Choosing Acupuncture For Fertility Can Improve Chances Of Getting Pregnant

At the present time, acupuncture as a form of treatment is not that accepted in Western countries. It serves as an alternative medicine but it is not most of the time considered to be the priority treatment. However, recently, there has been an increase in popularity to this kind of treatment to many doctors. Although there is no scientific evidence that it works as a form of treatment, there are testimonies that speak to its effectiveness. There are studies also that show that it can improve fertility. If not as a sole treatment, it is already recognized as a treatment that can be used together with another treatment to increase chances of pregnancy.

As told, acupuncture is not that useful when used for pregnancy issues alone. It is actually more effective for much simpler problems like irregular ovulation. The reason behind its effectiveness for ovulation problem is its capacity to increase the blood regulation to reproductive areas, regulate the functions of the body and improve hormone levels in the body. In women, the effect is regularized ovulation and for men, the effect is increase in sperm count.

For pregnancy issues, it is said that it's good to use acupuncture together with another treatment. Acupuncture is said to reduce the stress in undergoing the process. Women admit that some medical treatments are highly stressful and that it's more interesting and relaxing to undergo acupuncture. In 2002, there was a study that tested the effectiveness of acupuncture and in vitro fertilization as applied to a group of women. The study also tested the effectiveness of in vitro fertilization alone as applied to another group of women. The study claimed that using both treatments together benefits the women who wanted to get pregnant. Also, women who undergo acupuncture are less likely to experience miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies, a study said.

Not all people are pro-acupuncture but if you think that this is the treatment that you'd like to try, there are several things that you need to remember. The doctor whom you will entrust the acupuncture procedure should be licensed or at least well trained in the field. There are necessary documents that will prove if a doctor is capable of doing such procedures. Also, don't forget to consider the cost in undergoing the procedure. Understand that your insurance company may or many not cover the expenses of this procedure that you are going to take.

Acupuncture and Natural Therapies for Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic, degenerative condition that continues to increase in frequency among children and adults in the United States. Statistics released in early 2011 by the American Diabetes Association show that 25.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 8.3% of the population have diabetes. It is estimated that 1.3 million people in the US will be diagnosed this year alone.

There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Type 1 diabetics are insulin dependent.

Type 2 diabetes (adult on-set) is the most common form of diabetes affecting more than 15 million Americans. In type 2 diabetes, the body does not use insulin properly causing it to build up in the bloodstream. The build up of insulin can lead to complications such as heart disease, hypertension, eye problems, kidney disease, nervous system disease, periodontal disease, amputation, fatigue, depression, Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis.

While diabetes is generally a long-term condition, diabetics can manage their condition and live long, healthy lives with appropriate medical treatment and healthy life-style changes. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can play a significant role in a comprehensive treatment plan to manage diabetes and its symptoms, and potentially reduce the need for medication.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have been used to treat diabetes for over 2000 years. In Chinese medicine, diabetes is referred to as "wasting and thirsting disease,"an imbalance of Qi and Yin that produces heat and depletes the body's fluids causing heat-like symptoms: excessive thirst, irritability, swollen gums, itchy skin and dry mouth.

During an acupuncture treatment, fine needles are inserted into specific points on the body to restore the flow of Qi and nourish Yin (fluids). The treatment for diabetes focuses on regulating the circulation of blood and Qi, improving pancreatic function, addressing internal heat and depletion of fluids.

Chinese herbal medicine is an important component in the treatment of diabetes. The following are a few examples Chinese herbal formulas that are typically used in conjunction with acupuncture to treat diabetes and its symptoms. Because not all formulas are appropriate for every individual, it is important that you consult with a knowledgeable healthcare provider before including them in your treatment plan.

• Da Chai Hu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction). This herbal formula reduces the rate at which glucose enters the bloodstream and increases the efficiency of insulin. It is especially useful if diabetes occurs with long-term gastrointestinal disorders.

• Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction). This herbal formula reduces the rate at which glucose enters the bloodstream after meals. It is especially useful if diabetes occurs with HIV or as a complication of hepatitis infection.

• Bai Hu Jian Ren Sheng Tang (White Tiger Plus Ginseng Decoction). Helps to lower sugar levels by increasing the amount of sugar stored in the liver. It relieves symptoms such as fever, general discomfort, general weakness, great thirst, profuse sweating, and restlessness.

• Liu Wei Di Huang Tang (Six Ingredient Pill with Rehannia). Treats symptoms that may accompany diabetes such as: vertigo, tinnitus, poor hearing, night sweats, heat in the five palms (hands, feet, a/or chest), weak low back, light headedness.

Other natural therapies for diabetes include dietary changes, exercise, and nutritional supplementation are very effective in managing type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and may possibly reverse pre-diabetes.

• Eat 3 meals a day at regular times. Keep portions moderate.

• Eat a low-fat, organic whole foods diet that is rich in fish, chicken, vegetables, fruit, and whole grains. This diet is rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber. Fiber will help reduce blood sugar surges.

• Avoid refined carbohydrates: white flour, candy, fruit juice, and soda pop. Natural sweeteners that do not adversely affect blood glucose levels such as stevia and xylitol are available at health food stores.

• Avoid saturated fats, simple sugars (except when it is necessary to balance an insulin reaction), caffeine, and alcohol.

• Many diabetics will notice better glucose control by having a small portion of protein at every meal.

• Juice therapy is also beneficial. Drink the juice of one lime in a glass of water daily.

• Follow a regular exercise program to help reduce insulin and glucose levels, shrink fat cells, and make glucose control more effective. Do 30 minutes of gentle exercise, like walking or yoga, daily.

The following foods may also play an important role in helping patients manage diabetes when included in a healthy diet. Most are readily available in Asian markets and health food stores.

• Black wood ear. This mushroom-like fungus has a neutral taste and adds a pleasant crunch to dishes. It should be soaked in warm water then added to soups, stir-fried dishes, or lightly cooked and added to salads. In Chinese dietary therapy, the black wood ear nourishes the Yin and generates fluids.

• Bitter melon is a vegetable that looks like a bumpy cucumber. It is available in Asian markets. To avoid bitterness use it while still green. It can be salted and rinsed before use. Studies suggest that bitter melon contains a compound that moderates blood sugar, making it useful in helping control type 2 diabetes.

• Bok choy. This member of the cabbage family has a crunchy white stem and dark green leaves. To use in stir-fries, cook the stems and leaves separately, as the stems need additional cooking time. It is high in fiber, Vitamins A and C. In Chinese dietary therapy is used to clear heat, quench thirst and lubricate the intestines.

• Chinese yam (mountain yam). In Chinese dietary therapy the Chinese yam is recommended for long-term use to increase vitality for those recovering from illness or weakened by old age. Chinese yams may also play a role in managing diabetes. Scientific studies have shown a decrease in blood glucose levels in mice eating the vegetable.

• Cinnamon. Scientists suggest that cinnamon can help control blood sugar making it useful in managing diabetes. It also has anti-bacterial properties. In Chinese medicine, it is used to treat abdominal pain, reduced appetite, and diarrhea, increase vitality, and alleviate pain.

• Pumpkin and winter squash. These are members of the squash family with a tough outer rind and sweet orange flesh. Research suggests a compound in Asian pumpkins improves insulin levels and lowers blood sugar. In Chinese tradition, the pumpkin is also considered good for people with diabetes. Can be used in soups, stir-fries and congees.

In addition to making healthy lifestyle choices, it is important to create a support team of health care professionals including primary care physician, eye doctor, nurses, a dietician and a license acupuncturist or Doctor of Oriental Medicine.

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How to Verify Your Health Insurance Coverage For Acupuncture Treatments

Many health insurance companies offer full or partial coverage for acupuncture treatment. However, they may not openly disclose which types of treatment they actually pay for unless you ask the right questions. Each patient's policy is unique to that patient. So are the benefits.

To get a complete and accurate picture of your coverage, call the patient information number on the back of your health insurance card. Then ask the following questions, step by step.

1. Does my plan have an Acupuncture benefit?

2. What is my "annual deductible"?

3. What is the unpaid portion that I still have to pay before my insurance coverage kicks in?

4. Does my Acupuncture benefit cover my medical diagnosis? Make sure you name the pathology over the phone, for example, diabetes, hypertension, essential tremors etc. Many plans only cover "pain syndromes"; if so, ask what types of "pain" are covered?

5. How many treatments do I get? Are there any limits on the number of visits for my condition?

6. Who must provide the acupuncture? Is an MD or chiropractor required?

7. Will I need a referral from an MD to see my acupuncture physician?

8. Given my plan, how much does the insurance company actually pay on the first acupuncture treatment?... on follow-up treatments?

9. What is the normal co-pay for acupuncture if I use a preferred provider? This is the amount you would pay out-of-pocket for each visit to a practitioner who is not on their "in network" list, but who is on their "preferred provider" list.

10. What percentage would I pay for a practitioner who is " out-of-network"?

That's all there is to it. Once you have the answers to the above questions, you will have a clear understanding of how your insurance supports your health care needs. It is important to keep detailed records about all contacts you have with your insurance company, including call notes, copies of bills, claims, and letters. These records will assist you if a dispute arises about a conversation you had or a claim. If you are not happy with the representative's explanations or your service or your policy coverage, let your insurance company know. You pay a lot of money for your policy, and it's important that you know the terms better than anyone else and are satisfied with your coverage.

If you don't have coverage as outlined above, you may have other insurance options, such as an "affinity program". This means that if you pick an acupuncture physician from one of your insurance company's lists, you can get your treatments at a discounted price. The discount may vary from plan to plan, so ask what the discount is for your plan.

Many acupuncturists have signed up to become providers for insurance companies. Only a few handle all the paper work involved in billing. Some clinics, including our own, ask for full payment at the time of service. If you are covered by insurance benefits for acupuncture, the clinic then submits the claim on your behalf, instructing the insurance company to reimburse you directly. It's that easy as well as cost effective.

One final issue with regard to Medicare and Medicaid, as well as PIP auto insurance in Florida: None of these programs currently provide coverage for acupuncture. If you want this, please join us in asking for it. Every voice counts.

Acupuncture: The Effective Treatment That You've Never Tried

Especially in the western world, eastern medical practices are shrouded in mystery; and in some cases rejected as superstition or inept. This has lead to minimal market taking advantage of an established base of medicine which is increasingly being researched, perfected, and practiced. Though based in traditional philosophy, acupuncture has evolved into an effective medical practice that is spearheading the push of Chinese Medicine into the mainstream.

When people say that acupuncture is rooted in belief, they are speaking the truth. The traditional explanation is that the body has a flow of life energy through special channels that connect the major organs. The life energy, or Qi (pronounced chee), flowing through those channels (meridians) creates an equilibrium state that can be upset by blockages or unbalances in flow, which causes illness and disease. Acupuncture seeks to free or control the flow of Qi to restore the equilibrium and promote health.

While the western mind may immediately dismiss this as an eastern conceptualization of the archaic "humors," the truth is that the practice of acupuncture was on to something powerful. That is, the stimulation of specific points and glands on the body will facilitate certain biochemical, hormonal, and physiological reactions. The stimulation of these sensory receptors (sometimes with a mild electric impulse) will send specific information to the hypothalamic-pituitary system in the brain. This elicits the release of endorphins, a natural hormone that is a stronger painkiller than morphine, and serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects mood and disposition.

To address the skepticism that arises from western medical cynicism, studies are constantly being repeated and refined to further explore the extent in which traditional practices are effective. Studies on the use of acupuncture to treat chronic migraines and headaches have shown that nearly all candidates experienced favorable results, reporting decreased use of pain medication and fewer missed days of work. Furthermore, many reported total cessation of symptoms, making the treatment a powerful technique for headache relief and migraine relief. Another study firmly links acupuncture as an effective method of TMJ treatment (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder).

Not just for headaches and minor discomforts, acupuncture can help in managing a number of different pains and maladies. The World Health Organization officially recognizes acupuncture as treatment for many different ailments including respiratory disorders, digestive disorders, neurological disorders, and reproductive or menstrual issues.

If you think that you have tried everything to manage your pain, chances are that you haven't tried traditional Chinese Medicine. Effective, albeit unconventional, acupuncture could be the key to successful treatment that you've sought for so long.

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Dry Needling Practitioners

An increasing number of people now look at the use of different complementary medical techniques to alleviate pain in the body. This is also the working principle behind massages and other relaxing approaches that would help your muscles and your entire body be relieved of stress and tension. It is not a common medical approach, except when it is dubbed as physical therapy, in which case it becomes a necessity to enable the restoration of your muscles' functions.

Dry needling is a known alternative technique that is commonly considered as the Western version of the Chinese acupuncture. From the term itself, the procedure uses needles. It is done mostly to relieve you of muscle pain and tension.

In the growing debate on the functions and effectiveness of needling, there are still a growing number of practitioners who utilize the technique to provide a more holistic way approach to healing. Physical therapists are known to use dry needling in their approach. When you undergo physical therapy, you would be aided in addressing or correcting imbalances in your muscle and posture functions. Your joints and other parts of the body are also compromised. This is why with the use of dry needling the bodies of patients are considered to be beneficial in ensuring that the patients would undergo the procedure without any hesitation.

Chiropractors also make use of dry needling. In America, they are allowed to use the technique in certain states like Florida, Alabama, North Carolina and even New Mexico. Chiropractic education curriculums often include dry needling to better understand the functions and benefits of the approach to both physiological and biomechanical aspects.

Finally, dry needling is used widely by osteopaths. When you consult a trusted osteopath, you would be considered carefully to know the history of your illness as well as the possible courses of treatment you need to be subjected into. Upon careful diagnosis, the osteopath would discuss with you the different medical approaches you can look into. Dry needling is one of the extra approaches that osteopaths utilize because it targets the smallest crooks of your body. It eventually makes way for a targeted form of treatment.

Dry needling has indeed gained popularity not only among patients but also with so many medical practitioners. Just always remember to put your faith into the right hands so that you get to maximize the benefits of the technique. If you have questions asks your trusted osteopath.

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Is Acupuncture for Infertility a Viable Option?

Infertility can be frustrating. You've tried and you've tried method after method, consulted your doctor, got a second opinion, but nothing is working. It's to the point where you're considering any option available. Maybe, now, it's time to consider using acupuncture for infertility.

Acupuncture is an ancient medicinal art that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body, in an attempt to help regulate body functions. It's an interesting science, as most of these acupuncture points are located on channels or meridians that are pathways from the exterior to the interior of the body.

These pathways, as they're manipulated by the needles, can help in achieving or maintaining homeostasis in the body. When it comes to using acupuncture for infertility, the needles can help to manipulate the thyroid in cases of hypothyroidism (an under-active thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (an over-active thyroid). Acupuncture can also be used to treat spasmed tubes, repeated pregnancy loss, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and even male factors such as sperm-DNA fragmentation.

But does it work? It's reported that acupuncture, combined with herbal remedies and other components of holistic medicine, has been used to treat some cases of infertility. However, you need to first diagnose the cause of your infertility before you can know if it will work.

If acupuncture is the right route for you, there is a process to it. It's not just turning you into a pincushion at random. Most commonly, patients considering acupuncture for infertility begin their treatments three to four months before insemination. This is reported to be the most effective method. Once conception occurs, many doctors recommend staying with the acupuncture treatment through the twelfth week of pregnancy to avoid the possibility of a miscarriage.

There are specifics points in which acupuncture is effective when treating for infertilty, and points which should be avoided to ensure that the treatment is beneficial. No needles should be inserted anywhere in the abdominal or pelvic region, especially after conception has occurred, or even if pregnancy is suspected.

The great thing about using acupuncture to treat infertility is that there aren't hardly any risks or potential side effects, unless the wrong acupuncture points are used. To avoid this, it's important to seek out and be treated by a licensed acupuncturist that specializes in fertility treatments. Going to a licensed acupuncturist is definitely recommended to ensure the sterility of the needles. There's no point in undergoing a medical procedure for one condition to end up contracting an infection and causing other problems.

Acupuncture for infertility is an extremely safe and viable option for those that have tried other methods with no success. Just be sure to consult with your physician before making any sort of medical decision.

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