In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), your entire being (physical and emotional; your constitution) is taken into consideration and an acupuncture protocol is created based on your particular goals and needs. Points are picked according to their action and can be stimulated in a number of ways – ex. acupuncture (dry needling), electroacupuncture, acupressure, moxabustion and ear seeds.
Your Questions: Natural Approaches to Period Cramps?
Birth control is NOT the only option for painful (dysmenorrhea) and/or heavy periods (menorrhagia). And before jumping on a medication or supplement your HCP should always look into potential causes of extreme cramping – ie. endometriosis, fibroids, etc.
Prostaglandins are a major factor in menstrual cramps – once a month (when Aunt Flow comes to town) they cause uterine muscles to contract in order to release the uterine lining (endometrium). Prostaglandins aren’t bad (they are important for blood clots, inducing labour, etc.), but if certain prostaglandins are high in your cycle – this can predispose to more painful menstrual cramping.
Perimenopause: The Shift into Menopause
Chilling Out Cortisol
Chronically stressed out? I won’t lie, me too.
But yikes, that eventually catches up to you. Cortisol (aka our stress hormone) is important for our functioning (and our ability to adapt to stress) – but too much or too little can be problematic.
Do you know how to deal with chronically elevated cortisol?
What To Consider When Thinking About Male Fertility
Time and time again, infertility problems are often primarily thought of as a female issue. Male infertility is talked about significantly less, and in my own clinical and personal experience, more commonly overlooked. Men considering their own fertility may feel isolated, and even undervalued in their own contribution to the process. So, let’s talk about it.
What Do Naturopathic Doctors Do?
Acupuncture for Mood Support - Does It Work?
Acupressure - How It Can Be Helpful for Premenstrual Symptoms (PMS)
Cupping - How It Works and What It Does
Acupuncture Of The Ear for Behavioural Health - Talking About the NADA Protocol
Auricular acupuncture (acupuncture of the ear) is used to approach a number of concerns. Points might be needled and/or have ear seeds applied to them. These little beads can be left on for days at a time, allowing for longer stimulation of the acupuncture point(s).
Now - why would I want to needle the ear?