Working With What You May Already Have in Your Medicine Cabinet for Viral Protection

There is a saying in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), “Same disease, different formulas. Different diseases, same formula.” This speaks to the paradigm of what TCM uses to diagnose and then restore balance in the body. At a very basic level there are 8 Principles- Yin, Yang, Excess, Deficiency, Interior, Exterior, Heat and Cold. Because of this, if you have been a patient of Art of Acupuncture that has been prescribed herbs in the past, you may very well have some of these formulas that could help you fight off or manage the effects of COVID-19.

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Coronavirus-COVID 19 prevention, Fevers & SPERM

The life cycle of sperm is approximately 72 days for a male to produce mature sperm. While a fever today won’t likely hurt the mature sperm next in line for ejaculation, it is highly probable that you will see changes in sperm analysis 90 days from the fever, as those sperm where exposed to higher than normal temperatures at a crucial time in development.

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Using Natural Treatment Strategies Wisely for Endometriosis When Trying to Conceive

Studies have shown a delay from 3 to 11 years between the onset of symptoms and the final diagnosis of endometriosis, with an average of 9.28 years before receiving a proper diagnosis![1] A key contributor to this delay are not only those mentioned above, but the fact that symptoms of endometriosis overlap with other conditions leading to misdiagnosis. Women with endometriosis are 3.5 times more likely to receive a diagnosis of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Women are also 6x more likely to have diagnosed with PID (pelvic inflammatory disease).

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It's the Monthly Episode of My Uterus Strikes Back

Herbs that address the root cause of your painful periods can help to make your time of the month barely noticeable and less like a trip to yet another dreaded star wars movie. The best part is, because they work on the root cause typically you only have to take them for 3-6 cycles before they have a lasting effect.

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No Wonder It Feels Like My Ovaries are Trying to Kill Me

Have you ever stood up mid way through your cycle and felt like you were being pinched from the inside out by your ovaries? The pain is brief, but the struggle is real for all of about 5-15 minutes. I'd swear sometimes there is a small statured man in their trying to punch his way out.  

Middleschmertz- also know as pain mid cycle pain (named for the doctor who figured it out) can happen during ovulation. Some women will feel cramps or bloating for about a day during ovulation, others will simply notice a sharp one sided pain that is brief and fleeting indicating a high likelihood that ovulation just occurred. We used to think that ovulation happened in a quick burst, but recently a camera during a pelvic surgery in the UK caught the entire thing on camera and it lasted 15 minutes. Anyone that looks at these pictures will have an understanding of why they experience middleschmertz and that it's normal. P.S. This picture isn't graphic, however, I wouldn't open it up during a meal unless you are completely desensitized to the amazing feats of the human body. When I say feats, I mean wierdness. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7447942.stm

While brief pain mid cycle may be a normal part of how mother nature works, PMS that starts at ovulation and lasts for two weeks is not normal! If you experience bloating, mood changes, digestion changes, and abdominal discomfort for more than a couple of days leading up to your period, herbal medicine a few lifestyle tweaks could very easily give you your care free life back. Qi stagnation is most likely the culprit, and formula like Free and Easy Wanderer or ProSoothe II could bring relief as soon as 1-2 cycles. As always, consult your qualified herbalist before self prescribing anything!

Cheers to pain free days ahead!

Castor Oil Packs- No this isn't for your car!

A castor oil pack is placed on the skin to increase circulation and to promote elimination and healing of the tissues and organs underneath the skin. It is used to stimulate the liver, relieve pain, improve digestion, increase lymphatic circulation, reduce inflammation, and to break up masses such as fibroids and cysts.

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