Chronic Fatigue ME/CFS NIH Funding Finally

For our 1 million and counting ME/CFS Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Sydrome, SEID Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease and Fibromyalgia patients we have good news! The NIH is finally pouring some more money into these debilitating diseases. While we keep you afloat, hopefully they will discover a cure or a viable treatment. Hang in there and in the meanwhile, we've got your back.

While we are waiting out the dreadfully long process of investigating the causes and hopefully the solutions to ME/CFS SEID and Fibromyalgia there are treatment options you usually don't hear about: Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. But the research is booming and showing promising results. Not necessarily of a cure, but to at the very least, increase energy to improve one's quality of life. Here are astounding results everyone should know about: http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1366-acupuncture-boosts-energy-for-chronic-fatigue-patients

Even more promising are these studies that are showing that Acupuncture is outperforming popular drugs to help treat chronic fatigue: https://www.verywell.com/acupuncture-for-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-715648

Moxibustion, the gentle burning of an herb called mugwort, to stimulate particular acupuncture points that increase energy, stimulate the immune modulating response and helps improve clarity of thought and reduce pain is another promising treatment Acupuncturists offer.

https://directorsblog.nih.gov/2017/03/21/moving-toward-answers-in-mecfs/

 

Written By Kristen Burris, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M practitioner for the healing treatments for ME/CFS, SEID, Fibromyalgia, EBV and other debilitating mystery illnesses. The author can be found at Eagle Acupuncture in Eagle, Idaho (208) 938-1277

10 IVF's In-Vitro Fertilizations Later

Ten times is the charm for this baby boy and his family.  It's hard to believe a couple would have to endure so much just to have a baby, but they did.  Ironically many people are under the misconception that if a couple wants to have a baby they JUST need to to IVF, but in reality, it's not that always that simple.

There are set backs and thin uterine linings and misdiagnosis and chemical pregnancies and miscarriages and changing drug protocols and taking breaks along the way. All we see, as the public, is a beautiful baby and then the explanation: we did IVF.  End of story.

Most stories are more colorful and painful than that. Yet, we don't hear about them. We don't get the details, the heartache, the medical bills, the losses.  We just see the beautiful baby.

When this couple arrived at our office we did what we usually do: our very long and extensive evaluation from a Chinese Medicine Perspective. We also review from a western medical perspective, evaluating what may be a causative factor in the inability to get or stay pregnant,  as 1/3 of our 4 years in graduated school is exclusively western medicine.  If we observe something or notice testing that hasn't been done, we will encourage our patient to talk to their Reproductive Endocrinologist about a different perspective or some additional testing they may want to consider.  Sometimes, we refer out for a second opinion.  We've had the privilege of working closely with many different Reproductive Endocrinologist and learn about their varying perspectives and treatment options.

At this point in this couple's infertility journey, or nightmare some may say,  I had suspected two problems beyond the Chinese medical perspective and strongly encouraged further testing to be done BEFORE her next transfer.  I suspected two major problems that at this point, had not been diagnosed: auto-immune disorder that could be rejecting the embryos and a blood clotting disorder that either could inhibit implantation (when the baby attaches to the uterine wall) or contributing to miscarriage further down the road. 

I prepped her with acupuncture and a fertility cleanse with herbal medicine to invigorate blood and help mediate the immune system and supplements too and they got pregnant with twins on their 9th IVF transfer. However, this joy only last a little while when sadly, she miscarried.  When my patient returned three months later to share the devastating news I asked her if she had gotten the testing done I suggested prior to the ninth IVF transfer and at that point, they hadn't. But, finally, after 9 failed IVF's they did get the testing I suggested. She came back for her appointment and said: you were right! I have BOTH an auto-immne problem AND blood clotting disorder.

Going into her 10th IVF she finally had a proper treatment outlined for her including blood thinners the day of her transfer and throughout her pregnancy and intralipid injection therapy monthly to help prevent her body from rejecting the embryo with weekly acupuncture treatments to prevent miscarriage and safely move blood stasis.  Here are some precious pictures of her adorable baby boy born nearly a year ago!  Congratulations to the couple and we are excited to now be helping you have success again during your 11th IVF.  Here's to baby number 2 coming along much more easily!

Eagle Acupuncture is the premier all natural infertility center in America.  We take the most challenging infertility cases including all natural infertility or combined therapy with IVF.  We consult all over America so please call for your consult today (208) 938-1277.  

Stomach Pain : What does it mean?

We've all had stomach pain at one time or another in our lives from the flu, to food poisoning to menstrual cramps in women. Most people don't think immediately of visiting their Acupuncturist when they or their child suffers from stomach pain, but they should.

Acupuncture is effective in alleviating mild, moderate and even severe pain. We can address dull achy pain, chronic pain, colic pain, lower abdominal pain and menstrual pain.  Furthermore, as master herbalists, we can address all types of abdominal pain from IBS irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, endometriosis, constipation, to allergies.

In fact, when a patient, young or older comes in with a chief complaint of stomach pain we differentiate between dozens of different medical conditions that relate to an imbalance in the body.

Here are numerous causes of stomach pain that we are able to differentiate, treat and resolve in our patients using acupuncture (a pediatric tickle machine for the infants and young children) , herbal medicine and dietary alterations:

Lower Abdominal Pain Due to Menstrual Cramps
OR Abdominal Pain
...due to endometriosis
...due to fibroids
...due to cysts
...due to pelvic inflammatory disease
...due to intestinal spasms and cramps
...due to gallstones
...due to food poisoning
...due to travelers diarrhea or discomfort
...due to infection
...due to constipation even as severe as fecal compaction
...due to IBS irritable bowel syndrome
...due to UC ulcerative colitis
...due to Crohn's Disease
...in addition to acid regurgitation, belching
...in addition to dull pain, fatigue, diarrhea
...in addition due to kidney stones
...in addition with severe abdominal pain or blood stasis
...in addition to hypochondriac pain, fidgeting, restlessness and irritability

We are able to eradicate inflammation, mucus, blood, cramping and severe pain. 
 So the next time you know of someone suffering from abdominal pain, they not only should see their MD to rule out life threatening problems but immediately should also be seen by their acupuncturist and master herbalist for soothing relief and complete healing.  Patients can also have scans, biopsies and further lab work done to see how complete and effective our treatments are for abdominal pain.  We treat patients all throughout the country with herbal consultations available throughout the U.S..

What's a Doula?

After nearly 20 years in practice, witnessing hundreds of stories of births from our patients and personally hiring a doula, we couldn't agree more with Dr. Kennell's thoughts "If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it". At Eagle Acupuncture we often say Doula's = Their Weight In Gold. 

 

Doulas help women birth.  They use many techniques to help a women while she is in labor using different positions, breathing techniques, birthing balls, massage, aroma therapy and emotional support to ease labor.  She can help facilitate a more active role for the father or birthing companion, giving help to those new to birth.   

 

We know that women are less likely to need pain medication, less likely to have a c-section and overall have better birth outcomes. This is critical to us in that we have wept with out patients, worked fiercely to help patients who couldn't get pregnant, finally have a baby. We want their birth experience to be beyond expectations, as they have suffered enough.

 

Studies have proven these experiences too.   Women  reported having a more positive childbirth experience when hiring a doula. Other studies have shown that having a doula as a member of the birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40%, and requests for an epidural by 60%.  Although often necessary, the last thing a woman wants is a c-section.  The recovery is brutal often taking up to a year to recover fully.  What a gift to reduce a major surgery.   

 

That being said, we do understand that not all patients want to hire a doula and we respect that choice. Some want their husband's to be the only one. They have gone through Hell and back to conceive and this moment alone, they want to experience together. Other's have sisters or mothers or they just want to do this on their own. They want to feel they can do this! 

 

Postpartum doulas are quite skilled as well.  Today, many of us have lost our villages and the brunt of the challenges and burdens that come with the gift of child-rearing fall mostly to the new mother.  Add in an unplanned or emergency c-section, unexpected postpartum sadness or even depression and it can be difficult to start off your dream, stable.  Postpartum doulas allow the new mother to rest, heal and not feel so alone.  She will often tend to everything baby from cradling, rocking, changing and holding your baby as you catch a much needed nap.  They will often cook, clean and massage the new mother too.  They are a god send when family can't or won't step in to help. 

 

This week we celebrate the gift of doulas and commend them in their difficult but rewarding jobs. 

PTSD Is Real: Pricking Awareness Sheds Light On Treatment Options

PTSD Is real. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ..."current research suggests that acupuncture may be an efficacious treatment option for PTSD. One randomized controlled trial on the use of acupuncture for PTSD on the civilian population demonstrated significant reductions in PTSD symptoms.
...Additionally, treatment effects for depression, anxiety, and impairment in the acupuncture group improved significantly more than the WLC (waitlist control) group. Studies assessing acupuncture’s role in mitigating individual symptoms of PTSD, such as migraines, anxiety, depression, and insomnia, demonstrate significant reductions in these symptoms for the studies’ participants.

PTSD can occur from service jobs including police, fire, emergency medical services, emergency room doctors, nurses and administration, but can also come from childhood traumas or un-esthetized surgeries, given a life threatening medical diagnosis or being told you can't have a baby. PTSD can occur from any trauma that caused extreme stress.

Auricular acupuncture is simple, can be treated quickly and helps patient relax by giving them an immediate endorphin release.  For more explanation as to how acupuncture works to regulate the brain in response to past and present trauma please click the links below. 

For Treatment for PTSD in the Boise Area Visit Here.

Study showing acupuncture as an effective form of treatment.

Study proving efficacy in Ear Acupuncture to reduce PTSD with a diagram of the ear.

Article explaining what PTSD is and other treatment options other than acupuncture that may or may not work.:

News Report Showing Efficacy for Veteran and a Young Civilian after psycho-therapy failed, physical therapy failed and even pharmaceutical therapy failed:


 

Smooth Move: Constipation and It's Treatment Causing Extreme Medical Problems

What's in your laxative? Seriously the ingredients include: plastic, anti-freeze and it's given not only for weeks at a time, but years. YEARS of ingesting plastic, daily is just unconscionable, but it happens more than we want to believe. It's estimated nearly 75% of pediatricians have recommended these drugs to their young patients. These laxatives are advertised as being "natural". It's not worth the risk. But we can help and there is not need to ingest chemicals to move your bowels comfortably. If you are a newborn or 99, we can help your bowels and digestive help and often, relatively quickly.

Here's an excerpt:

"Majority of US Pediatricians Have Recommended PEG Laxatives

If your child suffers from chronic constipation, there's a very good chance your pediatrician recommended Miralax (or a generic equivalent) as a safe solution. According to one study, 75 percent of pediatricians had used such laxatives to treat childhood constipation.1 One Beverly Hills, California pediatrician even told the New York Times:2

"'I've had kids on it daily for years" …For children with chronic constipation who are not being helped by dietary changes, "We literally give it like water."

Thousands of neurological reports after use

FDA Study Detected Antifreeze Chemicals in Laxatives

In 2008, the FDA tested eight batches of Miralax because "many of the reported adverse events were classic symptoms of ethylene glycol ingestion."4 Ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG) are ingredients in antifreeze so, in other words, the government tested the laxative after receiving reports of children exhibiting symptoms of antifreeze poisoning following their use. "

 

Patients were reporting neurological disturbances including: tics, tremors and obsessive compulsive behaviors.  This is unnecessary and unreasonable.  

Chronic constipation is linked to an increase likelihood of colorectal cancer. If you know someone who struggles with constipation from birth to 99, we can get them moving smoothly and truly naturally with no harm to them, no adverse reactions and certainly, no plastic. Even out of state patients can call for an herbal medicine consultation at Eagle Acupuncture to move their bowels and improve their gut function.

Many points on the front of the body move bowels, reduce bloating, moisten bowels and reduce pain and cramping.  For children under 12 we use a tickle machine that is needless, causes no harm and helps regulate digestion.

http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1648-acupuncture-moves-stool-relieves-constipation

Sources: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121022081228.htm

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/01/21/miralax-laxatives.aspx

Viral Colds and Flu Best Treated By Acupuncture and Individually Prescribed Herbal Medicine

Cold, flu, bronchitis, cough and ear infections are best treated by your acupuncturist and herbalist, not your MD. Viruses can't be treated by your MD. MD's are wonderful and necessary if you illness does not first respond to natural medicine.

It's the viral season and if left untreated your viral infections (cold and flu) can turn into a bacterial infection in your sinuses, ears or lungs. But you don't always need antibiotics, you may only need herbal antivirals and herbal antibiotics. That should be considered emergency medicine only and to help prevent super bugs from developing so we may reserve antibiotics for more critical and life threatening ailments.

We treat cough, phlegm, difficulty breathing, clogged ears, low grade fevers, recurrent infection. Going online or to your local co-op to buy herbal medicine is a huge shot in the dark.

Each herbal formula is different depending on what is happening in your body.

If you have congestion in your sinuses but not in your chest= different herbal formula

Itchy ears and sore throat= completely different herbs are used to treat it

Drippy nose an unrelenting cough= undeniably a completely different set of herbs for that.

Fever and chills with yellow or green mucus with pain in ears or sinuses= a whole other set of herbal medicine.

Acupuncture not only boosts your immune system to cut you time you are sick in 1/2, but it also prevents a secondary infection from occurring.

If you are sick, STAY home. Do not go to work and infect others. This makes the flu season go round and round and on and on. Instead, make an appointment with your Acupuncturist and Herbalist. Be sure to alert the receptionist so your healthcare provider can wear a mask. Also, buy some disposable masks so when you are out in public, you wear one as a courtesy to others so they don't get sick.

And lastly, acupuncture and possibly cupping will help you FEEL better, which is a Godsend when suffering from a bad cold or cough.