Beginner’s Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine

When it comes to Chinese Medicine, many people can become confused. While Chinese Medicine is widely known for its pain relieving abilities, many people are unaware of how it can affect digestive disorders, stress levels, allergies and even fertility. At Dawn Potter Acupuncture, we offer a variety of Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment options, including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, cupping and even moxabustion. Depending upon the cause of your ailment, symptoms or conditions, different techniques may be recommended. If you have additional questions about our Clearwater Traditional Chinese Medicine, feel free to give us a call. We’re always happy to answer questions.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a Chinese medicine technique that involves inserting very fine needles into points on the body. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years across the world and can be used for the treatment of a variety of conditions, pains and even addictions.

Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine involves the use of plants, minerals and even flowers to heal the body. Chinese herbal medicine can come in various forms, however the most popular are pills and teas. Chinese herbal medicine generally has very few side effects and should be monitored closely.

Cupping

Cupping involves the use of jars being placed on the skin to create a vacuum using suction. This results in the tissue underneath being sucked and raised into the jar, increasing circulation, relieving pain and pulling toxins from the body. Cupping does leave temporary red, blue and/or purple marks, however they typically resolve after a few days.

Moxabustion

Maxobustion involves burning an herb known as “mugwort” which is placed near the skin to warn a specific point. Maxobustion has been used around the world for thousands of years to treat a variety of conditions, including asthma, gynecological disorders, diarrhea and more.

Customized Treatment Plans

At Dawn Potter Acupuncture we proudly offer customized treatment plans that are tailored to your specific needs, health history, wellness goals, etc. We offer free discovery calls and would be happy to chat and see how we can help you.

Start Clearwater, Florida Chinese Medicine Today

Interested in improving your health with Chinese medicine in Clearwater, Florida? Dawn Potter Acupuncture is always accepting new patients and would be more than happy to help. Schedule your appointment with us today for Chinese medicine near you.

Lifestyle Advice for Endometriosis, Fibroids & other Estrogen-Driven Diseases

For many years, Dawn Potter Acupuncture in Clearwater, Florida has been providing a range of treatment options for endometriosis, fibroids and other diseases that are driven by estrogen. You can see many testimonials about estrogen-driven diseases Dawn has treated successfully here in fact. In addition to the appropriate acupuncture, chinese herbal formulas and other modalities for your specific condition, there are many things that you can do at home to help yourself. Today, we'll be discussing these things you can be doing to improve the symptoms of your estrogen-driven disease. Have questions? Interested in a free telehealth consultation? For any of your needs, simply contact Dawn Potter Acupuncture.

From a natural Western medicine viewpoint, endometriosis and fibroids are usually an estrogen-dominance condition. This means there is typically too much estrogen in the body outright, or too much in relationship to the amount of progesterone. So, there are 3 main ways to reduce this excess estrogen load:

1. Support the health of the liver, which is responsible for metabolizing excess and spent estrogen.

2.  Support the health of the large intestine to have regular bowel movements, so as to keep spent estrogen that is waiting to be excreted from being reabsorbed through the bowel wall.

3.  Reduce exposure to “exogenous estrogens.”  These are chemicals that are found in our food, water, air, and environment, that mimic estrogen in the body.  These include chemical dioxins, hormones that are found in non-organic meat/dairy/eggs, and many chemicals that we find in household items.

Interestingly, from an Eastern Medicine viewpoint, again, the Liver energy is most implicated in endometriosis, but the explanation of how is a bit different.  Nonetheless, supporting the health of the Liver is paramount. So, we will explore some ways to do this. We will also look at ways to optimize your digestive energy, which is also essential to treating endometriosis and other gynecological conditions.

First, let’s look at how to support your digestion.  If you haven’t read the Nutrition Part 1 post, please do so.  It explains the differences between whole foods and processed foods.  Understanding and utilizing this concept is of utmost importance to improve all aspects of health, including Liver health. To learn more specifics about optimizing your vital energy (qi) through your food choices, also read Nutrition Part 2.

Now, let’s look at further ways to support your Liver energy and function:

Nutrition:

In addition to what you learned from Nutrition Part 1 and Part 2, you want to focus the diet on whole, natural foods including, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains for liver health. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, processed foods, additives, preservatives, artificial sweeteners and chemical ingredients, which tax the liver and contribute to inflammation.

Only eat organic options when eating animal-based foods such as meat, poultry, dairy and eggs, so as to avoid unnecessary ingestion of exogenous hormones. Also, decrease your intake of animal-based foods in general, as they can stimulate the body to produce more of its own estrogens, and can contribute to inflammation.

Also, avoid iced foods/beverages, which can create “cold in the uterus” which contributes to cramping, clotting and infertility. Avoid refined carbohydrates and sugar, which cause insulin spikes and drops, which further upset hormonal balance and deplete the Liver of essential B vitamins. Avoid foods that contribute to inflammation, such as refined or hydrogenated oils.

Stress Reduction:

In Oriental medicine, stress is a huge contributor to stagnation and congestion of the Liver energy and function, which can hinder blood flow in the pelvic area, and contribute to endometriosis and other gynecological problems.

We know from Western science that stress stimulates your body to produce more cortisol.  And, when needed, the body can actually convert its own progesterone into cortisol to keep up with the demand. When this happens, you have less progesterone to balance the estrogen, and more stress hormones.

Stress hormones, when present in higher amounts and for extended periods of time, have deleterious effects on all body systems, including hormone balance.  The way to stop this snowball effect is to decrease your body’s stress reaction, which means decreasing  the amount of stress in your life, and modifying your reaction to stress that you cannot avoid.

1. Stop over-committing your time and energy.  It is common, in our busy lives, to say “Yes” to everything that anyone asks of us, especially because many of us feel that unless we are constantly being productive, we are not “good for anything”. It is vital for your health that you remove things from your plate of responsibilities as much as possible. Try to only commit to those extra activities that are joyful to you.

2.  Find some stress-relief activities. Please make time to rest and “refill your cup.” One thing to be careful of is not relying on activities that further cause your body to release stress hormones; like watching scary or violent movies, playing violent video games, or participating in risky activities such as gambling.

Good options would be hiking in nature, praying, journaling, meditating, getting a massage, getting acupuncture, walking on the beach, taking photographs of the flowers in your neighborhood, spending quality time with people you love, or taking up a new hobby.

3.  Find ways to focus more on the good things in your life, rather than the negatives.  Our perception determines how we experience our lives. If we choose to see the positives more than the negatives, we will be happier and healthier as a result.  Working with a life coach or spiritual counselor can often help in this endeavor.

4. Incorporate activities that make your body and mind more resilient to the stresses that you cannot avoid. These include getting acupuncture and taking the appropriate Chinese herbal medicine specific for you. These also include taking a Tai Chi or Qi Gong class, which are not only are good for the body, but also the mind, requiring your full attention, so you can focus on the activity at hand, rather than the stresses in your life. And they can actually help your body to recharge and revitalize.

Studies show that those who regularly practice Qi Gong or Tai Qi have less depression, more balanced hormonal profiles, fewer injuries, better athletic performance, enhanced cognitive function, stronger bones and a more positive outlook.

Reduce Exposure to Harmful Chemicals:

It is imperative that you decrease your exposure, as much as possible, to chemicals and substances that are hormone disruptors or that act like estrogens in the body. These include:

Dioxins:  found in bleached products such as tampons, coffee filters, paper products, and sanitary pads as well as pesticides, bug sprays & repellents, and weed killers.

Plastics:  avoid drinking or eating from plastic containers, especially if they have been sitting in the sun or a hot car.  Don’t drink water that tastes like a plastic bottle.  Don’t cook (or microwave) in plastic containers or plastic wrap.

How Can Dawn Potter Acupuncture Help?

When it comes to treating estrogen-driven diseases such as fibroids, endometriosis, etc. it can be important to understand the root cause, including genetics, lifestyle factors, and other factors. Many doctors just want to focus on the symptoms, often masking them while more problems occur. At Dawn Potter Acupuncture we are dedicated to finding the root(s) of the problems you face so that we can address those things. We can help with nutrition, supplements, vitamins, herbs and even treatment options such as acupuncture, massage and even cupping. We also offer free telehealth consultations to discuss your overall wellness, your health goals, and our different treatment options and how they may be able to help. Reach out today to get started.

Schedule Estrogen-Driven Disease Treatment in Clearwater Today

For more help with endometriosis, fibroids or other gynecological conditions that are driven by estrogen, contact Dawn for acupuncture, massage, herbs, supplements, and individualized nutritional advice.

Dawn Potter, AP, Dipl.OM

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Sources:

Lewis, Randine.  The Infertility Cure:  the Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and having

Healthy Babies.  Little, Brown and Company.  2004.

Mills, Dian S. & Vernon, Michael. Endometriosis: A Key to Healing through Nutrition. Hammersmith, London. 2002. pg 192, 214.

Murray, Michael, M.D., Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements.  Three Rivers Press, NY, 1996.

www.Nutritionfacts.org

Physcians Committee for Responsible Medicine:  Endometriosis. http://www.pcrm.org/health/PDFs/pv_endometriosis.pdf

Pitchford, Paul. Healing with Whole Foods: Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition. North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, CA. 1993.

Spangler, Luita D. “Xenoestrogens and Breast Cancer: Nowhere to Run.”Feminist Women’s Health Center Website. http://www.fwhc.org/health/xeno.htm#what

#health #excessestrogen #mentalattitude #fibroids #stress #bodymindconnection #estrogendominance #stressrelief #hormonebalance #endometriosis #orientalmedicine

Clearwater Acupuncture: Infertility Treatment?

Have you been trying to conceive without much success? Tried various Western Medicine techniques? Interested in a more natural approach to your infertility? At Dawn Potter Acupuncture we proudly offer infertility treatment in Clearwater, Florida which consists of acupuncture along with traditional Chinese medicine. At her practice, Dawn Potter provides fertility treatment for both men and women. During your consultation, Dawn can help determine the best option for you and your needs.

Are Natural Fertility Treatments Right For Me?

Have you been trying to conceive a child for at least 1 year without any success? For most doctors, this would qualify for an infertility diagnosis. Infertility is common, around 10% of women in the United States under the age of 44 and around 7.5% of men under the age of 45 experience it. Many people turn to medical technology such as intra-uterine insemination, in vitro fertilization or even ovulation-promoting all known as Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Many of these treatment options can be expensive and taxing on those trying to conceive. Success rates are also quite low.

Clearwater Natural Infertility Treatments: What To Expect

Research in the last few decades have shown quite successful rates of fertility when acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine are used in conjunction with other Assisted Reproductive Technologies. With Dawn Potter, weekly acupuncture treatments for 4-6 weeks, followed by bi-weekly treatments monthly are often recommended. This treatment is combined with Chinese herbs until successful pregnancy. If your doctor has recommended herbs not be taken during fertility treatment in Clearwater with Dawn Potter, twice weekly acupuncture appointments during the assisted cycle will be recommended. The protocol is used for all patients regardless of gender.

Schedule Infertility Acupuncture Treatments in Clearwater

Ready to start a more natural approach to your fertility treatments in Clearwater, Florida? Interested in some patient testimonials? You can view testimonials by clicking here and schedule an appointment with Dr. Dawn Potter today by clicking here.