Women’s Health

Kathleen Walsh Martin, Dipl. OM, C.Ac. M.S.O.M. B.S. — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 06:50:03 +0000

A woman’s body is complex and in a constant state of change because of the ceaseless interplay of hormones and biological processes. From the onset of menstruation at puberty, through years of monthly cycles, pregnancies, and the through final stages of menopause, a woman’s body must rhythmically and continually adapt and cope.

The female reproductive system is regulated by a tiny almond-sized structure located in the central portion of the brain called the hypothalamus. This structure serves as the primary link between the brain structure and the endocrine glands (pituitary) and ovaries creating a system known as HPO, or the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which is responsible for almost every aspect of hormonal regulation for the female throughout her life.

Many research studies have now confirmed that acupuncture has the ability to successfully manipulate this HPO axis in ways that can restore hormonal balance by assisting a woman’s own internal energies.

Most gynecological conditions respond well to Chinese Medicine, and significant changes can be made within three to six menstrual cycles to help bring the body back to balance. Here are just some of the conditions for which acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have been found to be effective:

PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)	Thyroid Conditions
Irregular periods	PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)
Long periods	Hormone-induced Migraines/Headaches
Heavy periods	Chronic Yeast Infections
Dysmenorrhea (Painful Periods)	UTI (Urinary Tract Infections)
Amenorrhea (Absence of Periods)	Fertility Issues
Endometriosis
Fibroids

It is important to note that stress has been found to be a major disruptive factor to the delicate balance of hormones that is needed for a woman’s reproductive system to be able to function normally. Acupuncture can be an effective way to reduce stress, because it has been shown to relax the nervous system over a course of treatments. Acupuncture does this by causing both the brain and body to secrete enkephalins and endorphins. These are the body’s own sedative, opiate-like compounds that are several times more potent than morphine. Consequently, they have a very calming effect on both the nervous system and body. This leads to a lowering of heart rate and blood pressure, muscle relaxation, and a feeling of well-being. Acupuncture has also been shown to cause the release of serotonin which is known to have a relaxing effect on both the mind and body, particularly on the digestive system. Our culture is both fast-paced and hectic. This directly affects a woman’s reproductive health, making reduction of stress a major component for success in treatments.

At Health and Wellness Acupuncture you will find a comprehensive approach to women’s health issues through the use of Chinese Medicine. Kathleen Martin, a licensed acupuncturist, holds a Masters in Oriental Medicine, and is a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine with the NCCAOM. She dedicates herself to developing treatment plans that focus on each patient’s unique individual needs. To schedule a consultation with Kathleen, please call 262 853 1915.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Kathleen Walsh Martin, Dipl. OM, C.Ac. M.S.O.M. B.S. — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 03:48:03 +0000

Several large clinical trials, including seven trials involving 393 patients with OA of the knee, have demonstrated the effectiveness of acupuncture for pain control in OA, with an excellent risk benefit profile when properly administered. (Ernst E. Nature Clinical Practice: Rheumatology. February 2006; 2(2):74-80.)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16932660

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Kathleen Walsh Martin, Dipl. OM, C.Ac. M.S.O.M. B.S. — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:38:49 +0000

PCOS is a very common set of symptoms among women with menstrual disorders (present in up
to 90%). Several recent clinical studies have shown that properly administered acupuncture can
induce normalization of the menstrual cycle in these patients. The influence of acupuncture on
female sex hormones can be explained by its action on the hormonal axes (e.g. hypothalamicpituitary-
adrenal) (Lim CED et al. Gynecological Endocrinology. June 2010; 26(6):473-478.)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20230329

Lower Back Pain

Kathleen Walsh Martin, Dipl. OM, C.Ac. M.S.O.M. B.S. — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:59:45 +0000

A very large clinical trial (>3000 patients) has proven that the addition of acupuncture to a
comprehensive back care plan results in a significant improvement in back function. The North American Spine Society (NASS) has recently endorsed acupuncture as providing better pain relief and functional improvement than either no treatment or conventional treatment alone. (Berman BM et al. New England Journal of Medicine. July 2010; 363:454-61.)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21038519

National Institute of Health (NIH) Consensus Statement

Kathleen Walsh Martin, Dipl. OM, C.Ac. M.S.O.M. B.S. — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:12:45 +0000

National Institute of Health (NIH) Consensus Statement
NIH funding for research on alternative medicine including acupuncture has doubled over the past decade, reaching $128.8 million in 2010. After examining over two thousand published scientific studies on acupuncture, an expert panel of NIH investigators released a consensus statement recognizing acupuncture as an effective alternative or adjunct treatment for a broad variety of conditions including: addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and postoperative dental pain.

(NIH Consensus Panel. Journal of the American Medical Association. Nov 1998; 280(17):1518-24.)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11271061