Several reproductive hormones are related to ovarian reserve and follicle depletion. Ovarian reserve is assessed by measuring FSH, inhibin b and AMH as well as visualizing antral follicle count (afc) via transvaginal ultrasound examination. AMH suppresses FSH.
Qi has six functions. They are: transforming, transporting, containing or holding, raising, protecting and warming.
Inhibin b is analogous to the holding aspect of qi. FSH is analogous to the transforming aspect of qi as FSH transforms germ cells into follicles and primordial follicles into pre antral follicles and pre antral follicles into antral follicles and antral follicles into a graafian follicle.
One may consider that yang qi is associated with action and/or metabolic function and thus I might equate LH as a surge of yang qi facilitating the action of ovulation.
Ovulation also reflects the raising function of qi in that if qi is sinking or deficient, ovulation will not occur. The raising aspect helps the egg to burst through the follicle. So we can see the symbiotic relationship between spleen qi and kidney yang in the action of ovulation.
As the follicular pool diminishes either as a natural occurrence of aging or due to genetic defect, FSH increases due to a diminishment of inhibin b. Inhibin b is produced in the granulose cells of the follicle.
Oocytes are one type of physical manifestation of congenital kidney essence. Congenital essence is nurtured and supported by acquired essence which is derived from gu qi. Gu qi is essence qi derived from the transportation and transformation of food which is accomplished via the joint action of the stomach and spleen.
Typically with depletion of the follicular pool comes reduction in oocyte quality with greater opportunities for chromosomal anomalies, i.e. trisomies, monosomies, etc. It is my contention that acupuncture and herbs cannot increase the follicular pool anymore than he shou wu can turn the hair black. As in any ancient system (martial arts for example) theory, speculation and myth must be separated from clinical reality. But, I do know from clinical experience that oocyte quality can be improved. This evidence is obtained from clinical pregnancies as a result of the utilization of acupuncture and herbs where pregnancy did not occur prior to intervention. This occurs within a cohort of patients without other mitigating factors, i.e., tubal damage, male factor, POF, etc.
Since oocytes are a physical manifestation of kidney essence and congenital essence is nurtured and nourished by acquired essence, it is always important to tonify spleen qi when trying to fortify the kidneys and benefit essence. To tonify essence alone using herbs such as ze he che, rou cong rong, shu di, lu rong, etc. is a mistake. Theses herbs must be a part of a formula that utilizes spleen qi tonics as well. This is known as treating ‘one step removed’. It’s similar to benefitting metal to augment water as opposed to treating ‘water’ directly. An interesting analogy is the concept of treating local, distal and adjacent points when treating with acupuncture; not just putting a needle in LI11 to treat elbow pain or stiffness. So, in a way, we must think about using local, adjacent and distal herbs conceptually. This makes for a more sophisticated, more balanced and more efficacious formula.
Qi tonifying herbs that go to the spleen and lungs are best to use as the lung is the mother of the kidney and the spleen tonifies the lungs and the spleen as mentioned previously creates acquired essence. Use herbs like shan yao, ren shen, dang shen, huang qi, etc.
Of course every case must be treated according to differential diagnosis and treatment principle. The above thoughts and ideas and merely those – thoughts and ideas on how the treatment of the kidney and spleen may in a sense, be appropriate in every case of advanced maternal age infertility where egg quality is suspect, regardless of the differential diagnosis. Another way to state this concept is: no matter what the differential diagnosis, treatment of the spleen and kidney should be included to improve oocyte quality.
Showing posts with label Qi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Qi. Show all posts
Thursday, February 23
Wednesday, March 23
Acupuncture - Optimizing your physical and mental health through free flow of qi
When the body is in free flow, with no blockage, there can be no imbalance, disharmony, or pain. It is only when the flow of qi, blood and fluids is compromised that a pattern of disharmony results. Thus, the goal for all acupuncture treatment is to restore the body to the natural state of homeostasis.
To illustrate this fundamental acupuncture treatment principle, let us discuss the nature of pain in the body.
If you are experiencing tightness in your neck, it may be due to an accumulation of stress in your shoulders and back. As your muscles get tighter, the free flow through that area of your body is being compromised. You may not be aware of the effects of this stress immediately. The holding pattern of your body and the manifestation in postural changes may not register as a problem until you wake up one day and you can no longer turn your head. Now the body has your attention, you are in pain. Acupuncture will open the areas of blockage, releasing the neck and restoring the flow through the acupuncture points and meridian channels and, as a result, your neck is pain is ameliorated.
When treating pain a variety of acupuncture points are utilized: local treatment to the affected area, trigger point release in the muscles, and acupuncture points distal to the affected area are chosen to reduce inflammation and increase circulation and healing. Often the muscles themselves need to be relaxed and, for this, a combination of acupuncture with additional modalities such as cupping, the application of cups to the skin to draw out deep inflammation, and massage are indicated. Achieving free flow through the acupuncture points is the treatment principle for all conditions. Determining where to place the acupuncture needles is the art of acupuncture combined with the experience of the acupuncturist.
When the body is open and balanced, there is no discomfort. This is manifested in the seemingly boundless energy of healthy children. As the body ages, we accumulate holding patterns of stress and fatigue, and it becomes necessary to remind the channels what free flow feels like. Originally designed to connect and circulate energy from the internal organs to the surface of the body and then back again, the meridian channels perform a very important job. Acupuncture treatment is designed to open the channels, resulting in being whole and complete again.
When viewing the body in this way, it is more difficult to understand how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help more complex internal symptoms, such as infertility, fatigue and depression. Fertility enhancement acupuncture often treats both female and male patterns. To help prepare the body for pregnancy, the acupuncturist guides qi, blood and fluids to the reproductive system increasing the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.
The result is better circulation, fresh new blood and surging qi through the reproductive organs. In addition, the acupuncture treatments are designed to reduce stress levels in the patient, to facilitate a deep sense of relaxation. As a result of this treatment, sleep, metabolism, and digestion often improve, a very welcome side effect of the acupuncture treatment.
In conditions affecting emotional health, Chinese medicine again teaches a simple principle, emotional balance is the ability to feel all emotions appropriately. Often when presented with heightened mental challenges, we get fixed in one emotional state. So often the patient suffering from fatigue and depression also feels unmotivated and lacking in self-esteem. It is by helping the emotions to move freely that the patient begins to feel less afraid and more motivated to take action.
A healthy emotional state can be observed in early childhood. A toddler will be happy one minute, screaming and frustrated the next, and then back to happy before the tears have time to dry. Unfortunately, as we age, our emotional responses become more and more predictable, rigid and neurotic. It becomes difficult to adjust our patterned responses and the free flow of emotions becomes blocked.
Fatigue is often a result of being set in one emotion. We yearn for change and freedom so we may feel better. Drug addition and drug dependency are often a result of a depressed view of oneself or one’s current situation. Acupuncture can help to treat these conditions by opening the channels and freeing the emotions so that they can return to a more centered and balanced state.
In conclusion, the acupuncturist’s main priority is to restore the natural free flow throughout the mind and body. Regardless of whether the patient needs stress and pain relief, support conceiving or holding a pregnancy, or emotional balancing, the guiding principle of acupuncture treatment remains the same; free flow promotes harmony and optimal health in the body.
Abbey Fromkin, M.S., L.Ac.
Acupuncturist: Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness and Women’s Health
To illustrate this fundamental acupuncture treatment principle, let us discuss the nature of pain in the body.
If you are experiencing tightness in your neck, it may be due to an accumulation of stress in your shoulders and back. As your muscles get tighter, the free flow through that area of your body is being compromised. You may not be aware of the effects of this stress immediately. The holding pattern of your body and the manifestation in postural changes may not register as a problem until you wake up one day and you can no longer turn your head. Now the body has your attention, you are in pain. Acupuncture will open the areas of blockage, releasing the neck and restoring the flow through the acupuncture points and meridian channels and, as a result, your neck is pain is ameliorated.
When treating pain a variety of acupuncture points are utilized: local treatment to the affected area, trigger point release in the muscles, and acupuncture points distal to the affected area are chosen to reduce inflammation and increase circulation and healing. Often the muscles themselves need to be relaxed and, for this, a combination of acupuncture with additional modalities such as cupping, the application of cups to the skin to draw out deep inflammation, and massage are indicated. Achieving free flow through the acupuncture points is the treatment principle for all conditions. Determining where to place the acupuncture needles is the art of acupuncture combined with the experience of the acupuncturist.
When the body is open and balanced, there is no discomfort. This is manifested in the seemingly boundless energy of healthy children. As the body ages, we accumulate holding patterns of stress and fatigue, and it becomes necessary to remind the channels what free flow feels like. Originally designed to connect and circulate energy from the internal organs to the surface of the body and then back again, the meridian channels perform a very important job. Acupuncture treatment is designed to open the channels, resulting in being whole and complete again.
When viewing the body in this way, it is more difficult to understand how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help more complex internal symptoms, such as infertility, fatigue and depression. Fertility enhancement acupuncture often treats both female and male patterns. To help prepare the body for pregnancy, the acupuncturist guides qi, blood and fluids to the reproductive system increasing the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.
The result is better circulation, fresh new blood and surging qi through the reproductive organs. In addition, the acupuncture treatments are designed to reduce stress levels in the patient, to facilitate a deep sense of relaxation. As a result of this treatment, sleep, metabolism, and digestion often improve, a very welcome side effect of the acupuncture treatment.
In conditions affecting emotional health, Chinese medicine again teaches a simple principle, emotional balance is the ability to feel all emotions appropriately. Often when presented with heightened mental challenges, we get fixed in one emotional state. So often the patient suffering from fatigue and depression also feels unmotivated and lacking in self-esteem. It is by helping the emotions to move freely that the patient begins to feel less afraid and more motivated to take action.
A healthy emotional state can be observed in early childhood. A toddler will be happy one minute, screaming and frustrated the next, and then back to happy before the tears have time to dry. Unfortunately, as we age, our emotional responses become more and more predictable, rigid and neurotic. It becomes difficult to adjust our patterned responses and the free flow of emotions becomes blocked.
Fatigue is often a result of being set in one emotion. We yearn for change and freedom so we may feel better. Drug addition and drug dependency are often a result of a depressed view of oneself or one’s current situation. Acupuncture can help to treat these conditions by opening the channels and freeing the emotions so that they can return to a more centered and balanced state.
In conclusion, the acupuncturist’s main priority is to restore the natural free flow throughout the mind and body. Regardless of whether the patient needs stress and pain relief, support conceiving or holding a pregnancy, or emotional balancing, the guiding principle of acupuncture treatment remains the same; free flow promotes harmony and optimal health in the body.
Abbey Fromkin, M.S., L.Ac.
Acupuncturist: Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness and Women’s Health
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)