Painful menstruation is called dysmenorrhea, and refers the pain that occurs around the menstrual, or bleeding, phase of the cycle. There may be other associated symptoms like nausea, fatigue or diarrhea. While many people experience some cramping with their period, some have pain severe enough that it keeps them from doing their regular activities. They may rely on pain relievers and heating pads, but sometimes that is not enough. There are many possible causes for dysmenorrhea that can be explored with a gynecologist - endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, cysts, hormone imbalance, heavy periods, low back injury, past or present infection, pelvic nerve compression, pelvic inflammatory disease.
Amber's Favorite Hikes
Why a pill bleed is not a period.
Facial Acupuncture and MORE! Facial Cupping, Gua Sha, Herbal Compresses...and why we love them
Someday soon, the masks will be coming off. Right? Regardless, we love skincare and cultivating a healthy, radiant complexion. Facial acupuncture also has more than just cosmetic applications, such as for sinus congestion, tension headache and jaw pain. It is especially effective when combined with another modality like facial cupping.
Fertility Acupuncture - How does it work?
How does acupuncture enhance fertility? I am asked this question frequently. With declining fertility rates nationally, more and more people are seeking support on the path to conception, and infertility is one of the many things we treat regularly at Vitalize. Acupuncture can help in a variety of ways. While there are specific acupuncture points that “treat infertility,” like most conditions, each individual has their own set of health needs and we seek to provide treatment plans that are best suited to each specific case. In the most general terms, acupuncture has two primary functions for fertility:
Acupuncture increases blood flow to reproductive organs
Acupuncture calms the nervous system - decreasing stress hormones and promoting balanced reproductive hormones
How Do You Tell Your Story?
The Impact of Money in Research + How to Find Quality Acupuncture Research
If you are interested in reading more about acupuncture research, a quick pubmed search will allow you to review abstracts, if not full-text, research studies by the thousands. The NIH has a division called the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, which has a lot of information on acupuncture and traditional Chinese Medicine research. Or bring your questions to us! Research informs our practice and we love to learn.
Hikes! Stay Healthy, Stay Sane.
What acupuncture point is that? Pericardium 6 for a Calm Mind, Happy Tummy & Deep Breaths
Astragalus: Get to Know this Plant Ally!
Astragalus, or Huang Qi, is a tonic herb that is useful for a variety of conditions characterized by Qi deficiency and sinking Qi:
Fatigue, foggy thinking
Allergies, including skin conditions and food sensitivities
Frequent infections, lowered immunity
Diarrhea, loose stools
Heavy menses, or depleted blood
Poor appetite, weak digestion
Safety of Herbs in Pregnancy
At Vitalize, we love working with pregnant mamas. The conditions that arise during pregnancy are unique and the treatment options can sometimes feel limited. There is always the extra step of asking how this will impact the growing babe. It is best to assume that anything you ingest will pass to the baby, and this includes herbs and supplements. This certainly does not mean that you have to stop all your herbs and supplements when you get the BFP (big fat positive!). And it also doesn’t mean we can’t treat your nausea, fatigue, sinus congestion, swelling, heartburn, insomnia, etc. with herbs. Our practitioners are informed about herbal safety and can guide you.
Welcoming Metal Season
Do you have Blood Stagnation? What to look for.
Acupuncture Explained: DU 20, Crown Of The Head
Common Fertility Supplements: A guide to the Natural Fertility Medicine Cabinet
Fertility treatments are commonly centered around the use of acupuncture and Chinese Herbs. Even so, nutrition and lifestyle counseling is also a core part of a holistic treatment plan. Often times this includes the use of supplements. I may suggest a supplement, people may come to me having been given supplements by another healthcare provider or they may simply be going off of a recommendation from a friend, book, or website. It can be difficult to sort through the information about many of these supplements and very few have reliable research to back up their claims.