A recent Australian study demonstrated that acupuncture can produce significant changes in the brain.
10 study participants were given laser acupuncture at a series of points formulated to treat depression, while undergoing MRI imaging of the brain. Changes in the “mood regulation” area of the brain were noted with the treatment.
According to a newly published British study, women with greater stress levels may be less likely to conceive in any given cycle.
The Oxford Conception Study followed 274 British women 18 to 40 years old for six menstrual cycles or until they got pregnant.
Researchers measured their levels of alpha amylase and cortisol, two substances that serve as barometers of how the body reacts to physical or psychological stress, on day 6 of each cycle.
Scientists found that women with highest concentrations of alpha amylase were 12% less likely to conceive than women with the lowest. Cortisol levels were not associated with the women’s chances of conceiving.
From the Chinese medicine perspective, stress effects the energy of the liver system (not to be confused with the liver organ from the Western medicine perspective), which is in charge of smoothing the flow of menstrual blood and energy throughout the body, and, to some extent, regulating hormones.
Stress disrupts the regulating function of the liver system, creating stagnation, often referred to as liver qi stagnation.
Liver qi stagnation can manifest in many different ways, including: PMS, painful periods, ovulatory pain and/or irritability, inconsistency of basal body temperatures, anovulation, irregular cycles, infertility, general irritability or emotional instability, headaches, upper body/ shoulder tenseness, etc..
Stagnation of liver qi can be treated using acupuncture and herbal medicine, as well as lifestyle adjustment. Daily care must be taken to allow your mind and body to relax and decompress from stressful situations.
Nurture Yourself: List 10 easy things you can do to relax, de-stress and nurture yourself daily (examples: take a bath with incense and candles, take a quite walk in nature, relax in the sun, breathe deeply, write in a journal, create music/ art, hug yourself, hug your pets or partner, meditate, take time to reflect on your day):
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Try doing at least one of these things every day for two weeks. How do you feel? What other things can you do to be more calm and centered?
Women who experience menstrual cramps appear more likely to have abnormal structural changes in the areas of the brain involved in regulating pain and emotion, according to a recent study conducted in Taiwan.
MRI scans showed that these structural changes lasted throughout the cycle, even during pain-free periods.
Dr. Cheng-Hao Tu of the National Yang-Ming University in Taipei and his colleagues enrolled 32 women with severe menstrual cramps and 32 control subjects without cramps for the study.
No significant differences were seen on MRI for total volume of the tissues in the brain known as gray matter between patients and controls, but numerous regional differences in gray matter were detected.
Particularly, changes in brain volume were noted in the hypothalamus, know for its role in regulating the menstrual cycle, and other areas of the brain know for regulating pain.
Similar studies of patients with chronic pain have shown that extended pain can lead to structural and functional alterations throughout the nervous system.
“Our results demonstrated that abnormal [gray matter] changes were present in [primary dysmenorrhea] patients even in the absence of pain. This shows that not only sustained pain but also cyclic occurring menstrual pain can result in longer lasting central changes,” the researchers concluded.
Studies have shown that acupuncture has a direct effect on brain function and structure; results from this new study suggest that acupuncture’s effect on the brain may play a role in its ability to reduce menstrual pain.
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Research is showing that regular exercise may not be enough to stave off heart disease; you need to keep moving, even after you visit the gym.
Thanks to the help of acupuncture and IVF, Celine Dion is finally pregnant after years of trying- and with twins!
Flea season is upon us, and it is important that we have all the information we need to make the right choices for our furry friends. Recently, the EPA issued a warning about “spot-on” type flea medications, citing adverse reactions in dogs and cats ranging from skin irritation to neurological problems to deaths.
While many of these reactions are thought to have been due to improper use of the spot-on meds, further testing needs to be done to evaluate the safety of these products.
If you choose to use chemical pesticide based flea control, be sure the use the right product for your pet and follow the directions carefully.
Natural pesticides such as diatomaceous earth, lemon water and essential oils can be great non-toxic flea control alternatives. Many pet stores now carry non-toxic products formulated to control fleas and other pests. The Internet has a wealth of information on non-toxic flea treatments.
More information about the EPA warning:
Full AP Article: Pet deaths prompt warnings on flea meds
EPA’s Website: EPA to Increase Restrictions on Flea and Tick Products
