This is an interesting Washington Post article about the different types of health care systems around the world.
Once again, wherever you stand in the health care debate, knowledge is power- it’s important to know all the facts.
Happy reading!
University of Ulster researchers found acupuncture, used in combination with supervised exercise, to be more beneficial than exercise alone for treating and managing back pain.
This study is just one of many that has found acupuncture to be helpful in reducing and managing pain.
The proposed healthcare overhaul has caused quite a stir over the last few weeks. Widespread misinformation seems to be fueling growing fear and outrage among many Americans.
In an effort to simplify the picture, NPR’s Scott Hensley put together some resources to help people understand how healthcare reform might affect them: Health Overhaul Boiled Down To A Flowchart.
The Whitehouse has also launched a “Health Insurance Reform Reality Check” to answer people’s question and concerns about health reform: Health Insurance Reform Reality Check.
Wherever you stand in the debate, it is imperative to know and understand the facts before choosing a side.
Happy reading!
A new study published in the Journal of Food Science reports that the polysaccharides found in black tea may benefit people with diabetes by helping to slow down the absorption of sugars.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) pioneer Dr. Sami David thinks nearly 50% of IVF procedures are unnecessary.
IVF is often the first step taken after a diagnosis of infertility, but Dr. David thinks it should be one of the last. Dr. David is concerned that doctors often skip over the investigation and treatment of underlying problems that cause infertility.
Asked why fertility doctors are not investigating and addressing deeper problems, Dr. David said, “Some could be lack of knowledge or lack of interest. They have a product to sell, and they sell IVF. Sometimes it’s just the impatience of the patient or impatience of the doctor.”
Dr. David also points to male factor infertility as something that needs to be checked and addressed more frequently.
“First off, 40% of infertility is male factor infertility. If there is a sperm problem, the doctor should not be pumping the woman up with fertility drugs to make multiple eggs, but rather sending the husband off to see a specialist,” he explained. “You need to reach the root cause of their infertility, not just bypass it. If there is a problem with the man, it may represent a medical problem, a serious medical problem. Doctors are missing an opportunity to help the man with his medical problem.”
Dr. Sami David recently published Making Babies: A Proven 3-Month Program for Maximum Fertility, co-authored with Jill Blakeway, a licensed acupuncturist. Making Babies addresses more holistic and integrated fertility options.
Holistic approaches to fertility such as acupuncture and herbal medicine focus on correcting underlying health problems to boost optimum fertility. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can be used alone to enhance fertility, or in conjunction with conventional assisted reproductive techniques to improve success.
Researchers at the University of Michigan Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center found that acupuncture alters the way the brain processes pain.
Using brain imaging, UM researchers found that acupuncture increased the binding availability of mu-opoid receptors (MOR) in regions of the brain that process and dampen pain signals.
The University of Michigan study is the first to provide evidence that acupuncture affects the brain’s long-term ability to regulate pain. The full study will be published in the September issue of Journal of NeuroImage.
Newly unveiled court documents show that pharmaceutical giant Wyeth paid ghostwrites to publish more than 26 scientific papers backing the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
The articles, published in medical journals between 1998 and 2005, emphasized the benefits and downplayed the risks, including increased risk of invasive breast cancer, endometrial cancer, heart attack, stroke and dementia, of HRT.
Physicians rely on medical literature, so the concern about ghostwriting is that doctors might change their prescribing habits after reading certain articles, unaware they were commissioned by a drug company.
Wyeth faces about 8,400 lawsuits from women who claim that Premarin and Prempro, the company’s HRT drugs, caused them to develop illnesses.
Holistic Alternatives to HRT
Acupuncture and herbal medicine can reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, changes in mood and headaches without the negative side effects associated with HRT.
A 2008 study found acupuncture to be more effective than drugs in treating hot flashes, night sweats and other menopause-like symptoms in patients with breast cancer. Acupuncture Beats Drug in Alleviating Hot Flashes, Night Sweats and other Symptoms Associated with Breast Cancer Treatment
Gibran Ramos, ND, MSOM, shares his top five secrets for good sleep:
These are all great ideas, especially #1 and #2. Our bodies thrive on routine. Keeping a regular sleeping schedule not only improves the ease and quality of sleep, but it improves daytime energy and overall vitality.
Check out the Full Article for more details.
Happy sleeping!
Are you having difficulty conceiving? Have you ever wondered what fertility options are out there?
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have been used to enhance fertility for over 2,000 years. Used together, acupuncture and herbal medicine regulate hormone levels, increase blood flow to the uterus, and reduce stress and anxiety, thus boosting fertility and promoting overall health.
Acupuncture is a safe and effective way to treat both female and male factor infertility. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other assisted reproductive techniques, and has the added bonus of being side effect free!
Ariel Solomon, licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, specializes in holistic women’s health and fertility. She has a very high rate of success in helping couples conceive and go on to have healthy and happy babies.
More questions? No problem! Join Ariel Solomon, L.Ac., MSTCM, Dipl. O.M., CMT, ADS, for an evening of acupuncture and fertility questions and answers.
what: Acupuncture and Fertility Q&A
when: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 6:00 p.m.
where: Five Seasons Women’s Wellness, 840 Lawrence Street, Eugene, OR
contact: Ariel Solomon at (541) 515-6446
I look forward to seeing you!
