Australian Journal of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Lim CED et al, Aust J Acupunct Chin Med 2009;4(2):12-17. Australian Journal Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Those of us who have experience in treating endometriosis with Chinese medicine are familiar with the benefits it brings patients in terms of reduced pain and possibly increased rates of conception. This pilot study, a collaboration between Guangzhou Medical University in China and RMIT university in Melbourne, is particularly interesting to us since it measured objective parameters such as immune factors (antigens and antibodies) shown to be abnormally raised in patients with endometriosis. A course of treatment with Chinese herbs not only improved pain but significantly reduced the levels of these immune factors. This is one way that Chinese medicine may improve fertility in endometriosis.
Abstract
Background
Secondary dysmenorrhoea associated with endometriosis affects many women and is the leading cause of work and school absenteeism, with considerable impact on quality of life. This study evaluates the possible role of Chinese medicinal herbs in relieving the menstrual pain associated with endometriosis.
Methods
A prospective clinical observational pilot study involving twenty-five patients with endometriosis with Chinese medical diagnosis of stagnation of qi and blood who were recruited at the Guangdong Women’s and Children’s Hospital during the period of January 2004 to December 2006 to participate in a three-month Chinese medicinal herbs study.
Results
Sixteen patients reported nil dysmenorrhoea during the treatment period. The mean CA125 at the study entry was 59.67 ±28.32 u/ml, compared to 34.83 ±16.34 u/ml post-treatment. The positive EMAb before the commencement of treatment was noted in 22 of 25 cases (88%), while 5 of 25 cases (20%) remained positive after treatment.
Conclusion
Short-term administration of Chinese medicinal herbs may be effective in alleviating secondary dysmenorrhoea associated with endometriosis in qi and blood stagnation pattern. It may provide an alternative treatment option for the management of pelvic pain associated with endometriosis and further research in the area is required.
Kong S et al, Volume (2014), Article ID 146383, 16 pages Evidence-Based Comp and Altern Med Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
This very thorough review compares results of treatment of endometriosis with acupuncture or herbal therapies and pharmaceutical or surgical approaches. A number of therapies, including using Chinese herbs per rectum, obtained great relief for patients, but without the side effects caused by drugs or surgery.
Abstract
Endometriosis (EM) is one of the common gynecological conditions causing menstrual and pelvic pain and affects 10%–15% of women of reproductive age. In recent years, the complementary and alternative medical (CAM) treatment for EM has become popular due to the few adverse reactions reported. The CAM therapy for EM includes several different treatments such as herbs (herbal prescription, extract, and patent), acupuncture, microwave physiotherapy, and Chinese herb medicine enema (CHM enema). These CAM therapies are effective at relieving dysmenorrhoea, shrinking adnexal masses, and promoting pregnancy, with less unpleasant side effects when compared to hormonal and surgical treatments. In this review, we focus on the status quo of CAM on EM and try to identify therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms based on some clinical and experimental studies. We hope to provide some instructive suggestions for clinical treatment and experimental research in the future.
Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine Boost IVF Success in Endometriosis Patients
In a study conducted in northeastern China, 180 women diagnosed with endometriosis undergoing IVF treatments were divided into three groups. The study aimed to determine the impact of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine on IVF outcomes.
The Findings:
The acupuncture combined with herbal medicine group had notably higher pregnancy rates compared to those who did not receive acupuncture.
Among the three groups undergoing IVF, the one with acupuncture and herbal medicine showed significantly better outcomes in terms of oocyte retrieval, fertilization rates, implantation success, and overall pregnancy rates.
The patients receiving acupuncture combined with herbal medicine reported better satisfaction scores than those only receiving medicine.
Conclusion: The study concludes that the use of acupuncture alongside herbal medicine had a substantial positive impact on IVF outcomes for women with endometriosis. This combined approach proved more effective than solely using medicine during IVF treatments.
The winter season often brings cold weather and shorter days, making it tempting to stay indoors and cozy up on the couch. However, it’s important to ensure that your kids stay physically active even during the winter months. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends at least 1 hour of physical activity for kids every day to promote overall health and well-being. This article provides practical and interesting ways to help your children stay active during the winter season.
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Indoor Exercise:
Home Play: Engage in indoor activities that get the heart rate up. Walk the dog, play indoor races, or shovel the snow together.
Creative Home Exercise: Make exercise fun by incorporating games. Play “rock, paper, scissors” with leg movements, do yoga sun salutations, or have stair races.
Movement Breaks: Encourage movement breaks every hour. Incorporate jumping jacks, push-ups, sit-ups, and squats to keep energy levels up.
Dance Challenges: Turn commercial breaks into dance contests. Use video games like Dance Dance Revolution for a fun and active experience.
Basement Activities: Jump rope, do hula-hooping, or set up an indoor obstacle course in the basement.
Outdoor Exercise:
Winter Sports: Take advantage of winter sports like sledding, skiing, and ice skating. Make them more exciting by trying variations like inner tube sledding or skating on natural frozen surfaces.
Nature Exploration: Go for walks to watch the Northern Lights or explore nearby trails. Walk to places instead of driving to incorporate exercise into daily routines.
Active Chores: Involve kids in outdoor chores like shoveling snow, raking leaves, or gardening.
Kids’ Exercise Programs:
Traditional Classes: Enroll your children in traditional options such as sports leagues, gymnastics, dance classes, or YMCA programs.
Variety of Options: Explore new opportunities like yoga, Zumba, wall climbing, in-line skating, skateboarding, and boot camps.
Endurance Training: Consider programs that train kids for marathons, triathlons, and other endurance events.
Parkour Gyms: Look for parkour gyms where kids can engage in obstacle-based training that blends running and acrobatics.
Keeping kids active during the winter is essential for their physical and mental well-being. Whether through indoor exercises, outdoor adventures, or structured programs, there are numerous ways to ensure that your children remain active and engaged during the colder months. By prioritising physical activity, you are helping them develop healthy habits that will benefit them in the long run. If you’re feeling lethargic or need support in staying motivated, consider seeking professional guidance to ensure you and your family stay active throughout the winter season.
Fluid retention over period time? Eat the right food helps.
When menstrual period is due, some women find that their faces, fingers, calves and feet are swelling. It is because their body retains fluid. The fluid retention can increase their weight up to 2~4 kilos. At the same time, many women have abdominal bloating, sore or tender breasts.
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What causes the fluids retention?
Fluid retention over period is due to the imbalance of hormone, mostly due to increasing of estrogen, which result in sodium and fluid stay in the body.
Often the feeling of swollen during period can be reduced via right diet and light exercise. For instance, stay away from sodium salty food, have more food such as, potato or cucumber.
Foods to reduce fluid retention over period
cucumber
Cucumber
90% of cucumber is water, it is a good source of food to get hydrated. The skin of cucumber contains a substance called isoquercitrin which is diuretic. Cucumber has been used in helping people reduce the excess fluid in the body since ancient China. There were records from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that cucumber was used in assisting treating cystitis and acute urine tract infection.
potato
Potato
Potato has been known for long as “the apple grows in the ground” in the East. There are plenty of organic sodium and potassium in potato. It can help our body to get rid of the extra culinary sodium and fluid. In order to get the best effect from potato, do not peel its skin.
red beans
Red Beans (azuki beans)
Red azuki beans is rich in potassium and saponin which is diuretic. It has been used to treat water retention in TCM. In order to maximise the best nutritious from red bean, it is better to cook it slowly.
winter melon
Winter melon (white gourd)
Winter melon is rich in potassium. It is a food well known as a natural diuretic. It traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the seeds and peel of winter melon are herbs both used for edema or water retention. It has a cooling effect and mostly importantly, taste good.
