Latest News
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Acupuncture for Pain Managment in Labour
- February 29, 2012
- Uncategorized
- 0 Comments
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Chinese Herbal Medicine Female Infertility RESEARCH
- November 17, 2011
- Chinese Herbal Medicine,Female Infertility,Fertility,IVF Support,Male Infertility
- 0 Comments
Researchers find Chinese Herbal Medicine more effective than modern medicine for Female Infertility
A Systematic review suggests Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine to be more effective in the treatment of female infertility achieving on average a 60% pregnancy rate over 4 months compared with 30% achieved with standard western drug treatment, or IVF over 12 months.”
In an Australian Government-funded study, Ried and Stuart of Adelaide University reviewed 8 RCT’s and 22 smaller studies involving a total of 1851 women with poor fertility. Meta-analysis of studies involving over 1000 women found roughly double the likelihood of achieving pregnancy with Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) than with western drug therapy. Over a 4 month period pregnancy rates were 60% for CHM verses 32% for drug treatment 9n=1005, odds ratio = 3.5, 95% confidence interval 2.3-5-2, p < 0.0001).
Other studies, involving over 600 women, compared CHM with IVF and revealed a mean pregnancy rate for CHM of 50% compared with 30% for IVF. The Adelaide study also provided evidence indicating that herbal treatment tailored to the specific traditional diagnosis of what was wrong with each individual’s reproductive health was a key factor in successful treatment.
The authors write: “Our meta-analyses suggest Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine to be more effective in the treatment of female infertility achieving on average a 60% pregnancy rate over 4 months compared with 30% achieved with standard western drug treatment, or IVF over 12 months.”To read the full research please refer to: Efficacy of Traditional CHM in the Management of Female Infertility: A Systematic Review. K Ried, K Stuart Complementary Therapies in Medicine Vol 19 issue 6 Dec. 2011
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Reapeated Miscarriage Treatment – Journal Article
- November 16, 2011
- Female Infertility,Fertility
- 0 Comments
Repeated miscarriage is often unexplained by Western science. Maria Berry our Infertility Specialist here explains how Chinese Medicine treats this condition. We are happy to announce this family now have a beautiful baby boy.
Click the link below to read her recently published article about repeated miscarriage.
About the author: Maria Berry practises Chinese medicine in Ascot, Brisbane in Australia. TCM is the enduring love of her life. They met during her Asian travels before medical school. She changed her study plans and has pursued her passion over three continents. In return she has been motivated, inspired, nourished and obliged to acquire diplomas. Maria has a Bachelor Degree in Acupuncture and another in Chinese, she also has a Master’s degree in Chinese Herbal Medicine.
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Knee Pain Case Story
- November 07, 2011
- Acupuncture,Pain Relief
- 0 Comments
Knee Pain – Case Story
A male in his thirties presented to the clinic with pain in both his knees. He was seeking out treatment to reduce pain and maintain joint health.
Consultation
On consultation it was discovered the pain was a dull constant ache which was worse on going up and down stairs. The pain started during his teenage years playing competitive football. He has had a left knee reconstruction five years ago and has very restricted movement.
Diagnosis
Repeated small trauma to the soft tissue around the knee from the friction, traction and impact of football has lead to overuse syndrome of the knee. Degenerative changes are starting to show.
Treatment
Stacy applied acupuncture locally to both knees to increase the circulation of fluid and blood through the capsule and cartilage. Electro was placed on the left knee to break up old scar tissue and promote healing of muscle fibres. Massage was applied to all surrounding muscles that attach to the knee to loosen and soften. A Chinese herbal liniment was given to the patient to use twice a day.
The patient reported back to the clinic in 10 days and noted less pain for 5 days and increased flexibility in the left knee. The treatment was repeated and on follow up visit in 3 weeks the patient noted only very occasional pain. The patient now visits the clinic once a month for maintenance treatment and is pain free and able to lead an active lifestyle.
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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome & Infertility – CASE STORY
- October 29, 2011
- Female Infertility,Fertility
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This couple had a miscarriage followed by 8 years infertility. Tests diagnosed PCOS. After 2 years of screening, drugs & tests plus 6 months of naturopathy they were no better. In 3 months Chinese Medicine turned their health around and resolved their fertility. Here is their story:
Mrs White, 34yrs. She had a miscarriage 8 years ago and no pregnancy since.
A specialist fertility clinic screening showed her androgens were high, her FSH was high on the first days of her cycle and her ovaries had lots of cysts. She was overweight.
She was put on Metformin and recommended for insemination then IVF.
Mr & Mrs White had decided to improve their health before attempting IVF. They took herbal medicines prescribed by a naturpath who specialises in fertility while adopting a healthy eating and exercise regimen. She also took Metformin and Elevit. He also took Menovit. After 4 months neither felt any different and their tests showed no changes.
They contacted our clinic and were sent our temperature chart to complete before their first consult.
Chinese Medicine Consult
Mrs White has a a long cycle, her short bleed (when it comes) contains clots and stringy mucus. Pre-menses she has 2 weeks of aches and pains in groin.
Her bowels are often loose, her abdomen bloated, she has low energy but if she drinks coffee her sleep is disturbed, she has frequent urination, especially at night. She finds exercise very hard due to her fatigue and constant low back ache. She cannot loose weight. Her head often feels heavy and her thinking blurred. She has blocked and painful sinus which cause pain in her cheeks, nose and forehead.
Her first temperature chart showed extremely low temperatures, she had no breast or vaginal secretion changes.
Chinese medicine Analysis
Mrs White’s body appears to be failing in processing her fluids so they are passing out of her as sloppy stools and frequent urination or pooling in areas and turning into sticky mucus. Water metabolism is controlled by the Kidneys and the kidneys are controlled by the adrenal gland which also produces our sexual hormones.
Her back aches, her groin pain and her poor energy indicate her kidneys/adrenals are often straining to do their work. Her High FSH confirm her ovaries are resistant to selecting and ripening her eggs.
Chinese Diagnosis & Treatment Plan
PCOS is defined as the inability to produce ripe eggs. If male hormone fails to convert to female hormone then the eggs will not have their ripening agent.
In this case there are other signs or weakness in the Kidney/adrenal functions.
Aim of treatment is to boost the functions of the Kidney and adrenals to promote fertility.
She was given a formula mixed for her to take starting on the 4th day of her cycle and asked to come in for acupuncture on day 14 to encourage ovulation to occur.
Cycle 1
After one month of treatment her body temperature rose. She did not have any back, sinus or groin pains and had more energy – enough that she began taking & enjoying daily walks. She had a slight further rise in body temperature after acupuncture on day 16 then a small menstrual bleed after 32 days.
Cycle 2
Her temperatures improved further. She lost 8Kg in weight and maintains all the health gains from previous month. She noticed fertile mucus at days 13 & 14 and went on to bleed on day 28. Her bleed lasted 4 days.
Cycle 3
Her temperature raised further still into normal range. She had a day 14 ovulation after 3 days fertile secretions. Her breasts started to fill out on day 21 and on day 30 she got a positive pregnancy test.
Mr & Mrs White were both surprised that the treatment had worked so fast – I worried that she may not have strengthened her hormones enough to avoid another miscarriage.
After 2 weeks she was bleeding, just spotting every day, her energy was down and her back was aching. I made up a formula of tonics – often given as food in China – to support her pregnancy. As soon as she took the formula her bleeding stopped, her back pain resolved and her energy returned. She continued the tonics throughout her first trimester.
