Chinese Herbs

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Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for Painful Periods

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Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for Painful Periods

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.

Fertility Acupuncture - How does it work?

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:

  1. Acupuncture increases blood flow to reproductive organs

  2. Acupuncture calms the nervous system - decreasing stress hormones and promoting balanced reproductive hormones

Chinese Medicine in Oregon - Doc Hay & Kam Wah Chung

Chinese Medicine in Oregon - Doc Hay & Kam Wah Chung

Although acupuncture is becoming more popular and accepted in our Western framework, it is and will always be rooted in Ancient Chinese theoretical and medical concepts. Our herbs, grown under specific conditions in particular climates and regions, still come from China. Acupuncture practiced apart from this history and worldview (as is sometimes advocated in Western medical fields), is not only less-effective, but also culturally insensitive.

Astragalus: Get to Know this Plant Ally!

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

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.

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Allergy Prevention and Management with Acupuncture and Herbs

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Allergy Prevention and Management with Acupuncture and Herbs

Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine can help nip your current flare up of winter time allergies in the bud and strengthen your body’s immune system to reduce and prevent symptoms from occurring in the spring. Many patients find that their sinuses open within minutes of an acupuncture session!

Do you have Blood Stagnation? What to look for.

Do you have Blood Stagnation? What to look for.

According to Chinese Medicine, many chronic conditions have stagnant circulation of blood as part of their root cause. This certainly goes for pain, but also in many cases of auto-immune conditions, digestive disorders, gynecological issues, and even mental health concerns. 

Common Fertility Supplements: A guide to the Natural Fertility Medicine Cabinet

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. 

What is NAET & how does it work?

What is NAET & how does it work?

NAET stands for Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques.  Similar to the common allergy treatment of micro-dosing with certain allergens such as peanuts, NAET involves exposure to the substance while you rest with acupuncture needles in your body.

Year of the FIRE ROOSTER

Year of the FIRE ROOSTER

I remember the first time I learned about the Chinese zodiac and the 12 animals that represent a 12 year cycle.  I had gone to a small Chinese restaurant, sat down with my parents and noticed a bit of information about each of the 12 animals on my paper placemat.  This stuck in my head and returned to me when I began learning more about them once I entered acupuncture school.

For the record, we didn't really learn much about these 12 animals as we studied acupuncture and Chinese medicine.  However, we did learn a lot about '5 element theory', which is the basis for much of the knowledge and prediction made through the Chinese zodiac.  

Trying to Quit a Habit?

Trying to Quit a Habit?

Whether its smoking, over-eating, one too many glasses of wine at the end of your day, or just plain sweet tooth behavior, acupuncture is one of your greatest tools.  We use 5 needles in each ear to assist patients with addictive behaviors.  Often patients who have been smoking cigarettes for years and are finally ready to quit will feel immediate support with their attempts to cut back or even cut off all together.

Five acupuncture needles gently placed at both ears offers support and often leads to fewer cravings, making cutting back or quitting so much easier.  Along with acupuncture your provider might also recommend a Chinese herbal formula to assist your lungs, liver, spleen, or any other organs that might be experiencing imbalance due to the continued over use of toxins.

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Adrenal Fatigue

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Adrenal Fatigue

Yesterday a patient asked me if I thought she might have adrenal fatigue.  Her friend had mentioned it when they were discussing their health and she wondered what type of symptoms are caused by adrenal fatigue.  

This is such a common question and, in our culture, a very common state of being.  Lets rewind and explore the historical aspect of adrenal fatigue; our lifestyle has evolved faster than our bodies.  We no longer have to spend our days hunting or gathering for our next meal, putting ourselves between tiger and snake in order to find food, this is the type of stress that our 'fight our flight' response was designed for.

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Preparing the Immune System for Fall

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Preparing the Immune System for Fall

Lets start by clarifying one thing - the body does not have an immune system, the body is an immune system, many parts working together for continued health.  There are a lot of variables to consider – the lymphatic system, which is rich with white blood cells, the skin and mucous membranes, the hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature.  So, like with most things, Chinese medicine uses a “whole systems” approach to treatment.  You can use this approach yourself, by first thinking about what you can do for the health of your whole system:

Free and Easy Wanderer

Free and Easy Wanderer

Xiao Yao San is a classical Chinese Herbal formula commonly used for a variety of issues cause by stagnation in the body, particularly in the liver.  When the liver stagnates we might experience irritability or a short temper, tension in our neck and shoulders, digestive upset which could include constipation or diarrhea, depressed mood, and an overall feeling of being 'stuck'.  We might feel stuck in life, with a partner, in our career, etc.  Its an overall lack of motivation to move forward, even if we already made the decision of what to do, though indecisiveness can also occur when the liver is stagnant.