Consultation with Kerry Goodwin

Safety of Acupuncture in Pregnancy

Posted on by Kerry Goodwin in News

Are you a birth worker or healthcare provider working with antenatal and postnatal patients? Have you wondered if acupuncture can be a beneficial modality to safely recommend to your patients? With acupuncture, we have historical evidence in addition to well conducted studies and formal analysis to show its safe and effective use during pregnancy. Two systematic reviews show adverse reactions were described as minor, and were comparable to non-acupuncture therapies. Another key takeaway from a systematic review by Park et al assessing the safety states acupuncture during pregnancy is found to be safe when applied correctly. Education and training matters! It is imperative to find a provider that specializes in perinatal health with extensive training in providing maternity acupuncture.

Additional reassurance is found in statements from ACOG and RCOG (American and Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology) where acupuncture is listed in their clinical guidelines as a safe modality in a variety of conditions during pregnancy.

  1. Park, J., Sohn, Y., White, A. R., & Lee, H. (2014). The safety of acupuncture during pregnancy: a systematic review. Acupunct Med, 32(3), 257-266. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2013-010480
  2. Clarkson CE, O’Mahony D, Jones DE. Adverse event reporting in studies of penetrating acupuncture during pregnancy: a systematic review. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2015;94(5):453–464. doi:10.1111/aogs.12587

Improve Your IVF Success Rate with Chinese Medicine

Posted on by Kerry Goodwin in News

Are you preparing for an IVF cycle? Whether you’re just beginning the conversation with a reproductive endocrinologist at your fertility clinic or if you’ve already started stimulation medication, acupuncture can support you and improve your success rate. This can be a time of high stress and emotion, Chinese medicine can provide you with an extra level of support on many levels. Not only will acupuncture help to calm your mind during this time, it will also help increase your chance of conceiving, reduce adverse reactions to medications, and promote a healthy endometrial lining for implantation.  

Maybe you’re wondering how exactly Chinese medicine can do this. Here are a few things that your practitioner is focusing on while supporting you and your partner during the IVF cycle. As a provider for many patients who have gone through IVF, we have a strong influence on the follicular microenvironment, egg quality, sperm quality, and endometrial lining.  We aim to improve the quality of blood and increase blood supply by providing oxygen and nutrients to the reproductive organs.  

We help to improve ovarian function by regulating hormone levels, which impacts luteinizing hormone, testosterone, insulin, estrogen, and progesterone. We reduce cortisol output, our stress hormone to help calm the mind and calm the sympathetic nervous system. When our body is in a state of stress, or fight or flight, reproduction is not a priority. In fact, even with a medicated cycle or IVF, elevated stress hormones are associated with poor success or cycle cancellation. Acupuncture will also improve the mitochondria of the oocyte with certain Chinese herbs, or kidney yang tonics; and will improve the follicular environment by reducing inflammatory cytokines.  

An ideal time frame to begin treatment with a Chinese Medicine practitioner is three months prior to beginning an IVF cycle, but even if you’ve already begun taking medication, acupuncture can make a difference! It is important to wait until you have experienced at least one cycle before combining IVF medication with Chinese herbs to know how your body will respond.

If you’re interested in using Chinese medicine to help support you during an IVF cycle to promote conception I hope you reach out!  

 

Tracking Your Fertile Days

Posted on by Kerry Goodwin in News

A guide to basal body temperatures, ovulation predictor test kits, and cervical fluid.

I get asked a lot of questions in my practice when working with patients to optimize their fertility. For example:

“How come my basal body temperature chart does not line up with my increase in cervical fluid and a positive ovulation predictor test kit (OPK for short).”

 Or, “I don’t know when or if I’m ovulating so how can I possibly know when the right time to have intercourse is.”  

Or, “My cervical fluid changes and my temperature rises several days before I get a positive OPK.”  

You can see where I am going with this. It can be really tricky to determine when is the best time to conceive! The first step in the process is really getting to know your body. We are going to do a deep dive into how to properly read and assess your cervical fluid, basal body temperature chart, and your OPK and most importantly when is the best time to conceive.

What is an Ovulation Predictor Test Kit?

First it’s helpful to understand exactly what is an ovulation predictor test kit. This test will help determine when ovulation may be approaching. It measures the amount of luteinizing hormone, or LH, in the urine towards the end of the follicular phase. LH is is produced in the pituitary as the dominant follicle ripens, LH surges right before the egg is released. The OPK is best used between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. and not using the first morning urine.  It’s also helpful to make sure you do not drink too much water beforehand as it will dilute the LH. Once you have a positive OPK you will likely ovulate within 12 to 48 hours. It is helpful to use the OPK in conjunction with the BBT (basal body temperature) especially if cervical mucus is not very strong.

What is your Basal Body Temperature or BBT?

Basal body temperature or BBT chart records the temperature of the body upon waking, a time when the body is deeply rested and metabolism and temperature is at its baseline. The temperature will begin to rise once a woman has ovulated and begins to produce progesterone. Historically, the BBT started in the Catholic religion in menstrual charting to detect the body’s rhythm. It’s helpful to have at least three months of temperature charts to see the consecutive changes in the temperature so you can see when the rise is occurring to track ovulation. All you need to take your BBT is a digital thermometer and a piece of paper, however now there are many great apps that you fill in your temp daily to see your monthly pattern. There are also trackers, like the Ava bracelet, that will do all the work for you. The temperature should be taken first thing in the morning before doing anything else. Note that temps are very sensitive to poor sleep, alcohol, and stress and will impact the temp each day. Temps will be most accurate when you have had three to four hours of consecutive sleep.

It’s important to note that BBT’s do not predict ovulation, they can only tell you that ovulation has already occurred. OPK’s will help you predict that ovulation will occur within the window of 12 to 48 hours. It is also helpful to know that hormone levels are constantly changing and LH can vary woman to woman in how long it remains at its peak. Some women experience mini-surges of LH prior to ovulation and some women don’t produce enough to be detected on the OPK but are still ovulating. Remember when I said to use the OPK it later in the day? This is because LH begins to rise in the morning so it will not be as strong as it is at 2 p.m., and the time your LH surges may vary. In some women it may last less than 24 hours.  if you’re only testing one time per day at 2 p.m. but the peak is occurring at 7 p.m., you will miss it. This is why it is important to test up to three times per day if you suspect you will be ovulating soon.

What is cervical mucus and how to I determine it’s quality?

Cervical mucus is another helpful sign to determine when ovulation is approaching.  Observing this will help you learn more about your body and when conception can take place.  There are four types of cervical mucus, G, L, S, and P. When estrogen peaks, it stimulates the production of cervical mucus, generally starting six days before ovulation. During the “dry” times of your cycle, when there is little moisture or fluid being produced from the vagina fertility is lower. This is when G type is present, it is impenetrable by sperm. As you approach ovulation, more liquid is produced moving from G to L type when the discharge will be more sticky and wet and finally to stretchy and slippery or egg white (S type). The S type mixes with the L type to make spinnbarkeit, or spinn. Next the mucus loses its stretch as the cervix produces P type that is very lubricative and slippery to aid the sperm during the most fertile day. It is helpful to recognize the changes in the fertile mucus because it precedes ovulation and can help you determine your most fertile days. The last day of cervical mucus is the peak day or best time for conceiving as it is the day of or day before the egg is released. Cervical fluids job is to help get the sperm inside the reproductive tract before the egg is released showing that the best time for intercourse is two days before ovulation.

A few final things to keep in mind. Previous birth control use may impair cervical mucus causing the body to only produce G type stopping the sperm from making it through the cervix despite ovulation occurring. Many medications can inhibit fertilization, this includes antibiotics, NSAIDs, antidepressants, antihistamines, and clomid.

How does Chinese Medicine fit in with tracking your fertility?

As an acupuncturist one of our greatest strengths is to see what is happening inside the body by watching or feeling what is happening on the outside of the body. This is done through taking pulse, looking at your tongue, a detailed intake, and palpation. In fertility, we look closely at the change in temperature throughout the whole cycle, not just during ovulation. We also discuss the cervical mucus, any symptoms that arise before menses and then what is happening during a woman’s bleed. All of these signs together can give us detailed information on how the body is performing and what may be happening hormonally. It is for this reason that the BBT will mean more to a Chinese medicine practitioner than to a Western specialist.  

Chinese medicine is also very beneficial to help encourage the body’s production of cervical mucus by nourishing blood and yin in the first half of the cycle (day 3 to 14) and by boosting yang in the second half (day 15 to the start of the period). If the cycles are irregular, it can also help to bring the cycle back to the optimal length of 26 to 33 days and can help regulate the temperature. When the temperature is too high or too low, it is a sign that something is out of balance. It will also detect what may be happening if either the follicular or luteal phase is to short or too long. If the follicular phase is too short, it is likely that the egg is unable to fully develop and if the luteal phase is too short it is likely there is insufficient progesterone to support a pregnancy. This can be treated by acupuncture and herbal medicine. Your practitioner will support you by treating you according to your cycle and recommending specific lifestyle and dietary changes as well as Chinese and western herbs to regulate the cycle and optimize fertility.  

I hope this guide helps you better determine how to track ovulation during your cycle!

Resource:

Lyttleton, Jane. Treatment of Infertility with Chinese Medicine. Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, 2013.

 

Thriving In the Postpartum Phase

Posted on by Kerry Goodwin in News

The first few months following the birth of your beautiful baby hold many new experiences and changes. You spend the whole length of your pregnancy taking great care of your body to prepare yourself for labor and delivery then once the baby comes, it seems as though there is little to no time to think about self care and your own well being. While taking care of your new baby is, of course, the first priority, it is also important to consider how these first few months will affect the next several years and any future pregnancies.

Chinese Practice of “Sitting-In”

In Chinese culture many women practice “sitting” for the first month of pregnancy, this is known as zuo yue zi. The family provides support, including cooking, cleaning, and assisting with daily chores and activities. The mother rests. Doesn’t that sound refreshing? She avoids strenuous exercise and activities and eats a diet rich in protein. Not only does this support her qi and blood and restores her body, she experiences the added benefit of close bonding with her baby. Many women who try this or a modified version of it, find that it reduces postpartum symptoms and allows them to be more energetic throughout the years which follow. This model also supports the postpartum phase of their next pregnancy, leaving their bodies strong and healthy.

Whole-Body Healing

Making time for yourself during this phase will revitalize you: mind, body, and spirit. You will find yourself help more present and attentive to your baby. Regular acupuncture and postnatal massage visits are a great way to support this initial recovery. Following are just some of the benefits: reduced stress, balanced hormones, better milk production, decreased postpartum anxiety and depression, better sleep, decreased muscle spasms, pain and tension, fewer night sweats, and more thorough healing of scar tissue.

Mother Warming

Acupuncture also uses a technique called mother warming that is often used when a cesarean birth has been necessary. Using the technique moxibustion, or art of heat therapy, helps to heal scars and prevent infection. Moxibustion is also used during this time to build blood if there was blood loss or tearing during delivery. Chinese medicine and acupuncture will also use Chinese herbs and postpartum tonics to build the qi and blood during this time especially after a difficult and long delivery.

If you are awaiting the birth of your baby, now is a great time to set up a treatment plan with your practitioner to make sure you have the best support system in place to thrive in the postpartum phase.

 

Are your springtime allergies making you miserable?

Posted on by Kerry Goodwin in News

Are your springtime allergies making you miserable? Every year we welcome budding trees, flowers, longer days, and sunny afternoons in the park with open arms. Especially this year when it seemed winter would NEVER end. But for some of us this also means a trip to the pharmacy to pick up some Zyrtec and Allegra just to make it through the day. Sometimes these over the counter antihistamines barely touch our symptoms of itchy watery eyes, noses that feel like a constantly running faucet, sneezing, wheezing, and often a pesky persistent cough.  The good news is relief can come in surprising places! Queue your weekly acupuncture session!

Treating Allergies with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have been proven to be just as effective if not more effective than these over the counter treatments. And better yet, they work just as quickly! This year I had a taste of my own medicine when I was immediately plagued with allergy symptoms. I have been lucky to have avoided the plague of allergies throughout my life until moving to the South. New flora means new symptoms… instead of running to the pharmacy, I tried a Chinese herbal remedy and within just a few hours I noticed a HUGE difference. I also put a few needles in my face on points to treat allergy symptoms. My eyes no longer felt like sandpaper, my nose stopped dripping, no more sneezing, and my headaches stopped! I can say for certain that Chinese medicine definitely saved the day!  

In Chinese medicine springtime allergies, or allergic rhinitis, are seen as the invasion of the external pathogenic factor wind and the blockage of qi to the nose. Allergies can be an excess or deficiency pattern. If one is deficient the wei qi, or defensive qi, is not strong enough to protect the body from invasion of the wind or if there is excess it may be exacerbated by heat or dampness lurking in the body. Some people find that allergies trigger their asthma making breathing difficult or labored. Here acupuncture will work to support the lungs and relieve asthmatic symptoms quickly providing necessary relief. The points selected to treat allergies open the nose, stop the cough, alleviate redness and itchiness in the eyes, and have an antihistamine effect. In the herbal formulas a similar approach is used; certain herbs like Bo He (mint) open the nose and brighten the eyes,Cang Er Zi (xanthium fruit) disperses wind and dampness, Xin Yi Hua (magnolia flower) expels wind and opens the nose, Fang Feng (siler) releases the exterior and expels wind, Bai Zhi (angelica root) expels wind and damp and relieves headache and pain.  

Allergy Support for Pregnant Women

Another benefit of acupuncture for allergies is the support it offers for pregnant mamas.  Even though Zyrtec is thought to be safe during pregnancy, many women choose not to use any over the counter medications. Many acupuncture points that provide relief are safe during pregnancy and help alleviate these symptoms when it seems nothing else will.

Additional steps to take that will improve allergies include using an air purifier in your bedroom at night while you sleep, supporting your microbiome and gut flora with probiotics or fermented foods at each meal, supporting your organs of elimination- the liver and large intestine, and taking a shower before bed so that your pillows and sheets are not covered in pollen, dust, or dander.

If you’re looking to relieve allergy symptoms without pharmaceutical antihistamines, allergy shots, or medication let you acupuncturist know and she will help you to get the most enjoyment out of the beautiful springtime weather!

Chinese Medicine is More Than Just Acupuncture

Posted on by Kerry Goodwin in News

Do you have ‘needle phobia’ yet remain curious as to what all the buzz is around acupuncture? Do you fear your system is too sensitive or delicate to receive acupuncture.  Odds are you know someone who swears it cured their migraines, regulated their digestion, helped them get pregnant, alleviated their shoulder pain, and/or allowed them to finally get a good night’s sleep. What if you hate needles and lying on a table with them stuck in at various locations on your body sounds like the furthest thing from relaxing. Most of us dislike needles because having blood drawn or getting a shot at the doctor raises our blood pressure and sometimes causes a bit of nausea or may even cause us to faint. The truth is most acupuncture needles are hair thin and you may not even feel them go in. Once they are in they are incredibly calming and promotes a deep sense of relaxation, allowing your body to melt into the table. But what if I told you you could get acupuncture without ever having a needle put in!

Acupuncture is just one modality in Chinese Medicine. As a Chinese medicine practitioner, I have many tools available to utilize in healing the body. Other modalities include herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, gua sha, tuina, shiatsu, and nutrition. Most acupuncturists combine different modalities to meet each patient’s needs to achieve the desired goals of treatment to heal the body. Cupping is a therapy using glass cups that are applied to the skin using heat as suction and then moved along the body.  It stimulates the flow of qi and blood to help alleviate pain. Cupping is also detoxifying, allowing congestion below the surface of the body to be drawn out and released. I like to use cupping for chronic upper respiratory infections to support the lungs and relieve chronic cough.  

Moxibustion

Moxibustion, or moxa for short, is the art of heat therapy and can be used with or without needles. Moxa is made of the herb ai ye, or mugwort. It can be used indirectly (away from the skin) or directly (placed on the skin) and is burned to achieve a desired level of warmth that is very penetrating and healing for the body. Moxa may be placed directly over an acupuncture point or moved along a channel. This is especially helpful for women who experience painful menses, fibroids, cysts, menstrual cramps, infertility, and breech positioned babies. In my practice I find that there are few things that moxa cannot treat. Moxa is also used to strengthen the blood, treat anemia or blood deficiency, encourage the flow of qi and blood, and maintain general health.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine is another one of my favorite modalities to use in practice.  Combining herbs with acupuncture is a wonderful way to facilitate healing the body. There are hundreds of formulas used in practice, instead of using single herbs alone, they are made into formulas to enhance their positive effects and can be tailored to each patients individual needs.

Nutrition Therapy

Using nutrition therapy in practice is another great way to support the body’s ability to heal itself.  After all, food is medicine! Here each food has a particular flavor, temperature, and nature in the body. Adding specific foods to your daily regimen can help build your blood, encourage optimal digestion, and balance the body.

If you have been on the fence about trying acupuncture because of the needles, it’s time to put that aside and make an appointment. A good practitioner will work with you so that you feel comfortable and support you in your journey to live a fuller healthier life. Be well!

Acupuncture Magic – Why is it so good at treating pain?

Posted on by Kerry Goodwin in News

Have you ever wondered why acupuncture is so effective?  Especially at treating pain?

If you have ever experienced long term chronic pain, you know how debilitating it can be, both emotionally and physically. It can take its toll on your day to day life, robbing joy from ordinary activities and impacting sleep. With all the media attention surrounding the opioid epidemic, multiple articles have touted the benefits of acupuncture and Chinese medicine for pain. There have been thousands of medical trials comparing opioid use to acupuncture and Chinese medicine always ranks as one of the most effective ways to relieve pain without the use of pharmaceuticals. Studies have shown acupuncture reduces pain by at least 50% compared to other interventions. Not only does acupuncture get to the source of the problem, it also helps to calm the parasympathetic nervous system and calm the mind to address the emotional aspect of the condition.

Acupuncture works by inserting hair thin needles into specific areas of the body to change the flow of qi or energy, encourage blood flow, reduce inflammation, and unblock stagnation below the surface.  It will ease pain by affecting neurotransmitters, hormone levels, and the immune system.  Needle insertion also triggers a change in brain physiology, this change will increase the release of endorphins and will lessen the sensation of pain the body experiences.

It’s also important to remember that acupuncture is cumulative and that the conditions being treated didn’t develop overnight. Consequently, weekly treatments are important for chronic pain conditions to see the greatest benefit.

We have been conditioned to think that the use of ice will alleviate pain. In Chinese medicine we believe ice is harmful unless used in the most acute situations within the first three hours.  The use of heat will encourage blood flow to the area, whereas cold will constrict, contract, and reduce the flow of blood.  Introduction of cold into the body creates an imbalance internally which leads to other problems in the long term.  

In my practice I have treated many patients for pain and regardless of where the injury is – acupuncture always helps.  I encourage the use of other modalities as well such as physical therapy if needed, dietary therapy, exercise, and herbal remedies.  Are you living with chronic pain and looking for support?  Make an appointment; see what acupuncture has to offer!  You will not only be surprised by the pain relief you experience, you also will experience the added benefits of relaxation, stress reduction, regulating digestion, better sleep, and uplifted mood!

Let’s Get Personal

Posted on by Kerry Goodwin in News

DSC_0241In my blog posts I rarely post many personal details about my health and healing journey but that’s about to change today! Like many practitioners in the wellness industry I discovered my love of acupuncture and Chinese medicine while upon my own path toward health and wholeness in my own body. I wasn’t finding any answers from Western medicine to the issues I was experiencing and became completely frustrated that no one could help me. I spent what felt like an endless amount of time, not to mention money, and ended up no further ahead than when I’d started. Finally, as I walked out of a gastroenterologist’s office I decided I was going to get to the root of my problem myself. And so began my long and winding journey to heal my body.

As I explored various alternatives, I learned what it is that makes me love Chinese medicine so much; it is rooted in prevention. At its very core the emphasis is placed on maintaining a healthy balance in our bodies. It’s undeniable that the pendulum will always swing, no matter how healthy we are, but we have the power to decrease the degree to which it will swing in each direction. This brings our bodies into balance and ultimately we arrive at our healthiest space. While I won’t go into great detail regarding what has ailed me most of my life, I want to share with you that I have come so very far. It hasn’t been easy; no one’s journey to heal their body ever is. But my pendulum swings far less than it used to. Chinese and alternative medicine have provided me with the essential tools to use when things begin to feel out of whack.

Last summer, when my husband and I decided to move to North Carolina, I had been in a constant state of stress which continued as we set off on our cross-country journey. This left me depleted upon arriving and I was suffering from things my body had never experienced before, including insomnia, severe shoulder pain and undiagnosed skin conditions. While these are still things I am working on nine months later, I am confident in my body’s innate ability to heal itself from within. It’s times like these I am reminded just how important each person’s self care regimen is: regular acupuncture treatments, ample rest, adequate sleep, daily exercise and healthy eating. All these will help round things out and leave a person in a much more grounded space – physically, mentally and emotionally.

Each person’s path varies and for some it may take years to achieve complete healing. Believe me, I am still on my path of correcting long running digestive problems, balancing my hormones and menstrual cycle, calming my mind to reduce stress and create mindfulness around me. Let me encourage you to not give up. As for me, I will stick to my self care regimen of getting regular acupuncture, taking Chinese herbs and Western herbal supplements, diligent daily exercise, avoiding caffeine and making the necessary lifestyle and dietary adjustments I know are for my best. Our bodies are like gardens, and we are the gardeners who provide consistent weeding, pruning, and attention to continue to thrive!

What Does Iron Deficiency Look Like and Are You Getting Enough?

Posted on by Kerry Goodwin in News

Do you experience extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, weak immune system, rapid heartbeat, cold hands and feet, poor concentration or memory, restless leg syndrome, dry, dull or brittle hair,Lentils brittle or spoon shaped nails, and have a pale complexion? These are all symptoms of iron deficiency anemia. While there are several types of anemia, iron deficiency anemia is the most widespread. Other less common symptoms are cravings for non food items like dirt, clay, cornstarch, paint chips, cardboard, or cleaning supplies. While these all sound strange they aren’t all that uncommon. Other less discussed symptoms are cracking in the corners of the mouth, known as angular chelitis, a swollen tongue causing difficulty swallowing, constant craving to chew ice, and tingling in your legs.

Iron is incredibly important for our health; it is an essential mineral that is key for transporting oxygen through the hemoglobin in our blood to provide nourishment to our tissues. When we don’t have enough hemoglobin, our red blood cell count will drop making it difficult for our tissues to get the oxygen they need leading to fatigue. This is especially important for women as we often suffer from iron deficiency more than men, and if you’re pregnant, this is a greater risk to you and your baby.

Iron deficiency is the number one nutrient deficiency in the world. According to the World Health Organization over 30% of the population suffers from this deficiency and 10% of women are iron deficient according to the CDC. It is recommended that women get up to 18 grams of iron per day and men need 8 grams per day, but never exceeding 45 gr as this can be toxic and lead to nausea or vomiting. Infants and toddlers need more iron than adults and if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your daily intake will also increase. As women reach menopause our daily needs decrease down to 8 gr per day.

So… food first right? Well, not always. While I generally encourage my patients to use food as medicine first before supplementation, it is not always possible.

While this recommended daily allowance is easily achieved through diet, sometimes iron supplementation is necessary. Eating iron rich foods will help, especially when combined with blood nourishing Chinese herbal formulas, but it’s important to consider that the lack of iron in your diet may not be the problem Here we need to consider whether your body is absorbing the iron. This may be due to specific lifestyles like a vegan or vegetarian diet that may not provide enough. It’s also important to consider that strenuous exercise destroys red blood cells putting more active individuals at risk. There are many reputable nutritional supplement companies making iron supplements as well as food based forms, however making sure you have the correct dosage is key. And when in doubt, when you begin supplementing start with a lower dose and increase gradually.

In Chinese medicine the diagnosis of blood deficiency or blood and qi deficiency overlaps with iron deficiency type anemia as do many of the symptoms. Blood deficiency is described as excessive blood loss without sufficient replacement or inadequate digestion which may lead to the inability use the nutrients we’re eating to make rich and nourished blood. Specializing in women’s health, I see this a lot in my practice. Especially with excessive blood loss during labor or with heavy menstrual bleeding. The good news is through either adding iron rich foods in combination with Chinese herbal formulas or adding iron supplements, I see the blood become more nourished within 2 to 3 months.

Many dietary recommendations I make come from three primary sources of food, including meat which provides 1 to 5 milligrams in a modest portion, fruit, nuts, and legumes provide around 1 to 3 milligrams, and wheat products containing 1 to 2 milligrams. Many sources come from animal protein, organ meats, nuts, seafood, fruits, dark leafy greens, and starchy vegetables, as well as wheat products. When using foods to supplement iron, we need about 3 to 4 milligrams of iron per meal. For example, 3 ounces of beef contains 3 grams of iron, ½ cup of chickpeas contains 3 grams, ½ cup of spinach contains 2.4 grams, one egg contains 1 gram, 10 to 12 raw almonds contain 7 grams.

With all of these foods, everyone is certain to find something they like that will fulfill the dietary recommendation. And in practice I find combining the dietary recommendations with Chinese herbal formulas to be most effective unless supplementation is required. If you suspect you suffer from iron deficiency anemia, make an appointment with your acupuncturist today!

As always, consult with your primary care physician before adding any new supplementation to your regimen! Be well!

Sleep Great! How Acupuncture Can Help You Catch Some Zzzs

Posted on by Kerry Goodwin in News

How Acupuncture Can Help You Have a Great Night's Sleep
How Acupuncture Can Help You Have a Great Night’s Sleep

If you have ever laid awake for hours on end, watching the digital clock slowly creep along through the hours, you know how a sleepless night, not to mention a series of sleepless nights, can wreak havoc on your day. It can become a maddening cycle and make even the most simple daytime tasks feel impossible. Studies show that insomnia affects 1 in 3 people and most people will experience episodes at any given point in their lives. Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from insomnia. It may present with trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or both. The causes for insomnia are so common: anxiety, worry, depression, certain medications, drugs, chronic pain, stress to name just a few. In my practice I commonly see patients who struggle with it and are thrilled to find how beneficial acupuncture is for promoting restful sleep. Chinese herbs are also one of my favorite ways to treat sleep disorders.

Often when people seek help for insomnia through western medicine prescription medication is prescribed. Over time though, this ‘quick-fix solution’ can end up causing more drowsiness and fatigue as well as a host of other side effects. This not only compounds the issue but does not get to the root of the problem. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine work because they get to the root of the problem, calming the mind and promoting sleep without any side effects at all.

Traditional Chinese medicine views insomnia as an imbalance or disharmony in the zang organs, or shen disturbance. This is often caused by stagnation of qi and blood due to stress and poor diet, though it may also be affected by an imbalance in the heart, liver, lung, or spleen (the zang organs). According to Chinese medicine theory, there are many reasons why someone may be suffering from insomnia, just as there is no one size fits all diagnosis for every patient. Acupuncture helps to calm the parasympathetic nervous system; it lowers stress and calms the mind. By working to bring the body back into balance your acupuncturist will choose points based on the underlying diagnosis or root of the problem in order to treat the insomnia.

If you are experiencing symptoms of insomnia I encourage you to incorporate some nighttime rituals that promote restful sleep. First, put down the phone or tablet at least an hour before bed; the screen light and the rapid action of any videos stimulate your brain. Avoid alcohol which is known to cause difficulty in a good night’s sleep. Try diffusing essential oils like lavender, or spritzing lavender on your pillow, taking bath, or meditation before heading to bed. Most importantly, don’t lose hope. Help can be found. Here’s to a better night’s sleep!