Women suffering from fallopian tube obstruction can increases their odds of becoming pregnant with acupuncture and herbs.
In a recent study, women with complete or partial fallopian tube blockage and unsuccessful in conceiving for up to eight years were assigned to an acupuncture-herb group or an acupuncture-only group. Group 1 received warm-needle acupuncture (moxa attached to needle handles and ignited after insertion) at MCA 18 (Zigong), CV 3 (Zhongji), CV 6 (Qihai), LI 4 (Hegu), SP 6 (Sanyinjiao), and KD 3 (Taixi).
Group 1 patients were treated with acupuncture for five consecutive days, followed by two rest days. Each menstrual cycle constituted one course, with treatment stopped during menstruation. Treatment was discontinued if a pregnancy test, administered after each course, was positive. Group 1 patients also received Tong Guan Tang, an herbal formula consisting of Huang Qi, Yi Mu Cao, Gui Zhi, Tao Ren, San Leng, Dang Gui, Chi Shao, Bai Jiang Cao, Hong Hua, Dan Pi, E Zhu, Chuan Xiong, Fu Ling, Lu Lu Tong and Gan Cao.
Group 2 patients received the herbal formula only. Both groups received the formula daily, three days after the last day of the menstrual period and skipped during menstruation. Treatment continued for up to three cycles unless a pregnancy test, administered after each menstrual cycle (one course) was positive.
At six months and one year, ovarian artery resistance index) and pulsatility index, complete blood viscosity and fibrinogen levels had all improved in both groups, but more in the first group. Pregnancy rates after one year were 14% (group 1) and 39% (group 2), suggesting both the herbal formula only, and particularly the formula plus acupuncture, are effective.
This study appeared in Shanxi Medical Journal. Click here for an English-language summary, which served as the basis for our article.
Think of your most difficult patient – the one you try to motivate and work so hard with to develop a realistic treatment plan with achievable and measurable goals. Week after week, you see this patient struggle, sinking deeper into hopelessness as their health and quality of life continue to worsen. What if there was something else you could do that could change their outlook and their life? The solution is as simple as an automated program.
To paraphrase the Tao de Jing; a bowl is useful because of the empty space. Recent anatomical research uncovered evidence for previously undescribed large-scale pathways that span organs, blood vessels and other connective tissue. These pathways are defined by what is known as the interstitial space between cells. The newer research provides evidence that these interstitial spaces actually make very large-scale networks between different types of tissue.
As a practitioner, if you're wondering why your social media efforts aren't working the way you had hoped, or if you're not using social media at all, use this article to get your social media marketing strategies (back) on track.
