Metametrix Laboratory Tests

Schwartz Post in Functional Medicine, Gastrointestinal，Tags: , , , , , , ,
06 September 2010
0

In order to successfully diagnose patients, we utilize a variety of techniques. One of the most important tools we use is laboratory tests utilizing urine and stool samples. These can be particularly useful for diagnosing GI problems, including parasite infections and other abnormalities.

The best company that we have found to perform these tests is Metametrix and they are located here in Atlanta. They provide a wide variety of tests as you can see on their website, but the real power of their testing comes from actual DNA analysis. For example, if they are screening a stool sample for Giardia infection, they look for the exact genetic signature of Giardia by DNA. This is the most accurate way of looking for infections and is far superior to the old-fashioned way of a technician peering through a microscope manually scanning for what could be Giardia. With the GI tests provided by Metametrix, you can finally rest assured that you either have an infection or not. If you do have an infection, we will provide you with a custom solution to address the problem.

Another common test we utilize is the IgG4 Food Allergy panels. This is what Metametrix says about the Bloodspot 30 test on their website:

“From a simple finger stick, the Bloodspot IgG4 Food Antibodies Profile offers a non-invasive alternative to a blood draw in determining IgG food reactions. Responses to 30 different foods are tested, and responses are categorized by severity from borderline to mild, moderate, or severe on the report.”

Food allergies are quite common and can manifest themselves in a variety of ways, from very specific to very general. Using one of these tests, we can help you determine which foods are reacting negatively with your body and help you with nutritious alternatives that can aid in your overall health.

Please contact us today to schedule a consultation to determine which tests you would like to get as well as tests we recommend for everyone. The first step to better health is determining the underlying problems. Let us help you today.

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Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with acupuncture

Schwartz Post in Acupuncture, Fertility，Tags: , , , , , , ,
04 September 2010
0

Many scientific studies have been conducted over the past two decades that have shown a strong correlation between acupuncture and its influence on the many variable that contribute to infertility. Below is the summary of a study done during the mid-nineties that shows a reduction of blood flow impedance.

“In order to assess whether electro-acupuncture (EA) can reduce a high uterine artery blood flow impedance, 10 infertile but otherwise healthy women with a pulsatility index (PI) ?3.0 in the uterine arteries were treated with EA in a prospective, non-randomized study. Before inclusion in the study and throughout the entire study period, the women were down-regulated with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) in order to exclude any fluctuating endogenous hormone effects on the PI. The baseline PI was measured when the serum oestradiol was ?0.1 nmol/l, and thereafter the women were given EA eight times, twice a week for 4 weeks. The PI was measured again closely after the eighth EA treatment, and once more 10-14 days after the EA period. Skin temperature on the forehead (STFH) and in the lumbosacral area (STLS) was measured during the first, fifth and eighth EA treatments. Compared to the mean baseline PI, the mean PI was significantly reduced both shortly after the eighth EA treatment (P < 0.0001) and 10-14 days after the EA period (P < 0.0001). STFH increased significantly during the EA treatments. It is suggested that both of these effects are due to a central inhibition of the sympathetic activity.”

Source: European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology

Please contact us to schedule a personal consultation. We specialize in treating female infertility with acupuncture and herbs.

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Acupuncture and GI Health – Men’s Health

Schwartz Post in Acupuncture, Gastrointestinal，Tags: , , , , , , ,
02 September 2010
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Men’s Health magazine published an article that lists some of the common illnesses that acupuncture treats, among them GI disorders. Here’s a brief snippet from the article. If you’d like to read the full article, a link is supplied below.

“Acupuncture’s ability to combat basic stress may be a key part of its effectiveness with gastrointestinal disorders, says Tony Chon, M.D., chairman of the acupuncture practice at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “We know there’s a strong link between stress and some GI symptoms, including indigestion,” Dr. Chon says, “and acupuncture has been used for centuries for relief and treatment.”

For upper-GI problems, acupuncture can beat antacids by a mile. In a 2007 University of Arizona study, people with chronic heartburn who didn’t respond to prescription antacids underwent twice-weekly acupuncture. Their symptoms improved far more than those of people who took a double dose of the drug. Their chest pain decreased 82 percent, heartburn dropped 83 percent, and acid reflux fell 77 percent. Researchers speculate that the needle treatments prompt a decrease in stomach acid and speed up digestion, so less acid backs up into the esophagus. “It also seems to reduce pain perception in the esophagus,” says study coauthor Ronnie Fass, M.D.”
Read more: http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/acupuncture_benefits/acupuncture_for_gastrointestinal_problems.php

Please contact us to schedule a personal consultation that can help identify the root of your GI problems. We have several tests and treatments that can help you maintain better health.

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Substitution of Acupuncture for HCG in Ovulation Induction

Schwartz Post in Acupuncture, Fertility，Tags: , , , , , , ,
31 August 2010
0

“By using human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), fairly good
clinical therapeutic efficacy has been obtained in the treatment of infertility. However, difficulties are brought
about due to the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) easily induced by these two drugs. Therefore,
we attempted to use acupuncture instead of HCG in the induction of ovulation from 1989 to 1992, and
satisfactory therapeutic effect was achieved as reported in the following.

General Data

Ten patients were hospitalized with confirmed diagnosis of infertility and totally observed for 11 menstrual
cycles (one patient had recurrence of OHSS for 2 times). Their ages ranged from 27 to 30 years with an
average of 29 years. After treatment by HMG, all patients manifested OHSS in varying degrees. In
accordance with the criteria for grading of OHSS issued by WHO, among these 11 menstrual cycles 4 cycles
were mild (ovarian slight enlargement less than 5 cm with symptoms of slight malaise of lower abdomen); 7
were moderate (marked enlargement of ovary with nausea, vomiting and abdominal distension); no severe
case occurred (extreme enlargement of ovary with hydrothorax, ascites, pycnemia and electrolyte
disturbance). In order to prevent the exacerbation of OHSS caused by combined use of HMG and HCG,
acupuncture was used after HMG treatment to replace HCG for the ovulation induction in 11 menstrual
cycles of these patients.

…

Results of Treatment

Of the 11 menstrual cycles, marked effect was shown in 5 cycles, effective in 5 cycles and failed in 1 cycle.
Among the 10 markedly effective and effective cycles, ovulation was induced in 2 cases after needling and
diagnosed pregnancy by blood HCG assay and ultrasonography. In 9 of the 10 cycles treated with
acupuncture for ovulation induction without using HCG and other drugs, the symptoms of OHSS were
significantly remitted or even disappeared. Only in one cycle, HCG (with dosage less than for ovulation) was used after needling to maintain the function of corpus luteum and resulted in exacerbation of OHSS and
finally remitted by drug treatment. ”

Source: ABORM.org

Acupuncture remains a safe and effective treatment for ovulation induction. Please contact us if you’d like to schedule a personal consultation.

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Chinese Herbs Found to Ease Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Schwartz Post in Chinese Medicine, Oncology，Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
27 August 2010
0

Yung-Chi “Tommy” Cheng
Yung-Chi “Tommy” Cheng

August 18, 2010

“New Haven, Conn. — A combination of Chinese herbs in use for more than 1,800 years reduced the gastrointestinal side effects of chemotherapy in mice, while actually enhancing the effects of the cancer treatment, Yale University researchers report.

The formula used in the experiment consists of four herbs, called PHY906, and is based on a herbal recipe called Huang Qin Tang, used historically to treat nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The study, published August 18 in the journal Science Translational Medicine, asked whether the use of the formula could reduce gastrointestinal effects of a common chemotherapy drug without affecting its ability to kill cancerous cells.

Video: Yung-Chi “Tommy” Cheng, Henry Bronson professor of pharmacology, co-director of the Yale Cancer Center’s Developmental Therapeutics program and senior author of the paper. Watch »

Chemotherapy causes a number of toxic side effects, which are usually treated with several different drugs with mixed success.

“Chemotherapy causes great distress for millions of patients, but PHY906 has multiple biologically active compounds which can act on multiple sources of discomfort,” said Yung-Chi “Tommy” Cheng, Henry Bronson professor of pharmacology, co-director of the Yale Cancer Center’s Developmental Therapeutics program and senior author of the paper.

Mice undergoing chemotherapy that were given PHY906 lost less weight and experienced more anti-tumor activity than mice not given the formula, the team reported.

The herbal formula reduced toxicity of the chemotherapy by multiple mechanisms, including the inhibiting inflammation and promoting the creation of new intestinal cells, the team reported. This cannot be accomplished by current drugs, which usually target only one mechanism.

“This combination of chemotherapy and herbs represents a marriage of Western and Eastern approaches to the treatment of cancer,” Cheng said.

Cheng is the co-discover of PHY906 and, with Yale, has a financial interest in PhytoCeutica Inc., a New Haven company developing the formula.

The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health.

Wing Lam of Yale was lead author of the paper. Other Yale authors include Scott Bussom, Fulan Guan, Zaoli Jiang, Wei Zhang, Elizabeth A. Gullen, Shwu-Huey Liu, Yung-Chi Cheng.”

Source: Yale University

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Acupuncture for functional gastrointestinal disorders

Schwartz Post in Acupuncture, Gastrointestinal，Tags: , , , , , , ,
24 August 2010
0

Below is an abstract from a study on acupuncture for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders conducted by Takahashi in 2006. It describes the acupuncture points used as well as what disorders are affected.

diagram of a human digestive system
Image via Wikipedia

“Functional gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common in the general population. Especially, motor dysfunction of the GI tract and visceral hypersensitivity are important. Acupuncture has been used to treat GI symptoms in China for thousands of years. It is conceivable that acupuncture may be effective in patients with functional GI disorders because it has been shown to alter acid secretion, GI motility, and visceral pain. Acupuncture at the lower limbs (ST-36) causes muscle contractions via the somatoparasympathetic pathway, while at the upper abdomen (CV-12) it causes muscle relaxation via the somatosympathetic pathway. In some patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and functional dyspepsia (FD), peristalsis and gastric motility are impaired. The stimulatory effects of acupuncture at ST-36 on GI motility may be beneficial to patients with GERD or FD, as well as to those with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), who show delayed colonic transit. In contrast, the inhibitory effects of acupuncture at CV-12 on GI motility may be beneficial to patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS, because enhanced colonic motility and accelerated colonic transit are reported in such patients. Acupuncture at CV-12 may inhibit gastric acid secretion via the somatosympathetic pathway. Thus, acupuncture may be beneficial to GERD patients. The antiemetic effects of acupuncture at PC-6 (wrist) may be beneficial to patients with FD, whereas the antinociceptive effects of acupuncture at PC-6 and ST-36 may be beneficial to patients with visceral hypersensitivity. In the future, it is expected that acupuncture will be used in the treatment of patients with functional GI disorders.” Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16799881

We specialize in treating gastrointestinal disorders. Please give us a call to schedule a consultation. We will take the time to answer all of your questions and we will treat the root of your medical condition.

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Research on the role of acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility

Schwartz Post in Acupuncture, infertility，Tags: , , , , , , ,
21 August 2010
0

Read below to find out about the results of a study that sought to review literature and scientific studies on the role of acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility.

“Although the understanding of acupuncture is based on ancient medical theory, studies have

suggested that certain effects of acupuncture are mediated through endogenous opioid peptides in the

central nervous system, particularly ß-endorphin. Because these neuropeptides influence gonadotropin

secretion through their action on GnRH, it is logical to hypothesize that acupuncture may impact on the

menstrual cycle through these neuropeptides. Although studies of adequate design, sample size, and

appropriate control on the use of acupuncture on ovulation induction are lacking, there is only one

prospective randomized controlled study examining the efficacy of acupuncture in patients undergoing IVF.

Besides its central effect, the sympathoinhibitory effects of acupuncture may impact on uterine blood flow.”

Source: http://www.aborm.org/research/research.16.infertility.pdf

Buckhead Acupuncture and Herbal Center specializes in the treatment of infertility. Read our testimonials from female patients we have helped and then give us a call to schedule a personal consultation.

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Chrysanthemum Tea: Tasty and Medicinal

Schwartz Post in Chinese Medicine, Herbs，Tags: , , , , , ,
18 August 2010
0

Chrysanthemum flowers (Ju Hua) are boiled to make a popular cooling tea to drink or use topically on the eye. Chrysanthemum tea has many medicinal uses. Used for at least 2,000 years, this herb was first listed by the physician Shen Nong who suggested that continued use would “slow aging and prolong life”.

The boiled flowers or tea bags may be kept in the fridge and used as eye masks to ease tired eyes, reduce heavy eye bags and get rid of redness, pain or dryness of the eyes.

Cold Chrysanthemum Tea

Ingredients

* 60 – 80 White Chrysanthemum Flowers
* 3 teaspoons of Jasmine Green Tea
* Rock sugar or honey
* 4 liters (1 Gallon) of water

Instructions:

1. Wash the chrysanthemums.
2. Put chrysanthemum and tea into a cooking pot.
3. Pour in water and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Add rock sugar or honey.
6. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.
7. Strain and put into the refrigerator.
8. Serve chilled and enjoy!

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Stress and the Adrenal Gland Response – Cortisol

Schwartz Post in Chinese Medicine, Herbs，Tags: , , , , , , ,
16 August 2010
0

“When the famous physiologist Hans Selye was conducting his original research on the stress response in the 1930s, he observed that prolonged and sustained stress eventually attacked the adrenal glands themselves.

The end stage of maladaption to stress was the exhaustion phase, during which levels of cortisol production declined to below those needed to sustain health because of the atrophy of the adrenals.

Chemical structure of cortisol.
Image via Wikipedia

…

In the popular literature we often hear the term adrenal exhaustion used, but this is misleading since genuine adrenal exhaustion is life-threatening. Only in severe cases does chronic stress eventually lead to a dangerously pronounced underproduction of cortisol. A better term to use is adrenal depletion, meaning the adrenal glands temporarily underfunction because of the high demands placed on them.

However, all of this does highlight that stressed individuals will benefit if their adrenal glands are supported, irrespective of whether cortisol is high or low, but especially for adrenal depletion. The herbs that can do this are known as the adrenal restorative or adrenal tonic herbs.”

Source: http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=32269

When the body is stressed, it produces elevated levels of cortisol. Herbs can help counter-act the effects of elevated cortisol levels. Two of the most important herbs used to restore adrenal function are licorice and rehmannia. While they are important for regulating cortisol levels associated with stress, it’s important to note that they also have more systemic effects that can result in secondary effects on cortisol levels and other factors related to stress (such as kidney tonics), but for this article the cortisol levels are the focus.

Licorice is remarkable because it mimics some hormones produced by the adrenal glands. This makes it very effective in treating a wide variety of ailments, including increased cortisol levels. While it is a very useful herb, it can also cause harm if consumed in large quantities or by people with compromised health. For this reason, it is advised to consult an herbal professional before taking licorice.

Rehmannia is also an herb used to help combat stress-induced illness. It is considered an adrenal tonic which makes it appropriate for treating stress. It has been shown in various studies to also support the function of the pituitary gland during times of increased and prolonged stress.

Please contact us to discuss these herbs, as well as others, that can help with both the physiological and emotional consequences of stress. We will analyze your symptoms and make a custom herbal formula that targets the root of your stress as well as the health issues that arise from that root cause.

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TCM and Insomnia: Types, Causes, and Treatment

Schwartz Post in Chinese Medicine，Tags: , , , , , , ,
11 August 2010
0

Insomnia is characterized as a sleep disorder. It can mean difficulty falling asleep, difficulty remaining asleep, early awakening, and light sleep characterized by dreams and/or nightmares.

Sleep
Image by bitzcelt via Flickr

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) considers most cases to be caused by a deficiency of some sort, usually liver qi deficiency or liver deficiency.

Below is a brief summary of the TCM approach to insomnia as well as a common example of a root cause.

“In modern TCM literature, there is agreement of five common differentiations, two being excess patterns, and three being deficiency patterns.2 Excess patterns tend to be more recent in onset, while deficiency (usually of qi and blood, but also yin) accounts for most of the chronic and prolonged cases. There also exists mixed deficiency and excess types, which are primarily deficiency with excess arising later. Excess can be due to emotional factors or overwork. Deficiency may be due to weak constitution, prolonged illness, worry and anxiety, which can aggravate or cause deficiencies of qi, blood or yin.

Stagnation of Liver Qi Transforming into Liver Fire. In this excess pattern, prolonged emotions such as anger, suppressed depression, shock or worry lead to stagnation of liver qi. As this transforms in to liver fire, it flares up to disturb the mind. This is the cause of the “difficult to fall asleep” pattern, and is different from deficiency fire (described below), which tends to cause “light sleep.” There is an inability to fall asleep until later, and may be followed by vivid or manic dreams.”

At Atlanta Acupuncture, we consult with you to determine the underlying reasons for your insomnia. We will ask you many questions including when you go to bed, how long you sleep for on average, when you wake up, and many more questions that help us determine what is causing the insomnia. We will also measure your pulse to determine any deficiencies and teach you effective relaxation techniques that can help make sleep easier to achieve. Please contact us to schedule an appointment with a licensed acupuncturist.

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