Auricular acupuncture  

Auricular acupuncture is a highly effective system for analyzing problems areas. The Chinese see the ear as a representation of the inverted foetus. All the major meridians cross the ear and it has more than 120 Acu-points. We combine the use of acupuncture points on the body with smaller needles used on points in the ear and find it particularly useful for treating imbalances in the endocrine system. The points we use for fertility are endocrine and point zero in order to bring about homeostasis (balance). Back to Top
 

Blood and the menstrual cycle 

Every detail about the menstrual cycle is crucially important, because the blood plays such a vital role in fertility. It links all the organs and flows through the heart and uterus. Blood must flow smoothly for menstruation to function properly. We need to know the heaviness and duration of flow, the colour of the blood, and the frequency of clots. In Western medicine, the blood and the organs are seen as just a collection of cells with a purely physical function, with no mental or emotional aspect at all. In Chinese medicine every organ has both a physical and an emotional function. For example, the blood is thought to house the spirit and is governed by the heart, the emperor and the seat of all our emotions. The heart and uterus are linked by the same meridian, so it follows that our emotions will be affected by fertility problems, and visa versa. In Chinese terms, anaemia equates to low blood and low spirit, making a person feel weak and tearful. Cold, heat, damp and phlegm all have a significance when treating fertility problems, because of the way they affect the organs and the flow of chi. Heat is related to heavy blood flow, cold to constriction and stagnation, whereas damp and phlegm both obstruct. Pulse diagnosis.

Whereas Western medicine takes only one pulse to assess the heart rate, Chinese medicine reads six pulses on each hand, each relating to specific organs (liver, heart, lungs etc.) The quality of each pulse is difficult to describe. It changes as a woman goes through her cycle and shows any underlying imbalance. It can also tell you if a person is pregnant. Reading the pulses forms a crucial part of the diagnosis and helps the practitioner to decide which type of needle technique to employ ('notifying' to boost energy and 'sedating' to slow down energy) and on which meridian to needle. The needles used are very fine and are all-disposable. To find the acupuncture point, the practitioner palpates along the meridian to locate a little dip. When the needle is inserted, a slight tug is felt. The sensation for the patient varies from mild, dull to sharp, and stinging. If the point is missed by even a couple of millimetres, nothing is felt at all. A number of needles are inserted and left for 20 to 30 minutes. At other times they may be inserted and immediately removed. The pulse always changes as a result of needling.   Back to Top