|
Gynecology In Chinese Medicine
Gynecology has a 3,000 year history of treating imbalances in women’s health and still plays a valuable role in modern society. Modern day imbalance, though altered by chemicals in the air and water as well hormones in food, has remained a strength in Chinese medicine. Women experiencing pain at any point during their cycle, emotional swings at the onset of their menses or discomfort in the transition through menopause can find relief with Chinese medicine. There are little or no side effects and the change is permanent because the root of the problem has been addressed.
The length of treatment with different imbalances will very depending on your constitution and the duration of the imbalance. Usually by the second treatment you will notice change in your condition and other unexpected positive changes due to your bodies return to balance. An example of this might be a change in your skin quality, or your mental awareness.
All treatments involve Chinese herbs which are used internally to bring the organs back to balance. This is achieved through returning vital fluids back to the body and removing old build-ups through the eliminatory system. There are many ways to take Chinese herbs but only two that can be tailored to individual patients needs. Whole herbs can be combined to meet specific needs easily though they require cooking at home and are usually strong tasting. Powdered Chinese herbs can be tailored some what like raw herbs but are already prepared and can be added to warm water and consumed.
The former presentation is more highly recommended for its adaptability to the condition that presents itself in your individual imbalance. Acupuncture can also be an important adjunct to Chinese herbal remedies helping to realign the body energetically. Acupuncture uses needles that are as thin as human hair and unlike needles used for injections practically painless. Acupuncture will leave you feeling calmer more present and rested which can be attributed to the release of endorphins.
Though the list of imbalance that Chinese Medicine can treat is long and covers every aspect of a woman’s physiology a list of general categories is as follows; Menstrual irregularities, problems at the time of menstruation, diseases during pregnancy, diseases after childbirth, Infertility, menopausal syndrome and more...
Chinese medicine has been proven to:
Regulate the menstrual cycle
Treat PMS
Treat endometriosis
Treat menopausal symptoms
Treat pelvic inflammatory disease
Treat blocked fallopian tubes
Enhance fertility
Treat certain causes of miscarriage
Increase libido
Menopause
Menopause has been treated in Chinese Medicine for
over a thousand years and contrary to what western medicine
might have you believe it is not a disease. Chinese
Medicine views menopause as life transition, in which
the blood that was once lost each month to menstruation
is re-circulated back into the system. The blood is
now used to nourish the heart, which the Chinese consider
to house the mind, and bring deeper wisdom associated
with the matriarch of the family. Many women have difficulty
in this transition; fortunately Chinese Medicine has
the answers to bring comfort back into your life without
the use of hormones.
Chinese Medicine can bring you relief from:
Hot flashes
Insomnia
Menstrual irregularities
Fatigue
Palpitations
Migraines
Vaginal dryness
Night Sweats
All these symptoms are treated by Chinese Medicine with
great success and this is backed by research. In Sichuan
Traditional Chinese Medicine Journal #6
(1993), 28 out of 30 women were either cured or markedly
improved in 15 days to 2 months.
Menstruation
Monthly cycles can sometimes be painful, irregular, heavy, emotional, too light, or absent altogether. These imbalances Chinese medicine has understood for 3,000 years and has in most cases has a permanent cure. Chinese medicines ability to treat the root of the problem has made it a strong alternative for women looking to harmonize their lives through balancing their hormones.
Infertility
As we in the modern world move toward equality of the
sexes the question of having children becomes less of
worry until we realize we can't have them. Then
this seemingly easy task becomes monumental and can
consume everything you have worked so hard to build.
Understand that you are not alone and there are many
roads to take to fertility but only one will change
you as whole, permanently, and give you chance to conceive
naturally. Chinese medicine has helped women to
make changes in their physiology that could never occur
otherwise and it all comes down to returning the body
to balance. When the body and mind are whole again,
for both partners, the likelihood for natural conception
is increased ten-fold.
Post-Partum from the Chinese
Perspective
Having a woman come into my office complaining of fatigue,
dizziness, and a lack of desire for anything outside of sleep
after giving birth two months occurs often. This is a pattern
that more and more women experience as modern day demands
require that they return to work sometimes only days after
giving birth. It never ceases to amaze me the power these
women have to juggle so many demands and still stay sane and
healthy.
The process of carrying a baby to term and giving
birth all while acting as though nothing had changed is a
feat of Olympic proportion that few who have not experienced
it could understand. When our baby was born my wife took a
month off and her mother stayed with us and cooked three meals
a day that were full of Chinese herbs that helped my wife’s
body to rebuild. My wife is not an American she is Taiwanese
and their view on childbirth is quite different from the US.
The Taiwanese consider post-partum to be an extremely important
time for the mother a time for rest, rebuilding the body,
and creating a link between mother and child. After giving
birth, the new mother’s body is in a weakened state
and susceptible to disease not only from the outside but also
from within.
When a woman gives birth her body loses valuable
Qi (the bodies energy), and blood. Depending on the mothers
pre-existing condition this can make the already difficult
task of caring for a newborn impossible. In Taiwan it is customary
to aside an entire month for the new mother and child while
her own mother cares for her and her newborn. This allows
the new mother time to convalesce without work stress and
feeling the need to cook and clean.
Chinese medicine complement
the recovery period bringing the mothers body back to balance
quickly through the use of herbs, dietary recommendations,
acupuncture and moxbustion (a warming process using the herb
Artisimae). All this therapy brings new energy into a woman’s
system after she has given birth. The focus of treatment is
to harmonize the body’s energies through correcting
imbalances in the system. These imbalances can arise when
the body is not allowed to return to its natural balance on
its own terms without the high stress of modern society.
Tonics like ginseng and astragalus (to lift the energy in
the body) are used after giving birth, they help the body
to balance itself by boosting the immune system and giving
the bodies core energy a chance to rebuild. Cooked Rhemannia,
and Lycium berries (to nourish the blood and fluids) are also
important, though the emphasis on which of these herbs should
be the primary ingredients is best determined by a practitioner
of Chinese herbal medicine. This is only a caution because
some people will tend to have a more difficult pattern (the
condition underlying the symptoms) which require more attention
to detail, this is one advantage to Chinese medicine, it addresses
everyone differently. “It is the skilled Chinese medicine
doctor who able to recognize the root condition and clip back
the necessary branch symptoms that arise along the way that
attains balance in those he treats”.
I do not expect that many would be able to take time out
from their busy schedules and spend a month relaxing with
their new gift. It is a hope though that someday our society
could see the benefit of this approach and prepare accordingly
for an upcoming birth. Chinese herbs and Acupuncture can still
help in the meantime to get the new mother back on her feet
so she can more readily enjoy her days as a new mother. Though
Chinese medicine cannot claim to be a cure for all diseases
in Gynecology and postpartum care it is a medicine that should
be strongly considered before turning to pain killers, anti-inflammatories,
birth control (for painful irregular cycles, that can arise
after giving birth), or anti-depressants (to address post-partum
depression). The focus of western medicine is to alleviate
the symptoms while Chinese medicine eliminates the problem
at the root. Caring for your body with Chinese medicine will
leave you feeling whole, balanced and truly in touch with
the natural rhythms your body was intended to have.
Immunity
in TCM
Chinese Medicine with its ability to balance the body can further ones sense of well-being and their immunity among many other things. When the body is in balance it can focus on it’s daily duties of maintaining our bodies ability to digest food, clean out the wastes in the system and keep bacteria and viruses from taking advantage of an unbalanced body. The human body has two major systems that help it to prioritize its activities; the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic system controls your bodies response to external stresses like attacking lions, fires and anything that might require you to either run for your life, fight or just play dead. The parasympathetic is responsible for body functions, such as blood pressure, blood flow, body temperature regulation, immune reactions and all functions that take place as you relax. Since we have long stopped running from lions and fighting for our food the sympathetic system has become overly sensitized. This leads to reactions to external stimuli that are usually uncalled for especially after adding in a latte and a cigarette. Most people never follow through with their impulse to kill the driver who just cut them off so that energy gets stored in their system instead of being released in the primitive act murder. After a short period of build-up this energy leaves the body to fight the stress you have accumulated throughout a given day. The right amount of exercise can help people to release most of this pent up energy but like proper weight training there are many facets to this build-up that must be addressed. Acupuncture can help to re-set the system with its ability to address sympathetic nervous function and help the parasympathetic system to take charge in routine maintenance. Acupuncture helps the immune system to do it’s job and protect you the organism. The immune system is activated by stimulating specific portions of the autonomic nervous system, which in turn cause the immune system to respond. One study has found that acupuncture stimulation can cause a significant rise in blood levels of interferon, one of the immune system's messenger hormones. The effect lasts for several days and is much safer than other methods of boosting interferon.
Although no single theory (in western science) has been successful in discovering the secrets of acupuncture and how it works on the nervous system, studies have shown acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones. These are the opioid peptides are a comprised of endorphins, enkephallins, and dynorphins, types of neurotransmitters, and are found in neurons throughout the body. Opioid peptides are thought to be closely involved with the perception of pain and the inflammatory immune response in the central nervous system.
Herbs are also commonly used to promote immunity in
much the same way as acupuncture. Herbs such Huang
Qi (Astragalus) is one of the most frequently used Chinese
herbs in the USA. It works by strengthening the bodies
protective energy also called Wei Qi. “Astragalus
is known to increases both specific and non-specific
immunity. In a clinical trial of 115 leucopenic patients,
astragalus was found to be associated with an "obvious
rise of the white blood cell (WBC) count" with
a dose-dependent relationship. In addition, astragalus
works well with concurrent drug therapy in enhancing
the overall effectiveness of the treatment. It also
potentiates the anti-tumor effect of chemotherapy drugs
while reversing drug-induced immune suppression. Lastly,
astragalus demonstrates anti-cancer activity by increasing
the content of camp and inhibiting the growth of tumor
cells.” John Chen
PhD.
Ling Zhi (Ganoderma) An important herb for enhancing the immune system. Typically used to tonify Qi and Blood into old age, Ling Zhi is a strong combatant when used as an immune booster. Ling Zhi helps the pancreas to create more white blood cells which help to inhibit the proliferation of viruses and bacteria. “It has been demonstrated to enhance the immune system in various clinical studies. The specific effects of ganoderma include an increase in monocytes, macrophages and T-lymphocytes. There is also an increased production of cytokine, interleukin, tumor necrosis factor and interferon. Furthermore, ganoderma has a broad spectrum of antibacterial activities, inhibiting the growth of pneumocci, streptocci (type A), staphylococci, e. coli, b. dysentarie and pseudomonas, among others.” John Chen PhD.
Dong Chong Xia Cao (Cordyceps) was discovered by the western world after the 1992 Olympics wherein the Chinese team had overwhelming victories after taking the herb. Known to increase oxygen to the heart and lung, Cordyceps is an excellent immune builder, though quite expensive. “Cordyceps is another herb which has marked immunomodulatory functions. It enhances overall immunity by increasing lymphocytes and natural killer cells and the production of interleukin, interferon and tumor necrosis factor.12-16 Cordyceps was also found to significantly inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells;17 in some instances, the growth inhibition rate of the cancer cells reached between 78-83%.18” John Chen PhD.
Keep in mind that while these herbs are effective individually, they should be prescribed in the content of an herbal formula to enhance synergistic action and minimize possible side-effects. -All herb study information is taken directly from an article by John K. Chen, PhD, PharmD, OMD, Lac acupuncture Today March, 2000, Volume 01, Issue 03
Formulae that are easy to find and use on a daily basis are Jade Windscreen Powder and Astragalus and Ligustrum formula from Golden Flower Chinese Herbs. The former is much easier to obtain through your local health food store and most Chinese Herbal companies have a version available. The later you could obtain through a Chinese Herbalist and its being based on treating complex deep lying patterns such as AIDS Related Complex, or the effects of chemotherapy on the immune system makes it better choice for those with extreme immune weakness.
Chinese Acupuncture and herbology have been working to help millions to stay fit and healthy even into old age. The key elements of Chinese medicine have always been longevity and preventative health. So rather than guessing what type of flu might come through this year build your immunity to help fight whatever comes its way.
Luo
Dong
I was tired of my situation. Tired of my Tai Chi teacher’s need to throw his students to the ground in order to demonstrate his prowess and infallible pride. I decided to take to the road, hitch hiking to the distant village of Luo Dong, and a clinic that I had only heard about through other practitioners of Chinese medicine. As I left the looming city of Taichung behind, I felt the weight of its high-paced buzz lifting away. I looked forward to the road and the people I would encounter. It was typhoon season and rain poured down intermittently through the dark clouds of the late-summer evening. The rides came easily. Faces came and went into the night. The conversations all blurred into one. But, where was I going? What was my quest? And why on a night like tonight were all questions asked with the same amount of concern? There was no end to the caring of the locals for this stranger standing along the road outside their villages, but I couldn’t have made them understand my compulsion, my reasons for leaving my teacher, nor the intuition that put me on the road that night.
After eating dinner in Yi Lan, I put my thumb out for what I hoped would be my final ride into the village of Luo Dong - fifteen miles to the south. The wind had changed and the sky opened to reveal a blanket of stars that I hadn’t seen in months. I felt my breath release. A car pulled over and I told him my destination. He smiled and said our roads were one. As we drove he asked of my quest and I told him of Tong Ren Tang, the clinic I was in search of. A large smile lit his face as he exclaimed that his good friend was the nephew of the head gynecologist at Tong Ren Tang. He immediately picked up his cell phone and called. After a short conversation he turned to me and said he’d drive me to a restaurant where I could meet his friend Chen Rei Xian. At the restaurant, Chen Rei Xian looked at me as if to say “what chance do you think you have of being accepted to our clinic?” But he could see that I was determined. It was late, so he offered me a ride to a hotel near Tong Ren Tang and told me to come find him tomorrow.
That night I slept deeply. I felt as if I had reached my goal. My confidence was high that something was changing and only the wind had the answers. The next morning I woke early and took the stairs up to the roof. The Sun rose out of the ocean, sending the mists slipping into the mountains. I stood receiving Qi deep into my lungs - letting my thoughts follow the mists. My visions took me to Tong Ren Tang, the people there and the immense gratitude I felt for being allowed a chance to become an apprentice. As I walked to Tong Ren Tang my mind was still - open to everything. The smell of the streets gave way to the fragrance of the herbs in Tong Ren Tang’s Pharmacy. I was directed upstairs to Chen Rei Xian’s treatment room. He sat wrapping a woman’s ankle in a thick poultice of herbs. Two other patients looked on from under a pair of heat lamps as their own poultices were absorbed deep into their muscles. Chen Rei Xian looked up and smiled, handed the unfinished wrap to his apprentice and led me out of the room. “My uncle would like to meet you,” he said as he led me into another office filled with secretaries and doctors filling out paperwork. They offered me green tea as I waited. Soon a grey haired man appeared at the door. All business stopped and the room rose to its feet silently acknowledging the master. This was a kind of respect for an elder master I had not experienced before in Taiwan. I bowed - nearly dropping my tea. With a wave of his hand everyone took an uncomfortable seat and quietly continued to work. He signaled me over and I began to apologize for bringing him away from his work and tried to explain what I had come for, my dreams of being a practitioner of Chinese Internal Medicine, and on and on. After my uncomfortable rant, and what seemed like an infinite pause, he spoke, “I have received many requests from the hospital in Taichung from would be apprentices...” he paused and smiled “...I turned them all away but you I will welcome.” I stood and stared in disbelief. “You may return as soon as you are able and we will begin.”
“Thank You,” I said dumbly, not sure of what had just taken place.
When I returned I spent five days a week in the clinic asking questions, seeing cases that I had never experienced, and learning from doctors whose depth of knowledge seemed unfathomable. It was the most wonderful experience I ever had training in a medicine that I truly love. But the question remained… why had I been accepted when others, their own countrymen, had been turned away? One night, after two months of work and study, Chen Rei Xian invited me out to dinner. We ate and drank late into the evening telling stories, sharing laughs, and taking in the sights of the city from a sidewalk restaurant. Chen Rei Xian turned to me, “I have a story to tell you.” His face turned somber. “My grandfather was forced to fight by the Japanese in the Second World War. When the Americans landed on Taiwan they set up hospital tents and treated the wounded Taiwanese and Japanese soldiers. They didn’t believe they could help my grandfather, so they laid him down in the shade to die in peace. An American bulldozer driver from the Army Corps of Engineers found my grandfather, and not realizing he had been given a death sentence from the field surgeons, tried to nurse him back to health. He shared rations and kept him warm in the nights. He saved my grandfather’s life.” Chen Rei Xian looked straight into my eyes. “My grandfather was never able to repay the American for his kindness, and my uncle sees you and your quest to study as a chance to repay that debt.” I knew in that moment that my purpose was laid out before I had even decided to study Chinese. And I realized that my debt and gratitude to these people and their wonderful medicine would take me a lifetime to repay. I only hope that I am able in my own way to help more people with the gifts I have received, so that they might continue the chain of gratitude and help to heal the world. |
