with two master's degrees, and she is also a licensed acupuncturist. She taught in her presentation that many women with PCOS, in the language of Chinese medicine, have what is called"damp spleen" presentation. I am not an expert in Chinese medicine, but what I do wish to clarify here, is that this name really doesn't have much to do with your spleen…so don't get too caught up in that nomenclature.
What is important to note, is that if damp spleen is your presentation, you may not do well with all raw foods. I've heard this from several acupuncturists and it's pretty easily found on the Internet. Meaning your salads and primarily"raw" diet may be counterproductive to your wellness.
It is a little bit more complicated than that, it's not an all-or-nothing issue. I found a nice summary for anyone who is interested in more information.
If you haven't had much success with salads and raw foods, and it's been discouraging, perhaps you might benefit from visiting an acupuncturist for an evaluation and to learn how to best use raw foods in your diet. It may be the missing link!
This post comes from Karen Siegel in Houston, Texas. In addition to being a Registered Dietitian, she is also a Licensed Acupuncturist.
Acupuncture in Pregnancy & Childbirth
Pregnancy is an amazing time in a woman's life. Many women report feeling healthier than they have ever felt before; however, the physical growth of the baby and changes in hormone levels can bring about pain, discomfort and a variety of health problems.
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can provide a safe, effective alternative for many of the health complications that may arise before, during and after pregnancy. A growing number of women are choosing acupuncture to use throughout their pregnancy and as an optional treatment for an overdue or difficult labor.
Planning for a Healthy Baby
Healthy parents produce healthy babies. With acupuncture and Oriental medicine, parents can improve their health to create the most optimal environment for their unborn child. In addition to their ability to strengthen, support, and balance overall health and well-being, acupuncture and Oriental medicine are an effective treatment for regulating menstruation and hormone levels, reducing stress and addressing any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns that a woman may have.
Acupuncture during Pregnancy
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can play a vital role in the comfort of a pregnant woman. There is strong evidence to support that acupuncture is highly effective at treating some of the most common problems experienced during pregnancy including morning sickness, heartburn, insomnia, water retention and sciatica.
Here is a list of some of the problems that an acupuncturist often treats during pregnancy:
* Nausea and Vomiting * Heartburn * Constipation * Hemorrhoids * Edema and Swelling * Urinary Tract Infection * Pelvic Pain * Neck and Back Pain * Sciatica * Carpal Tunnel Syndrome * Leg Cramps * Fatigue and Exhaustion * Insomnia * Anxiety and Depression
Acupuncture for Childbirth
While there are acupuncture points that can provide natural pain relief during labor, acupuncture is more commonly used to induce labor. There are several points that stimulate contractions and influence cervical ripening. There is also an acupuncture point that has been found to turn a breech baby.
Acupuncture Postpartum
Many women feel depleted after the birth experience. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help the transition of those first few months after birth to ensure a quick recovery. Postpartum care focuses on the physical, emotional and psychological recovery of the mother from the effects of pregnancy and labor, as well as encouraging breast feeding.
Here are some of the postpartum disorders that can be treated with acupuncture:
* Fatigue * Postpartum Depression * Mastitis * Insufficient or Excessive Lactation * Post Operative Healing * Night Sweats
If you would like to know more how acupuncture and Oriental medicine ease discomfort and facilitate pregnancy, please call for more information.
