Improving Blood Quality and Circulation Acupuncture works partially by improving the fl ow of oxy- gen, nutrients, and blood through the vessels to nourish the cells in our body. When you relax into your parasympathetic nervous system (rest & digest), your blood vessels dilate and blood fl ow to specifi c areas of the body increases to relieve pain and improve organ function. When proper blood fl ow to an area is restored, or when the quality of the blood is improved, then the body can start to heal itself. Herbal medicine improves the quality of the blood to address hormonal imbalances. In 2015, Complementary Therapies In Medicine published a systematic review of trials including 4247 women with either PCOS, endometriosis, anovulation, fallopian tube blockage, or unexplained infertility. Mean pregnancy rates for women receiving Chinese herbal medicine were 60% compared with 33% in the western pharmaceutical group. Another system- atic review published in 2012 found that for 1659 anovulatory (not ovulating) women, Chinese herbal medicine signifi cantly in- creased the ovulation and pregnancy rates, improved the cervical mucus score, and reduced the miscarriage rate when compared to Clomiphene. We can use herbal therapy to improve the quality of the blood, while acupuncture helps to dilate the blood vessels to improve blood fl ow to the ovaries.


As a part of a holistic approach, acupuncturists also offer nu- tritional and lifestyle advice that are specifi c to the patient’s body type. Most people need to eat less sugar for instance, but we may suggest that some people eat more meat, while for others we may suggest less animal products. For some people we suggest more exercise, for others we suggest more moderation.It all depends on what seems to be throwing things out of balance. We look at a pa- tient’s life the way we look that the body and encourage modera- tion in most things.


In my practice, I’ve worked with many people dealing with hormone imbalances, including PMS, PCOS, migraines, infertility, postpartum issues and symptoms of menopause. I’ve seen women get their period who hadn’t had one since stopping birth control, and women who didn’t respond well to Clomiphene develop more eggs. TEAM is not a miracle cure or a quick-fi x solution. Most of the studies cited in this article were carried out over a three-month period. So don't expect instantaneous results, especially without any corresponding change in life habits. But for anyone suffering from conditions caused by hormonal imbalances, TEAM is defi - nitely worth a try.


Naomi Skoglund, L.Ac., MSTCM, MS. Ed. is a nationally-certifi ed acupuncturist and herbalist and the owner of Six Branches Family Acupuncture in Portland and West Falmouth, ME. The training in her 4-year Master’s degree included 3,600 hours in herbal therapy, cupping, nutritional counseling, Tui Na mas-


sage, and Qi Gong meditation, as well as Western clinical exam. She has additional specialized training in the areas of infertility, gynecology, obstetrics, and pediatrics. For more information, visit: www.sixbranchesacupunture.com. See ad on page 21.


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