Chart of hormonal changes in women's monthly cycles- shows fluctuations of estrogen, testosterone and progesterone.

Women’s Hormonal Health And Acupuncture

Women’s menstrual cycles are directly related to a series of changes of three key hormones: estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. In the first two weeks of the cycle, estrogen and testosterone rise significantly. This can result in an increase of social interest and libido.

Following ovulation, estrogen and testosterone plunge, progesterone rises. As estrogen levels fall, there is a concurrent drop in serotonin, which is closely related to mood regulation. This change helps to explain why in the third week of a women’s cycle, there may be an increase of irritability, an increase in appetite and a decrease of social interest, libido and sleep.

During the fourth week, estrogen and testosterone plunge. It is at this time that some women experience PMS.

Hormonal imbalances are not an uncommon problem for women. Health challenges including migraines, infertility,  irregular periods, sleep problems, irritability, and, hair loss are often linked to a hormonal imbalance.

Acupuncture is an important tool that can help regulate hormonal imbalances for both sexes. My studies with Kiiko Matsumoto, Japanese acupuncturist have helped me develop a comprehensive approach to supporting hormonal balance.

During palpation, discomfort from slight pressure applied to reflex point shows me which hormonal systems are out of balance. For example, a person that has chronic exhaustion could be suffering from an adrenal imbalance or a thyroid problem. With the use of palpation, I can find which system is out of balance. As the treatment progresses I use the reflex points to monitor progress. As a Five Element Acupuncturist, my goal is to resolve these issues by treating the whole person, not just the symptom. Regular treatments lead to increased vitality and health.

The contents in this article are not meant to be diagnostic or prescriptive. Women’s hormonal problems are often complex and a physician should always be consulted before choosing a course of treatment.

By • Acupuncture • • Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Infant - Flexor tone

Our Birth Experience and Rolfing

How does our birth experience influence our personality? Does it matter if we travel down the birth canal or if we are born via a C section?  Many Rolfers believe that we are shaped by our early experiences, including childbirth. 

Even when childbirth goes smoothly, the journey from being inside a mother’s womb to being out in the world is challenging.  When the baby is in utero, she is in a protected environment, safely embraced. As the fetus grows and develops, a pattern of flexion emerges. The chin is tucked, and the arms and legs are drawn into the body as the uborn baby prepares for the trip to the outside world.

When the fetus experiences difficulty or trauma during gestation or in childbirth, Rolfers and other somatic therapists believe the body stores these experiences in the tissue. These tissue “memories” can become part of the physical structure of the infant.

Whether the birth goes smoothly and without complications, or if it is more challenging, all newborn babies have a dominance of flexor tone that keeps the arms and legs flexed, head tucked in and spine curled. Ideally, as the baby matures, the flexor tone recedes, but this is not always the case.

Rolfing is a remarkable tool for mitigating all kinds of trauma. Trauma, whether emotional or physical creates fascial shortenings in the structure. The body remembers traumatic experiences. Rolfers use gentle pressure to release shortenings in the tissue. As the body lengthens, the heart opens and the baby becomes more comfortable in its own skin. Changes from Rolfing are both physical and emotional.   

In our experience, a small amount of input goes a long way with newborn babies. We have Rolfed newborn children with the gentlest touch and watched the body unfold – Rolfing eases the infant’s way into the world. We also Rolf children with neurologic and developmental challenges including Cerebral Palsy and genetic disorders. Minor issues resolve easily, while complicated problems often require more input.

Is there an appropriate age to begin Rolfing? Rolfing is suitable for newborn babies and throughout life. It is always a good time to receive this healing touch.

By • Physical Therapy, Rolfing • • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Woman,Falling,Asleep,In,The,Office.,Tiredness,Because,Of,Sleep

Acupuncture for Post-COVID Syndrome

Acupuncture can play an important role in treating post COVID syndrome. About a third of people who have had COVID develop long-term symptoms. Lingering effects of COVID can include headaches, fatigue, insomnia, loss of taste and smell, brain fog, heart palpitations, body aches and shortness of breath. Also common are psychological challenges including anxiety, irritability and depression.

In the early 70’s, acupuncture became known as a powerful tool for pain management. It is now common knowledge that acupuncture can strengthen the immune system, manage inflammation, help regulate the autonomic nervous system, and improve organ function. It has also been shown that acupuncture can be a valuable treatment for mental and emotional health challenges.

How does acupuncture help with post-COVID syndrome? COVID can challenge many different systems in the body including the airways, lungs, heart, liver and kidneys. Additionally, the immune and autonomic nervous systems can become dysregulated.

A recent client suffered from persistent insomnia between the hours of 11PM and 5AM. For this patient, I used the Chinese body clock. The ancient Chinese observed that each organ enjoys a two-hour energetic peak at the same time every day. In health, the Qi transits from one organ to the next every two hours. Sometimes with illness, the energy can become blocked. Energetic blocks are often found with health problems.

Chinese Body Clock

I treated my client with acupuncture to remove the energetic block and support his recovery from post-COVID syndrome. His sleep pattern improved and he is now able to get a good night’s rest.

We have also had post-COVID patients struggling with exhaustion, headaches, SOB, irritability, and loss of smell. Each of these problems is linked to an energetic imbalance that can be addressed with acupuncture. Acupuncture is not meant as a substitute for other treatments. Rather, it can be used as a powerful adjunct in addressing the problems faced by long COVID.

By • Acupuncture •

Female Pelvis - Female pelvis including bladder, urethra, vaginal canal, vagina.

Avoiding Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are a significant health issue.  This problem affects hundreds of millions of women around the world each year. On average, these infections tend to last six days.

Women’s UTIs tend to be recurrent.  Chronic UTIs can lead to inflammation of the urinary bladder called cystitis. Is this problem inevitable? Not for most women.

First, let’s look at women’s anatomy and microbiology. The female bladder drains through the urethra, exiting the body in front of the vagina. Similarly, the uterus opens to the vaginal canal and into the vagina. The vagina is host to the healthy bacteria lactobacilli, more famously known as the friendly bacteria of the intestines. In the vagina and urethra, these bacteria provide protection against bacterial intruders. A healthy colony of lactobacilli in the vaginal region can not only prevent UTI’s and but also prevent yeast infections in the vaginal canal.

More than two thirds of all UTIs are caused by E-coli or staphylococcus saprophyticus bacteria. To complicate this picture, the antibiotics prescribed in the treatment of UTIs often destroy the lactobacilli colony. The E-coli or staph take up residence in place of the lactobacilli. Recurrence of infection almost becomes inevitable.

What can you do? For hundreds of years, women have used a folk remedy which today, is being shown to have a scientific basis. You can cultivate healthy bacteria in the vaginal region. This can be done in several ways. One simple method is to implant lactobacilli in the vaginal canal by using a tampon or sponge soaked in plain yogurt with an active culture. Alternatively, a lactobacillus suppository can be used to cultivate healthy flora in the vaginal region. These methods are sometimes used as treatment where antibiotics are not available. For those who do take antibiotics, lactobacillus implants can also be used to re-establish a healthy microbial environment and prevent the recurrence of UTIs.

In addition to the home remedies we listed, acupuncture is a powerful tool to assist the body to heal from infection. Unlike antibiotics, with acupuncture there are no rebound effects and the treatments will strengthen the immune system, helping you to prevent recurrence. A one year study in Norway  of 100 women  showed that acupuncture reduced the incidence of cystitis by more than half. Call us now (973) 509-8464 or schedule online for your next appointment.

The contents in this article are not meant to be diagnostic or prescriptive. Urinary tract infections are sometimes complex, and a physician should always be consulted before choosing a course of treatment.

 

By • Acupuncture • • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Close,Up,Young,Asian,Woman,Feeling,Upset,,Sad,,Unhappy,Or

Rolfing and Post Traumatic Stress

As an advanced practitioner of the Ida P Rolf Method of Structural Integration, the emphasis of my work is to bring greater organization to the physical structure. In a series of ten sessions breath, movement and the interrelatedness of major body segments (i.e. arm, legs, trunk) are enhanced. The opportunity to release longtime patterns of chronic tension and bracing become available to the client.

Rolfing can help to heal survivors of emotional or physical trauma. During the first hour of Structural Integration, the client and therapist begin to develop a rapport through verbal dialogue as well as touch. As the therapist finds the appropriate level of pressure the client responds with a deepening of respiration and relaxation.

As the touch dialogue develops the client will be encouraged to breathe into and move areas of her body that she has become disconnected from. These areas may be lacking in sensation. Other areas of the body might be hypersensitive and the client might even request not to be touched there. Her requests are always honored. Sometimes these areas can be approached again as she becomes receptive.

When a person is attacked or abused the sympathetic nervous system mobilizes with a “fight or flight response” as a mechanism of self-protection. The body responds to this  life-threatening situation by releasing adrenaline,  which causes the heart rate to increase. When faced with danger and unable to fight back or escape, the victim will passively freeze. Opiate-like chemicals are then released to numb the pain. This enables the victim to “leave the body” or dissociate.

Long after the traumatic episode, patterns of dissociation remain with the victim as a remnant of the attack. She may have areas of physical rigidity or regions that lack sensation as if the perpetrator’s hands had never left her. This rigidity becomes a self-limiting influence as she experiences life with compromised respiration, self-awareness, and movement.

During the Structural Integration sessions the client takes an active role. She is invited to meet the pressure of the Rolfer’s hands with her breath. The Rolfer guides her to make small, easeful movements to facilitate the opening that is occurring in her body. Breathing and moving with intention, she becomes more self aware and present, contradicting her old pattern of dissociation.

During the Rolfing series the soft tissue network becomes reorganized and the body’s segments become better aligned. The client experiences a stronger sense of connectedness within herself and her universe. As the therapist releases areas of soft tissue restriction, she may find that her feet are more firmly planted on the ground, giving her a new sense of confidence. As she breathes more fully and deeply, she might become more spontaneous and resilient emotionally.

As areas of rigidity soften the distortions of body image can shift. As she releases longstanding tensions and blocked energy related to her trauma, she may begin to envision her own transformation.

The intimate nature of this work is based upon trust, openness and communication. As the client shares her physical pain, she is not alone with it anymore. Rolfing is a process during which the client can connect with and let go of the physical manifestations of trauma, and in doing so find that its emotional content has also surfaced. The client is supported emotionally during the session, however it is not within the realm of these sessions to explore psychological issues with any depth. Rolfing can be a powerful adjunct to psychotherapy in that it can help to bring forth unconscious memories that were previously unavailable to the client.

“ Psychological trauma such as physical abuse, abandonment, feelings of inadequacy, attitudes of fear and anger affect structure. Tightening against pain, holding breath to block emotions, slumping in order not to feel too big, become physically locked in the body and thus perpetuate the attitude.”

Betsy Sise, Certified Rolfer

“Physical stress mirrors emotional suffering: relief from physical restraint markedly affects emotional misery.”

Ida P, Rolf, Ph.D.

By • Rolfing • • Tags: , , , , , ,

« Older Entries