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

Acupuncture for Prolonged Grief

Question:

About 6 months ago I lost my sister to a fatal car accident. Since then I’ve been depressed, I have no energy, and I cannot sleep well. I don’t want to take pharmaceutical medications for depression. Is there anything acupuncture can do to help me cope with how I am feeling?

Answer:

To a degree, grief and sadness following a loss is normal and healthy. We shouldn’t be afraid to feel sadness, even deep mourning and grief. It is natural and part of the process of healing and acceptance.

But, when the grieving process (or any strong emotion) goes on too intensely or for too long, it can cause an imbalance that not only disrupts your life, but also your vital life energy. In Oriental Medicine, the body, mind, and spirit are inseparable, such that one cannot experience an imbalance in one area without affecting the others.

Just as the word itself literally says “e-motion” or “Energy in Motion”, emotions are meant to move freely through the body and mind, be experienced, and then released. But when emotions don’t move freely, for any number of reasons, they can become “stuck” in the mind and body, making it difficult to let go and accept our loss. Eventually this stagnant energy affects the body in negative ways.

The emotion of grief, in Oriental Medicine, is known to most directly affect the energy of the Lungs. Many people have experienced catching a cold or contracting bronchitis simultaneous to a deep sense of grief. The most extreme examples of this are some of the cases of “unexplained” lung cancer that we hear about in the news, including the sudden death of Christopher Reeves’ wife after his passing; her overwhelming grief so disrupted the energy of her lungs that she developed cancer.

This is certainly not to say that all grieving people will eventually develop lung cancer; it is only to point out that our emotions are inextricably linked to the energies of our physical bodies.

It is in this realm that Oriental medicine is helpful. Acupuncture helps to move energy in the body that has become stagnant, encouraging it to flow freely again. It also helps to nourish energy where it is deficient, which helps to strengthen the Lung and Heart energy.

After a Clearwater acupuncture treatment for emotional release, you might feel lighter and freer, as though a burden has been lifted. Or you might feel the emotion come to the surface, to be fully experienced before then being released. It is important that this process not be stifled; breathing deeply will assist the energy in flowing freely.

Chinese herbal formulas can also be helpful with releasing stagnant energy, nourishing the Lung and Heart energy, and abating the symptoms common to grief such as insomnia, anxiety, heart palpitations, appetite changes, digestive disturbances, tension, nervousness, and low energy.

Lastly, because of the connection between the flow of energy and breath, and between the emotion of grief and the Lung, engaging in mindful breathing techniques and/or getting some light form of aerobic exercise daily can be of great benefit.

Start Clearwater Acupuncture For Grief

Are you currently grieving? Interested in Clearwater acupuncture treatment? Herbs? Other guidance? We would be happy to provide a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your exact needs and see if our treatment options are a good match.

--- Dawn Potter, AP, Dipl.OM

#Heartqi #emotion #grief #acupuncture #bodymindconnection #loss #Lungqi #sadness #orientalmedicine

Qi Gong for Self-Healing

You’ve heard of yoga and its wonderful benefits, right? And meditation, of course. And many people are familiar with the slow, martial arts type movements of Tai Qi (“tie chee”). But, have you heard about Qi Gong (“chee gung”)? In fact, Tai Qi is one form of Qi Gong, of which there are many forms and lineages that have been passed down through the millenia in China.

My friend, classmate, and fellow acupuncture colleague, Brodie Welch, L.Ac, has been practicing and teaching Qi Gong for many years, and has finally created an online class that teaches you how to do the movements, how each movement benefits you, and how to think about the energy flow through each movement, in order to get the most from each Qi Gong exercise. I am excited to be able to take her class myself, and to share it with you.

Here is how Brodie describes Qi Gong:

Want to increase your energy and calm your mind in 20 minutes a day? Let me introduce you to a good friend of mine. Her name is Qi Gong. She’s Yoga and Meditation’s less-sexy, easy-to-underestimate cousin — and she’s AMAZING.

Qi Gong (“chee gung”) is originally from China and her name means “energy exercise.” Like her Indian cousin Yoga, Qi Gong links up the body, breath, and intention. She’s less flashy than her cousin Yoga. But don’t overlook her — those still waters run deep.

Here are 10 reasons why you’ll love getting to know Qi Gong:

1. She’s an incredible healer. She can reduce arthritis, chronic pain, heart disease, fatigue, diabetes, and inflammation, while boosting your immunity, energy, bone density, sleep, focus, and balance. She’s even got the studies to prove it.

2. She’s over 3000 years old and still looks great. She’s got gorgeous curves. Unlike the straight lines of her angular cousin Yoga, Qi Gong moves in circles and spirals: she flows.

3. She’s unpretentious. There’s nothing showy about her. Her movements are slow, mindful, graceful, and powerful. While she’s great at building strength and balance, her moves aren’t particularly difficult, and you probably won’t see her on the cover of a glossy magazine sporting lululemon. No stretchy pants are required to hang with her.

4. She’s energizing. Spend just 20 minutes with her and you’ll feel revitalized, more positive, and more mobile throughout your day.

5. She’s easy to be with. Unlike her cousin Meditation (who’s awesome, but let’s face it, can be kinda uptight sometimes), Qi Gong doesn’t ask you to sit there and try to not pay attention to your thoughts. Instead, she helps the mind and nervous system to settle down by giving you lots to pay attention to, like your breath, and simple movements that repeat.

6. She’ll help you relax. She can help tame anxiety and stress. You might even sleep better.

7. She’ll help you get out of your head better than Yoga. Don’t get me wrong: I’ll love Yoga forever, but a lot of what she does is so challenging that it often feels like a “mind-over-body” practice rather than one of mind-body unity. With Qi Gong, the struggle to do it “right” or make it look like someone else’s practice goes away. The simplicity of the movements make it easy to feel the qi flowing in your body and between your hands.

8. She’ll make you feel good. She’ll love you no matter how strong or how flexible you are, and you’ll love her back.

9. She’ll help you love your body. Rather than seeing the body as something you need to ignore or transcend (like Meditation sometimes says), Qi Gong encourages you to tune into the body as a focal point for concentration. Your body becomes a portal for tuning into the more subtle layers. (So she’s kind of a feminist — none of that “body is dirty and mundane” baggage here.)

10. She’s sophisticated. She’s got different routines designed to support each system of the body. She’ll even teach you some points that acupuncturists use to get qi to move properly. Want to meet her? She’s available in a new home-study course, “12 Treasures Qi Gong: Your Movement MultiVitamin,” created by Brodie Welch, L.Ac., M.S.O.M.

Click here to learn more about her program, and to start your own Qi Gong practice.

Dawn Potter, AP, Dipl.OM

#breathtechnique #Exercise #qigong #stressreduction #bodymindconnection #selfhealing