Though Chinese medicine has been practiced for over 4,000 years, it wasn't widely accepted in the Western world until fairly recently. Dermatology, however, is a unique subspecialty where acceptance has thankfully flourished, leading to a blend of Western and Eastern techniques to control various dermatologic maladies, most notably acne and eczema.
In my practice, I've found traditional Chinese medicine often ameliorates skin symptoms and ailments Western medicine can't cure. By focusing on the root cause of various issues — poor circulation, energy stagnation, excessive internal heat — Eastern medicine often succeeds where academic, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, pharmaceutical-driven Western medicine has failed. Oftentimes, it's the simple release of a meridian that can reestablish the balance of Yin and Yang, instantly returning the body to a healthy state.
When patients come to me saying, "I've tried everything, every wash, every prescription ... and my acne still won't go away," it's clear they haven't tried using an Eastern approach to skin care. When I tell them acne needs to be treated from within, instead of by slathering various ointments and creams on their skin, they're often shocked.
The Western approach to acne believes the cause is three-pronged: bacteria, hormonal fluctuations and exfoliation. To treat acne, it's often a one-size-fits-all approach, with only a few tools used on everyone, no matter how different their acne is. In contrast, Chinese medicine believes acne (known as Fen Ci, which translates to "white horns") is caused by an overactive yang or "heat" evils, an an internal "dampness." Stress, "hot" foods, hormonal activity, poor circulation and agitated thought are all causes of excessive heat that rise up through the body and present on the face in the form of acne. Damp environment, raw foods, insufficient sweating and poor digestion are all causes of the dampness that contribute as well.
Obviously this approach to acne doesn't lend itself to a Western course of treatment. After all, how can any dermatologist prescribe a medication or topical treatment to combat heat evils and internal dampness?
Unlike Western medicine, Chinese medicine even attributes various acne locations to specific internal conflicts. For example, blocking of the stomach meridian results in chest and face acne, whereas blockage within the lungs and stomach results in facial acne. Patients experiencing this type of acne may also note dry mouth, dark urine and constipation, with a fast pulse and bright red tongue.
In this instance, treatment with calming foods like cucumber and green teas can be very helpful, alongside a regimen of Pi Pa Fei Yin, an herbal mixture that helps to cool the blood and clear the lungs. For sores that last a particularly long time, the traditional Chinese therapy is to activate blood circulation using an herbal blend of circulatory stimulators: Tao Hong Si Wu Tang.
As someone who blends Eastern and Western therapies in my practice, I'd sooner recommend gan cao (licorice root) to treat certain types of acne instead of over-the-counter alternatives like minocycline or doxycycline. Another agent that inhibits pus-producing cells from migrating to the face is dong qui (female ginseng).
Acne, or Fen Ci, is far from fully understood ... in both hemispheres. A blend of Eastern and Western medical techniques server my patients best.
Original article and pictures take www.mindbodygreen.com site
Learning self acupressure for fertility is easy! Apply these techniques to stimulate hormonal balance, regulate the menstrual cycle and get pregnant!
Fertility acupressure can be easily applied at home on a daily basis.
It is a very easy to learn, jet very powerful technique to enhance fertility and prepare for natural conception or for IVF cycles.
What's Acupressure
A component of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupressure has the goal of regulating the flow of energy within the body in order to create balance and restore health.
Acupressure consists on stimulating specific acupressure body points with the purpose of invigorating the organ that corresponds to that point. Acupressure for fertility focuses on specific organs like the liver, the spleen, the urinary bladder, the ovaries, the uterus, the fallopian tubes and the kidneys, as these organs play a very important role in reproductive health.
Acupressure and self-acupressure was discovered in China over 5,000 years ago. Ancient Chinese learned how by simply pressing certain points on the body relieved pain where it occurred, but also it was beneficial on other parts of the body away from the pain. In Chinese medicine the body is divided into twelve meridians that are energy pathways of Qi (chi) energy. Qi flows continuously from one meridian to another.
Why Acupressure For Fertility
Acupressure for fertility can be used to relieve menstrual pain, support the sexual reproductive system, and to detoxify the body. When you practice self-acupressure, you will be stimulating pressure points that are located along the body's twelve main meridian pathways. These pathways are where the energy or Chi flows freely when you are healthy. If the Chi becomes obstructed, dysfunction and disease will result.
Applying acupressure on specific acupressure points increases blood circulation to the reproductive organs and increases oxygenation to the tissues. Often the blockage is caused by the presence of toxins that accumulate as a result of poor diet, medications, stress, and poor sleep. When this happens, the hormonal balance within the body is compromised leading to poor ovulation cycles.
Doing acupressure for fertility can improve your chances of conceiving because it stimulates blood flow to the reproductive organs and releases toxins, congestion and inflammation.
The result of applying daily acupressure will be hormonal regulation and balance, while stimulating ovulation and helping oxygenate the uterus in preparation for pregnancy.
Symptoms of stagnation of the liver are often associated with infertility in Traditional Chinese Medicine. If you suffer from PMS, irregular cycles, headaches before your period, cold hands and feet, mood swings, low energy, you will benefit from using acupressure for fertility.
In this article, you are going to learn the main acupressure points to increase fertility. These acupressure body points are easy to find and virtually anyone can easily apply these techniques. If you suffer from any medical condition, consult with trained acupressure therapist.
Stimulating Acupressure Points
In order to stimulate acupressure points, follow these simple guidelines:
a. Apply pressure for about 1-2 minutes by using your fingertips. You can also use your thumb. If you feel pain or discomfort, decrease your pressure or stop.
b. Apply deep pressure using a clockwise motion for about 1 minute.
c. Make sure your nails are clean and well trimmed, do not jam your fingernails into your skin.
Lower Abdominal Acupressure Points
Only stimulate the following acupressure for fertility points during the first half of your menstrual cycle, before ovulation. If you are preparing for IVF cycle, apply pressure on these points up until the day before embryo transfer. Also, never apply pressure on these points if you are pregnant.
Ren 3: this acupressure for fertility point is also considered to be the "Central Pole" of the conception meridian. It is located on the middle line, four inches below the belly button. Stimulating this point helps regulate the menses, strengthening the kidneys and the urinary bladder. It can help in cases of endometriosis, pelvic inflammation that interfere with implantation. Stimulate this point using deep, clockwise circular motion. Do not stimulate if you think you might be pregnant.
Zigong: this acupressure for fertility point is also called "Place of the Child." It is locate 4 inches below the belly button and three inches away from the center line of the body. This point is the site of the ovaries.
The stimulation of this point increases blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, addressing infertility related to menstrual problems. Use deep clockwise massage to stimulate this point every day or every other day before ovulation.
Ren 4: this acupressure for fertility point is locate on the midline (conception meridian), two inches below the belly button. This point is the site of the uterus. It increases the Chi energy to assist conception. Use deep clockwise massage to stimulate this point every day or every other day before ovulation. Make sure to use deep circular motions to stimulate this acupressure point.
Ki 16: this acupressure for fertility point is located one inch on either side of the belly button. This point is the site of the kidney. When stimulate it brings healing energy to the heart and kidney while clearing the mind and improving immunological function. Also, this point releases energy blocks in the abdomen that cause low fertility.
Ren 6: this point is located one and a half inch below the belly button on the midline of the lower abdomen. This point is also called, the sea of Chi. When stimulated increases energy, vitality to the body overall.
St 30: this point is found 5 inches below the belly button and two inches away from the midline. When stimulated it helps increase function of the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus by releasing stagnation.
Upper Abdomen Acupressure Points
The following acupressure points increase fertility by stimulating and regulating the liver and kidney meridian. They assist your body in toxin release from the liver and promote hormonal regulation while helping you feel calmer.
Ren 14: this acupressure point is located two inches below the sternum and 6 inches above the belly button. Stimulating this point has a great benefit of clearing the heart of negativity. If the heart chakra is blocked as a result of worry and anxiety, this point when stimulated will help release your fears and relax your mind.
Ren 12: this acupressure point is located on the midline of the stomach, half way between the belly button and the sternum, approximately 4 inches above the belly button. This point has an affinity for the spleen and the stomach and it is very important in draining the body of excess fluid and mucus production like fluid accumulated in the fallopian tubes, uterus, and urinary bladder.
Lv 14: this acupressure point is located below the breast, two ribs below the nipple, 4 inches from the midline. This point resolves liver and gastro intestinal complaints related to poor digestion experienced as sluggish feeling after eating. This point also helps those who suffer from premenstrual breast tenderness. When this point is stimulated, the sexual energy increases as well.
Back Acupressure Points
The following acupressure for fertility points can be stimulate during the first and also the second half of the menstrual cycle, except while menstruating. A word of caution about using pressure points on your shoulder.
Do not stimulate the top of your shoulder area after ovulation (avoid shoulder rubs) as stimulation of this area can cause uterine contraction leading to a miscarriage. This area is so sensitive that during labor many midwives recommend stimulating the shoulders in order to trigger or speed up labor.
UB 44: this point is located at the same level as UB 15, three inches to either side of the 5th thoracic vertebra. The stimulation of this point promotes relaxation. It will help you if you feel anxious about your inability to get pregnant.
UB 15: this point is called the point of the "Heat." It's located one and a half inches away from the spine at the level of the 5th thoracic vertebra and two inches above the lower border of the shoulder blade. This point regulates the heat Chi energy. It promotes better sleep, less anxiety and balanced mood.
UB 17: this point is located at the level of the lower border of the shoulder blade at the level of the 7th thoracic vertebra. It helps cool the blood, resolves blood stasis and stops abnormal menstrual bleeding.
UB 23: this acupressure for fertility point is locate at the level of the Kidney energy on the small of the back at the level of the second lumbar vertebra. You can find it by measuring one and a half inches from the middle line on either side of the spine. This point addresses abnormal vaginal discharges, irregular periods, lower back pain in women and impotence in men.
DU 4: this acupressure point is also called the "Life Gate" located on the Governing meridian right on the midline at the level of the second lumbar vertebra. This point stimulates the womb resolving sterility, increases energy flow through the kidneys and pelvic organs.
UB 31, UB 32, UB 33: these acupressure points address lower back pain and regulate menstrual disorders and infertility. They also increase blood flow to the pelvic organs boosting fertility.
Acupressure For Fertility Face Points
The following points can be stimulated throughout the entire menstrual cycle and are useful during embryo implantation after ovulation if you are trying to conceive naturally or after embryo transfer if you are going through IVF.
Yintang: this acupressure point is located between the eyebrows.
It stimulates the activity of the pituitary gland and it is great in regulating hormonal imbalances due to low pituitary function. It also resolves frontal headaches and anxiety.
Epang II: this acupressure point is located on the scalp above the forehead just inside the upper corner of the hairline above the outside of the eyebrow. When you apply pressure on this point you will usually feel sensitiveness, make sure to be gentle.
This point decreases painful menses regulates the menstrual cycle and treats urinary problems.
Acupressure For Fertility On The Ear
The following acupressure points improve general fertility and can be stimulate during the entire cycle.
Triangular Fossa: this acupressure point is located in the upper, inner area of the ear.
This point stimulates the uterus and fallopian tubes. It also regulates the sympathetic nervous system decreasing blood pressure and body tension.
Massage this point each day for a couple of minutes or every time you feel under stress.
Intertragic Notch: this acupressure point is located just above the earlobe in the lowest point of the ear.
It stimulates the endocrine system and the ovaries by massaging gently every day or every other day during your monthly cycle.
Acupressure For Fertility DVD
If you choose to integrate acupressure for fertility in your life to conceive, I recommend getting the Acupressure for Fertility DVD.
This is DVD teaches you a gentle acupressure practice designed to enhance reproductive health in women and men who are trying to conceive.
Based on the ancient principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, that have been proven effective in treating infertility for centuries, acupressure for fertility stimulates the flow of energy along the meridians. The purpose is to improve blood flow to the reproductive organs boosting fertility and facilitating conception.
The following are the main benefits of using this fertility acupressure DVD on a regular basis:
1. Balance the hormonal system.
2. Release anxiety and stress in the body.
3. Increase the success rate of IVF treatments.
4. Promote blood flow to the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes.
5. Decrease the side effects of fertility drugs.
This Acupressure for Fertility DVD was developed by licensed acupuncturist, Shasta Tierra, who has twenty years clinical experience in the field of acupressure, yoga and acupuncture.
When you apply acupressure for fertility you will feel calmer and more relaxed, you will also notice that your menstrual cycle will be more regular and your periods will become pain free. These are signs that your fertility has been restored.
How to Thrive in Pediatric Acupuncture by Luriko Ozeki, L.Ac.
Are you considering expanding your practice to include pediatrics, but not sure if it’s the right path for you?
Or, you’re excited by the possibilities, but have no idea where to begin? Maybe you’ve been doing pediatrics for a while, but aren’t experiencing the success and satisfaction you anticipated in your work with children?
Based on my own hard-earned experiences, the following 5 best practices are essential to building a thriving pediatric acupuncture practice helping kids and their families!
Best Practice No. 1: Cultivate a love and respect for kids
As you already know from treating adults, Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM) is about the exchange of Qi. Because children are so pure and alive, this dynamism is even more profound when you interact with them. Even as infants, kids are highly sensitive and perceptive. Thus, if your heart and mind aren’t fully present, they will sense it immediately and your treatments may not be as effective as you hope.
You may connect with your adult patients through conversation, but you can’t rely only on verbal communication with kids.
It comes down to your Qi - your touch, your attention, and your intention. Kids will know when you are with them in the moment, lost in thought or speaking only to their parents. If you are unsure of yourself around children, start by getting comfortable in treating your own child or babies and kids of your friends and relatives.
Observe, play with them, and attempt gentle, simple tuina techniques to develop a gentle touch. Cultivating a daily practice of qi gong, tai chi, or meditation may assist you in finding the centeredness you need to work with these highly charged, often energetic individuals. Playfulness is at the heart of every child, so become attuned to the play in yourself. Remember: once upon a time, you were a kid too.
Best Practice No. 2: Master non-needle techniques.
Most people have an aversion to needles, and kids are no exception. Some kids are very frightened of needles, often due to traumatic experiences with medical tests and vaccine shots at their pediatrician’s office. Moreover, many young children won’t sit or stand still, even for a minute.
Acupuncture can’t be the only tool in your toolkit.
It will serve you well to master other child-friendly therapeutics such as tuina, cupping, guasha, massage, moxa, laser* and shonishin. Shonishin is Japanese for “pediatric needle.” The name is a misnomer since there actually are no needles in this technique.
In the 17th century, to induce effects similar to those of needling, Japanese acupuncturists devised this system specifically for children. Some good references to learn shonishin are Steve Birch’s book, Shonishin: Japanese Pediatric Acupuncture(comes with a DVD), Thomas Werwicke’s book, Shonishin: The Art of Non-Invasive Paediatric Acupuncture, and the exceptionally talented, American acupuncturist, Soma Glick, currently offers hands-on live shonishin workshops and OM classes.
Best Practice No. 3: Become skilled in Pediatric Acupuncture.
This sounds obvious, but there’s more to it. Children are not little adults - meaning the TCM you learned in school is not necessarily appropriate or relevant to the treatment of kids.
Children possess unique characteristics that distinguish their patterns of illness and development from those of adults. Along with gaining a deep understanding of Pediatric Acupuncture, learning how to engage a child’s amazingly vibrant yang qi, diagnosing through touch, observation, smell, adroitly interviewing the child and his or her parents – together these represent the keys to effective treatment and a successful practice.
Recommended Resources
There is much to learn, and in addition to the resources listed in Best Practice 2, look for teachings and classes offered by these wonderful pioneers in pediatric acupuncture and TEAM: Efrem Korngold (chinesemedicineworks.com) and Stephen Cowan (stephencowanmd.com), Robin Ray Green (acupuncturepediatrics.com), Bob Flaws and his Pediatrics CE course through Blue Poppy (bluepoppy.com), the late Alex Tiberi’s pediatric CE course through PCOM (pacificcenterforlifelonglearning.com).
If you know of other individuals/organizations and books that can help further all of us pediatric specialists, please, leave a comment below with your recommendations so that we can all keep learning from our contemporary experts.
Best Practice No. 4: Market Yourself to Your Target Audience
Pediatric Acupuncture (PA) is a specialty getting greater traction with the Traditional East Asian Medicine community here in the United States. The public, on the other hand, is almost completely unaware of the existence of PA, or the mere fact that you can use TEAM to treat children.
There is a LOT of education to be done, then, for raising awareness of PA, particularly among parents and grandparents, teachers and even other pediatricians. Even adults who’ve been successfully treated by TEAM do not consider bringing their child---simply because they don’t know children can be treated by us!
With PA, acupuncturists have an opportunity to help kids become healthier and support their optimal development---to be a pivot to changing this country’s rising chronic health problems. Let’s bridge that gap with our medicine, our passion and targeted public education!
Consider developing a PA-specific brochure and/or update your website to prominently highlight your pediatric focus. Creating an Ideal Patient Profile will also help tremendously to attract kids and their parents that you want to see and work with every day.
These methods helped me tremendously in expanding my own pediatric practice:
Educate a willing audience: your adult patients. Planting a seed in them about PA helps them become goodwill ambassadors to spread the word.
Include asking for referrals as part of your patient management once you start getting pediatric patients in the door.
Schedule public speaking engagements geared for parents regarding PA at your local library, family-friendly festivals, farmers markets, children’s stores, holistic health fares, etc.
Reach out to preschools, “Mommy and Me” groups, schools and other organizations that serve parents or children. Offer to do parent-education classes on PA, Real Food nutrition, pediatric massage, Five Elements, or how to treat certain conditions using PA.
Connect with like-minded pediatricians, gastroenterologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, allergists, and ENT doctors. Educate them about what you do and that you’re here to support them and their pediatric patients. A good place to start networking would be with your pediatric patients’ HCPs. This will create a referral pipeline. The same goes with teaming up with other local acupuncturists. Many will happily send their patients’ kids to you. As with all referrals, thank them back with your own referrals to them whenever possible.
Donate pediatric wellness sessions to your local school’s silent auctions.
If you’re a parent, become active in your local moms/dads Facebook and Meet Up groups. More and more mommy-only/daddy-only groups are popping up by interest and by location, so become a member and be the friendly voice of holistic medicine. (Or start one if there isn’t one in your area!)
Advertise in your local children/parenting magazines.
Send out periodic newsletters or communication from your office educating your readers about all thing pediatrics and TEAM.
Create a series of articles in your blog to educate the public about a certain pediatric condition, nutrition, or anything you think parents would want to learn about. Then plug in your series to your brochures, during your talks, on social media, in your newsletters, or as part of your Welcome New Patient packet so that you can set yourself as an expert in this field and also to keep driving interest back to your website. (Here are mine for example: http://bit.ly/SADdiet. I am big on nutrition, so I created an 8-part series on Healthy, Happy Eating for the Whole Family To Enjoy. I am also currently writing a 12-part series on Leaky Gut: http://bit.ly/leakygutwhatisit.)
Best Practice No. 5: Welcome Abundance
Finally, to thrive in any practice---adult or pediatrics---depends greatly upon your willingness to accept abundance. If you have any negative beliefs or pessimistic expectations that are inhibiting you from believing in your own success, they must be overcome.
Some practical ways to extricate these negative beliefs from your mind may include working with a business/life coach, reading self-improvement books, meditation, talking to other successful business people, getting assistance from your local SBA. Next to Best Practice 1, this is one of the most fundamental ingredients for a thriving pediatric practice.
As with any practice, building a pediatric practice takes time. Take advantage of downtime to work on Best Practice 1, 2, 3, and 5, and to lay down your marketing groundwork, i.e. Best Practice 4.
If you put in the time now, your practice will grow, and when you get busy, it’ll be difficult to keep up with your studies and marketing later on. Creating an annual marketing calendar booked with activities is invaluable to help you stay at the forefront of people’s minds.
Having one-year and five-year business plans will also help you stay on track with your financial goals. But check in periodically with yourself to see if your timetable, goals, and needs continue to make sense to you. If they don’t, simply adjust accordingly. That way, you can make sure you have a secure pipeline of patients coming throughout the year through all the avenues you create that are in alignment with your true self.
Then pretty soon, you’ll be spending very little time marketing because most of your referrals will be word of mouth, and you will spend most of your time doing what you love – helping kids and families get healthier and happier!
About Luriko
Luriko P. Ozeki, L.Ac., is a board licensed adult and pediatric acupuncturist, physician of Oriental Medicine, educator, public speaker and mom. She the rare acupuncturist who specializes in holistic pediatrics. Her gentle treatments for pediatric conditions emphasize non-needling techniques, Real food nutrition, and natural, herbal medicine to promote calm, resilient, and healthy children for happy families. Fluent in Spanish and Japanese, she practices in Los Angeles, CA.
You can find more information about Loriko and her clinic Iyashi Wellness here: www.iyashiwellness.com or connect with her online at:
