AP and the Urogenital / Adrenal System
GYNAECOLOGY (ANIMAL AND HUMAN) (2/2)
Korematsu_K; Takagi E; Kawabe T; Nakao T; Moriyoshi M; Kawata K (1993) Therapeutic Effects of Moxibustion on Delayed Uterine Involution in Postpartum Dairy-Cows. J Vet Med Sci Aug 55(4):613-616. Dept of Vet Obstetrics and Gynecol, Rakuno Gakuen Univ, Hokkaido, Japan. 48 cows with delayed uterine involution, diagnosed on rectal palpation and vaginoscopic examination 21-35 d after parturition, were allocated to 3 groups. Moxibustion was applied to 12 points in 16 cows once/d for 3 d. 17 cows were injected im with 25 mg PGF2-alpha and 15 cows were infused in utero with 500 mg ampicillin. Uterine involution after treatment was monitored by rectal palpation and vaginoscopic examination. As a monitor of ovarian function, milk progesterone was assayed 3 times/wk. No significant difference occurred in uterine involution among the groups treated with moxibustion, PGF2-alpha or ampicillin. In the 4 wk after treatment, the % cows with abnormal cervical mucus and bacterial isolation from cervical swab decreased remarkably in all groups. Inactive ovaries were diagnosed in 46% of cows with delayed uterine involution. After moxibustion, 67% of cows ovulated and formed corpora lutea. This was a slightly better result than for cows treated with PGF2alpha or ampicillin. Reproductive performance after moxibustion was comparable to those after PGF2-alpha or ampicillin treatment. Moxibustion can be used as an alternative to PGF2-alpha and antibiotics to treat delayed uterine involution in cows. (Note: PGF2-alpha is indicated after postpartum cyclicity is established, not before!).
Li_RQ; Qin DY (1984) Application of AP in treatment of animal infertility [Cattle, horses]. Sheep_Goat-Handb, Westview Press, Boulder, CO. Vol 4:293-302.
Lin_ JH; Panzer R (1990) To face some female animal reproductive problems with acupuncture. Proceedings 5th AAAP Animal Science Congress, May 27-June 1, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. Vol 2:305-322. Dept Anim Husb, Nat Taiwan Univ, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Lin_JH; Liu S; Chan W; Wu L; Pi W (1988) Effects of EAP and GnRH treatments on hormonal changes in anestrous sows. AJCM 16(3-4):117-126. Dept Anim Husb, Nat Taiwan Univ, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. Anestrous sows with luteal ovaries were allocated to three groups: 1=EAP at Baihui and Weiken (n=4 sows); 2=EAP at Chiangfeng and Choushu (n=3 sows); 3=GnRH 50 ug iv (n=4 sows). Return to estrus was monitored during 14 d after treatment. At that time, the number of animals returned to estrus were 3, 1 and 1 in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Only treatment 1 seemed to have therapeutic effects in inducing estrus. Changes of serum sex hormone levels support this conclusion. Serum LH levels fell for about 2 h after EAP both in groups 1 and 2, whereas those in group 3 rose sharply at 10 min, reached a peak at 20 min and returned gradually to basal level between 4-6 h after GnRH. Serum progesterone levels rose between 4-6 h after treatment in groups 1 and 3 but not in group 2. In total, 5 sows came in estrus and showed a low progesterone level 2 d after treatments; the other six anestrous sows did not show this change. Estradiol levels changed little during the blood sampling period of 5-7 d in these 3 groups. Cortisol levels rose in 15 min after EAP in groups 1 and 2. However, the EAP-induced increase in cortisol was less than that induced by the first bleeding, indicating that the therapeutic action of EAP in group 1 was not due to adrenal stimulation per se. EAP treatment and GnRH injection altered the release of LH from the pituitary in different ways but only EAP at Baihui and Weiken had a specific action on the ovary and a significant therapeutic effect. Therapeutic effects of EAP on reproductive disturbance may involve a synergistic reflex between the points (somatic) and the ovary and uterus, mediated by the CNS and endocrine system (the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovary axis).
Lin_JH2; Panzer R (1992) AP for reproductive disorders. Prob in Vet Med Mar 4(1):155-161. Dept of Animal Husbandry, Nat Taiwan Univ, Taipei, ROC. AP can give excellent results in reproductive disorders. Two physiologic mechanisms may explain its effects on the reproductive system:
1. an endorphin-mediated mechanism affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal endocrine axis, and 2.
a direct effect on gonadal paracrine and autocrine control of steroidogenesis.
This chapter discusses reproductive disorders from the perspectives of both WM and TCM, and details the use of AP to treat eight specific categories of reproductive dysfunction
Milchev_N; Krutov G; Piperkov T (1992) [The use of low-energy lasers via action on the AP points in inflammatory processes in the female adnexa]. Akush Ginekol (Sofia) 31(2):25-27. This is a report of the clinical effect of low-energy laser-AP in female adnexitis. 60 women with subacute and chronic adnexitis were assigned to 2 treatment groups (n=30/group): 1=Laser-AP, via irradiation of biologically active points and; 2=Conventional therapy. Patients treated by laser-AP spent 3 d less in hospital than the other patients, and their pain symptoms disappeared quickly. Laser-AP at biologically active points for subacute and chronic adnexitis has a role in gynaecological practice.
Miljkovic_V; Pavlovic V; Petrujkic T; Mrvos G (1993) Neurotherapy of Infertility in Cows Caused by Uterine Adnexitis. Acta Vet Beograd 43(2-3):113-119. V Miljkovic, Fac Vet Med, Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Chronic adnexitis often is due to dystocia, uterine trauma and placental retention (RFM). It has a long duration and is difficult to diagnose because of its subclinical form, unless adhesions of the ovaries, cornua and peritoneum develop. It produces long-lasting sterility manifested in constant abortions. From 1989-1991 we treated 208 black and white Holstein-Friesian cows or Simmentals on dairy farms in Vojvodina and Kosovo & Metohia for infertility, using neurotherapy (pharmaco-AP) with paracervical injections of Impletol. The cause of infertility was chronic subclinical or clinical adnexitis, diagnosed by subsequent rectovaginal examinations and anamnesis (para and perimetritis), utero-peritoneal adhesions paracervical abscesses, constantly repeated estruses. The cows had been infertile for 120-265 d postpartum; most calvings had been difficult and complicated, accompanied by RFM, puerperal infections and intoxications, purulent endometritis or paracervical abscesses. Most had been treated unsuccessfully for long periods by intrauterine infusions of Lotagen and Lugol, accompanied by parenteral antibiotics, Catosal, vitamins A, D3, E, PGF2-a, GnRh hormones etc. Overall herd mean milk yield was 4500-7000 l/yr. Neurotherapy (pharmaco-AP using paracervical injections of Impletol) was given immediately after establishing correct diagnoses, and was repeated after 15 d. Paracervical Impletol has a dual effect: neurotherapy and pharmaco-AP. Impletol consists of 40 ml of 5% procaine hydrochloride and 3 ml of 50% caffeine Na benzoate with redistilled water made up to 100 ml. Impletol was applied using a 50 cm long needle, 3-5 cm deep, just beside the os cervicis on both sides. After therapy 47% of cows became pregnant and calved normally. The good results of pharmaco-AP using Impletol recommend it for wider use in chronic adnexitis patients.
Mo_X; Li D; Pu Y; Xi G; Le X; Fu Z (1993) Clinical studies on the mechanism for AP stimulation of ovulation. JTCM Jun 13(2):115-119. Zhejiang Coll of TCM, Hangzhou, PRC. Ovulatory dysfunction is commonly seen in gynecol clinic. It may cause infertility, amenorrhoea, functional uterine bleeding and a variety of complications. This research according to TCM theory records treating with AP 34 patients suffering from ovulatory dysfunction. Changes in clinical symptoms and some relative targets are reported, plus findings in animal experiments. The effect of AP in improving ovulation and the rationale are discussed. According to TCM theory concerning the generative and physiologic axis of women, this research involved the following points: BL18, BL23, CV04, CV03 and SP06. The reinforcement and reduction of AP enables it to strengthen LV and KI. Through the Chong Mai and CV Channels it nourishes uterus to adjust the patient's axis function and recover ovulation. Treated circa 30 times, the patients' symptoms improved to varying degrees; 35% were markedly improved and the total effective rate was 82%. BBT, VS, CMS, and B ultrasonic picture all improved to some degree. AP may adjust FSH, LH, and E2 in 2 directions and raise the progesterone level, bringing them to normal. The animal experiments confirmed this result. AP may adjust endocrine function of the generative and physiologic axis of women, thus stimulating ovulation. The results provide some scientific basis for treating and further studying this disorder.
Nuske_S (1996) Investigations on the Change of Skin Temperature in the Area of AP points Correlated with the Female Genital System of Dairy-Cows. Wien Tierarztl Monatsschr 83(2):51-59. S Nuske, Hubertusstr 12, D-85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany. In 56 German Simmental and Holstein Friesian cows non-contact skin temperature measurements with infrared thermometry have been taken in the area of AP points correlated to the female genital system. Skin temperature in the area of AP points is markedly different to the temperature of non-AP points in the same area. The positive or negative deviation and the range of temperature differences to non-AP points do not allow any significant diagnostic interpretation.
Parshutin_NP; Korsakov SG (1990) [Comparative analysis of the data of AP electrodiagnosis and hormonal status of women with oligomenorrhoea]. Akush Ginekol (Mosk) Jun 6:26-29. This study, in oligomenorrhoeic women, compared AP electrodiagnostic and hormonal data of before and after an AP regimen. Patients were assigned to 3 groups according to pretreatment hormonal status: 1=Ovarian hypofunction; 2=Ovarian hypofunction + hyperandrogenism; 3=Ovarian hypofunction + functional hyperprolactinemia. AP treatment normalized the hormonal status in all 3 groups. The hormonal status of oligomenorrhoeic patients correlated with conductivity of the skin at biologically active AP points.
Petrov_VA; Osetrov AA; Kharenko NI; Shul'ga VA (1991) EAP in treatment of endometritis in cows. Veterinariya Moskva 7:54-55.
Stener-Victorin_E; Waldenstrom U; Andersson SA; Wikland M (1996) Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with EAP. Adapted from the OUP Human Reproduction WWW service. Part of the OUP Journals WWW Service 11(6):1314-1317. Copyright Oxford Univ Press. Dept of Obst and Gyn, Fertility Centre Scandinavia, Kvinnokliniken, Sahlgrenska Sjukhuset, S-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden. To assess whether EAP can reduce the impedance of a high uterine artery blood flow, 10 infertile but otherwise healthy women with a pulsatility index (PI) >/= 3 in the uterine arteries were treated with EAP in a prospective, non-randomized study. To exclude any fluctuating endogenous hormone effects on PI, the women were down-regulated with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) before inclusion, and throughout the entire study period. Baseline PI was measured when the serum estradiol was </= 0.1 nmol/l; thereafter the women were given EAP twice/wk for 4 wk. PI was measured again closely after the eighth treatment, and once more 10-14 d after the EAP period. Skin temperature on the forehead (STFH) and in the lumbosacral area (STLS) was measured during the EAP treatments 1, 5 and 8. Compared to baseline PI, the mean PI was significantly reduced both shortly after EAP treatment 8 (p<.0001) and 10-14 d after the EAP period (p<.0001). STFH increased significantly during EAP treatments. Both of these effects are due to central inhibition of sympathetic activity.
Stone_A2 (1996) Chinese Med's Treatments for Women: Menopause, Pre-Menstrual Syndrome, Dysmenorrhoea, Menorrhagia or Metrorrhagia. Adapted from WWW (Acupuncture.com). TCM has been treating women for millenia. If you've been suffering for years, you owe it to yourself to research your alternatives. You have options; suffering need not be one of them.
TCM (AP, Herbal Med and other therapies) is rapidly growing in acceptance in the West simply because it works. It's strongest feature is probably its ability to treat chronic Syndromes for which conventional Med has no answers, no treatments and no relief other than harsh chemicals with potentially unpleasant side effects. TCM treats women's health very differently from conventional WM. This article describes some typical problems that woman have treated with TCM.
TCM is based on the law of Yin-Yang. This law teaches that health only comes from a balance between these 2 fundamental principles. In the same way as American culture is struggling to find equality between the sexes, for millenia, Chinese culture has understood that health depends on having a balance and harmony of the masculine (Yang) and feminine (Yin) principles within ourselves. Applying the law of Yin-Yang socially is the basis for mens' and womens' groups in our culture. TCM seeks to insure health through this same concept as applied to one's bodily functions.
Menopause: TCM approaches Menopause as many Syndromes. All the Syndromes have been treated successfully by AP and Herbal Med. The most typical cause of symptoms associated with menopause is the slowing of the flow of Yin. When applied to the body, this is the TCM concept of the hydration or the cooling system within the body. Typical symptoms of this Yin-Xu include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, insomnia and HT palpitations. Sometimes, instead of a weak Yin (Yin-Xu), Yang becomes weak (Yang-Xu). Yang represents the warming function of the cells, their metabolism and other active processes. In Yang-Xu, symptoms include: water retention, edema, weight gain, indigestion, hypertension, and a raised cholesterol level. Left untreated, Yin-Xu or Yang-Xu can lead to Qi-Xu. Qi is the TCM term for vital internal energies. Symptoms of a Qi-Xu can include: feeling "run-down," fatigue, decreased sex drive, dry vagina, cold extremities, lower back pain, weak knees and incontinence. In China, maturity and the wisdom of age is revered highly; perhaps that is why they call the time after menopause to be a women's "second spring." This reverence for the elders has led to the evolution of TCM Herbal Med to its current beneficial status. Menopause can be made much smoother through TCM herbal therapy.
Prognosis: Very good. Although the symptoms associated with "the change" are obviously transitory, TCM has helped women for millenia to enjoy their second spring without any the growing pains of the first. Many women, after menopause, because of the slowing of the flow of "Yin," discover their Yang principle and go on to achieve, for the first time in their lives, success in business and other areas which have been traditionally dominated by men and their prominent "Yang" principle. In the same way, men, after the age of 50 or so, often find the time to discover their "Yin" or feminine principle and develop a more refined sense of compassion and nurturing in life.
Pre-menstrual Syndrome: Emotional and/or physical discomfort occurring before or after the period. In TCM, menstruation is regulated mainly by LV and SP. In TCM, LV and SP are very different from the organs described in WM. LV starts the menstrual cycle and SP follows through. In disharmony in LV, symptoms include the emotional swings often associated with PMS, such as: depression, sadness, irritability, crying and outbursts of anger. When the problem comes from SP, a woman will likely experience clumsiness, distention of the abdomen and breasts, and insomnia. In TCM, emotional strain, overwork, too much sexual activity, and dietary problems are regarded as the causes of PMS. Diet from the Chinese perspective doesn't talk about a lack of nutrients, but rather, excessive amounts of foods that aggravate the body's systems. Foods that are the most likely to lead to PMS include an excessive intake of dairy products and greasy or fried foods.
Prognosis: Both AP and herbs give excellent results for PMS. As with all menstrual problems, it will take a minimum of 3 menstrual periods to regulate the cycle completely, although some improvement can often be seen even after 1 mo.
Dysmenorrhoea: Pain occurring before, during or after menstruation. This pain often occurs in the lower abdomen or lower back. Related conditions in WM include; endometriosis, uterine fibroids, myoma and mittelschmerz (middle-pain). In TCM, these arise either from Xue-Xu (like anaemia in WM, though it has other meanings as well), or from Qi-Xue-Stasis. Qi- or Xue- Stasis can both effect and be effected by emotion. Stasis makes one emotional, and emotions cause Stasis. TCM seeks to unblock the Qi-Xue-Stasis, Nourish and increase the amount of Xue in circulation, remove the pain and ease the emotions. Left untreated, Qi-Stasis leads to Xue-Stasis. This causes intermittent sharp pains in the abdomen, or what the West calls mittelschmerz. If the Xue-Stasis is allowed to slow the circulation of Qi or Xue for a long time, a soft nodule can appear in the area. This is one way of describing endometriosis. Again, should the soft nodule go untreated and the Stasis in the body remain, in time it can become a harder nodule like a uterine fibroid. Should that nodule begin to grow more rapidly, it can become what the West calls myoma, or cancer. In TCM, pain tends to come from Qi- or Xue- Stasis. At that stage it is a simple matter to get that Qi or Xue moving again to remove the monthly pain. However, left untreated, complications can appear. It isn't the intent of this article to frighten anyone with the discomfort associated with menstruation, but it is a reminder that pain is nature's way of reminding us to be aware of our body's needs. Often times pain is simply a first alert to a problem that can be solved as by something as simple as expressing your emotions or feeling better understood.
Menorrhagia or Metrorrhagia: Excessive menstrual flow or spotting. In TCM, the reasons for these Syndromes are many. They include Qi-Stasis due to emotional strain, and Qi-Xu due to many situations including overwork, too much sexual activity, chronic illness, or childbirth. Another cause could be Xue-Heat which would probably be associated with restlessness, fever and constipation. One could even spot-bleed after the period because of SP-Xu (SP weakness). Symptoms associated with SP-Xu might include a poor appetite, shortness of breath and a pale complexion. In cases of excessive post-menstrual flow or spotting, treatment could range from wearing "shields" (where spotting falls within normal limits) to an aggressive treatment plan to rebalance all of the various organ systems involved with this Syndrome.
Stone_Ab1 (1996) "High winds don't last all morning": a look at PMS from the Oriental Med perspective: Part 1. Adapted from WWW (Acupuncture.com).
For millenia, TCM has been treating the symptoms of pre-menstrual Syndrome. In the modern world, many women have found, especially in the area of gynaecology, that conventional modern WM offers few answers, little relief and no treatments other than harsh chemicals with potentially unpleasant side effects.
PMS is a reasonably simple Syndrome to treat with TCM. However, left untreated, this little problem can become a big one. In TCM, PMS is a precursor to lumps, cysts, lesions, and cancerous tumours in the breasts and uterus.
AP and herbs can provide enormous relief for the symptoms of PMS, however the underlying cause of PMS is often times due to one's lifestyle and the way in which one relates with the world. Methods such as meditation, relaxation techniques and exercises that require mental focus, are better to treat the root causes of PMS.
Symptoms of PMS
In TCM, LV and SP are the two main organs that control (regulate) menstruation. In TCM, LV and SP are very different from the two organs described in WM. That is why they are capitalized in this article, because we're talking about LV and SP from the viewpoint of TCM.
LV starts the menstrual cycle and SP controls the creation of Xue in the body. In LV disharmony, symptoms include the mood swings that we often associate with PMS which include periods of depression, sadness, irritability, crying, and anger. When the problem arises from SP, a woman will likely experience symptoms such as a foggy sense of clumsiness, dull pain of the abdomen and/or breasts, or insomnia.
Other symptoms possible with PMS include cravings (especially for sweets), water retention, fatigue, diarrhoea, and/or constipation, frequent colds (during premenstrual period) abdominal bloating, breast tenderness with possible lumps, migraines, sore throat, nausea, and dysmenorrhoea (any problem with the menstrual flow from scanty amounts to excessive flow).
PMS occurs when LV function fails to work right. In TCM, all of the body's functions are regulated and energized by Qi. It could translate to anything from bioelectric energy to cellular metabolism. For our purposes, calling it simply Qi (energy) is probably best.
In TCM, one of the functions of LV in the body, is to maintain the free flow of Qi. When this happens, we feel flexible, flowing and graceful within our bodies as well as within life. In a LV problem, its function of circulating Qi is compromised; one result of LV-Qi-Stasis is PMS.
Where PMS comes from: In TCM, LV is associated with the Wood Phase. Wood likes to grow, but when hampered, LV "becomes angry". Our culture is heavily influenced by the desire to move forward, to achieve something, to be someone. When something stands in one's way, one feels like a tree that cannot grow; thus, LV reacts.
TCM is based on Taoism, (pronounced DOW-ism) a Chinese philosophy that dates back 8,000 yr. This philosophy says that health comes from a balance between the masculine and feminine principles within everything. For instance, the LV-Yang is very aggressively moving forward, but this must be balanced with LV-Yin which represents the ability to move backwards, to be flexible, and to respond to conditions in new and spontaneous ways.
The Wood-Qi of LV is like a sapling that wants to grow. When a shoot begins to grow out of a seed it may hit a rock and not be able to grow upwards anymore. It doesn't get angry or frustrated, but it seeks to find a way around the rock so it can continue its upward climb to the light of the above ground world. This is the perfect blend of LV-Yin and LV-Yang.
When we encounter barriers to what we want, obstacles to our future, or any shortcoming to our expectations in life, LV reacts. We become angry and the free flow of Qi ceases to flow smoothly.
PMS is what a woman feels when the Qi's free flow is compromised. Disharmonies of LV will have 2 effects on the menstrual cycle. One is the compromised free flow of Qi which causes moodiness and unexpectedly intense emotions. The other problem that comes from LV disharmony is what happens after we become angry. It is said that anger makes the Qi rise to the head. That's why our eyes get red, we get headaches, dizziness, and even nosebleeds when we're very angry. The problem with this is that for the menstrual flow to begin and move easily the Qi must be descending. Without the free descending flow of Qi at the onset of the menses, there is pain.
Many other symptoms may occur in PMS along with moodiness and pain. Sometimes, LV gets so angry that it "attacks" SP. This causes SP functions to be compromised. Symptoms associated with this portion of PMS include: cravings (especially for sweets), water retention, fatigue, frequent colds (during PMS period) abdominal bloating, breast tenderness with possible lumps, and of course, dysmenorrhoea, especially toward the end of the period.
On a mental or emotional level, a LV (Wood) "attack" (Overacting) on SP (Earth) manifests as obsession. SP controls the digestive system, but it also controls the digestion of our life-experiences. SP-Qi "digests" (mulls over, processes the implications) our old relationships, traumas, or losses in our lives. So, when LV "attacks" SP, not only do we feel angry, but we can't get it out of our heads. We obsessively think about the object of our desire all the time. Nothing is ever fully processed, or digested in our minds. With all this SP-Qi being used in the mental realm, the physical digestive system suffers, leading to further aggravation of the symptoms mentioned earlier.
Complications of PMS
When LV is angry, Qi stops flowing smoothly. Qi-Stasis is like a freeway tie-up due to another car's break-down on the freeway's shoulder. There isn't anything in the middle of the freeway to back things up, but the flow of cars slows down. PMS is essentially Qi-Stasis. It is relatively easy to treat this. However, Qi-Stasis can lead to other things much worse. The slowed traffic can lead to a little fender-bender if the drivers aren't watching carefully and this will back things up even further. Given time, there can be a larger accident involving a gasoline tanker or worse. In the same way, Qi-Stasis can lead to Xue Stasis which can lead to lumps, cysts, lesions, and even cancerous tumours in the breasts and uterus.
Treatments for PMS
AP will gently break free the Stasis of the Qi in the body. This has the effect of easing the emotions and softening the pain associated with menstruation. As with all menstrual problems, it may take a few menstrual periods to regulate the cycle completely, although some improvement can often be seen even after 1 mo.
A TCM herbal formula (Xiao Yao Wan, or Hsiao Yao Wan, pronounced "shao yao wan") is often used for PMS. This is ironic, since it translates to "Free and Easy Pill." Individual herbs, such as Dang Gui, are effective for women, but this herb is rarely used alone.
Stone_Ab2 (1996) "High winds don't last all morning": a look at PMS from the Oriental Med perspective: Part 2. TCM herbal formulas are created with balance and harmony in mind. Xiao Yao Wan has Dang Gui as well as other ingredients to Clear Qi-Stasis, nourish the Xue, strengthen SP, and relieve pain. They all support each other to increase their various functions. Xiao Yao Wan is widely available at stores that carry Chinese herbs.
Exercise can help too. Aerobic exercise helps to:
1. Vent off nervous energy;
2. Stimulate LU functions, which help to control LV. In the same way that LV can lower SP-Qi, so it is that LU can sedate LV.
Taiqi or Qigong (breathing exercises to amplify and invigorate Qi) helps at the root of the problem. Even meditation will have this same effect. Pulling the consciousness into "The Now" makes LV less attached to preplanned goals. With this added flexibility, we can become more able to accept obstacles in life which allows us to find more appropriate solutions than emotional reactions. Taiqi, Qigong and Meditations have many benefits to health well beyond the control of PMS; the latter is but one manifestation of the many problems that result from the many possible disharmonies of LV.
Changes in lifestyle can be incorporated into one's life to help control PMS at its root: Taoism says that one live in accordance with nature. Many say that this includes a vegetarian diet, living off the land, going to bed with the stars, and getting up with the sun, but in the middle of the city in the 20th century, this is very difficult. Instead, it would be wise to become sensitive to the nature within. If one is doing something which makes one feel uncomfortable, one can stop doing it. If one wants to be a mother instead of an advertising executive, one can make the change and watch one's health improve. If one must work to survive, one can find a job that allows for more expression of one's creative or nurturing side. This sort of change in one's life is not easy, nor is it something that can be adequately addressed in an article about PMS, but it is amazing how health issues clear up when the internal issues are resolved.
From the Buddhist standpoint, the calming of LV might include seeing things as they are, without any additional meaning. Things that make us mad do so because we attach to them a great deal of significance which may or may not even be valid. Buddhism teaches detachment. With detachment comes the ability to see things as they are, not as one would like them to be, nor as one fears they might become. TCM says that LV is attached to the eyes. Seeing life clearly with complete acceptance and a lack of interpretation provides LV with the freedom to attack life or retreat from it as is appropriate to the moment. With this balance, the free flow of Qi is restored, anger and frustration are calmed.
Islam, Christianity and Judaism all have methods to calm the LV as well. In surrendering one's will to Allah, in living one's life only to love God, or in offering up one's sins to Jesus, one is freed from the past and one is also freed from the future. An unhealthy obsession with goals in life increases the likelihood of LV reacting with anger or LV-Qi-Stasis when something stands in our way. Having a direction in life is good, having no flexibility nor acceptance of the midcourse corrections that God makes in one's life is another way to describe the root cause of LV-Qi-Stasis.
The 20th century brings with it levels of stress and pain that have never been encountered in the past. However, because of the unique multi-cultural interactions available within US society, we can also benefit from ancient treatments such as TCM for these contemporary disorders. Today, we have options; when it comes to PMS, suffering need not be one of them.
Sun_YL (1996) Clinical Observation on 48 Cases with Dysmenorrhoea Treated by Nerve Stimulation Therapy. The Dept of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Red Cross Hospital of Shenzhen, 518000 PRC. Adapted from WWW. 48 cases with dysmenorrhoea were treated by nerve stimulation therapy. Of these 32 cases (67%) were clinically cured, 3 (17%) remarkably improved, 5 (9%) improved, the total effective rate was 94%.
Titova_NG; Khashukoeva AZ; Korneev BM (1991) AP therapy in the comprehensive treatment of salpingo-oophoritis. Akusherstvo i Ginekologiia Jun (6):44-47. In Russian. Therapy and follow-up of 136 patients showed that, as compared to traditional therapeutic modalities, AP was effective as part of a combined therapeutic approach to treat nonspecific salpingo-oophoritis. AP therapy shortens in-hospital therapy, normalises the immunobiologic defense and of the ANS, and reduces the incidence of recurrence of the condition.
Tsenov_D (1993) AP therapy to treat reflex diencephalic Syndrome in gynaecology. Akush Ginekol Sofia 32(3):34-36. Obstetricians must know the reflex diencephalic Syndrome because the diseases of genital organ can provoke it. Moreover its treatment is often difficult. The most efficient is earlier, complete and adequate treatment. Treatment usually is symptomatic. The author presents 3 cases of reflex diencephalic Syndrome after gynaecology diseases treating with AP and EAP: LV01,07, CV01,03,06, SP06,15. The effect was very good.
Wyon_Y; Lindgren R; Hammar M; Lundeberg T (1994) AP in climacteric disorders: Fewer symptoms after menopause. Lakartidningen 8 Jun 91(23):2318-2322. Halsouniversitetet, Linkoping. Vasomotor symptoms are common in perimenopausal women, but also in castrated men. Their cause is not the low steroid levels per se, but probably changes in neuropeptide activity in the CNS. 24 healthy women with natural menopause, suffering from hot flushes, were studied. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1=EAP; 2=SNP (AP by shallow needle position. Treatment was for a total of 8 wk (twice/wk for 2 wk; then once/wk for the remaining 6 wk). From the participants' logbooks, the frequency of flushes decreased significantly by >50% in both groups. It remained decreased in the EAP group, but it increased slightly again over the 3 mo post-treatment in the SNP group. Kupperman Index values decreased in both groups during treatment; changes were still evident at 3-mo follow-up, whereas self-rated general climacteric symptoms (VAS) decreased significantly only in the EAP group. The PGWB (Psychological General Well-Being) index did not change significantly in either group during treatment.
Yan_H2; Wang J (1994) The clinical study on hysteromyoma treated with AP. Chen Tzu Yen Chiu - AP Research 19(2):14-16. Jin Hai An (Golden Coast) Central Hospital of Zhuhai City, Guangdong, PRC. Hysteromyoma is a very common female disease; there is no specific therapy except for surgery. We used AP to treat it and we used TCM and WM treatments as a control at the same time. AP treatment was better than medical treatment. The total effective rate was 98% and cure rate 73%.
Yu_J3; Yang SP; He LF (1996) Studies on Inducing Ovulation with AP. Biol Reprod 54:379-379. Shanghai Med Univ, Shanghai 200011, PRC.