Oriental Medicine

 

&

 

In Vitro Fertilization

 

A project by:

 

 

Gathering Valley Center

(http://www.acupuncturemassage.com)

 

 

 

Oriental Medicine and In Vitro Fertilization

 

According to the World Health Organization, approximately one out of every ten couples suffer from fertility problems. The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that about 9.3 million American women are currently using Assisted Reproductive Technology to help them cope with their fertility problems. The most widely user method is IVF, or In Vitro Fertilization.

When Oriental Medicine is applied in conjunction with IVF, it can increase the success rate by up to 35%.

 

How Oriental Medicine helps improve IVF success rates:

Oriental Medicine focuses on the body as a whole. Its methods are based on the internal energetic balance of the body. When a health problem appears, the use of Oriental Medicine helps restore balance and harmonize the mind, body and spirit. The addition of Oriental Medicine to the IVF procedure can:

à        improve the function of the ovaries to produce better quality eggs.

à        regulate the hormones to produce a larger number of follicles.

à        increase the blood flow to the uterus and increases the thickness of the uterine lining.

à        relax the patient and decreases her stress.

à        help prevent uterine contractions.

à        lessen the side effects of the Western drugs used in IVF.

à        strengthen and regulates the patient’s immune system.

à        improve male semen to create better quality embryos.

à        decrease the chances of birth defects.

à        decrease the chances of miscarriage.

 

How Oriental medicine is used with IVF:

For best results, Oriental Medicine, including Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, Massage and Chinese dietary and lifestyle therapy, should be used before and during IVF. In cases of habitual miscarriage, Oriental Medicine is also used after IVF. Ideally, Oriental Medicine prepares both partners prior to IVF. In females, it improves the function of the ovaries, strengthens and regulates the immune system, reduces stress. In males, it improves the quantity and quality of sperm.

Depending on the stage of the IVF process and the pathological condition of the patient, an individualized Oriental Treatment is developed by the Acupuncturist. This treatment may vary from day to day depending on the treatment progress as well as the stage of the menstrual cycle.

à        Preparation for IVF – Treatment focuses on normalizing the menstrual cycle

à        Prior to Ovulation – Treatment focuses on stimulating the blood flow through the ovaries

à        During Transfer – Treatment focuses on preparing the body to accept the embryo

à        After Transfer – In cases of habitual miscarriage treatment focuses on building up the body’s ability to retain and nourish the fetus

à        Prior to Birth – Treatment focuses on the preparation of the body for painless delivery and in cases of malposition of the fetus focuses on aligning it.

 

 

Methods and Stages of Treatments

 

For the best results we recommend allowing your body 3 to 6 months to prepare for a pregnancy. During this time you will come for Oriental Treatments at least once every week. It is important that your partner also comes in for an Oriental Diagnosis. Even if according to Western Medicine the male has no health problems, it is very important and beneficial to establish an energetic balance in his body as well.

 

The Oriental Diagnosis:

The Oriental Diagnosis consists of several parts: questions, tongue diagnosis, pulse diagnosis, and patient observation. Prior to the first treatment, each patient is required to fill out a thorough questionnaire. This questionnaire will assist the Acupuncturist with the questions part of diagnosis. In the beginning of every treatment the Acupuncturist will palpate the patient’s pulse and view the tongue. Additional questions may then be asked to further determine the specific diagnosis. Don’t be surprised with the wording of the diagnosis, the Oriental Diagnosis uses antique terms is very different from the Western Diagnosis. Thus, it may not always be clear to you.

 

BBT Charts:

Since the treatment is different at each of the four stages (menses, follicular phase, ovulation, pre-menstrual phase) of your cycle, we require our patients to record their Basal Body Temperature (BBT) on a special BBT chart in which each patient will also record changes of her physical and emotional state. This chart will be provided to each patient by the Acupuncturist.

 

The Acupuncture Treatment:

After determining the Diagnosis, the Acupuncturist develops the individualized treatment. This is done by picking a set of Acupuncture points located at various places on the body. These points are then needled by extremely thin, single-use (disposable), pre-sterilized Acupuncture needles. These needles are much thinner than those used for ‘shots’, and are also significantly less painful, if at all. By needling the Acupuncture points, the Acupuncturist activates specific energetic channels within the body and balances the energy within them.

 

Oriental Massage:

In the combined treatment of Infertility, an important role is played by Oriental Abdominal Massage. This type of massage promotes blood flow in the reproductive organs (uterus, ovaries, etc…). Benefits of Oriental Abdominal Massage include:

à        Increased uterine strength

à        Increased tonus of uterine connective tissue

à        Stronger abdominal muscles

à        Decreased chances of uterine prolapse

From the point of view of Oriental Medicine, abdominal massage normalizes the energetic processes within the channels, or meridians that pass through the lower abdominal area. Above all, it activates energy in the meridians of Chong Mai & Ren Mai, which are the two controlling meridians of pregnancy.

 

Chinese Herbal Formulas:

Throughout the course of treatments, you will be prescribed numerous Chinese Herbal Formulas. These formulas are chosen in accordance with the Oriental Diagnosis determined by your Acupuncturist. As your condition will change through time, different formulas may be prescribed. These formulas are made with all natural products based on ancient Chinese recipes.

 

Oriental Fertility Diet:

Maintaining a healthy diet is extremely important to achieve the healthiest pregnancy. Each patient will receive individualized dietary guidelines based on her energetic condition. There is no such thing as a diet for all. Each person has different problems ad thus needs a specific diet.

Please ask your Acupuncturist for your individualized dietary guidelines.

 

Lifestyle Changes:

Although we understand that it is hard to change the things that you are so used to, we want you to understand that it is crucial to get as close to a healthy lifestyle as possible. Please ask the Acupuncturist for a list of some basic lifestyle changes.

Preparing for your Acupuncture Treatments

 

It is important that you are prepared for each Acupuncture treatment. The following material will get you prepared for your initial visit as well as visits to come. Please read this section carefully.

 

Prior to the Initial Visit:

(This step takes several hours to complete, please plan accordingly. This must be completed one week prior to your first treatment to allow the Acupuncturist to analyze your answers)

In preparation for your initial visit, you will need to fill out a thorough questionnaire. For your convenience, we have provided this questionnaire in a web-interface. Please have your partner fill out the same questionnaire one week prior to your appointment. To access this questionnaire Please visit: http://www.acuchicago.com/diagnosis  

 

Registration process:

You will be guided to the Login page. If this is your first visit, you will first have to register with the system. Please keep in mind that any information provided will not be given out to any 3^rd party. Your personal information will only be known to your Acupuncturist through their secure account. To register, click on the link at the bottom of the page.

 

Once at the registration page, please select a username and password. This combination will be used to uniquely identify you in the system. Please remember this combination for future system use. Then, please fill out the remaining information. The information will be kept private and seen only by your Acupuncturist. When entering your email address, please enter the one you check most frequently, as that is the address that will be used by your Acupuncturist may there be a need to send you any information.

When you are finished, please take time to read the agreement and then press the ‘I Agree, please create my account’ button.

Assuming your information is valid, and that the selected username is available, you will be taken to the login page.

 

Login Process:

At the Login page, please enter your username and password and select ‘Login’ under the ‘Patient Login’ area.

 

If this is your first time accessing the site, you will be asked to enter information regarding your health problem. Please briefly describe the History of your health problem, and select at least one ‘Problem’ by using the ‘Problem Search’ feature. Please read the directions on the site for more information.

When you are satisfied with the contents, click the ‘Finalize Complaint’ button at the bottom.

If this is not your first time, or you have just completed the Complaint History section, you will be taken to the page displaying information about your current problem. If the description accurately describes your condition, click ‘Continue working on this complaint’. If you would like to start a new complaint, click the ‘Start a new complaint profile’ button.

 

Questionnaire Selection:

Once you have chosen to work on the current complaint, you will be taken to the Questionnaire Selection page. Depending on whether you have used this in the past, you will have the option to either start a new questionnaire (of the type selected) or continue an unfinished one. In either case, you will be taken to a page with numerous check-boxes. Each line corresponds to a question, or symptom, that you may or may not have. If you exhibit this symptom, please select the rightmost checkbox. If this symptom is very troublesome, please also select the checkbox with the red background.

If you have to stop in the middle, please save your work by clicking the ‘Save & Edit Later’ button. If you are finished with this questionnaire, click the ‘Save & Submit’ button. Your Acupuncturist will not see this questionnaire until the ‘Save & Submit’ button is clicked.

 

Please answer the ‘General’ and ‘Gynecology’ questionnaires.

 

The Initial Visit:

During the initial visit, you will be given a set of forms to fill out. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment to allow enough time to fill out the necessary paperwork. If you have any BBT charts (see above) that you have already filled out, pleas bring copies with you to give to the Acupuncturist. Please allocate 1 hour for your visit. Please arrive to your first appointment with your partner. Make sure that your partner completes the Online Questionnaire.

 

The Established Visit:

Every established acupuncture visit will be combined with Oriental Abdominal Massage. Please be prepared to give a short description of your condition and any changes after the previous treatment. Please allocate 1 hour for each established acupuncture visit. If you are not able to show for your appointment, please contact the office no later than 24hrs prior. Office Number: (847) 568 – 0849.

 

What to wear for you appointment:

Please wear comfortable, loose clothing, and be prepared to undress down to undergarments. You will be provided with a towel or gown to cover yourself. Do not wear any jewelry for your appointment.

 

Eating prior to your appointment:

Make sure that you are not hungry upon arriving for your appointment. Also, please do not overeat. Generally, it is a good idea to eat a medium-sized meal about 2 hours prior to the appointment. Do not drink coffee or eat any coloring and spicy foods on the day of your appointment.

 

Other requirements:

Please, do NOT brush your tongue on the day of your appointment. Please make sure to clean off any makeup prior to your appointment.

And most importantly, relax!

References:

 

         1. Flaws, Bob. Fulfilling the Essence. Boulder, CO: Blue Poppy Press, 1993

        

         2. Hsu, Hong-Yen. Chinese Herbal Formulas For Women Only. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, 1982

 

         3. Lewis, Randine. The Infertility Cure. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2004

 

         4. Liang, Lifang. Acupuncture & IVF, Increase IVF Success by 40-60%. Boulder, CO: Blue Poppy Press, 2003

 

         5. Maciocia, Giovanni. Obstetrics & Gynecology in Chinese Medicine. London: Churchill Livingsone, 2004

 

         6. Pins, Joel. Lifestyle Isues and Fertility: what do we know?

                  Thesis: Great River Symposium 2005. Northwestern Health Sciences University in conjunction with University of Minnesota Medical School. Minneapolis, MN, 2005