1) A positive belief and expectation of recovery on the part of the person with the condition
2) A positive belief and expectation on the part of the health care professionals supporting the recovery
3) A good relationship between the person recovering and their healthcare team
4) A view taken by the person with the condition that the illness has had a positive on their life in the long term.

Just weeks before I was diagnosed with MS I attended a conference in Los Angeles where I met Lance Armstrong as a guest speaker. Soon after my own diagnosis I examined Lance’s remarkable recovery so as to discover what was his secret to going from just a 3% chance of surviving 6 months, to winning his first Tour de France in less than 2 years. It was really obvious that all 4 traits were to the forefront of his recovery. In his book “It’s not about the bike” Lance describes how he held a strong belief that not only would he recover but that he held an expectation that he would win the toughest cycling event in the world. His doctors too believed that he could recovery and his oncologist recognising the importance of remaining positive actually overstated his survival expectation saying he had a 50% chance of survival even though his professional opinion would have led him to believe that his chances were negligible.

What came across clearly is that he held his medical and health recovery team in the highest esteem and embraced the recommendations and treatment approach with full vigour. With regard to positioning the condition as being a positive influence on his life, it is self-evident from the work that Lance has done since his diagnosis many years ago that it had and continues to have a profoundly positive impact on his life.

Recognising this psychological framework was a key component of recovery I resolved to develop upon these four core beliefs. Just as I had witnessed a physical decline which had mirrored my initially negative psychology I soon witnessed improvements in my physical condition once my psychological framework had changed. Approaching your condition with the optimal mind-set is therefore I believe a key element to the successful implementation of the Healing Code Program and a full and lasting health recovery.

Acupuncture is a healing system from China that dates back over 3,000 years. The World Health Organisation recognises acupuncture to be an effective therapy for over 40 conditions including gynaecological conditions and fertility issues. We use an evidence based approach towards medical acupuncture treatments. Although acupuncture has been successfully used to treat fertility for thousands of years, the first Western medical research was published in 2002 by Paulus. The study showed 42.5% of patients were successful in conceiving through incorporating acupuncture and IVF. This was compared to the 26.3% that used IVF by itself. Evidence was again shown in the British Medical Journal meta-analysis, published in 2008 which reported a 65% increase in pregnancy success rates, 85% increase in on-going pregnancy and 91% increase in live births.

This overwhelming evidence has meant that acupuncture in conjunction with IVF is now a standard treatment, while research continues to find other benefits. Patients also report feeling less stress and anxiety and an increased feeling of wellbeing when incorporating medical acupuncture into their fertility program.

How Medical Acupuncture improves IVF success rates:

There are a lot of ways in which medical acupuncture can help IVF. To explain it simply, when you get acupuncture tiny needles are inserted into your body. This relaxes the nervous system, producing endorphins and less of the stress hormone cortisol is released into your blood. This in turn allows increased and improved blood flow into your reproductive organs. As a result more oxygen and nutrients are supplied and IVF medication gets more easily into the uterus and ovaries. Through our unique approach we can ensure your IVF journey is as effective and as stress free as possible.

Medical Acupuncture therefore can be used to help achieve the following:

Reducing uterine inflammation – This encourages the uterus to hold the embryo and prevent detachment from uterine wall.
Increasing blood flow – Beneficial for improving endometrial growth and the supply of nutrients to your developing baby, ensuring healthy development.
Improving ovarian function – Important for the development of good quality eggs.
Decreasing uterus contractions – Important after embryo transfer to improve embryo attachment to the uterine wall.
Reducing stress – This is one of the most important reasons for receiving acupuncture.
Regulating the immune system.
Improving male semen – To produce better quality and
quantity of embryos.

Frequently Asked Questions about IVF and Acupuncture:

When should I begin acupuncture?

Ideally, you should begin three months prior to embryo transfer. At this stage it is important to develop a good endometrial lining with acupuncture to promote an increase in blood flow. If egg production is a problem, treatments may be advised to be started before this. We will work with you at any stage of your IVF process so you receive the best possible treatment plan.

How often should I have treatments?

It is recommended to have treatments at least once a week leading up to the embryo transfer. On the day of transfer it is important to have a treatment immediately before and after the transfer to help the body support the embryo and importantly, reduce stress. These two treatments alone significantly enhance the success rates of IVF.

Should I continue to have acupuncture treatments in the weeks after IVF treatment and if I treatment is successful.

Scientific studies have shown that acupuncture almost doubles the success rate of on-going pregnancy and live births. It is therefore highly advisable to continue acupuncture treatment in the weeks after IVF treatment, usually on a weekly basis. After the first trimester we normally continue treatment but at less frequent intervals – perhaps once or twice a month.

How effective is it?

Research has reported that acupuncture increases the pregnancy rates of IVF, by as much as 65%, as reported in the British Medical Journal. In the same article, acupuncture was shown to improve ongoing pregnancy by 85% and live birth by 91%. We see similar results to these in clinical practice every week.

Should the male partner also be treated?

Scientific research shows 40% of problems with fertility originate in the woman and 40% in the man, so men may also be interested to know that acupuncture has been shown to significantly improve sperm viability, mobility, integrity and fertility. Acupuncture treatments for both partners can increase success rates.

Will it hurt?

Acupuncture needles are much finer than those used for injections and so are relatively painless. They are also used only at a superficial depth. Some people will report that they don’t feel anything at all, whilst others will report some minor tingling sensations. Acupuncture is incredibly relaxing and people will often fall asleep during treatment.

Is acupuncture covered by health insurance?

Yes most private health schemes cover acupuncture when performed by a properly qualified practitioner. Dermot O’Connor is registered with the VHI, Aviva, Vivas, Quinn Health as well as a number of other private insurance schemes. We suggest that you check with your

The health benefits of exercise are well established, but the effect of exercise on fertility is far more complex. Infertility and anovulation (no ovulation) are quite common among elite female athletes, as well as amongst those female athletes with low body mass indexes. However, by the same token, there is also comprehensive evidence which suggests that being overweight or obese also has a detrimental effect on fertility and IVF success.

So this is a challenge, should you take exercise or not? How do you get it right? Like many things regarding health and fertility, the Chinese Medical view is that the secret is down to that key word – Balance.

We should look at exercise within an overall context of attaining a healthy lifestyle. If for example you are overweight it is certainly the case that losing those extra pounds is likely to be helpful for fertility. However the key strategy for attaining your optimum weight should be focused more on diet than on performing strenuous exercise.

But let’s be clear, exercising the right way is very beneficial to your health and fertility. It improves your circulation and helps improve blood flow to your reproductive system. Exercise can also improve your endocrine function and help to regulate hormone levels. One key hormone that exercise has an effect on is cortisol – the stress hormone. Exercise reduces the body’s production of cortisol and so reduces stress – one of the main stumbling blocks to fertility.

In general, it is wise to curtail heavy energy-burning exercise when you are trying to get pregnant. It is important to learn to be in tune with your body and moderate exercise is the best choice if you are trying to enhance your fertility. Do not over exert yourself and if you feel really tired after exercising the chances are you have done more exercise than optimal. The best exercise prescription for fertility is a combination of walking and gentle meditative exercise such as the gentler forms of yoga and chi gong. After this type of exercise you should feel peaceful and energised rather than tired.

Chi gong, which means Energy work, is a traditional Chinese healing exercise system whose principles are similar to those of acupuncture and has been used for thousands of years to enhance health and fertility. Tai Chi is one of the most well-known forms of chi gong but there are many different branches. Chi gong is the perfect exercise approach for fertility as it uses gentle movements, focused breathing and meditative techniques. All these deliver all the benefits of stress reduction without taxing your body. A typical chi gong exercise program will contain a series of movements that should take no more than fifteen minutes to perform. Ideally it should be performed in the morning upon wakening and last thing at night before retiring to bed.

You are best to perform chi gong in warm environment where it is quiet and there is little distraction. Make sure it is in a place where you can stand, sit and lie comfortably. For many people this will be their bedroom.

When performed with the correct mental intention, these simple exercises can alter the way you feel physically and mentally profoundly in a very short space of time. I witnessed very sick people in Xi Yuan hospital in Beijing literally move, breathe and meditate themselves back to health with chi gong. These simple exercises, which can be learned very quickly, have the capability to enhance health, improve fertility and reduce stress for anyone who practices them.

The ovaries are exquisitely sensitive. Neither extreme physical fitness nor lack of exercise leading to extra pounds is ideal for attaining pregnancy. Therefore for optimum fertility you should gently exercise for only about 30 minutes a day, focus on your nutrition for attaining your ideal weight and choose a meditative system of exercise like yoga or chi gong.

If you wish you may purchase Chi Gong DVDs from the Healing Code Acupuncture Clinic and also from this website. If you have any questions regarding your health, exercise and your fertility goals do not hesitate to contact me.

Dermot O’Connor
The Healing Code Acupuncture Clinic

So what is the single factor that ultimately can cause so many problems? It is the non-consumption of dark leafy green vegetables. A recent US report for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans indicated that the average adult needs to increase their consumption of dark leafy green vegetables by approximately 300%. I would say it is even much more than this for the average person. From a Chinese Medical perspective people who do not eat enough dark leafy greens are ultimately likely to develop a condition or “pattern of disharmony” called “Xue Xu” or Blood Deficiency. Blood Deficiency has three causes two of which are not related to diet:

1) Inherited – If one or both of your parents was Blood Deficient there is a good chance that when you were born you had some of your own blood deficiency.

2) Blood loss – This can be due to accident, or for women, heavy menstruation over a prolonged timeframe and also childbirth. In China, even after a normal delivery, women are presumed to be Blood Deficient after they have given birth. Because this is believed to be a vulnerable time for any woman it is common to carry out a practice known as “Mother Warming”. This is where the mother is nourished and given time to rest and recover. This typically lasts for two to three months. Post-natal depression is almost always associated with Blood Deficiency where the woman was not given the proper opportunity to recover after giving birth.

3) Improper diet – This is by far the most common cause of Blood Deficiency. When we talk about “diet” in the West we typically concern ourselves with the “bad foods” that we should not eat. However Blood Deficiency is caused not by the bad foods that we eat, but rather by the good foods that we don’t eat and the Kings of the Blood Tonics are Dark Leafy Green Vegetables.

To me it’s almost common sense. What species are we genetically most similar to? The great apes such as chimpanzee and gorillas are understood to have a 97% similarity genetically to humans. The big food chains don’t like McDonalds, Pizza Hut and Burger King don’t market their products to the great apes (at least not just yet  ). So what diet do these species have when they are only really influenced by nature? The mountain gorilla consumes parts of at least 142 plant species and three types of fruit. About 86% of their diet is comprised of dark leafy greens in the form of leaves, shoots, and stems, 7% is roots, 3% is flowers, 2% is fruit, and 2% ants, snails, and grubs. So early in our evolution our diet was a lot more like that of the great apes and therefore these are the foods are body’s crave and really the foods that we are designed for.

The truth is that people very rarely eat enough dark leafy greens and this even includes vegetarians. I believe that if you are well and healthy and not Blood Deficient you need to eat at least a fist sized portion of dark leafy greens every day. If you are Blood Deficient and encountering some of the health issues previously mentioned you should aim to eat at least two fist sized portions every day. If this seems like a lot of vegetables, there is one supplement that I believe will help you to achieve the same benefits without the challenge of eating so many greens. Spirulina is simply the most nutritious food known to many and is known as a “Super Green” because it contains most of the nutrients food in dark leafy greens.

I suggest that you should try to consciously eat more spinach, cabbage, kale and brocolli in your daily diet and as a safety measure you should supplement with between 3,000 and 6,000mg of Spirulina every day. In some cases I would even suggest that you increase this to 9,000mg a day.

It is now also known that these foods also protect against other severe conditions. Scientific studies have linked these foods with a lower risk of breast, lung and skin cancers. In addition, lutein contained in dark leafy greens seems to help slow the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a cause of age-related blindness. In Chinese Medicine many eye disorders are understood to be related to Blood Deficiency.

These same dark greens also supply a significant amount of folate. Folate is a B vitamin that promotes heart health and helps to prevent certain birth defects. Folate is also necessary for DNA duplication and repair. Without repair, damaged cells can develop into cancer.

It is important not to underestimate folate. Several large studies have proven that people with a high folate intake have up to a 40% lower risk of developing many types of cancers when compared to those who eat a more typical diet.

So all in all, the argument for eating more dark leafy greens is compelling. You will be doing yourself a huge favour if you up your intake of dark leafy greens, if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
• Lightheadedness and dizziness
• Dry scalp and skin
• Sometimes weak and brittle nails
• Sensitivity to bright lights and sunlight
• Muscular cramps and spasms
• Restless legs
• Pins and needles in limbs
• Cold extremities
• Poor concentration
• Fatigue
• Sleep problems
• Cravings for sugar

These are just some of the common symptoms relating to Blood Deficiency. If you have encountered some of these symptoms and have any questions feel free to get in touch – I’ll do my best to help. Dermot
dermot@healing-code.com

As male life expectancy has increased, more and more men are battling with various male disorders, such as conditions affecting urination, the prostate, the testicles as well as male sexual health in general.

Chinese Medicine is successful in treating a variety of male disorders. At the core of the treatment of many male disorders is the strengthening of Kidney function. Although other organ systems may also be involved, the Kidneys, which in Chinese Medicine are also energetically associated with the testicles, are usually at the core. One of the major functions of the Kidneys according to Chinese Medicine is storing of the vital substance Jing. Jing or as it’s sometimes translated “Kidney Essence” is understood to be the “sap of life”, the irreducible essence that contains all the critical ingredients needed to make new life that shares characteristics with its source. This concept of Jing, though thousands of years old, bears some theoretical resemblance to what modern medicine calls DNA. As Jing has a direct connection with sperm in men, you can begin to see why premature ejaculation and other sexual disorders are considered vitally important to treat in Chinese Medicine.

Jing is seen as a finite constitutional energy which naturally depletes as men grow older. Men experience their own kind of menopause as they age and although this is very different to that experienced by women, this is still a time that brings many imbalances, as oestrogen becomes a more dominant hormone in the male body.

The Kidneys also have a close connection with urinary function and issues with their function are often responsible for urinary incontinence as well as premature ejaculation. Both of these functions depend upon the kidneys strength and control to govern these functions properly. If this ability is weakened someone might experience frequent urination, greater urgency, or incontinence.

Chinese Medicine and Impotence
Most of us will have heard of the unfortunate Chinese Medical pursuit of tiger tooth for the treatment of male impotence. Fortunately there are a lot more palatable and successful treatments and practices for this condition available within Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Chinese Emperors viewed sexual function as a vitally important part of health and longevity. If an Emperor had impotence he would immediately seek the advice of his medical staff. Impotence is known as “yang wei”, which literally means flaccidity and refers to the inability to attain erection or the ability to attain only partial erection. This can be caused by many different underlying factors; however some of the more common causes are overindulgence in sexual activity, over consumption of drugs or alcohol, over work and over stress. All of which are seen to deplete Kidney function.

Whatever the underlying cause of this problem, in most cases a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can go a long way towards restoring Kidney function – provided of course, steps are taken by the client to alter the lifestyle elements that caused the initial strain on the Kidneys.

The importance placed in male sexual function also gave rise – so to speak, to the pursuit of advanced breathing techniques and meditative practices as well as sexual stimulation techniques that allow men to amplify their sexual energy. These techniques are sometimes known as Taoist sexual practices and are not unlike the Tantric practices of the Indian tradition.

Prostate Health
Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is the condition of an enlarged prostate gland as a man grows older. In BPH the prostate enlarges and the layer of tissue surrounding it stops it from expanding, causing the gland to press against the urethra. The most common symptoms of BPH are:

a hesitant, interrupted, weak urination

urgency, leaking or dribbling

more frequent urination, especially at nightThese conditions can lead to more serious conditions if left untreated.BPH according to Chinese Medicine is categorized into diseases relating to urination. Although the Chinese were unaware that the prostate was enlarged, they were aware of the symptoms it caused. These symptoms of frequent night-time urination, painful urination, and difficult urination were frequently observed and still are treated with great success using acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Male Infertility
In my clinics, I very frequently treat female infertility. Male infertility is rarely spoken about but can frequently be the problem when couples are having difficulty conceiving. This is why it is usually advisable that both parties receive treatment when fertility is the issue. In many cases men have poor quality sperm and/or a decreased quantity. According to Chinese medicine once again the Kidneys play an important role in semen production and quality; however this is not the only cause of infertility in men. In many cases of male infertility there is evidence of excess Dampness within the body. This Dampness is caused by the over consumption of dairy products as well as foods high in saturated fats.What Acupuncture Can Treat

Here in brief is a list of some Male Health issues that Acupuncture and TCM has a long established tradition of treating:Premature Ejaculation

Low Sperm Count

Diminished Sperm Mobility

Impotence

Hernia

Testicular Pain

Prostatitis

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

Male Infertility

Male Climacteric (Male menopause)

Cosmetic Acupuncture has recently attracted much media attention. The Irish Times recently acclaimed this treatment as “a viable alternative to cosmetic surgery and the effects can run much deeper than simply improving appearances”. This remarkable treatment may erase as many as 5 to 15 years from the face.

Improving physical appearance with the help of cosmetic acupuncture has a history, which dates back over 800 years to the Sun dynasty, when the empress and the emperor’s concubines used it to maintain their youthful allure.

So why is this ancient technique now becoming so popular? One of the world’s leading acupuncturists, Virginia Doran, has been instrumental in introducing the treatment to modern western culture. Her treatment protocol has featured on the US’s major television news networks, even appearing on Sex and the City! Not surprisingly, New York and LA waiting lists for cosmetic acupuncture are often over a year long and populated by the rich and famous (reportedly Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Cher – Telegraph 13/8/2004).

So how does the Acupuncture facelift work? A number of hair-thin needles are skilfully inserted into specific acupuncture points and manipulated to encourage blood and energy flow. This energy, or “life force”, is said to regulate the body’s innate healing processes and invigorate the facial area. Proponents of cosmetic acupuncture say it can offer measurable results after only a few sessions, eliminating fine lines and reducing deeper wrinkles. Bags under the eyes are reduced, droopy eyelids are lifted, sagging and puffiness are smoothed away. Other long term benefits can include increased moisture and elasticity in the skin, the activation of collagen production, better muscle tone and jaw-line definition, tightening of the pores and improved hormonal balance.

A complete treatment program involves a series of 12 sessions. Following the initial course of treatment, intermittent maintenance sessions can prolong the results for several years. Also included in the series is a tailored prescription of herbal supplements and treatments, both of which are facets of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

But is it painful? Well, less painful than you might think. A thorough eyebrow plucking from a trained beauty therapist can cause more eye-watering pain than 10 acupuncture needles combined. The treatment is also much easier than going the surgeon’s knife, with full anaesthetic and waking up with a faceful of bandages and bruises. Unlike the injection of potentially harmful chemicals into your skin, cosmetic acupuncture’s only side effect is an improved sense of health and well-being!

But what is the scientific support for Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture? A recent research study, found that out of 300 test subjects, over 90% showed significant improvements after one series of treatments.

The weakness of most conventional cosmetic therapies is that they do little or nothing to enhance the client’s underlying health condition. It’s primarily because cosmetic acupuncture fully embraces the principle of ‘inner health/outer beauty’ that it works so well – and that results last longer. I liken cosmetic acupuncture treatment to a gardener tending the soil of a plant to produce a healthy flower, rather than superficially trying to polish a petal.

While the initial desire to look younger may be a simple case of vanity, the effects can prove far more profound than merely improving one’s appearance. As a practitioner of Oriental medicine, our aim is to help people to profoundly improve their lives. Many people come looking for cosmetic acupuncture, but return for the health benefits.

Dermot has now introduced Virginia Doran’s Cosmetic Acupuncture treatment protocol at his clinic in Dublin

The symptoms of hayfever usually include itching of the nose, roof of the mouth and eyes together with sneezing and clear watery nasal discharge. This may also be accompanied by headache, irritability and insomnia. Many patients with hayfever will have a history of being treated with repeated antibiotics as children as well as eating a diet high in sugars, dairy products, fruit juices and yeasted grain products. It is suggested that the immune response of hayfever sufferers has been hampered in some way as a result of these elements.

According to Chinese Medicine airborne pathogens are categorised as external wind evils. The Lungs are considered a delicate internal organ affected easily by externally invading evils particularly those entering via the nose – the sense organ associated with the Lungs. These evils disturb the lungs ability to disperse and descend the life force energy or Qi. If the Lung Qi does not descend it stagnates, accumulates and eventually counterflows upwards causing sneezing. Because the Lungs also have a role in dispersing and descending fluids in the body, dampness and phlegm can also congregate as a result and lead to nasal discharge and congestion. Wind evils in themselves cause itching and within Chinese Medicine we have the phrase “No wind, no itching”. However for these wind evils to invade in the first place the patient is believed to have an underlying weakness in the Wei Qi – or Defensive Qi. This ancient theory is remarkably similar to modern Western Medical theories if we understand Wei Qi as representing the function of the Immune System.

Therefore the treatment of Hayfever according to Chinese Medicine should address the presenting symptoms but also the underlying weakness, such that the patient’s Wei Qi is strengthened to withstand future attacks of these external pathogens.

In China, acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedies have been used to successfully combat allergic rhinitis symptoms for centuries. A study in the West outlined in Allergy magazine concluded that a combination of Chinese herbs and weekly acupuncture sessions is effective at relieving the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis⁽¹⁾.

In the study, a total of 52 patients between the ages of 20 and 58, all diagnosed with seasonal allergic rhinitis, were randomly assigned to a traditional Chinese medicine group or a control group. In the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) group, patients received a standardized 20-minute acupuncture treatment once a week for six weeks. Additional acupuncture points were selected based on each patient’s individual symptoms. By the end of the study period the severity of hayfever was “significantly less pronounced in the TCM group” than in the control patients, and instances of remission occurred twice as often in TCM patients compared to patients in the control group. The study found that TCM patients experienced improvements in allergy symptoms in the eyes and nose, higher levels of physical activity, and an improved psychological condition compared to patients in the control group. The intake of anti-allergy drugs also dropped dramatically among TCM patients.

A variety of Chinese herbs can be prescribed for Hayfever according to the individual and the pattern presenting. In my experience I have had considerable success with a powerful Chinese medicine formula known as Bi Yan Pian. This herbal formula is particularly effective when the client also pays attention to dietary factors, as already discussed, which may also be hampering the immune response.

1. Brinkhaus R, Hummelsberger J, Kohnen R, et al. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized-controlled clinical trial. Allergy 2004;59:953-960.

However self-help within TCM goes much further than this. Qigong is the most widely used branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine used in the world today. Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused mind intention. It might be surprising that many TCM doctors consider Qigong to be the most effective form of treatment for many conditions. For over five thousand years Qigong has been recognised in the East as the key method of disease prevention and prolonging healthy lifespan. Modern science is starting to cast a fresh eye on this most powerful branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Extensive scientific evidence is now revealing that daily practice of Qigong is the best preventative measure against acute disease as well as many chronic degenerative conditions such as AIDS and cancer.

The Chinese phrase ‘Qigong’ is made of two words, ‘Qi’ and ‘Gong’. ‘Qi’ can be interpreted as ‘Life Energy’ or ‘the breath of life’. The presence and active movement of Qi energy and force in the body distinguish the difference between a persons body when alive compared to dead. When ill, Qi in a person flows excessively or weakly through the body compared to when in good health. ‘Gong’ means ‘cultivation’ or ‘development’. When Qi is properly cultivated or managed in the body a person remains in good mental, emotional and physical health.

Qigong focuses on the management or cultivation of Life force energy for the maintenance of good health. Management of Qi is carried out by utilising special breathing techniques in combination with mental concentration exercises and still postures or slow, coordinated physical movements of different parts of the body. These keep blood flow and pressure healthy, improve efficiency of oxygen delivery as well as balance activity of the nervous, hormone, digestive and immune systems.

For many TCM practitioners, a working knowledge of Medical Qigong and a practical experience of its management of the body’s Life supporting ‘Qi’ Energy is a vital element of daily practice for themselves and their patients. Medical Qigong practitioners either show patients how to do specific exercises for themselves or perform management treatments for the patient.

What makes Qigong different from standard exercise regimes? Fundamentally standard exercise regimes do not involve the meridian system used in acupuncture nor do they emphasise the importance of adding mind intent and breathing techniques to physical movements. When these dimensions are added, the benefits of exercise increase hugely.

The gentle, rhythmic movements of Qigong reduce stress, build stamina, increase vitality, and enhance the immune system. It has also been found to improve cardiovascular, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic and digestive functions.

Those who maintain a consistent practice of Qigong find that it helps one regain a youthful vitality, maintain health even into old age and helps speed recovery from illness. Western scientific research confirms that Qigong reduces hypertension and the incidence of falling in the aged population. One of the more important long-term effects is that Qigong re-establishes the body/mind/soul connection.

Modern Western medical science recognises that the main mechanism involved in ageing and health deterioration, is the cumulative damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are destructive molecules that are produced as a by-product of the body’s metabolism. Free radicals are controlled in the body by antioxidants which act to neutralise free radicals by balancing their electric charge. Most antioxidants are either basic nutrients such as vitamins A, C and E and various minerals such as selenium. Certain enzymes are also classified as antioxidants and are specifically designed and secreted for this purpose. The most important antioxidant enzyme in the body is called Superoxide Dismutase (SOD). Scientific evidence has shown that after Qigong practice the level of SOD in the bloodstream of elderly practitioners is over double that of younger non-practitioners. This enhanced antioxidant activity scientifically verifies the claim of TCM doctors that Qigong retards the aging process and prevents degenerative illness and disease.

Qigong’s great appeal is that everyone can benefit, regardless of ability, age, belief system or life circumstances. Anyone can enrich their lives by adding Qigong to their daily routine. Children learning to channel their energy and develop increased concentration; office workers learning Qigong to reduce stress; seniors participating in gentle movements to enhance balance and their quality of life; caregivers embracing a practice to develop their ability to help others; prisons instituting Qigong programs to restore balance in inmates lives; midwives using Qigong techniques to ease childbirth.

Psycho-neuro immunological research confirms what Qigong practitioners have known for thousands of years; that the Mind can both cause and cure diseases. Healing visualisations sometimes act as a catalyst, increasing the rate of chemical reaction within the tissues. Improper Mind states, however, can lead to chemical imbalances that perpetrate the diseased condition. As the Qigong Master Zheng Zhan Ding would say, “When the spirit, like a lake, is undisturbed, it mirrors the Heavens perfectly” – meaning that when the Mind enters into stillness it allows one’s true inner nature to be revealed and healing can truly begin. It is therefore essential when learning Qigong, that a large degree of emphasis is placed on this mental aspect of Qigong.

How do you find a good Qigong instructor? Keep in mind the following criteria for choosing a qualified instructor: what is their background and experience; are they of good character; what is their knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine and do they impart that knowledge effectively. Do they teach the mental aspect of Qigong and do they live what they teach? While keeping these points in mind, remember to trust your intuition in finding an instructor who is right for you. A key test is do you enjoy the Qigong class?

I personally find delivering successful fertility treatment through acupuncture extremely rewarding because of the obvious joy that it brings. It is however different from treating conditions such as back pain, asthma, sinus trouble and migraine etc. in that with these conditions it is fairly straightforward to determine whether or not symptoms have improved. With fertility treatment, only true success is determined when the couple have conceived and as you can imagine this involves many factors.

We therefore need to look at overall signs of health improvement which will indicate that fertility treatment is progressing effectively. We look for such indicators as improved sleep quality, regulation of the menstrual cycle, improved digestion, easing of menstrual related symptoms, increased energy and reduced stress.

The first written evidence of acupuncture’s use in the treatment of fertility dates back over two thousand years to 3AD. Zhang Zhong-jing, a famous physician from the Han Dynasty, discussed infertility and a variety of women’s diseases conditions in his text Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials of the Golden Cabinet).

In more recent times, Western science has established the following proven benefits that acupuncture offers to reproductive health:

• Regulates the menstrual cycle.
• Invigorates sperm, enhancing both sperm count and motility.
• Strengthens the immune system and enhances general health.
• Reduce stress, control anxiety, enhance sleep and increase energy level.
• Balances endocrine system, regulates hormones and improves egg quality.
• Increases blood flow to the uterus, improving endometrial lining (implantation).Improves blood flow to the ovaries, increasing ovarian response – more follicles and better egg production.
• Lessens the side effects associated with hormonal treatment.
• Protects against miscarriage, improving live birth rate..
• Increase the chance of pregnancy for women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

Those who suffer from functional infertility make excellent candidates for acupuncture and herbal medicinal treatment. Fertility issues associated withhormonal problems, immune disorders, irregular menstruation, amenorrhoea and age related issues all fall within the category of functional infertility.

Stress has been proven to dramatically decrease fertility for both men and women and consequently acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can dramatically increase fertility by reducing stress if this is a prevailing factor.

Oriental Medicine has the phrase “Cultivate the soil before you plant the seed.” This is a cornerstone to Chinese Medicine’s approach to fertility treatment. The optimum time to treat someone is prior to their conception; in other words, both parents should be brought to optimum health prior to conceiving. Chinese Medicine holds the view that this period will determine the health of the sperm and the egg and that optimising both parents health prior to conception delivers maxim constitutional health to the new born child. For the mother-to-be, treatment also occurs during the pregnancy for this same reason.

When delivering fertility treatment it is therefore optimal to see and treat both parties. When treating the female we focus on the menstrual cycle and aim for cycle regulation and to alleviate any associated pain or discomfort. I would also look to improve overall health, insuring that sleep is of a high quality, digestion and elimination is strong and regular and that there is an overall sense of increased wellbeing. This is achieved by a combination of acupuncture,herbal medicine, as well as dietary, exercise and lifestyle advice.

It is most favourable to treat weekly for at least 3 months to properly regulate the menstrual cycle, balance hormone activity and to optimise egg quality. As women’s follicles are recruited over a 3 to 5 month time period before ovulation ongoing treatment allows adequate time during the preconception phase to “nurture nature”. After this 3-month phase I would generally continue treatment twice monthly unless conception has already taken place, in which case we then move into a different phase of treatment.

It is however surprising how many of my clients become pregnant very soon after commencing treatment. I believe that in many of these cases stress had been a significant factor. The process of trying to conceive is in itself very stressful for many couples and the patient’s active involvement in the whole treatment process delivers a greater sense of control, which had previously seemed unattainable. This increased sense of control, combined with powerful acupuncture and herbal medicine is often enough to swiftly bring about a successful conception.

Acupuncture and IVF
A recent German study, published in April 2002 found that just 2 acupuncture treatments on the day of embryo transfer increased the chances of becoming pregnant through IVF by a staggering 62%.

Researchers at the Christian-Lauritzen-Institute in Ulm, Germany included 160 patients undergoing IVF for the study. The patients were all required to have good quality embryos and were evenly and randomly divided into two study groups according to similar age and diagnosis characteristics.

When the patients were examined using ultrasound six weeks after IVF procedures 42% of the patients who had received acupuncture had become pregnant which compared to 26% within the control group. It is worth noting that this staggering result is based only on two acupuncture treatments having been received. It is reasonable to assume that even greater results would have been achieved if acupuncture treatment was continuously received during the entire IVF process. To my mind, this research means that acupuncture should be considered as an absolute standard treatment for anyone receiving IVF treatment.

Perhaps it’s apt to finish this article with an Irish Fertility Blessing

“Until we meet – May all Your Troubles be Little Ones”

We live during stressful times, and insomnia is a complaint frequently encountered in the acupuncture clinic where Western medicine offers little in the way of relief. Antidepressant medication can help some people, but generally, drug therapy causes drowsiness, interferes with the quality of sleep, and can cause rebound insomnia unless ever higher doses are taken. However, in my clinical experience, Insomniac patients have responded very well to Medical Qigong and acupuncture.

To those trained in the Western analytical tradition, it seems mystifying that acupuncture points on the surface of the body could affect the psyche. However Chinese Medicine does not accept the mind-body duality that has influenced Western scientific thinking since Descartes. It also does not agree with the notion that consciousness is merely the product of chemical interactions in the brain. Chinese medical theory grew out of the insights of ancient Taoist philosophers, who believed that all the phenomena of nature and mind were interconnected. They were manifestations of one essence, Life Energy or Qi (pronounced Chee). Interestingly this concept is embraced by modern physics where matter and energy are seen as two aspects of one reality – E = mc².

According to Chinese Medicine insomnia is generally considered to be associated with the Heart, Kidneys and Liver organs. Mental activity and consciousness reside in the Heart, which pumps blood, but is also the seat of awareness and higher consciousness. The view is that if the Heart is agitated or deficient the “Shen” or spirit consciousness cannot root and sleep will be affected. This is because there is too much heat in the Heart which can be a result of weakness in the Kidneys caused by fire and water being out of balance. The Heart is the organ of fire, whilst the Kidney is the water organ. Water normally subdues fire, but if the Kidneys are weak then there is not enough water and the fire gets out of control. With this form of insomnia the acupuncturist will act to sedate Heart fire and nourish the Kidneys.

Chinese doctors recognise that Insomnia can take many forms. Moreover each individual is unique requiring a distinct treatment approach. Another common form of insomnia is where the individual has no difficulty falling asleep but often wakes during the night and remains restless. This is considered to be due to Liver Blood deficiency and results in the “Three Hun” being deprived of their residence forcing them to wander at night causing restless sleep. The Three Hun are that spiritual part of man which ascends into the Divine at the end of life. Those suffering from Liver Blood deficiency will often have a dull pale complexion, pale lips and an aversion to sunlight. Once again acupuncture can be very effective and the individual will also be advised to follow a diet which nourishes Liver Blood. So it seems that even Count Dracula could have benefited from Chinese Medicine!

Acupuncture has an extremely calming effect and it can correct many of the imbalances which cause insomnia without any harmful side effects. Besides improved sleep people often experience a greater sense of well-being and an overall improvement in health and energy.

Sleep disturbances sometimes require a combination of therapies. In addition to acupuncture, advanced Medical Qigong therapy can also have dramatic effects. If you suffer from Insomnia try this ancient Qigong exercise which I have prescribed with great success at the clinic. This exercise should be performed sitting on your bed with a pillow at your back which you can fall back onto as you drift into sleep. Sweet dreams!

1. Clap your hands and rub them together to draw heat from your Heart
2. Massage your lower back in the kidney area known as Mingmen or “Gate of Vitality” 36 times
3. Place both hands over your Mingmen area and during 3 breaths imagine sending Qi from your hands into your kidneys.
4. Repeat 2 or 3 three times
5. Place your right ankle on your left knee and your right hand on your navel. Now with your left hand gently massage the sole of the right foot until you start to fall asleep.