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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.


Picture of Women Of Differing Ages & Backgrounds

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

___________________________________________________________

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.

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

  • Feb 27, 2015

Updated: May 6, 2021

First thing every morning, I partake in a lovely 20 minutes of rejuvenation with the Five Tibetans. They wake me up gently, work out my kinks, get my blood flowing and my energy moving. I really enjoy my daily practice with them, and you can too…


THE FIVE WHO?

The Five Tibetans, also called the Five Tibetan Rites, are a group of 5 exercises practiced in a specific sequence to affect benefits to your body that are said to include everything from core strengthening, spinal flexibility and circulation to endocrine balancing, weight loss and anti-aging.


I first learned of them when a patient was talking about wanting to make a routine of The Five Tibetan Rites every morning. She said this was a practice her mother was doing, and it completely reversed her need for eye glasses.


I’d never heard of this practice before, so I decided to look it up. It turns out this is a very old exercise regimen, that supposedly came out of a Buddhist monastery in Tibet, and has been practiced for as many as 2,500 years, though this is difficult to confirm. These practices were first introduced in the west in 1939, in a book entitled “The Eye of Revelation” by Peter Kelder, who gleaned his information from a retired British army colonel, who claimed to have traveled through Tibet, and been taught these movements at a Buddhist monastery where he lived for a time.


THE BENEFITS:

The Five Tibetan Rites, when practiced daily, are said to be beneficial in myriad ways. It is obvious from the movements that they increase strength and flexibility in the core (abdominal and spinal muscles), arms, shoulders, legs and hips. From a TCM viewpoint, this practice is sure to move stagnant Qi (reducing the effects of stress and sedentary lifestyle on the body) and it appears to “work” most of the acupuncture energy meridians with a pump-like action; which reminds me of many Kundalini Yoga practices.


Also, claims have been made regarding The Five Tibetans creating effects of anti-aging, weight loss, hormonal balancing, benefits to eye sight, skin, hair and much more.


While it is hard to say how many of these claims are valid, I decided to give it a try, to see what sort of benefits I noticed. I’d been looking for a daily practice that would be easy to learn and remember, and that would only take about 20 minutes to complete; this fit the bill.


THE PRACTICE:

Be sure to check with your doctor before starting this or any exercise program. It is best to start with 3 repetitions of each Rite. Then increase by 3 repetitions each week as your body feels stronger, until you have worked up to 21 of each. Remember, if it feels better to do so, you can put your hands under your hips in Rite 2, and keep your knees slightly bent. Do not do anything that feels painful.


The easiest way to learn The Five Tibetan Rites is to watch some videos of it. There are many to check out, but these are my favorites:

  1. This lady does a great job of breaking down all the movements and breathing after showing you a quick demo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCRY8AUJxVw

  2. Maryse does a lovely job as well, and does all 21 repetitions of each, so you can practice along with her video once you feel you can do all 21 reps of each Rite. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qLKhvsfQKc

  3. And gentlemen, lest you think only women practice the Five Tibetans… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gWJo2mpI-w

Also, the original book says that doing more that 21 could have counteractive effects on your endocrine glands, so don’t do more than 21 repetitions of each Rite per day.


WHAT I HAVE NOTICED:

I’ve been doing these Five Tibetans almost every morning for about 2 months. I absolutely love it. It is the first thing I do (after feeding the cats) upon waking. I have worked up to 21 repetitions of each Rite.  Because there are several yoga poses that help keep the 3 bulging discs in my low back from becoming problematic, I have added them to the end of my Five Tibetan routine.


The whole thing takes about 20 to 25 minutes. It is a bit of a workout… my muscles are working and my heart rate and respiration increase during the practice, especially if I put a little pace on the movements. And I feel amazing afterward. My daily aches and pains are nearly gone, and my body feels stronger. I am finding that I look forward to the practice; it is my favorite part of the morning. Plus my energy is better; I no longer require any caffeine to get me going.


I am curious to see what other benefits show up as I continue this practice.

Let me know if you start the practice, and what benefits you notice!


Updated: May 14, 2023

Do you know anyone who experiences stress on a consistent basis? Could it be you?

No matter what your health goals are — whether it’s pain relief, more sleep, weight loss, or hormone balance — chronic stress can work against your progress. And even though you can leave an acupuncture treatment feeling wonderfully grounded and centered, life often creeps back in and you can end up feeling tense, anxious, exhausted, and burned out.


What if you could fundamentally change your relationship with your nervous system to feel calm and confident, no matter what’s going on in your life?


My friend, classmate and fellow acupuncture colleague, Brodie Welch, L.Ac., M.S.O.M., is offering a game-changing online subscription.


Brodie’s been practicing Chinese Medicine, yoga, meditation and qi gong for over 13 years. She is an amazing wealth of information, especially as it relates to educating patients on self-care. She’s assembled an awesome toolkit of the most clinically effective strategies — bodymind bio-hacks like breathing, qi gong, and meditation; along with practical info on acupoints, essential oils, diet, and lifestyle — to empower you to change your relationship with stress and anxiety. The course is designed to fit into the cracks of your busy life.

“I think most all Westerners would benefit from having the amazing tools in the Calm Yourself toolkit” – Jennie Cramer, Corvallis, OR

Like all good acupuncturists, we’re interested in getting to the root of the problem, not just managing the symptoms. So this course also comes with reflection sheets that help you identify the thought and belief patterns that keep you stuck in stress patterns, and the not-so-helpful behaviors that we fall into — things like relying on caffeine and sugar to get through your day, or letting your Inner Critic say mean things about you.


Her lectures are dynamite – really informative, clear, and very human. She really understands what it is to live our modern, stressful lifestyle, and her class is wonderful at teaching you ways to cultivate the much needed Calm to balance it. And the last module of the class delves into the science of habit change and gives you strategies to make it all stick.

“It was a life changer for sure!” – Kay Graven, Corvallis, OR

This course was made for you if:

  1. You get that there’s a connection between how you’re living and how you’re feeling.

  2. You’re interested in learning body-mind strategies.

  3. You’re willing to let go of the idea that self-care is selfish.

  4. You want to start a practice of meditation, qi gong, or yoga but haven’t been able to make it stick.

  5. You’re interested in learning more about yourself from a Chinese Medicine perspective.

You can take the course in your own home, at any time, at your pace.

“I  learned how good it feels to be as good to myself as I am to others. It doesn’t take away from my life.  It adds to it.”- Susan Richardson, Corvallis, OR.

Dawn Potter, AP, Dipl.OM

Location

2907 FL-590 Suite 6A,

Clearwater, FL 33759

Phone: (727) 475-4710, ext 1

 

Hours (by appt only)
Mon, Wed, Fri: 9:30a - 6:30p

Thur: 1:30p - 6:30p
Sat (alternating): 
9:30a - 1:30p

© 2025 Dawn Potter Acupuncture

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