Frequently Asked Questions

Acupuncture

I am interested in learning a little more about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Can you recommend any good resources?

We have found the following books to provide a good basic background to TCM without being too technical:

  • Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine by Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korngold (Emphasizes constitutional and emotional health)
  • The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine by Ted J. Kaptchuk (Appropriate for those with a western medicine background)
  • Ancient Healing for Modern Women by Xiaolan Zhao (Provides information on general women's health)
  • The Infertility Cure by Randine Lewis (Deals with fertility challenges)

What other conditions can acupuncture treat?

Our style of acupuncture improves overall health while addressing specific conditions. The Japanese style of acupuncture we practice looks for constitutional weaknesses and strengthens them to encourage the body to heal itself. We asses the health of the internal organs in addition to treating the symptoms. Some conditions can be completely healed while others managed.


Number of treatments needed depend on the length and severity of the symptoms, along with individual lifestyle factors.

Do you use the needles more than once?

No. The needles we use are one time disposable.

Infertility & Pregnancy

Can I refer friends and family to Isthmus Acupuncture Center for treatments not related to fertility or pregnancy care?

Yes. We treat a variety of conditions not related to fertility or pregnancy care. Our clients range from children to elderly and we provide treatments for pain management, digestive disorders, autoimmune conditions, stress, anxiety and more. We will refer clients to another health care practitioner if we feel they would achieve better results. We never discuss individual cases with other clients and respect client confidentiality.

Is a tilted uterus a cause of infertility?

Many women still conceive with a tilt in their uterus, so it does not cause infertility. The problem with a tilted uterus is that it can lessen the amount of blood flow, inhibit fluid nerve conduction/communication, and lead to uneven energy flow and lymphatic accumulation. So even though a tilted uterus does not necessarily cause the inability to conceive, it can put extra strain on the uterus, preventing her from doing her job properly and preventing the optimal performance of the reproductive organs.

I am not pregnant yet; how do I know this treatment is working?

Many women will notice positive changes in their menstrual cycle within the first couple of months. The changes noticed will vary depending on each individual complaint and constitution, but women can typically expect to see changes in their BBT charting, increased cervical mucous, increased libido, and lower stress levels within the first six months. A lot of women will notice other positive changes in their health that are not directly related to their menstrual cycle. This is because Oriental medicine treats patients holistically and improvement will also be widespread, not just focused on one area.

Most of our clients conceive between 4 and 8 months of treatment. Some clients conceive the first month of treatment and many conceive after 12 months of treatment. Please see our achieved pregnancy statistics for specifics.

I know that when I am pregnant I should stop drinking coffee, but why is it important that I stop while I am trying to conceive?

Coffee consumption decreases fertility as well as increasing the risk of miscarriage. In cases of infertility and recurrent miscarriage not just reducing, but eliminating coffee intake is advised.

A study of 1,909 women in Connecticut found the risk of not conceiving for 12 months (the usual definition of infertility), was 55% higher for women drinking 1 cup of coffee per day. It was 100% higher for women drinking 1.5 to 3 cups per day, and 176% higher for women drinking more than 3 cups of coffee per day. (Drs. Larry Dulgosz, Michael B. Brachs, Yale University School of Medicine, Epidemiologic Reviews Vol. 14, pg. 83, 1992.)

Coffee drinking before and during pregnancy was associated with over twice the risk of miscarriage when the mother consumed 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day. (Dr. Claire Infante-Rivard, McGill University, Quebec Canada, Journal of the American Medical Association December 22,
1993.)

A Caffeine intake of 3 or more cups a day by women or their partners doubled the rate of miscarriage in a Danish study. (American Journal of Epidemiology Vol 160 No 7 2004 661-67.)

I know that when I am pregnant I should stop drinking alcoholic beverages, but why is it important that I stop while I am trying to conceive?

A study from the Universality of California of 221 couples undergoing fertility treatment found:

• For women alcohol consumption in the month before IVF attempt reduced success nearly 3 times with alcohol consumption in the week before egg pick up (one glass per day) increasing the chance of miscarriage by 2 times.
• For men alcohol consumption the month before IVF reduced success 2 and a half times and alcohol (one glass per day) in the week before sperm collection reduced success more than 8 times. The recommendation was made that couples abstain from alcohol consumption at least one month before the attempt to maximize the effectiveness and success of the IVF and GIFT procedure.
(Fertility and Sterility 2003;79:330-339.)

Alcohol consumption in the week prior to conception was associated with an increased rate of miscarriage. For women ten or more drinks a week was associated with 2 to 3 times greater risk of miscarriage while for men it was 2 to 5 times greater risk. (American Journal of Epidemiology Vol 160 No 7 2004 661-67.)

Why does refined or processed foods, and junk food cause a problem with fertility?

Food additives such as MSG greatly reduce pregnancy success. MSG (Monosodium Glutamate), a common flavor enhancer added in foods, was found to cause infertility problems in test animals. Test animals fed MSG before mating had less than a 50% success rate (5 of 13 animals), whereas test animals not fed MSG had over a 92% success rate (12 of 13 animals). Also the offspring of the MSG treated animals showed shorter body length, reduced testes weights and evidence of overweight at 25 days.

MSG is found in ACCENT, flavored potato chips, Doritos, Cheetos, meat seasonings and many packaged soups. (Drs. William J. Pizzi, June E. Barnhart, et. al. Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, Illinois Neurobehavioral Toxicology Vol. 2:1-4, 1979.)

Why is it important that I avoid exposure to cleaning supplies and chemicals?

Miscarriage increases from exposure to chemical solvents. The major risk chemicals were: perchlorethylene (dry cleaning) 4.7 times greater risk; trichloroethylene (dry cleaning) 3.1 times greater risk; paint thinners 2.1 times greater risk; paint strippers 2.1 times greater risk; glycol ethers (found in paints) 2.9 times greater risk of miscarriage. (Dr. Gayle C. Windham, Ph.D. and Dr. Dennis Shusterman, MD, MPH University of California, Berkeley American Journal of Industrial Medicine Vol. 20:241-259, 1991.)

I know about Maya Abdominal Massage. What else can you share that you learned in MAM training?

According to Maya Abdominal Massage theories, wearing high heels causes the pelvis, and therefore the uterus, to tip, which can make it harder to conceive. Maya Abdominal Massage also addresses men’s health issues, specifically prostate health. A swollen prostate not only has urinary symptoms. When swollen, the prostate can push against the colon, causing stools to be pencil thin.

 

Women’s Health

Do I have to make the dietary changes 100%?

It depends on individual situations. Acupuncture and herbals treatments will be stronger if your diet supports the treatments. During the first two months of treatment, dietary changes are critical. After improvements are seen then dietary restrictions can be lessened. If you feel worse after eating specific foods, then you will need to avoid them as much as possible. If you have digestive symptoms then dietary restrictions are more important for successful treatments.

How important are eating organic, exercising, avoiding sugar, and changing my health and beauty products?

Everyone can benefit from avoiding foods treated with hormones, pesticides, and antibiotics and reducing sugar intake. Exercise is critical to maintaining a healthy lifestyle for all. Some people are more susceptible to environmental toxins and toxins found in feminine hygiene and beauty products. We are seeing an increase in symptoms and health problems and reducing exposure to environmental toxins is a helping our clients heal faster and feel better longer.

Isthmus Acupuncture Center recommends using only natural personal care products. I’m just putting these products on, not ingesting them. Do ingredients really matter?

Yes! It is estimated that at least 60% of a product penetrates the skin. This is, essentially, akin to eating your products. With beauty products, as with packaged foods, it is best to avoid questionable, unidentified, or unpronounceable ingredients.

What ingredients should I avoid in cosmetics and body care products?

  • Lead and mercury are, believe it or not, still used in beauty products. Some mascaras, eye drops, and hair dyes contain these nasties. See the Cosmetics Safety Database for specific brands.

  • Parabens (methyl, propyl, ethyl, butyl, etc.) are preservatives that may effect the endocrine system and may especially pose a risk of breast cancer and reproductive abnormalities in young boys. Read more about parabens here.

  • Synthetic fragrances are made up of many different chemicals, making it nearly impossible to decipher ingredients and know what you are actually putting onto (and into) your body. For health and safety, look for fragrance-free. Read more about 10 Synthetic Ingredients to Avoid.

  • Phthalates are a potentially dangerous additive contained in many fragrances, that does not have to be listed on the label separately. Phthalates are often found in plastics and are thought to damage sperm, effect fertility, cause feminization of baby boys, cause birth defects, bring on premature breast development in young girls, and be linked to women’s breast cancer. Read more about phthalytes here.

  • Synthetic colors (including hair dyes, which are thought to be cancer-causing and pose other health risks) (eg. FD&C Red No. 6, D&C Green No. 6) may be carcinogenic and, like in foods, are best avoided in cosmetics too.

  • Animal parts lurk in hair spray, shaving cream, sunscreen, and more. Placenta overloads the body with hormones and may cause breast growth in toddlers. More information available here.

What are good brands?

The best bet is to read labels and check ingredients. Here are some brands that IAC staff and clients use. We can order many of these brands for you. Also check your local co-op or natural food stores or buy directly from the company’s website. (Some brands are currently phasing out parabens and other harsh ingredients; some companies offer a range of products containing a varying quality of ingredients, so read labels to know what you are getting.)