Infertility

Traditional Chinese Medicine regards all disharmony as ‘blockage’.

The average length of time that most couples take to conceive is around 6 months. However, figures suggest that around one in four couples (Karma 1987) suffer from some degree of infertility. In other words, it may take far longer to conceive – 18 months is not unusual. Some couples never manage to conceive at all and have to turn to IVF.

But failure to conceive, even after months or years of trying, does not automatically mean complete infertility, If and when a woman conceives depends on a whole range of factors, both physical and psychological. The nutritional status of both partners is almost certainly a key factor.

Where couples are experiencing difficulty in conceiving, women are responsible in approximately two-thirds of cases (Hall 1988), and men in one-third.

However, a survey by friends of the Earth in The Times (1988) suggests that as many as 80% of birth defects are caused by defective sperm from the male. So it is important for the male partner as for the female to improve nutritional status prior to conception.

MALE INFERTILITY: Nutrients that have been shown to improve male fertility include Vitamin C – Vitamin E – Zinc – Manganese – Potassium. Supplements are advisable where it is difficult to guarantee adequate quantities of the right kinds of food.

FEMALE INFERTILITY: Common nutritional deficiencies are Copper – Zinc – Magnesium (and/or manganese) – Selenium. Mothers who supplement folic acid and vitamin B12 before conception have a lower incidence of neural tube defects, it is also recommended for the first trimester.

GOOD FOOD sources include: green leafy vegetables, brewer’s yeast, whole grains, wheat germ, milk, salmon, root vegetables and nuts. FOLIC ACID in food is destroyed by sunlight, heat and an acid environment, and the use of antibiotics also leads to deficiency. Supplementation of 400ug a day us recommended from before conception up until the end of the first trimester (DOH 1992, Smithells et al 1980). This can be obtained on prescription, but maybe cheaper to purchase form the pharmacy if not eligible for free scripts. Natural sunlight is beneficial to detoxifying the body.

WHAT CAN GO WRONG: Allergies or infections in either partner can affect fertility, even though a lack of symptoms may mean that they are unrecognised. For example, blocked fallopian tubes may be the result of an undiagnosed allergy or of low zinc / high copper levels altering the secretions and making them vulnerable to adhesion infections. Altering the diet and improving nutritional health may spontaneously solve the problem. It is also possible that in some cases the woman’s mucus may be hostile to her partner’s sperm, probably because of the presence of an undiagnosed infection, or a high level of a toxic metal, or both. In either case, it may well be that a woman’s body will attempt to destroy sperm that are not in good condition.

TOXINS:  Chemicals, metals and minerals, undoubtedly play an important part in the modern diet. Detoxifying through nutrition for both partners is by far the safest way; the purchase of chemical free fresh foods is an obvious benefit. Tests are recommended prior to taking supplements which can play a role with specialist supervision. Protection against toxic influences includes various vitamins, seaweed and foods containing soluble fibre.

MINIMISING Pollution: wash hands before preparing food / eating, wash all fruit and vegetables removing outer leaves, buy organic where possible. Filter water, never drink hot tap water.

Avoid aluminium & copper pans, foil etc., canned food especially unlined tins; avoid all processed foods and preservatives as far as possible – avoid antacids that contain aluminium salts.

Avoid heavy traffic conditions, deodorants and antiperspirants unless ingredients are specified, limit the use of cleaning agents and garden pesticides, do not stand in front of microwave ovens while they are in use. Refuse dental fillings containing mercury.

ALCOHOL badly affects the body’s absorption of B6, iron and Zinc. It also damages sperm, affecting fertility and increasing the risk of birth defects and miscarriage.

COPFFEE: There is also some evidence that spontaneous abortion, premature birth and stillbirth are more common if the father has a high coffee consumption (more than 2 cups a day). (Witchet et al 1985).

STRESS: The simple fact that many babies are conceived while their parents are on holiday suggests that stress plays an important role in fertility. Assistance for stress includes hypnosis see www.hypnotherapy-in-norfolk.com ~ we are not always aware of the stress levels in our lives and hypnotherapy is a gentle way of assisting without re-living the past, unlike some other methods which can disturb the psyche.

End

About your Therapist

Mrs Stella Rodgers CMIR DCHAc HPD MNCH

Stella holds the Diploma in Acupuncture and Chinese Health Care Medicine, and is on the Chinese Medical Institute Register.

She also holds the Diploma of Hypnotherapy from the East Anglia Institute and is registered with the National Council of Hypnotherapists and is a Licensed NLP Practitioner. (See www.hypnotherapy-in-norfolk.com)

Part of Stella’s training over the years includes the Teaching Certificate with the City and Guilds Institute, and the Minefields College of Human Givens, plus Interex Pain Management which is also for Sports Injury.

Stella started the healing part of her career in the 1980’s as a non vocational trainer in Cosmetic Therapy working in the area of Remedial Camouflage, which is the training given to patients, both male and female, with scars burns and birthmarks, it is also used in pre/post operative conditions in the hospital context.

She considers herself to be a truly holistic healer, working with both the body and the mind. The ‘movement of energy’ therapy through spiritual healing has been part of her voluntary work in the church environment for many years.

A Londoner by birth, after living in the north of England for 30 years Stella moved to the area of Norwich in Norfolk to be closer to her family, when she ’semi-retired’.  She is now in her 60’s, mother to three grown up children, a grandson, and a great grand daughter.

She says: “With me you will be getting many complementary therapists for the price of one! Very few people study more than one of the ‘big’ alternative treatments such as Hypnotherapy, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Acupuncture, Chinese Traditional Herbal Medicine, in fact I don’t know of any others who have studied more than two or three.

Some of the non-invasive methods such as Cupping, Tui-Na, Gua Sha, Auricular Therapy, and the latest innovative InterX®can be very swift and effective.

How does that help you? It’s more efficient, both in time and value. It means I can see your health from a variety of angles and choose the treatment or combination of treatments that will probably work best for you and produce the most powerful results in the shortest time

You are already on your way to changing your life just by seeking out a website, so the sooner you get to the next stage of contact, the closer you will be to having your current problem solved. After a chat with me you will be in a good position to make informed decisions. I always do whatever I can to help you enjoy the experience.

By the end of this page I hope you will have decided to email me or speak to me on the phone, you will be dealing with a real person with good training and life experience, and you’ll receive my full and warmest attention.

I do need to know a little more about you so I can better understand you and your situation, so I often send out some literature with a quiz to help this process. If you do then decide to come and see me, not only will it mean we can get down to work sooner, but you will feel reassured and can really relax and enjoy the process. Why shouldn’t it be fun?

I would much rather deal with your course of therapy in the lesser time where it’s possible, so that you’re very happy about the experience and feel that you have got excellent value.

The cost of treatment is dependant on the monetary resources of the client, and I have helped many people through the holistic healing approach, from the busy man working all day in his office, who has a hidden fear of public speaking, to the retired farmer who’s back pain has troubled him all his working life.”

LOCATION: Reepham in Norfolk, East Anglia, is about 20 minutes from the outskirts of Norwich. Appointments are made by telephone: 01603 879126

The HYPNOTHERAPIST REGISTER is the largest register of Hypnotherapy Practitioners in the UK and Ireland

www.hypnotherapistregister.com

You might like to see Stella’s other Websites…

www.hypnotherapy-in-norfolk.com

www.spiritualize.net    [note the spelling]

Please note all Emails are answered directly to the recipient ~ thanks.

The Common Cold

CAN ANYTHING BE DONE TO GET RID OF THIS QUICKLY?

Question:

Why does this pest of all and sundry seem to strike at any time of the year? Why do some people say that you can’t catch a cold without germs?

Answer:

This disease is distinguished according to its symptoms as Wind Cold or Wind Hot, either one of which may progress into the other. Read the rest of this entry »

Acupuncture History

The History.

Acupuncture is a non-pharmaceutical treatment with simple application, has a wide range of use, good curative effect, and low cost.
The cultural exchange between China and other countries has promoted a global interest in this subject; one could even say the interest in this oldest holistic medical method has come full circle after so many thousand years, ancient to modern.
Acupuncture is an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is recorded as at least four thousand years old. Over the past 2500 years medical scholars in each age have contributed to the development and refinement of this wonderful art in China, and it is respected throughout the world as an ancient art that has evolved through time into a unique system.

1000 yrs BC is the oldest record of acupuncture on bone etchings. The period of establishment in ancient China is – 21st-3rd century BC; Xia, Sheng, Zhou dynasties in the autumn & spring periods. In the ancient literature there are records regarding the use of stone needles (long before iron casting.) The discovery of stone needles and medical tools as funerary objects in Stone Age burial mounds brings right up to date the legends regarding acupuncture from the ‘clan commune period’ of primitive society – the period before the written word – which lasted up until about 4,000 years BC.
The Han prince’s tomb, Liu Sheng, (113 BC) contained gold acupuncture needles. One such legend, that of a doctor ‘Bian Que’, tells of the physician portrayed mythically as half-man, half-bird, who came upon a supposedly dead prince. Bian Que noted flaring of his ala nasi [a diagnostic indicator] and treated the prince by administering herbs and needling the well established point for ‘wind invasion’ which is Governor Meridian no: 20. Wind Invasion is a term used to describe amongst other diseases, bronchial & respiratory tract infections.
According to the legend the prince made a miraculous recovery. Although I have not seen this particularly mentioned miracle myself … but I have frequently witnessed the common cold stopped ‘dead’ in its tracks (excuse the pun) using this point of GV 20 with others myself, before it could turn into a more problematic condition, as you can imagine I am very popular at such times in my family!
The Dutch philosopher Benedict Spinoza (1632-1677) gives a description of pain thus; “A localised form of sorrow.” The accidentally pulled ligament or broken bone causes more modern expletives these days, but fortunately can still receive this treatment from a gentler time!
Modern medicine is beginning to understand what the ancients knew without having the jargon to describe it – that endorphins released by the stimulation of acupuncture needles can reduce pain, and in extremes this knowledge is also used in modern hospitals to anesthetize areas for surgical use.
Many years ago I had a young friend who told me of her leg being amputated after an accident using this method, together with hypnosis, because of her inability to tolerate the chemicals otherwise needed.

I was not incredulous at that time because I had already read at that time an article by a vet from the then Manchester Zoo who went to China in the 1960′s and witnessed operations on animals in this way.
Acupuncture went into a decline during a political period of Chinese isolation, but the revival of TCM in 1949 brought about by Mao Tse-tung after the War of Liberation, meant that the much valued knowledge, once passed abroad, was returned to its homeland by its faithful adherents.
The University of Beijing, which is now very much in the forefront of international training, proudly exhibits its name on TCM Diplomas.

Location: Reepham in Norfolk, East Anglia, is about 20 minutes from the outskirts of Norwich. Appointments are made by telephone: 01603 879126

The cost of treatment is dependant on the monetary resources of the client. I have helped many people through the holistic healing approach, from the busy man working all day in his office, who has a hidden fear of public speaking, to the retired farmer who’s back pain has troubled him all his working life.

If unable to answer the phone I will ask you to leave a message speaking slowly and clearly, and give your contact number so I can return your call as soon as is possible.

Kombucha Tea ~ Miracle Drink

KOMBUCHA – THE ANCIENT HEALTH DRINK

Does the idea of making a health drink for next to nothing seem like a good idea to you?

Read on …

I would like to tell you about a health drink you can either buy from the health food store, or make in your own home, for just the price of a pot of sweet tea! And here’s the good part ~ the foundation ‘culture’ and the method of making has been passed down from generation to generation ~ in other words its free!

I have been making it for years for my family and cannot speak more highly of this great drink for anyone who has problems or is just under the weather!

• Are you on some heavy medication?
• Or just need to detox your system?
• Could you have better health?
• Need a stronger immune system?
• Want rid of sickness in your body?
• Want to ensure you stay healthy?
• Could do with more energy and vitality?
• Want better skin?
• Have you ‘tummy’ problems?
• Directions for making this are below…. Read the rest of this entry »

Auricular Therapy

AURICULAR THERAPY – EAR TREATMENTS FOR THE WHOLE BODY!

We have all heard of Reflexology for the holistic treatment of the body’s functions by manipulation of the feet, so I would explain Auricular Therapy as performing the same function but having the advantage of the patient himself continuing the treatment just by tapping as and when needed, especially in the case of pain relief.

Ear acupuncture therapy treats and prevents diseases by stimulating certain points on the auricle / ear with tiny metal or natural caraway seeds, these are attached to flesh coloured sticking plaster so small we can hardly see them, which I prefer rather than the tiny sterile disposable acupuncture needles.

Here is a picture of the seeds on the dispenser …

The range of indications in ear acupuncture is broad, the method is relatively simple and economical, and there are few side effects, so it has become increasingly popular, you may remember seeing photo’s of Princess Diana with these in her ears?

Like acupuncture for the body this treatment also originates from China, and medical workers there charted more than 200 sites on the auricle, but it has been a French acupuncturist and neurosurgeon called Dr Nogier who has brought the subject into the 2oth century.

Additional information:

Auriculotherapy – also known as auricular therapy - ear acupuncture – is a form of alternative medicine based on the principle that the ear is a microsystem, meaning that the entire body is represented on the auricle (or auricula, or pinna – the outer portion of the ear) in a similar fashion to reflexology (zone therapy), and that the entire body can be treated by stimulation of the surface of the ear exclusively.

Dr. Paul Nogier, who explored the ear not only according to Chinese medical principles but also scientifically, paid serious attention to the correspondences between specific sites on the auricle and other parts of the body, he noticed that there was a distinct change in the amplitude and dimension of the pulse when certain points on the auricle were stimulated.

This occurs consistently and is both repeatable and measurable by modern equipment. Dr Nogier called it the Vascular Autonomic Signal (VAS) but appropriately it is a response rather than a signal.

Being able to detect the VAS on the radial pulse of (generally) the patients‘ left hand enables the practitioner to precisely determine the location of a point, whether there is a pathology in the region of the body that relates to specific points, and whether certain substances (foods, medicines, herbs, etc.) are indicated. Accurate employment of the VAS in diagnosis and treatment is essential to Auriculotherapy and Auriculomedicine.”

In my clinic I use the ‘Medicina’ (R) which has a audio register to indicate the location of a distressed site. The extension of this technology is the InterX. [See Pain Management section.]

The sensation is just like ‘pins and needles’ when the pulse goes into the skin, and the therapist feels the tingle too!

It is most effective for backache. I have been using this method of massaging my own ear points many times over the years, as you can imagine it is difficult for a therapist to get to her own back points! So Auricular therapy is a winner for me too!

Location: Reepham in Norfolk, East Anglia, is about 20 minutes from the outskirts of Norwich. Appointments are made by telephone: 01603 879126

The cost of treatment is dependant on the monetary resources of the client. I have helped many people through the holistic healing approach, from the busy man working all day in his office, who has a hidden fear of public speaking, to the retired farmer who’s back pain has troubled him all his working life.

If unable to answer the phone I will ask you to leave a message speaking slowly and clearly, and give your contact number so I can return your call as soon as is possible.

Complementary Therapies: Body & Mind

The Chinese were aware over four thousand years ago of the connection between the mind, the body and the spirit, and acupuncture is used now in modern times in conjunction with NLP and hypnosis to allay fears and build confidence.

The holistic approach of Traditional Chinese Medicine is this: If we ignore the needs of one part of ourselves another will protest, be it body, mind, or spirit. In other words, abuse of any kind, be it to ourselves or by ourselves, when ignored it results in a breakdown of one of the parts.

In Chinese medicine the body as a house for the mind and spirit is explained using the family metaphor of relationships to illustrate the organs and positions on the Chinese circle of life and medicine charts; I’ve added the partner organs to the list below to illustrate this. Think of it like this; if the  partner / husband / wife is upset, the other will be also!

Liver – ‘Partner’ Gall Bladder = Anger – “What a gall that person has!”

Heart – ‘Partner’ Small Intestines = Hysteria, Dad worked himself up into a heart attack – a heart attack can be mistaken for indigestion.

Spleen – ‘Partner’ Stomach = Worry – Ulcers commonly caused by over work.

Lungs – ‘Partner’ Large Intestines = Sorrow – Pining away for a loved one is very common in China as many men have to go long distances to find work. Inability of the intestines to absorb nutrients / fading away – shortness of breath / sighing a lot.

Kidneys – ‘Partner’ Bladder = Fear – Children’s nightmares – bed wetting.

Do you recognise any of these things?

So …. What might we do?

Look to our whole situation when we become physically unwell.

Look to our emotions when we feel lacking in energy. Are you draining the batteries?

Look to our mental attitude when we have allowed the whole world to revolve around our own needs first.

Look to our spiritual growth when we feel stuck in a rut.

God bless our ‘built in’ programme of rehabilitation!

Although the needles used in acupuncture are so fine – almost as thin as a hair – and rarely hurt, some people are nevertheless put off by their use, so there are various alternative techniques based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the meridian system of acupuncture. These chiefly include the following:

ALTERNATIVES TO NEEDLE ACUPUNCTURE
1. ‘Tui-Na’ and Acupressure – Acupuncture point energy stimulation – a form of massage.
2. Cupping – used in cold conditions and stagnation. Also used in conjunction with Magnetic Therapy, the addition of positive and negative magnets to cupping
3. Moxibustion – the use of ignited herbs with a strong fragrance
4. Auricular Therapy – for the patient to continue treatment at home using the ear points
5. Conscious Thought therapy – taught to the patient in the form of Visualisation
6. Chinese Herbal Therapy – now come in capsule form, or herbs to brew as an infusion [severe and mild conditions]
7. Laser Therapy – a hospital only treatment

1. TUI-NA ENERGY POINT STIMULATION OF THE MERIDIAN POINTS
We are all familiar with everyday massage in the home as it is natural to rub a hurt place better, and through this the movement of the underlying tissues will benefit by moving the energy, blood or fluids.

In Tui-Na or Acupressure the therapist manipulates the acupoints in much the same way as the professional physiotherapy massage, and depending on the age and tissue condition of the patient the amount of stimulation will vary a lot: Children, babies and old people need special considerations so find this gentler treatment more suitable.
Techniques can be taught for self-help in the home. ETF or ‘tapping’ as it has become known, is another straight forward treatment for self help, empowering the patient to assist in his/her own healing, which I teach and apply very frequently in the clinic and for use at home. I find that daily ;’tapping’ is most beneficial, both for myself, family, and all my patients.

2. CUPPING / MAGNETIC THERAPY.
Cupping was more common in this county in the days before anti-biotics, the drawing out of impurities from perhaps a boil or carbuncle was a tried and true method. A jar, bottle or cup was used in those days with a heat source.
But cupping in this context is a little different, it is used to move fluids and energy within the whole system. The modern way is to use a vacuum suction cup made of lightweight plastic, this is far more hygienic. Magnetic additions to assist the Human Energy Field are added for some treatments to add another dimension to meridian therapy.
Not all cupping is going to leave marks which have been shown in the popular press and below – it just depends on how they are used, for instance I use the sweeping movement far more than the static for the obvious reasons of unsightliness.

3. MOXIBUSTION
Heat treatment is a natural recourse in the form of a hot water bottle, but the moxa herb applied with or without the acupuncture needle is far more accurate in its curative effect. There is evidence that from 50,000 yrs BC the application of fire in the form of wood branches, was used for inhibiting cold and promoting warmth on the human body, in controlled circumstances for medical purposes.
The incense stick is a familiar purchase at any local store, and the gentle aroma is similar to the burning of the Moxa herb, which is used to heat parts of the body and can be applied in many ways.

4. AURICULAR THERAPY
Acupuncture without the needles sounds like an oxymoron but the use of seeds or metallic balls has the stimulating effect very close to that of needles, so both of these objects / tools may be used on the ear surface. Illustrate below each ‘seed’ or metalic ball is attached with a very small sticky-plaster.

The ear has a very thin layer of underlying tissue beneath the skin, and because of this a hard object like a seed or metallic ball held close to the surface with the smallest possible surgical plaster when tapped lightly with the finger actually works very well. Also this method of treatment is left on the ear for the patient to take home, and so will also be present throughout the week between treatments to enable the patient to continue the stimulation and so, as it were, treat himself!
A little care in cleanliness is all it takes – whereas the insertion of ear needles left in place carries a far greater risk of infection, which I prefer not to risk.

5. ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE
The stimulation of the needles is most often done by hand, however the electro pulse machine stimulates in a far more effective way. The ‘tingling’ sensation is quite pleasant, I have experienced all these treatments for myself over the years from fellow practitioners, and would not say this if it weren’t true.

6. CONSCIOUS ENERGY THERAPY
Energy Medicine, the use of visualisation to release problems on all the levels of ill health, is often used together with acupuncture to enhance the effectiveness, visualisation and meditation can take many forms, this conscious therapy is a ‘sister’ treatment of the hypnotherapy and NLP discipline. An example of this is Emotional Freedom Treatment – EFT – which can be used alone or in conjunction with the other options., the ‘tapping’ previously mentioned.
There are quite a few methods of ‘energy medicine’ and the effective ones all focus the attention of the patient onto the diseased area and thus bring the conscious awareness into the part for the patient themselves to take a more active role in their own healing. Directing the energies and releasing pain through the use of visualisation and meditation has long been used either for a stimulating or sedative effect.
This interesting therapy is very empowering, it shows us how we have the resources and – yes – the power within ourselves to heal., and can be practiced at home with visualisations most often using the colours of the chakras, illustrated in the picture below.

CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE

Is now in the capsule form which cuts out the boiling and drinking of the liquid, this modern form of herbal therapy is less bother – I always prescribe herbs in this form because so many people have told me that they cannot abide the strong smells that is emitted in the preparation. The traditional formulas are grouped into over a hundred capsules, and can be very stimulating or calming as the case may be.  Below you see two capsules with some of the very fine needles displayed.

CAN ALL THESE HELP STRESS?
We are coming to understand in the western world how stress and tension cause a ‘knock-on’ effect on the physical body, whereas in Chinese medicine is was long ago recognised that the emotions, when overly stimulated, can cause distress to internal organs, e.g. nightmares causing bed-wetting in children, stress causing stomach ulcers in adults. Many patients have commented that the empowering methods of self-help that I teach, bring back a most welcome element of control into the everyday life.

Location: Reepham in Norfolk, East Anglia, is about 20 minutes from the outskirts of Norwich. Appointments are made by telephone: 01603 879126

The cost of treatment is dependant on the monetary resources of the client. I have helped many people through the holistic healing approach, from the busy man working all day in his office, who has a hidden fear of public speaking, to the retired farmer who’s back pain has troubled him all his working life.

If unable to answer the phone I will ask you to leave a message speaking slowly and clearly, and give your contact number so I can return your call as soon as is possible.

Herbal Medicine

WHAT IS CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE?

Chinese Herbal Medicine has evolved over thousands of years as a powerful and accurate tool regulating the internal organs and immune system. It assists greatly not only in helping many skin and digestive conditions, but also allergies and other imbalances too.

All the ingredients used are natural, and unlike most Western drugs, have no adverse side effects. A trained TCM doctor will prescribe a mixture of different herbs to treat an individual’s illness, self diagnosis is not an option. Over 1000 herbs are used in Chinese medicine and the ingredients all come from the natural flora and fauna of China and other countries.

HOW DOES ONE TAKE CHINESE MEDICINE?

Traditionally, Chinese herbs are boiled in a soup or as tea to extract the essence of the herbs, which is then drunk by the patient. These days all the herbs are available in capsule form, I only prescribe this form of help when it is needed.

No two prescriptions will be the exactly same, as the herbal prescription is tailored to treat the specific ailment of the individual, unlike Western prescriptions which are standardised by the pharmaceutical companies.

IS IT TRUE THAT ANIMAL PRODUCTS ARE USED? Read the rest of this entry »