I have been treating women and gynecological issues for over 20 years. As I don't have kids of my own, it has been a great blessing to have many of my clients go on to become moms. Acupuncture and herbs are now commonly used therapies to promote fertility and may be used alone or in conjunction with ART (artificial reproductive techniques such as IVF or insemination).

Acupuncture and herbs do not address tubal blockage which can occur as a result of pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis. A woman could still benefit from acupuncture and herbs because of the effect of improved ovarian and follicular function. Also, it is shown that acupuncture can increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, helping to create a thicker uterine lining. Patients are commonly treated for three to four months before an insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), or donor-egg transfer. During this period we will address nutritional and lifestyle changes that will optimize a woman's chances to become pregnant and go through her pregnancy more easily.

In a study by Stener-Victorin et al from the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fertility Center, Scandinavia and University of Gothenburg, women are encouraged to receive acupuncture treatments pre and post embryo transfer. Clinical observations from the Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness suggest that the most effective fertility treatments involve a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and traditional medical interventions. However, conception does sometimes occur when acupuncture and herbal medicines are used without traditional medical interventions (cited by the American Pregnancy Association).

Acupuncture is perhaps best-known for treating pain. I truly enjoy treating pain because it's such a joy to reduce pain, or even better to rid my client of pain.

I have spent over 20 years treating pain and have been very pleased with the results. Acupuncture has been shown scientifically to aid in the healing process of the body. Further, it's a non-invasive therapy that can be great on its own, or when used in conjunction with western medical techniques such as Physical Therapy. Before you rush into more invasive therapies such as surgery, you may wish to consider acupuncture first.

The World Health Organization (WHO), the authority concerning health-related matters internationally, has compiled a list of symptoms, syndromes, disease processes, pathologies, traumas and conditions that have definitely been proven as effectively treated by acupuncture:

• low back pain

• neck pain

• sciatica

• tennis elbow

• knee pain

• periarthritis of the shoulder

• sprains

• facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders)

• headache

• dental pain

• tempromandibular (TMJ) dysfunction

• rheumatoid arthritis

• induction of labor

• correction of malposition of fetus (breech presentation)

• morning sickness

• nausea and vomiting

• postoperative pain

• stroke

• essential hypertension

• primary hypotension

• adverse reactions to radiation or chemotherapy

• allergic rhinitis, including hay fever

• depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke)

• primary dysmenorrhea

• acute epigastralgia

• peptic ulcer

• acute and chronic gastritis

This list was compiled from an article from Acupuncture Today, October 2004

Working with clients to get healthy and lose weight is a very exciting project for both my client and myself. I am a firm believer in using your lifestyle to promote optimal health. Following a whole foods diet and getting the right kind of physical movement are powerful tools for getting and staying healthy. Acupuncture can augment your weight loss program in a variety of ways:

Using acupuncture for weight loss is based on the idea that weight gain could be the result of disturbed energy flow to and from the regulating center of the brain, called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is responsible for maintaining balance that allows the body to run like a finely tuned machine. The hypothalamus regulates hormones and chemicals, and controls body temperature, the body's natural rhythm, thirst and hunger.

Acupuncture has been shown to influence obesity hormones. Research has shown that acupuncture treatments increase ghrelin, a hormone that controls cravings and appetite, and decrease leptin, the hormone that regulates fat storage and metabolism.

Acupuncture can enhance your nutritional and exercise program by curbing appetite and cravings, boosts the metabolism, improves digestion and detoxification, regulates hormones and enhances the way nutrients are used. It also strengthens the function of the liver, the organ that produces enzymes needed for digestion and breaking down fats. Acupuncture may also increase tone in the smooth muscle of the stomach to help people know that they are full.

I also use "ear tacks" that you wear home that can help with controlling appetite and cravings.

I will work with you to put together a personalized program that will incorporate acupuncture, nutrition and physical activity, and your program will be based on your unique health concerns and lifestyle.

Maybe you have heard of it and your chiropractor or physician has recommended it. So what exactly is dry needling and how can it help?

Similar to acupuncture, dry needling involves inserting thin needles into irritated muscle tissue, also referred to as "trigger points". The therapy is designed to release trigger points by engaging and twisting the muscle fibers with the needle. Your muscle can often be sore and slightly aggravated after dry needling but you will see benefits in range of motion and joint function right away. In fact, dry needling has been so effective in pain relief, that it's now a go-to method for at least five NFL Football teams, including the Denver Broncos.

Although some Physical Therapists practice dry needling, the best person for the job is a Licensed Acupuncturist who has had many years of education and practice using needles for pain relief. I have been practicing acupuncture for over 20 years and have developed a far gentler technique for dry needling than you will receive in physical therapy.

Due to the popularity and success of dry needling in pain management, I use dry needling with more than 50% of my pain management clients and have been extremely pleased with the results.

Read more about the additional therapies provided as part of your treatment.