Gynaecology

Cycle Problems | Fertility | Pregnancy

Cycle Problems

Acupuncture diagnosis can often explain why cycle problems occur. We live within busy routines which often lead to imbalances within our gynaecological health. Juli will listen to you and investigate why you are having difficulty from a Chinese perspective. Working on her findings, she will try her best to relieve your problems and will aim to promote and establish regular, pain-free cycles.

Having suffered herself with painful period cramps in her teens, Juli is keen to provide pain relief for monthly cramps, lower back pain and endometriosis. In an Acupuncture treatment, fine needles are gently inserted, improving blood circulation by dilating the blood vessels and therefore, circulating oxygen more efficiently around the body. This stimulates the release of pain-relieving beta-endorphins and generally relaxes the body, bringing back balance and relieving pain.

She is often consulted by women suffering with peri-menopausal issues such as poor sleep, frustration, panic attacks, and those struggling with menapausal heat and flushes, anxiety and night sweats. Acupuncture can provide relieve and lessen the stress of this important time in a woman’s journey.

Because of Acupuncture’s holistic view, it is more specific for each patient’s needs than Western medicine. For example, three women may come into a clinic with hot flushes, but each of these women’s hot flushes is accompanied by a variety of different signs and symptoms, no two of which are exactly alike. Instead of each women getting the same hormone replacement therapy, each of these women will receive an individually tailored treatment plan with different acupuncture points.

A thought provoking article Juli recommends is “Topics in Gynaecology, Part One, Menopause by Jane Lyttleton,” Journal of Chinese Medicine (JCM), No. 33, May 1990. She suggests that social and cultural factors may influence a woman’s experience of the menopause. She explains:

“Stereotypes are powerful tools which could mould the social reality of individuals (…) the Lugbara women in Uganda (…) gain status after menopause say they experience no menopausal symptoms. The Indian women of Mexico become heads of their married sons’ families and households when they reach the menopause and sail through without a hiccup.”

Menapausal Hot Flushes and Sleep Difficulties

“When I first went for Acupuncture, I was having hot flushes and waking at night every couple of hours, throwing the covers off and then getting cold. It was so tiresome. Now I don’t have any flushes or sweats and my sleep is much improved. I also had some pain in my elbow, which Juli treated and that is fine now as well!”

Sandra, Derbyshire

“Acupuncture treatment has been very successful for me. I had 4 weekly sessions, 4 fortnightly, followed by monthly maintenance. It’s important that I feel comfortable and therapist Juli is friendly, empathetic and totally professional and I thoroughly recommend her.“

Jane,  Chesterfield

Cycle Problems | Fertility | Pregnancy

Fertility

If you are struggling to conceive naturally or have been told you have “unexplained infertility” Chinese medicine may offer a reason for the lack of conception.

In the last eight years, research has revealed that:

Acupuncture can increase blood flow to the reproductive organs, which dramatically improves a woman’s response to the hormonal therapy. The 1992 study showed that the conception rates rose to 42.5% compared to a non acupuncture control group that achieved a 26.5% success rate. Ongoing trials since have produced similar results. Their conclusion is Acupuncture creates one additional pregnancy for every 10 cycles of IVF performed.

Acupuncture has been shown to regulate hormone levels by moderating the release of beta-endorphin levels in the brain, which improves the release of gonadatrophin-releasing hormone by the hypothalamus, follicle-stimulating hormone from the pituitary gland, and estrogen and progesterone levels from the ovary.

Acupuncture reduces stress via a sympathetic nervous system response.
Acupuncture has been speculated to moderate cyclooxygenase and prostaglandin levels in the uterus, reducing uterine motility to improve implantation rates.

Acupuncture can be timed around your cycle or assisted reproductive schedule. Each session is individualised to fit your personal Chinese medical pattern. Juli recommends six weekly sessions followed by fortnightly sessions.

If you are aiming for natural fertility, her initial focus is to normalise menstrual cycles, reducing any pain and tension, and to regulate bleeding. She may suggest changes to diet and exercise.

With assisted reproduction: IVF IUI, having Acupuncture three months prior to starting an IVF cycle and having nine acupuncture sessions prior to the embryo transfer, significantly increases the pregnancy rate. It also helps with side effects of drugs and anxiety.

Acupuncture helps prepare the body and addresses any underlying issues so even when your Western Clinic has said we’re starting after your next cycle, leaving you less than the three months suggested here, Acupuncture is well worthwhile.

Acupuncture can be very useful within 24 hours of your embryo transfer and Juli will try and accommodate this, often offering a treatment on your return from having the transfer. This and Acupuncture sessions during the two week wait and into your first trimester to lower the possibility of miscarriages as research has shown that Acupuncture can prevent uterus contractions and aid implantation of the embryo into the uterus wall.

Please bring your drug regime with you at each session and details of any previous cycles at the first session.

“I contacted Juli after hearing that acupuncture can aid conception and also alleviate symptoms of stress. I had been trying to conceive for 2 years and was finding it difficult to cope with my mum’s illness on top of that. Two months later Juli has not only helped to reduce my symptoms of stress and introduce me to the wonders of meditation, I am now pregnant too. I will continue to see Juli whenever I feel things getting a little beyond me. Whatever she does with those needles, she does it wonderfully well!”

 Jo,  Broadstairs

“I started treatment with Juli just before my first round of IVF. I found the whole experience hugely beneficial and relaxing. I attribute her acupuncture to my subsequent   successful pregnancy and birth. I could not recommend her services highly enough.”

Anna, Broadstairs

“I came to see Juli after a prolonged period of trying to conceive without success.  I felt that I had tried everything and was losing hope.  Juli was very easy to build rapport and feel comfortable with.  She listened to what I had been through, and what I wanted to achieve.  We arranged a program and after my first session I cannot describe just how relaxed and refreshed I felt.  That night I had the best sleep I had had in a very long time, and as luck would have it my husband and I fell pregnant the following week.  I truly feel that my first session brought my body to a place of calm where falling pregnant became possible, I was overjoyed.  I continued to see Juli who helped me with my nausea and tiredness.  I know that I will see her again in the future, and cannot recommend her enough.”

Elaine, Sandwich

Cycle Problems | Fertility | Pregnancy

Pregnancy

During the discomforts of pregnancy acupuncture provides relaxation for both mother and developing baby.

Chinese medicine has been used within gynaecology and obstetrics for centuries. The earliest records date back to 1500 BC. The ancient Chinese believed that pregnancy and childbirth should be a period of balanced health during which the well being of the developing child can be maximised. A healthy pregnancy and labour was considered important for ensuring that the child had the best possible start in life, and for reducing the risk of ill-health later in life.

Many women need to work during or throughout their pregnancy, which can be exhausting, often resulting in an increase of some of the symptoms of pregnancy. Because they are unable to rest as often as they would like, acupuncture is a wonderful way to recuperate and regain some of that energy, also giving mothers to be that little extra energy for labour.

Chinese medicine uses a herb called ‘moxa’ which is gently smouldered over a particular acupuncture point on the foot to help in the turning of breech position babies (babies which are head up instead of head down). Midwives understand this to have an effect on the tone of the muscles of the womb, encouraging the baby into a head down position. This treatment is both gentle and safe.

My midwife recommended moxibustion after discovering my baby was breech at 36 weeks. I visited Juli the following day and by that evening my baby’s movements felt like they were in a better position, with kicks up high. After continuing the moxibustion at home as directed for 5 days, a scan ahead of a planned ECV confirmed that my baby had indeed turned! Whether it was the moxibustion or coincidence, I’m so relieved and also thankful to have learned something new!                      

Sammie, Ramsgate

Acupuncture has been found especially useful in the treatment of nausea and vomiting.

“Juli gave me a successful course of acupuncture in March last year when I was hospitalised, suffering from Hypremesis during my pregnancy. I had a beautiful baby girl we have called Olivia.  She weighed in at 7llb 14oz so all my being sick didn’t affect her! I kept telling the midwives how good Juli was!  Many thanks!”

 Charlotte and Olivia,   Worksop

“I started seeing Juli when I was about 6 months pregnant. I was suffering with a trapped nerve in my hip that was causing me such agony that I could barely move, and had to use crutches to walk. I had already been to the doctors and a physiotherapist to no avail. After one session with Juli, I noticed an immediate improvement. With each session, the pain lessened considerably and my mobility improved greatly. By the time I had the baby, I was able to walk without any aids. Because of Juli I was able to actually enjoy the last few weeks of my pregnancy. I could not recommend her enough.”                

Natasha, Ramsgate