Acupuncture Beats Drugs for Endometriosis: One Leading Cause of Infertility

At Eagle Acupuncture one of the most common diagnosis is endometriosis. Many women suffer tremendous pain and the condition can cause infertility. Many patients are recommended to try birth control bills to reduce their symptoms related to endometriosis but this obviously poses a challenge for couples who want to conceive. Other patients are referred out to a fertility center or a reproductive endocrinologists office for IVF (in-vitro fertilization) consultation . However, most patients aren't told about a non-invasive, safe and more effective treatment: Acupuncture. This study proves yet again, acupuncture and TCM treat endometriosis effectively and reduces a woman's level of pain and lowers her bio-markers for cancer. Read on for intriguing and impressive results.

In an astounding discovery: researchers prove acupuncture more effective than hormone drug therapy for the treatment of endometriosis. Acupuncture relieves menstrual pain caused by endometriosis, reduced the size of pelvic masses, lowers CA125 levels, and reduces the recurrence rate of endometriosis. CA125 a one bio-marker for several types of cancer and benign conditions including:  endometriosis and menstrual disorders.

Researchers at Tongji University hospital compared acupuncture with standard drug therapy. Patients receiving acupuncture achieved a 92.0% total effective rate. Patients receiving the drug mifepristone achieved merely a 52.0% total effective rate.

Mifepristone, also known by its trademarked name RU-486, is a synthetic steroid that inhibits progesterone action and is used for the treatment endometriosis and also for inducing abortions.

Acupuncture reduced pain levels more than the medication mifepristone. Endometriosis relapse rates were less in the acupuncture group than compared to the drug group. At the one year follow-up exams found that the recurrence rate for the group receiving drug therapy was 36%. By comparison, the group that had received acupuncture had an endometriosis recurrence rate of only  20%.

In addition, pelvic mass sizes and growth lessened more significantly in the acupuncture group than in the drug group. The findings were detected and verified with B-scan ultrasound.

Inclusion criteria for this study included Traditional Chinese Medicinal (TCM) differential diagnostic pattern differentiation of blood stasis. In TCM, endometriosis is related to the dysfunction of the Kidneys, Spleen, and the Liver organs. In addition, cold may create coagulation of blood and obstruction in the uterus. This deleterious pattern impedes qi and blood circulation in the uterus, leading to menstrual pain due to a lack of delivery of vital energy,  nutrients  and proper blood flow to uterine tissues. Endometriosis treatment in TCM typically focuses on invigorating blood circulation, dissolving blood stasis, and regulation of the kidneys, spleen, and liver organs.

The patients in mifepristone group, patients received 12.5 mg tablets one time daily for six months. Patients in the acupuncture treatment group were treated with the following acupuncture points:

• CV6 (Qihai)
• CV4 (Guanyuan)
• CV3 (Zhongji)
• Zigong (Extra)
• SP10 (Xuehai)
• SP6 (Sanyinjiao)
• LV2 (Xingjian)
• LV3 (Taichong)

Treatment commenced with patients in a supine position. After disinfection of the acupoint sites, a 0.30 mm × 40 mm disposable filiform needle was inserted into each acupoint with a high needle entry speed. Xuehai, Sanyinjiao, Xingjian, and Taichong were perpendicularly needled to achieve a deqi sensation. Qihai, Guanyuan, Zhongji, and Zigong acupoints were obliquely (in a downward direction, 45°) needled to a standard depth. Needles were rotated, lifted, and thrust rapidly after insertion to achieve a deqi sensation in the pelvic region. Subsequently, the needles were retained and moxibustion was applied to acupoints (Qihai, Guanyuan, Zhongji, Zigong). Moxabustion, each 2 cm long, were attached to each needle handle and lit for warmth. Moxa was left in place to self-extinguish. Moxibustion was applied three times per 30 minute needle retention time. One acupuncture and moxibustion session was applied every other day, and omitted during menstruation. The treatment was applied for a grand total of 6 months.
The treatment effective rate for all patients in the study was evaluated based on the VAS rating scale and categorized into 1 of 3 tiers:

• Significantly effective: Rating reduction of at least 50%. Significant improvement of menstrual pain.
• Effective: Rating reduction of at least 25%. Improvement of menstrual pain.
• Ineffective: Rating reduction of less than 25%. No improvement of menstrual pain.

All patients underwent Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) assessments before and after their treatments. VAS is an instrument that measures pain intensity levels experienced by patients. B-scan ultrasonography was conducted to calculate the size of pelvic masses. A CA125 test was also conducted to measure the amount of CA125 (cancer antigen 125) in the blood. CA125 is used clinically in the diagnosis and management of endometriosis.
Prior research (Chang et al.) documents that patients with endometriosis have higher levels of CA125 than women without endometriosis. Chang et al. note that the value of CA125 reflects the invasiveness of endometrial tissue beyond a normal locus. Additionally, the Tongji University researchers cite investigations demonstrating that the value of CA125 is related to the severity of dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramping and pain).
Compared with the drug group, the acupuncture treatment group displayed a significant improvement in VAS scores. Patients in the acupuncture treatment group had smaller pelvic masses caused by endometriosis and had lower levels of CA125. There is a statistically significant difference between the two groups. The researchers also conducted a follow-up survey after treatment completion. They found that the recurrence incident rate of endometriosis in the treatment group was 20%. The recurrence incident rate of endometriosis in the control treatment group was 36%.
The research demonstrates that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for the alleviation endometriosis. Subjective and objective data supports the conclusions of the researchers in the controlled clinical trial. Based on the data, acupuncture is found effective for the treatment of endometriosis and lowers relapse rates.
The study design was as follows. The study involved the selection of 50 patients at the acupuncture and gynecology departments at the affiliated Tongji hospital of Tongji University. All patients were diagnosed with endometriosis between January 2010 and December 2015. They were randomly divided into an acupuncture treatment group and a drug control group, with 25 patients in each group. The treatment group underwent Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture therapy and the control group received mifepristone tablets.
The statistical breakdown for each randomized group was as follows. The average age in the acupuncture treatment group was 36 (±3) years. The average course of disease in the acupuncture treatment group was 2.49 (±2.11) years. The average age in the drug control group was 34 (±4) years. The average course of disease in the drug control group was 2.87 (±1.89) years. For both groups, there were no significant differences in terms of their gender, age, and course of disease prior to the beginning of the study.
The primary acupoints selected for the treatment of endometriosis were the following: Qihai, Guanyuan, Zhongji, Zigong, Xuehai, Sanyinjiao. The researchers provided the TCM basis for the acupuncture point selection. Qihai is located on the Ren meridian. Needling Qihai regulates source qi and blood circulation. Guanyuan is a meeting point of the Chong meridian and the Ren meridian. Needling Guanyuan regulates both the Chong and Ren meridians, promotes qi and blood circulation, and relieves menstrual pain. Zhongji is a meeting point of the three foot yin meridians and the Ren meridian. Needling this point is indicated for benefiting qi and blood circulation and relieving menstrual pain. In a clinical setting, Qihai, Guanyuan, and Zhongji are used as a combination for relieving menstrual pain. Zigong is an extra acupoint and is traditionally indicated for lower abdominal pain due to obstruction of qi and blood. Xuehai is an acupoint on the foot Taiyin spleen meridian. Needling this acupoint regulates qi and blood circulation. Sanyinjiao is a meeting point of the three foot yin meridians. Needling this point fortifies the liver, spleen, and kidneys, which is also helpful for regulating qi and blood circulation and relieving menstrual pain.
The focus of this study was to scientifically verify that traditionally indicated acupoints for the treatment of endometriosis are effective. Objective examinations and subjective data confirm that the TCM treatment protocol is both safe and effective for the treatment of endometriosis. Less pain, smaller masses, and improved CA125 levels were documented. Moreover, acupuncture outperformed  drug therapy.

 Quelle (July 2017): http://www.healthcmi.com
Source: https://ogka.at/acupuncture-better-than-drugs-for-endometriosis-pain-relief/

References:
Shen Q, Lu J. Clinical Observation of Acupuncture-moxibustion for Endometriosis [J]. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 2017, 36 (6).
Narvekar, Nitish, Sharon Cameron, Hilary OD Critchley, Suiqing Lin, Linan Cheng, and David T. Baird. “Low-dose mifepristone inhibits endometrial proliferation and up-regulates androgen receptor.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 89, no. 5 (2004): 2491-2497.

Blog Authored By USA Industry Leader in the Infertility Field: Kristen Burris, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M. known by her patients as "The Baby Maker". She has practiced nearly 20 years treating the most difficult infertility cases throughout the U.S. She offers local treatments and herbal medicine consultations throughout the U.S that have resulted in over 500 births in: Idaho, California, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Oklahoma, Virginia, New York and New Jersey. 

Two Ectopic Pregnancies Left IVF as Her Only Option, Until This

"Pregnancy loss. A club no one wants to be a part of, but one I found myself in about a year and a half ago due to an ectopic pregnancy…not once…but twice. Losing two chances at fulfilling my dream of a baby within 3 months time sent me to a dark place and was the most devastating time of my life. As someone who has always wanted to be a mama, the pain was almost unbearable and the strength it took to get through each day came from a reserve that I didn’t know I had. I was lost and confused and just plain sad. Surgery was suggested to me, but it was not imperative, so I decided to look at other options. After researching some natural alternatives to heal my body, I came across Eagle Acupuncture and knew I wanted to give them a try. I had nothing to lose.

Boy, am I glad I found them! Doctors could not explain why I had experienced two ectopic pregnancies. I am healthy and none of the typical factors for an ectopic applied to me. It was a mystery. Kristen suggested a technique to help move the egg down the fallopian tube- and it worked!

Miraculously, our baby boy made his way down the tube doctors wanted to remove. Her kindness and understanding not only helped to heal my soul and give me hope, but her knowledge and expertise helped to heal my body so that my husband and I could conceive our son. Her continued support throughout my pregnancy has been amazing and so reassuring- and the sessions are so relaxing! I am currently 7 months pregnant and our baby boy is healthy and active! I have continued to see Kristen throughout my pregnancy and I plan to continue to see her after I give birth as I heal. I look forward to bringing my baby in to see Kristen, as I trust she can treat most anything and anyone!
Life is hard. This is something that connects us all, even though each of our situations is unique. If you are struggling with something, go talk with Kristen! It was the best decision I could have made." -Angela

                                                 Angela pictured with the "Baby Maker"
                                             Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine prevented
                                        her from having an ectopic pregnancy for the third time
                                                Contrary to what her doctors told her, she didn't
                                               need IVF to place here baby in the right spot

Just Lie There

Just Lie There:


Here is a great weight loss tip that shockingly all that it require you to do is lie there and relax: Acupuncture.



The International Journal of Obesity published a review of 31 studies on the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of obesity. The enormous systematic review was comprised of 3,013 cases where acupuncture was used to reduce body weight.



Acupuncture significantly reduced a body weight of 1.56 kg (0.74–2.38 kg), on average, compared to placebo or sham treatments. Acupuncture also showed more improved outcomes for body weight (mean difference=1.90 kg; 1.66–2.13 kg), as well as for obesity (relative risk=1.13; 1.04–1.22), than conventional medication.



Source: International Journal of Obesity, January 2009; Acupuncture for obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

doi:10.1038/ijo.2008.269



Don't worry Acupuncture doesn't really hurt just go to someone who has experience and uses a gentle needle technique.



Please let me know how I can help you.

Sincerely,

Kristen Burris

www.EagleAcupuncture.com Kristen Lohman Burris, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M., Dip. Ac. Voted “Top Doc 2010” and is a nationally recognized Acupuncturist and Herbalist who has been featured in USA Today, MSNBC, AOL Health, Woman’s Day, Parenting Magazine, Parents Magazine Natural Health Magazine, San Diego Union Tribune, The Idaho Statesman, Miami Herald, Yahoo News, National Public Radio (NPR) and KUSI TV News. Ms. Burris' expertise includes: women’s health, fertility, miscarriage, pregnancy, difficult menstrual cycles, menopause, digestive problems, and pain. . She and her husband Tony Burris, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M treat patients with acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutrition as natural medicine in their family-owned, private practice, Eagle Acupuncture in Eagle, Idaho. Ms. Burris has treated patients at Top Fertility Centers Nationwide, San Diego Hospice, University of California in San Diego (UCSD) Integrative Clinic, and for UCSD Dental Study. Ms Burris was the creator of fertility retreats for couples and served on the board of RESOLVE, the non-profit organization supporting couples with infertility.

Acupuncture for Cancer Care

Many women unnecessarily suffer during treatment of ovarian cancer with chemotherapy and or radiation. Side effects from these intense but often life saving medicines includes but are not limited to: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, exhaustion, hot flashes, insomnia, low white blood cell count, neutropenia increasing potential infection, dry mouth and mouth sores. Acupuncture can treat all of these side-effects extremely well which is not only important for quality of life but also enables patients to complete their recommended treatments by their doctors.




More and more studies are proving the efficacy of Acupuncture in ameliorating side-effects from cancer treatment. Here are several profound findings proving Acupuncture’s effectiveness and necessity for all cancer patients. Acupuncture is as effective and longer-lasting in alleviating the common debilitating side-effects from breast cancer treatments including: hot flashes, night sweats, and excessive sweating. Another benefit with Acupuncture: no treatment side effects as compared to conventional drug therapy, according to a first-of-its-kind study presented September 24, 2008, at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s 50th Annual Meeting in Boston, MA.


A study published in the July, 2008 issue of BMC Complementary Alternative Medicine proved that the acupuncture point on the hands, Large Intestine 2, increased saliva production and brain activity that stimulates saliva production in the mouth.

Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2008, 8:37




Acupuncture significantly reduced pain, dry mouth,  and shoulder immobility for patients after head and/or neck cancer surgery, according to a clinical study shared at the 2008 meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology.

Source: American Society for Clinical Oncology, June 2008

If you or someone you love is diagnosed with cancer and choose conventional medicine for treatment consider Acupuncture to improve your quality of life and sail through the intenses treatments of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation enabling you to return to your daily life healthier, happier and stronger. 


www.AmericanAcu.com Kristen Lohman Burris, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M., Dip. Ac. Voted “Top Doc 2010” and is a nationally recognized Acupuncturist and Herbalist who has been featured in: USA Today, Woman’s Day, MSNBC, Parenting Magazine, Parents Magazine, Natural Health Magazine, National Public Radio (NPR), KBOI Channel 2, and KUSI TV News. Ms. Burris' expertise includes: women’s health, fertility, pregnancy, difficult menstrual cycles, menopausal symptoms, digestive problems, cancer support, and pain. Ms. Burris has also taught acupuncture to graduate students at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. She and her husband Tony Burris, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M treat patients with acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutrition as natural medicine in their family-owned, private practice, American Acupuncture Center in Eagle, Idaho. Ms. Burris has treated patients at Top Fertility Centers Nationwide, Cancer patients at San Diego Hospice, University of California in San Diego (UCSD) Integrative Clinic, and for UCSD Dental Study. Ms Burris was the creator of fertility retreats for couples and served on the board of RESOLVE, the non-profit organization supporting couples with infertility.

Duke University Proves Migraine Relief With Acupuncture

The prestigious Duke University found that Acupuncture is more effective than medication in reducing the frequency and severity in the treatment of migraines and chronic headaches. We concur that the findings at Duke University are proven to be true in our practice as well. Patients seek our expertise because they are desperate and cannot function from the debilitating pain inflicted by migraines.




Researchers analyzed over 30 studies involving almost 4,000 people compiling data published in the December issue of Anesthesia and Analgesia proving the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of migraines, tension headaches and chronic headaches. The results were dramatically in favor of acupuncture proving that 62% of the patients being treated with acupuncture had significant relief as apposed to only 45% of patients being treated with drugs.



In our practice men, women and even children seek our care for the debilitating pain inflicted by migraines. A large percentage of our patients suffer from migraines and chronic headaches. All of them have found their medication prescribed is not effective in managing their migraines. Acupuncture and herbal medicine is tremendously effective in reducing not only the level of pain experienced by the patient but also how frequently the suffer from migraines. During their first treatment the majority of our patients have a reduction in pain from 50-100% resolved. Follow-up treatments are necessary to prevent future attacks. We treat patients using acupuncture, herbal medicine and analysing their diet eliminating the obvious and sometimes not so apparent things that can aggravate their symptoms.

Heart Health

For the patient who has had a full work-up from their cardiologist and has been cleared for a completely healthy heart, yet no understanding of why they have heart palpitations, we have the answer. For over 2,000 years we understand why patients have heart palpitations and what they can do to treat them effectively and affordably. The most likely diagnosis is called heart blood deficiency which can be detected by a lab or by patient symptoms. The patient typically presents with heart palpitations that are worse at the end of the day or during hormonal fluctuations (i.e.: menopause or several days after menstruation if you are a woman), a pale face or tongue, vivid dreams, and an increase in palpitations after stressful or embarrassing episodes.


With simple acupuncture treatments and supplementing with an herbal prescription prescribed by a licensed herbalist the acupuncturist should have the heart palpitations controlled within 12 weeks.

To prove the success of acupuncture treating heart conditions here are two recent studies showing a marked reduction in blood pressure with acupuncture:

Study Shows Acupuncture Significantly Lowers Blood Pressure

A German study published in the June 2007 issue of Circulation proved that acupuncture significantly lowers both systolic & diastolic blood pressure in participating patients. Acupuncture was just as effective in reducing blood pressure as anti-hypertensive medication or aggressive lifestyle modifications, including dietary salt elimination.



160 patients with uncomplicated hypertension, varying from mild to moderate, were randomized for 6 weeks of either acupuncture performed by a Chinese medical practitioner or given a sham acupuncture treatment. Patients received 22 treatments for 30 minutes each. At the end of the study, 24-hour ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced from baseline in the acupuncture patients (5.4 mm Hg and 3.0 mm Hg, respectively). No statistically significant reductions were present in the sham acupuncture participants.

Blood Pressure Lowered by Acupuncture

A study at the prestigious Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, Irvine in 2005 proved that electro-acupuncture lowered blood pressure by as much as 50%.


Researchers tested laboratory rats with electro-acupuncture and reported temporary reduction in hypertension. Acupuncture was applied along the Heart channel and other corresponding acupuncture channels along the body (specific sites along the wrist, inside the forearm or in the leg). Researchers stimulated the acupuncture points to release opioids, which decreased the heart’s activity. These treatments reduced their oxygen requirements inevitably lowering their blood pressure as a result.

Source: University of California In Irvine, March 28, 2005
 
The added benefit of acupuncture treatments is a reduction in stress and an improvement in sleep and energy- all of which are typically affected by those who struggle with benign heart palpitations. 

Top Three Killers

Women fear aging, increased wrinkles, sagging breasts and protruding tummies far more than more serious and fatal diseases including the top three causes of death: Heart disease (25.8%), cancer (22.0%) and stroke (6.7%) (CDC census 2006). Women in our culture are fearful of losing their self worth, identity and their husbands affection. They are obsessed with looking younger, being thinner and remaining sexually attractive into their golden years. Very rarely do women come in and want preventative health care to prevent heart disease, cancer or stroke. Yet, offices are filled with women taking hormones and supplements to slow the appearance of aging, not the internal development of diseases.




They will go under the knife, paralyze their facial muscles and go to great lengths to stave off the hands of time yet most women are rarely concerned with the top three diseases that are most likely to kill them unless their Mother, Sister or Aunt died at an early age from one of the diseases. They will spend thousands of dollars changing their external appearance rather than focus on lifestyle, dietary and supplemental therapies that could actually prevent or slow the progress of fatal diseases.



The only concern they have that actually improves their health is weight loss if they are over weight. This too can be a challenge as many women approach weight loss through unhealthy starvation or extreme diets. Lowering your BMI reduces your risk for heart disease, cancer and stroke so being concerned with this health issue benefits a woman's emotional outlook, personal self worth and prevents serious diseases from developing.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine when prescribed by a skilled and licensed practitioner can improve the function of one's heart, reduce blood clotting and reduce the likelihood of cancer developing or returning.  Many herbal prescriptions have anti-tumor properties that are beneficial to women who have a family or personal history with cancer.  Mushrooms, seaweeds and dark leafy greens have all been proven to improve the cardiovascular system and reduce the potential of cancer developing.  We only recommend pharmaceutical grade vitamins so your body has the bio-availability it needs to fight diseases. 

Hurting Heads

Headaches are debilitating for millions of people every year. Most people pop pills when they feel a migraine or headache emerging. However, a healthier and safer option is actually acupuncture. Researchers from the prestigious Duke University Medical Center analyzed studies comparing acupuncture to over-the-counter and prescription medications, they reported that a whopping 62% of acupuncture patients complained of fewer and less painful headaches compared to only 45% of those taking drugs.

Next to back pain, headaches and migraines are the most common health problem we treat. 

At American Acupuncture Center we customize each patients acupuncture treatment and herbal prescription tailored specifically to their headache pain. Frequency, location, duration and triggers all affect our personalized medical advice.