WELCOME
ORANGE COUNTY ACUPUNCTURE
A Gentle and Caring Approach
A visit with Dr. Kathleen Albertson, L. Ac., PhD
FERTILITY
PAIN REDUCTION
STRESS
FATIGUE
WOMEN"S HEALTH
ALLERGIES
DIGESTION
SUCCESS
STORIES
Acupuncturist, Herbalist, Holistic Nutritionist
Headline here
text here
More text here
more text here
WELCOME
ORANGE COUNTY ACUPUNCTURE
A Gentle and Caring Approach
A visit with Dr. Kathleen Albertson, L. Ac., PhD
FERTILITY
PAIN RELIEF
STRESS
FATIGUE
WOMEN"S HEALTH
ALLERGIES
DIGESTION
SUCCESS
STORIES
Acupuncturist, Herbalist, Holistic Nutritionist
Of course you want to have a baby.
Infertility affects more than 3 million married
couples in the United States. Unexplained
infertility has escalated to between 10-20%.
Male factor infertility is on the rise and is
estimated to be 30% of the cause.
Acupuncture is here to help you.
Whether you decide to use traditional Chinese medicine as your first choice for fertility or in conjunction with Western medicine, Clomed protocols, intrauterine insemination (IUI), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), or assisted reproductive technology (ART), acupuncture has proven to show improved and excellent results in take-home baby rates.
Many Western doctors now work in conjunction with acupuncturists knowing that results are enhanced. My goal is to educate you, increase your comfort level and assist you in your care. My published dissertation thesis is “The Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine in treating Female Infertility."
Authorities and clinical studies have recognized the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating the following conditions:
•
physical factors which includes stress, overwork, anxiety and poor nutrition
physical factors which includes stress, overwork, anxiety and poor nutrition•emotional factors which also includes stress, depression, and anxiety
emotional factors which also includes stress, depression, and anxiety•ovulation disorders such as an ovulation, PCOS, luteal phase deficiency
ovulation disorders such as an ovulation, PCOS, luteal phase deficiency•age-related infertility
age-related infertility• endocrine system imbalances including hypothalamus- pituitary-ovarian axis
endocrine system imbalances including hypothalamus- pituitary-ovarian axisimbalances•hormonal headaches and migraines
hormonal headaches and migraines•PMS
PMS•endometriosis
endometriosis•menstrual irregularities such as oligiomenorrhea, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea,
menstrual irregularities such as oligiomenorrhea, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and dysfunctional uterine bleeding•pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)•Pregnancy related issues such as morning sickness, edema, preeclampsia,
Pregnancy related issues such as morning sickness, edema, preeclampsia, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion (threatened or recurrent miscarriage, low back-pelvic pain, sciatica, breech presentation and cervical maturation for difficult labor.Call (949) 861-8901 today and let's get started.
Early gynecologists who treated what they called “diseases under the skirt” also appeared during this time period.
It was improper for any doctor to talk or physically examine women, especially princesses and empresses, so diagnosis and treatment was made solely from tongue diagnosis, verbal report, medical history, facial examination, and patients’ signs and symptoms. It was not until 206 AD that gynecologists, defined as “breast doctors” specialized in the earliest complete text on women's physiology and gynecological diseases were recorded. This medicine has survived the test of time! By comparison Western medicine as we know it today is approximately 200 years old!
Don't you think it's time that these medicines joined forces and work together?
Female Fertility:
Several studies have concluded that the effects of depression, stress, isolation, purposelessness, social failure, and anxiety-related to fertility issues decreased success.
We would be missing much rich history if we ignored the extensive knowledge and experience that Chinese medicine has provided us in treating infertility. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine, otherwise known as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) dates back to the Shang Dynasty 1500-1000 B.C. Medical writings found in bones and shells identified childbirth problems. Medicinal plants used for infertility were written about and described as early as 476 B.C.
Here are some of the benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine:
•Reduces stress, depression, anxiety, fatigue
Reduces stress, depression, anxiety, fatigue•Improves vitality and energy both mentally and physically
Improves vitality and energy both mentally and physically•Invigorates the immune system
Invigorates the immune system•Releases endorphins and strives to bring the body back into balance
Releases endorphins and strives to bring the body back into balance known as “homeostasis”•Provides a better sense of well-being, self-worth, self-esteem
Provides a better sense of well-being, self-worth, self-esteem•Improves blood circulation and blood flow
Improves blood circulation and blood flow•Treats the root rather than masking gynecological symptoms.
Treats the root rather than masking gynecological symptoms.•A more natural approach without the use of pharmaceuticals, or
A more natural approach without the use of pharmaceuticals, or chemical side effects•Can help normalize irregular menstrual cycles so that ovulation occurs
Can help normalize irregular menstrual cycles so that ovulation occurs•Improves quality of follicles
Improves quality of follicles•Reduces uterine contractions
Reduces uterine contractions•Improves thickening of uterine lining
Improves thickening of uterine lining•Used when treating recurrent miscarriage patients
Used when treating recurrent miscarriage patients•Very economic in comparison to IUI or ART protocols
Very economic in comparison to IUI or ART protocolsTraditionally acupuncture has been used for patients with increased and more successful outcomes. Recent studies conducted by Diane Credenna, L. Ac., and Paul Magarelli, MD demonstrate that acupuncture in conjunction with IVF significantly increased birth outcomes, significantly decreased ectopic pregnancies and miscarriage rates demonstrating that good prognoses patients would also benefit from inclusion in acupuncture protocols. Their current studies are exploring the effects of cortisol and prolactin levels with patients undergoing IVF and acupuncture concurrently. Preliminarily their research shows that take-home baby rates are increased.
In 2002, a German study (Paulus) demonstrated significant success rate (43.5% versus 26.1% pregnancy rate) with an acupuncture protocol 25 minutes prior to IVF transfer, and immediately following IVF transfer.
Other important factors that are addressed:
•Diet and nutrition are extremely important and will be discussed with you
Diet and nutrition are extremely important and will be discussed with you•Weight gain/weight loss issues
Weight gain/weight loss issues•lifestyle factors such as overwork, excess travel, over or under exercising
lifestyle factors such as overwork, excess travel, over or under exercising•Quality and quantity of your sleep and rest
Quality and quantity of your sleep and rest•Herbal or supplement recommendations if warranted to assist your body in
Herbal or supplement recommendations if warranted to assist your body inbecoming more balanced and as a support to nutritional deficiencies.Traditional Chinese Medicine is multifaceted, treats the root cause of disease and focuses on imbalances within you, the whole person. If a structural problem exists, TCM cannot correct them, but has proven versatile and effective to warrant your consideration for all other aspects of infertility. A specific diagnosis and treatment plan is designed for you to achieve the best results.
I want to help you achieve your results and help you feel better!
On-site/home visits: I am available for acupuncture on-site (your Doctor's office) IVF transfer protocols or home visits as necessary based on schedule.
Out of area telephone consultations and treatment plans: Available by appointment to assist you in herbal diagnosis and treatment, selecting an acupuncturist, determining if acupuncture is right for your condition, second opinions, or review of any of your current Traditional Chinese Medicine protocols.
What about male factor fertility?
Incidence of male factor (30%) is rising and improvements
in increasing sperm count, motility, and changing
morphology are notable with the use of acupuncture and
Chinese herbal medicine.
Normal sperm analysis-includes volume of at least one ml:
•Count-more than 20 million per ml
Count-more than 20 million per ml•Motility-more than 50% moving purposefully and
Motility-more than 50% moving purposefully and•Form-less than 50% abnormal
Form-less than 50% abnormalWhere are the needles placed?
Acupuncture is a very gentle, comfortable, and relaxing treatment. The acupuncture points used are located in the area of the low back, or legs. Areas around the stomach, hands, and ankles are used as well. Acupuncture works is chemically improving blood flow to all parts of the body so it is not necessary to treat the genital area.
Western Causes of male factor infertility:
•Primary testicular disease
Primary testicular disease-66% unknown causes-20% testicular maldescendent-7% trauma or torsion-5% klinefelters (abnormal testicular development)-1% chemotherapy•Obstructive causes
Obstructive causes-vasectomy-congenital vas deferens missing-Chlamydia•Varicocele
Varicocele•Anti-sperm antibodies
Anti-sperm antibodies•Chemicals-airborne exposure, skin, ingested or inhaled contact
Chemicals-airborne exposure, skin, ingested or inhaled contact•Medications
Medications-steroids-SSRIs-, Tylenol, Advil, Motrin etc.-sinus and allergy drugs or some stomach antacids-antiepileptic drugs-cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents-Salazopyrine/ sulphasalazine –sulfur drugs•Mobile/cellular-phone exposure-four hours per day was associated with
Mobile/cellular-phone exposure-four hours per day was associated with a 30% drop in sperm count, quality, and motility from a survey done in an IVF clinic.•Laptop computers-overexposure to heat
Laptop computers-overexposure to heat•Tight jeans or underwear-wear loose fitting pants, shorts, or boxers.
Tight jeans or underwear-wear loose fitting pants, shorts, or boxers.TCM considers stress, fatigue, overwork, and worry as major contributors to abnormal sperm analysis. Our goal is to calm, and balance your physical and emotional body in an effort to balance your endocrine system and hormones.
We have treated hundreds of male patients achieving tremendous success in treating the male factor. Proper nutrition and diet are also discussed and recommended.
Several studies are available demonstrating the success of acupuncture and herbal medicine when treating all aspects of male factor: count, motility, and morphology. If you would like a copy of these studies please contact my office and I’ll be happy to provide them. I am here to help!
Call (949) 861-8901 today and let's get started.
