Shiatsu for Boosting Fertility: Because of its effectiveness, safety and relative low cost

The following is taken from an article by Integrative Healthcare Studies written by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.:

“Infertility affects millions of couples around the world. Although there are a wide range of physiological reasons for infertility, medical treatment to foster conception can have many side effects and is typically very expensive. Because of its effectiveness, safety and relative low cost, Shiatsu is a favorable option for a growing number of men and women hoping to expand their family.

What Is Infertility?
Affecting 10 to 15 percent of American couples, most experts define infertility as not being able to get pregnant after at least one year of unprotected, sexual intercourse. Women who are able to get pregnant but then have repeat miscarriages are also considered infertile. Infertility may be due to a single cause in a man or woman, or a combination of factors that prevents a pregnancy from occurring or continuing.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) considers infertility to be a reflection of an energetic blockage or imbalance. With the goal of unblocking and rebalancing the affected individual’s energy flow, TCM treatments have demonstrated effectiveness in improving male and female reproductive function.

In the traditional literature of TCM, fertility is closely related to the health of the following channels: Kidney, Liver, Spleen, Governing Vessel and Conception Vessel.
More specifically, the following TCM patterns are known to interfere with conception:

· A deficiency in the Kidney and Liver energetic organs disrupts the endocrine system, resulting in a hormonal imbalance that can prevent ovulation or implantation.

· Stagnant energy and/or blood in any of the five channels (but especially in the Governing and Conception Vessels) can easily prohibit ovulation, egg travel, fertilization or implantation.

· Besides hampering sperm and egg production, damp heat in the Liver or Conception Vessel channels causes inflammation that can irritate the delicate tissues needed for reproduction – thus impeding their function.

According to experts, stimulating key points encourages the energy within these channels to flow in a smooth, healthy fashion – thus improving chances for conception.

Based on TCM theory, Shiatsu is an ideal, non-invasive application to improve circulation in the Kidney, Liver, Spleen, Governing Vessel and Conception Vessel channels. After Shiatsu practitioners evaluate their clients and conclude which TCM pattern is most likely responsible for infertility.

When a couple’s attempts to procreate have been unsuccessful, they are likely to explore their options within allopathic and alternative medical practices. Massage therapists with an understanding of reproductive health, TCM pattern differentiation and Shiatsu can help balance their clients’ energetic channels to overcome their fertility challenges”

You can see the full article at:
http://www.integrative-healthcare.org/mt/archives/2009/11/

Support Herbal Medicine in the UK – act now!

“There are only 10 days until the deadline for responses to the government’s consultation on the statutory regulation of acupuncture, herbal medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Many thanks if you have already sent them the message that SR is the only option that you accept.

The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine is the lead professional body for Chinese herbal medicine in the UK. We are asking for your support because if herbal/traditional medicine practitioners do not get statutory regulation by the time a new European Directive on Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products comes fully into force in 2011, they will lose the right to prescribe many commonly used herbal medicines, and herbalists and patients will be the losers.

However, if SR goes ahead the public will have a professional group, able to deliver expert, high quality herbal treatment tailored to the individual, with the correct safeguards in place.

For this reason, we ask that you respond saying “no other arrangement than statutory regulation of herbalists will meet my needs.”

How can you help?

Please write your own response to the Department of Health before the deadline of 2nd November. Go straight to the consultation here.

The Consultation Document is long and complicated. If you have time to answer all questions, that is great. Our “How to respond to the Consultation guide” will help. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE’VE AMENDED THE ANSWER TO QUESTION 11 AS OUR PREVIOUS RESPONSE SUGGESTED THAT WE WERE NOT SUPPORTING SR OF ALL THREE THERAPIES.

If you don’t have time to answer the 24 questions, don’t worry. Even a short response will have an impact and will be included in the count of those responding.

For instance, you could just answer one of the following four questions:

Question 3
What do you envisage would be the benefits to the public, to practitioners, and to businesses, associated with introducing statutory regulation?
Answer = Significant benefit

Question 7
What would be the effect on the public, practitioners and businesses if, in order to comply with the requirements of European medicines legislation, practitioners were unable to supply manufactured unlicensed herbal medicines commissioned from a third party, after 2011?
Answer = Significant effect.
And comments e.g. “It would be terrible for everyone”
or “SR is the only way to make sure that this doesn’t happen”
or “If my herbalist couldn’t prescribe my herbs to me I would be devastated”

Question 11
If you feel that not all three practitioner groups justify statutory regulation, which group(s) does/do not and please give your reasons why/why not?
PLEASE NOTE OUR AMENDED ANSWER
Answer = Do not fill in any of the boxes
Comments = “acupuncture, herbal medicine and TCM all justify statutory regulation”

Finally under question 24
Are there any other matters you wish to draw to our attention?
Just write a line or saying that Statutory regulation is the only option you support – see our guide on “How to respond to the Consultation” which has lots of ideas about what to write. Please add a personal reason for supporting statutory regulation such as “I use herbal medicine” or “I find herbal medicine effective to treat many ailments” etc.

If you care about herbal medicine, please do not miss the opportunity to support this ancient and priceless healing system.”

The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine

RCHM, Office 5, Ferndale Business Centre, 1 Exeter Street, Norwich, NR2 4QB
Email: herbmed@rchm.co.uk
Website: http://www.rchm.co.uk
Telephone: 01603 623994 Fax: 01603 667557

Library books reviewed

Hi, sorry I’ve not posted for a while. I’m having problems with my laptop at the minute which makes it very difficult for me to post and access my blog.

I’ve recently rediscovered my local library as a means to save some money in the current economic climate and have been reading some  of their TCM books.

The ones that stand out are:

*Why the chinese don’t count caleries –  http://www.chinesedontcountcalories.com/

“Lorraine Clissold’s journey into Chinese food culture was not so much about learning recipes as crossing culinary boundaries. Fascinated from day one to find a nation that positively stuffed at every meal but never worried about counting calories, she frequented street stalls and markets and learnt to speak Mandarin Chinese so that she could interact with chefs and restaurateurs. ‘Why the Chinese Don’t Count Calories’ introduces a little understood cuisine and reveals the 15 secrets that changed her life – and can change yours too.”

This was a really insightful book which really brings to life chinese food culture through Lorraines own experiences and is a great introduction to how TCM views food. Its really easy to read and has some great recipes and tips.

* Reflections of the moon on water – http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780679314196&view=print

“Since establishing her practice in Canada twelve years ago, Dr. Xiaolan Zhao has treated thousands of women suffering from fatigue, PMS, infertility, depression, menopausal symptoms and other gynecological disorders — health problems that are all too common in the West but less so in China, where traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been an integral part of women’s lives for thousands of years. As a physician originally trained in Western medicine who later took up the practice of TCM, Dr. Zhao has seen how effective the Chinese approach is for her patients, and she’d like to see more Canadian women incorporating its wisdom and practices in their own lives, as a complement to their regular health care.

In Reflections of the Moon on Water, she explains the unique philosophy behind the healing tradition, a way of thinking that is liberating and empowering for women. Sharing stories from her own life and the lives of her patients, Dr. Zhao shows that we have nothing to reject about our feminine selves, and explains how we can develop new relationships with our bodies and our emotions. There is so much every woman can do in terms of ongoing and preventative self-care to improve her health and vitality and prevent illness. By making simple changes in diet, exercise routine, sex life and the way we deal with stress and our emotions, we can profoundly improve our health now and into the future.”

A great book, taking you on a TCM journey through the different stages of womens health with exercises and specific recipies to hep with different conditions. It is really well written with Dr Zhao giving examples from her own health experiences and those that she has encountered in her clinic with her clients. Its easy to read and understand. A book that I want to add to my own book shelf .

Shiatsu, Shiatsu, Shiatsu watch all about it!

The Healing Power of Touch

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-healing-power-of-touch.html

50 Healing Herbs You Can Grow in Your Own Garden

This post was sent to me from the The Pharm Tech Blog and highlights some herbs that you could use to help your own health.

“Modern medicine certainly works wonders, but there’s something to be said for alternative medicine. Herbs and plants have been used to cure ailments for centuries. These 50 miracle plants may look like weeds, but they are plants you’ll want to keep around if you prefer alternative medicinal sources.

1.Ginseng – This wonder working plant come in two forms American ginseng and Chinese ginseng. Chinese ginseng is used to improve circulation, while its American counterpart reduces fever and respiratory tract disorders. Ginseng is also used to increase energy through supplements or powders. This perennial plant grows best in cool climates.

 2.Dong quai – This simple herb can help with high blood pressure, allergies, and even menopause. The herb grows best in summer or autumn, and is best grown in trays.

3.Wild Yam Roots – These yams make for a great natural treatment of nausea, rheumatoid arthritis, and menstrual cramps. Natively from China, these roots grow best in temperate climates.

4.Eyebright – Like you might guess from the name, eyebright is often used to soothe eye irritation, as well as allergies and sinus infections. Growing eyebright is challenging but rewarding, as you’ll require simultaneous grass-planting to deal with the parasitic eyebright.

5.Ginger – This Greek-favored cure helps with migraines, motion sickness, and even blood clots. If you plan on growing this health favorite, it needs plenty of indirect sunlight and water, and hates the frost.”

Read more at: http://www.pharmacy-technician-certification.com/?page_id=81

Thanks to Pete for this great video, it really resonated with me & I hope you like it.

“Seth Godin argues the Internet has ended mass marketing and revived a human social unit from the distant past: tribes. Founded on shared ideas and values, tribes give ordinary people the power to lead and make big change. He urges us to do so.”

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/seth_godin_on_the_tribes_we_lead.html

Misha Cohen talks about Liver disease

Chronic Fatigue Insight

There was a really wonderful article on Chronic Fatigue in last Sundays Observer.

It gives a fantastic insight into the condition.

“Sleepless? Stressed? Anxious?   Exhausted?

Relentless consumption, spiralling debt, information overload. Is modern life making you ill? William Leith discovers the hidden problems with living in a 24-hour world

William Leith

The Observer, Sunday 12 July 2009

Article history

Downward spiral: William Leith, like an estimated 100,000 Britons, has suffered from chronic fatigue. Photograph: Andy Hall”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jul/12/chronic-fatigue-stress-modern-life

Book Review: Meet your Body by Noah Karrasch

” Many of us hold on to old fears, traumas and stresses and allow them to define and frame our lives. This book shows how to relieve these problems and help you look and feel better on a profound level. Based on the idea that the body is composed of twenty-one important hinges. Meet Your Body shows how we can ‘oil’ and free these hinges, stretching the body out so we can feel healthy and happy more of the time”.

I really enjoyed this book it had great practical tips and exercises combined with a very readable and personable approach.

The author has been a body worker for over 20 years and also teaches. His approach to disease really resonated with me and my own experiences. Noah sees dis-ease  as the slow down of energy and invites the reader to slow down and really get to know their body.

” I often tell my patients we have 4 sides: Physical, Emotional, Intellectual and Spiritual. An event will impact on all 4 sides e.g. flu – when you have a temperature of 104 degrees, every bone and every muscle aches. It is a  physical illness but intellectually is this  the time to make a detailed financial analysis? No! Is it a time for deep emotional discussion with a loved one? No! Spiritually few people get passed “Oh God help!” What call a physical illness afects all aspects of our being.”

I really love the way Noah can convey quite complex theories in a way which is really accessible for all to understand. One that springs to mind is the way he explains the Spine being like wooden building blocks you played with as a child. If one block is out of place the whole thing can come tumbling down.

I would highly recommend this book and know that I will return to it again and again over time. I have used some of the exercises and definately feel the benefit.

If you are interested in your own health or are a therapist looking for new exercises to use with clients, this book will definately give you inspiration. 

Get your copy from: www.singing-dragon.com