Navigating Natural Health for Women: 2017

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Acupuncture for That? What Acupuncture Actually Treats

It's the most common question we get, nearly every day of our career: "you can treat that?"
The shock that follows the nod of the head and the glazing of their eyes comes next. In one day, I treated these conditions at Eagle Acupuncture:
1. Low back pain in a pregnant woman who was unable to take muscle relaxants and pain killers

2. Turned a breech baby in the correct position with no pain involved in treatment

3. Seasonal allergies of stuffy nose, itchy eyes, headache, pressure and pain with overall fatigue

4. Restless leg syndrome with PMS and insomnia

5. Sinus Infection with no fever during pregnancy

6. Post Partum baby blues and moodiness

7. Over 40 unexplained infertility

8. Secondary under 40 infertility (already successfully had one baby through our all natural infertility treatments over a year ago)

9. Secure Pregnancy in newly pregnant, infertility, ectopic pregnancy and habitual miscarriage patient

10. Weight Loss, Appetite Suppression

We offer consultations across the United States as master clinical herbalists. (208) 938-1277

Acupuncture Treats a lot of Medical Problems Including, But Not Limited To:
General: Allergies, Asthma, Sinusitis, Headaches, TMJ, Back Pain, Sciatica, Musculoskeletal Problems, Insomnia, Anxiety, Dizziness, Depression, High Blood Pressure, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Addictions, Indigestion, Constipation, Sexual Dysfunction, Post-Operative Recovery, Palliative Care.
Women’s Health: Menstrual Irregularities, Menopause, Conception Difficulties, Pregnancy, Childbirth, Lactation Difficulties, Postpartum, Ovarian and Uterine Problems.
Men’s Health: Prostate, Infertility, Impotence.
Pediatrics: Asthma, Cough, Digestive Problems, Behavioral Problems, Ear Infections, Sleep Problems. We are specially trained in pediatrics; not all Acupuncturists have this additional training
Preventative Health: Prevention, Stress Management, Wellness
Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to be effective in the treatment of a wide variety of medical problems. Below is a list of disorders for which acupuncture is effective (according to the NIH):
Muscle, Bone and Nerve Pain
and Diseases Sprains / Strains Back Pain Leg Pain Foot Pain Stiff Shoulders and Neck Lumbago Sciatica Tennis Elbow Carpal Tunnel syndrome and Painful Joints TMJ; Toothache Headache and Migraines Rheumatism; Arthritis Facial Paralysis; Bell’s Palsy
Fibromyalgia
Obstetrics and gynecology Menstrual Pain and Cramping PMS Menopause Infertility
Fetal Malposition (breech baby)
Addictions Tobacco Narcotics Alcohol
Weight Loss
Diseases of the heart and
blood vessels Angina High blood pressure
Obesity
Drug addiction Smoking
Digestive disorders Indigestion Stomach ulcers Gall stones Diarrhea Constipation Nausea and vomiting Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Diseases of the respiratory system Allergies Asthma Bronchitis Sinusitis
Diseases of the nervous system Stroke Neuralgia
Stress, anxiety, depression and other nervous disorders
Nerve paralysis
Headaches/migraines
*Source: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Thursday, August 24, 2017

To Hysterectomy or Not? A Woman's Most Difficult Choice To Make

These are hard facts to read, but it's the truth. Getting a hysterectomy should not be taken lightly and women do have options to correct the challenges they have with their menstrual cycles with acupuncture and herbal medicine. We are aware that a percentage of women report that a hysterectomy was the best thing they ever did. However, the majority, are not reporting this and it's critical we share the facts and offer alternatives to surgery like acupuncture and herbal medicine.

FACT: Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Moxabustion can stop uterine bleeding up to 50%

FACT: Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine can reduce menopausal symptoms including: hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, libido, insomnia and vaginal dryness

FACT: Most patients are never informed that Acupuncture and Herbal medicine can treat menopause, heavy uterine bleeding or painful menstruation

FACT: Women report a loss of physical sexual sensation after hysterectomy.

FACT: A woman's vagina is shortened, scarred and dislocated by hysterectomy.

FACT: Hysterectomy's damage is life-long. Among its most common consequences, in addition to operative injuries are:

heart disease

loss of sexual desire, arousal, sensation

weight gain

osteoporosis

bone, joint and muscle pain and immobility

painful intercourse, vaginal damage

displacement of bladder, bowel, and other pelvic organs

urinary tract infections, frequency, incontinence

chronic constipation and digestive disorders

debilitating fatigue

loss of stamina

altered body odor

loss of short-term memory

blunting of emotions, personality changes, despondency, irritability, anger, reclusiveness and suicidal thinking

FACT: No drugs or other treatments can replace ovarian or uterine hormones or functions. The loss is permanent.

FACT: The medical term for the removal of the ovaries is castration. 73% of women are castrated during hysterectomy.

FACT: The uterus and ovaries function throughout life in women who have not been hysterectomized or castrated.

FACT: 98% of women HERS has referred to board-certified gynecologists after being told they needed hysterectomies, discovered that, in fact, they did not need hysterectomies.

FACT: Gynecologists, hospitals and drug companies make more than $17B dollars a year from the business of hysterectomy and castration.

HERS is the only independent, international organization dedicated to the issue of hysterectomy. HERS advocates for fully informed medical decisions by women.

Source: HERS Foundation The HERS Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit international women's health education organization. HERS provides information about alternatives to hysterectomy and the aftereffects of the surgery.

http://www.hersfoundation.org/effects.html#Anchor-Chart-49575

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Bleeding During Pregnancy: A Terrifiying Fact and What You Can Do About It

1. In your experience, do many women have bleeding during pregnancy? If they do experience spotting or bleeding during pregnancy, is it a source of stress?

I have given over 10,000 acupuncture treatments in my career and my expertise is helping women get pregnant and stay pregnant so I’ve seen a lot of pregnant women in my career of nearly 20 years. It is actually quite rare, less than 5%, for a woman in my practice to experience any bleeding during her pregnancy. It is especially rare for any woman to experience bleeding after the first few weeks when implantation of the embryo into the uterine lining has already occurred. However, patients not being seen by an Acupuncturist whose specialty is women’s health and pregnancy can expect between a 20-40% likelihood of some form of spotting or bleeding during their pregnancy, typically in the first few weeks of pregnancy and is considered on the of the most stressful things to happen during a pregnancy. If a woman does experience bleeding it is critical for her to first call her OBGYN or midwife to rule out ectopic pregnancy, impending miscarriage or infection. Once those concerns are ruled out, immediately call your acupuncturist to stop the bleeding, calm your mind and reduce stress.

2. Is it possible that the acupuncture stimulates the bleeding during pregnancy?

Actually it’s the opposite: acupuncture given during pregnancy can stop bleeding, which comes as a huge relief to a pregnant woman. There are different patterns associated with bleeding during pregnancy that we as the expert must assess in order to treat appropriately. There a few different patterns that we differentiate between and then apply the appropriate acupuncture and moxabustion treatment to stop the bleeding. The main causes are: trauma (falls, car accidents, any accident), Kidney deficiency (the blood is usually seen very early in the pregnancy and is usually only spotting and a light color, Blood heat or Blood Stasis causes reckless bleeding from the uterus and is bright in color and can range from spotting to very heavy. Energy (or Qi) and Blood Deficiency that may not necessarily be anemia will typically cause bleeding toward the end of the third month of pregnancy and the blood will be pale in color and the mother to be will be very tired, may have a pale complexion and could feel her heart beating inside her chest (palpitations). All of these conditions are treatable with acupuncture but I always advise my pregnant patients to also see their midwife or OBGYN with any signs of bleeding during pregnancy.

In acupuncture we even have acupuncture points specifically designed to stop bleeding: Spleen 10 , also known as the “Sea of Blood” is used specifically to: stop uterine bleeding, stop sudden uterine bleeding and stop uterine bleeding that contains clots. In addition, another acupuncture point called “ Bladder 17” is considered “the Meeting Point of Blood” and it too can stop irregular bleeding. “Spleen 1” is yet another potent acupuncture point that stops uterine bleeding and is considered to be the most profound acupuncture point that has the ability to control blood loss.

These acupuncture points are used for all types of irregular bleeding, not just spotting or bleeding during pregnancy. They can be used for nosebleeds, excessive uterine bleeding during a menstrual cycle, bleeding with bowel movements and even coughing up blood.

3. How can women reduce stress during pregnancy?

There are three things every pregnant woman should do throughout her pregnancy: get rest, receive pregnancy massage and supportive acupuncture treatments regularly. Rest is critical because you are growing a human being which takes an extraordinary amount of energy to do so. Pregnancy massage because it feels divine to have your sore, burdened body massaged throughout your pregnancy. Acupuncture because it can address so many discomforts throughout pregnancy and reduce stress hormones that aren’t good for Mom or baby. Women who have medical challenges during pregnancy often have no other medical option and are asked to tough it out or worse: told there is nothing that can be done safely. Acupuncture can alleviate morning sickness, back pain, carpal tunnel, edema, headaches, insomnia, low blood pressure, high blood pressure, help a fetus that is not growing, constipation, anxiety, depression, dizziness, chronic cough, painful or retention of urination, and fear of giving birth are some of the conditions we treat well during pregnancy.

4. How do you feel about patients playing doctor on the internet? Is it healthy to search the world wide web when having anxiety or any health concern when pregnant?

Stay away from the internet and I don’t advise my patients to read “What to Expect When You are Expecting”. Unfortunately, that book cultivates the fears many women already have during their vulnerable time as a pregnant woman and flat out discusses worst case scenarios. Worst case scenarios are for the maternal fetal medicine doctors, not for the patient to read on a daily basis while pregnant. Instead, in addition to having your midwife or OBGYN, it’s critical to have an acupuncturist who specializes in pregnancy and women’s health. She will be able to soothe morning sickness and reduce the likelihood of miscarriage, stop bleeding if it were to occur and address most pain syndromes that arise. Acupuncture can turn breech babies safely and comfortably and gently starts your labor after week 38 reducing the likelihood of needing pitocin, the dreaded, nasty drug that violently starts your contractions. Acupuncture significantly reduces the likelihood of needing a c-section. In my practice less than 7% of my patients typically need to have a c-section and that is well below the national average that is closing in on 30% in some states now. Most doctors won’t know to refer you out to acupuncture for your pregnancy aliments and stresses as they have zero training in acupuncture during traditional medical school. OBGYN’s and midwives are obviously an important part of any woman’s pregnancy, especially when assessing risk management and options if something serious were to happen but typically that form of medicine falls extraordinarily short when helping women manage and cope comfortably with their ever evolving bodies during the magnificent time of pregnancy. Together the very different specialists can make your pregnancy not only comfortable but exciting and safe.

Mrs. Kristen N. Burris, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M. is an expert in women's health before, during and after pregnancy. You can find her here www.EagleAcupuncture.com. She offers complex consultations via phone consultations throughout the US (208) 938-1277 helping patient address any medical problem they have encountered. Here is a list of some conditions she helps patients cope with and heal from:

Gastrointestinal Disorders

IBS- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Colitis, Diverticulitis, Enteritis, Gastritis
Constipation or Diarrhea
Ulcers
Abdominal Bloating, Gas, Burping, Mucus or Bleeding
Hemorrhoids
Acid Reflux
Metabolic Disorder with Weight Gain
Gallstones

Gynecological / Genitourinary Disorders

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Irregular, Heavy or Painful Menstruation
Endometriosis
Menopause: Hot Flashes, Night Sweats, Libido, Insomnia, Emotional Imbalance
PCOS
Cysts- Bursting and Pain
Chronic Bladder Infection
Atrophic Vaginitis
Morning Sickness or Insufficient Lactation
Kidney Stones
Low Sex Drive
Infertility
Prevention of Hysterectomy
Post Hysterectomy Problems and Pain
PID Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Immune and Auto-Immune Disorders

Candida or Chronic Yeast Infections
Chronic Fatigue
HIV and AIDS
Epstein Barr Virus
Medical Mysteries
Allergies
Lupus
MS Multiple Sclerosis
RA Rheumatoid Arthritis
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Hepatitis or Elevated Liver Enzymes
Hashimotos Thyroiditis
Hyperactive Immune System
Sjogren’s Syndrome
POTS
Grave’s Disease
Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s
Herpes: Oral, Vaginal or Systemic or Blisters

Circulatory Disorders

High Blood Pressure
Low Blood Pressure
POTS
Anemia
Blood Clots
Raynaud’s
Coronary Heart Disease
Lymph Edema
High Cholesterol

Infection

Sinus Infection

· Lung Infection, Bronchitis, Chronic Cough

· Mastitis

· Jaundice

· Gallbladder

· Gastrointestinal Infection with Abdominal Pain and Diarrhea

· Viral Hepatitis

· Oral Herpes with Blisters

· Genital Herpes with Lesions

· Herpes Zoster (shingles)

· Genitourinary Infection

· Skin Infections

· Acne with Infection

· Yeast Infection

· Any Bacterial Infection

· Any Viral Infection

· Frequent Infections

· Lyme’s

Emotional, Psychological and Stress Disorders

Anxiety
Insomnia
Depression
Stress
PMDD
Post-Partum Depression
Bruxism (teeth grinding)
Burned Out
Fatigue, Adrenal Fatigue, Chronic Fatigue
SEID Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease

Musculoskeletal and Neurological Disorders

Arthritis
Neuralgia and Neuropathy
Sciatica
Back Pain, Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, Hip Pain, Joint Pain
Bursitis
Tendonitis
Stiff Neck
Bell's Palsy
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Headaches and Migraines
Stroke Rehabilitation
Cerebral Palsy
Sprains
Muscle Spasms and Tics
Shingles
MS
TMJ

Acupuncture Also Treats

Chemotherapy/Radiation Side Effects and Recovery From Treatments
Diabetes Management
Dermatological Disorders: Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema, Rashes, Sensitive Skin, Melasma
Weight Control
Anti-Aging: Acupuncture Facelift, Premature Signs of Aging: weakness, fatigue, forgetfulness, dizziness, Neurodegeneration with early signs of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Balance Issues, Chronic Fatigue, Decrease in Bone Density, Degeneration of soft tissue: muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, Diminished vision, Dry Eyes, Visual Problems, Low Sex Drive, Vaginal Dryness, Cataracts and Macular Degeneration

Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat Disorders

Sinusitis and Bronchitis
Allergies
Earache
Dizziness
Swollen Lymph Nodes
Asthma
Recovering from Colds and Flu’s
Boosting Immunity to Prevent Chronic Infections

What Does Acupuncture Actually Treat

After nearly two decades in practice and tens of thousands of treatments given, our acupuncturists and herbalists have healed a lot of people suffering from difficult diseases and syndromes. One thing that hasn't changed in nearly 20 years is the fact that most patients still do not know what acupuncture and herbal medicine is capable of treating.

At Eagle Acupuncture we treat patients from birth to the last stages of their life. We have experience treating patients in a variety of medical settings that have expanded our medical expertise beyond our first limited expectations

Here are some locations we have treated patients that enables us to treat an extraordinary amount of medical problems right here in Eagle, Idaho a suburb right outside Boise, Idaho.

San Diego Hospice- Treating End of Life Challenges to Help People Die Peacefully and Pain Free

University of California San Diego RIMAC Sports Center- Integrative Sports Injury Treatment for Collegiate Athletes

University of California San Diego Free Clinic- Integrative Approach to Healthcare for Low Income and Homeless Population

University of California San Diego- Dental Acupuncture Study

Integrative Medical Center "American Acupuncture Center" working side-by-side with Internal Medical Doctors to Treats a Wide Variety of Medical Problems

Several Fertility Centers in San Diego- IVF Embryo Transfers Acupuncture Before and After

Private Practice in Eagle, Idaho- Treating Integrative Medicine with Osteopathic Doctors, Physical Therapists, and Massage Therapists

Private Practice at Eagle Acupuncture Center

Here is a List of Diseases and Disorders We Treat At Eagle Acupuncture
This is not an exhaustive list of ailments that acupuncture and herbal medicine treats. Always call our center to see if your particular disease or syndrome is treatable with our medicine (208) 938-1277