CONCEPT
We are developing an online support (consulting) service using Zoom or Skype for doctors and acupuncturists caring for patients undergoing fertility treatment, as well as for patients undergoing fertility treatment.
We provide personalized fertility acupuncture throughout Japan and around the world.
Fertility Acupuncture
Studies have shown that fertility acupuncture can aid in conception, and acupuncture is said to increase the chances of conception by relieving stress and relaxing the body.
Acupuncture works by stimulating nerve endings deep beneath the surface of the skin. By manipulating the acupuncture needles along with gentle electrical stimulation, the nerves are activated, helping the body to release substances called endorphins. This can have positive effects on fertility, such as relieving stress and depression.
When acupuncture needles are inserted, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated and most patients feel deeply relaxed and often fall asleep.
Acupuncture works by stimulating nerve endings deep beneath the surface of the skin. By manipulating the acupuncture needles along with gentle electrical stimulation, the nerves are activated, helping the body to release substances called endorphins. This can have positive effects on fertility, such as relieving stress and depression.
When acupuncture needles are inserted, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated and most patients feel deeply relaxed and often fall asleep.
■What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an approach based on ancient Chinese medicine that treats a variety of conditions by using needles to stimulate specific acupuncture points on the skin. As acupuncturists with MS in Oriental Medicine, we believe that "[acupuncture is] a minimally invasive method of stimulating nerve-rich areas of the skin surface to affect tissues, glands, organs, and various functions of the body."Each acupuncture needle produces a small scar at the insertion site, and while it is slight enough to cause little discomfort, it is enough of a signal to let the body know that it needs to respond," says Kempisty." This response can include stimulation of the immune system, increased circulation to the affected area, wound healing, and pain modulation." Modern research on acupuncture relies primarily on this theory.
Moxibustion
Traditional Chinese medicine is a medical system that incorporates numerous methods for treating disease and illness. One of the tools found in the toolbox of the Traditional Chinese medicine practitioner is known as moxibustion.
Moxibustion is a technique that involves the burning of mugwort, known as moxa, which is an herb that facilitates healing. The purpose of moxibustion is to stimulate the flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”), strengthen the blood and maintain general health. Qi is translated as life energy. There are two types of moxibustion, direct and indirect. Direct moxibustion uses moxa that is shaped into a small cone and is placed on top of an acupuncture point and burned. This type of moxibustion has two subcategories, scarring and non-scarring. Non-scarring moxa allows for the moxa to be placed upon the acupuncture point, lit and extinguished or removed before it burns the skin. Non-scarring moxibustion creates a pleasant heating sensation that penetrates deeply into the skin, but does not create a scar or any pain. Scarring moxa burns until it distinguishes on its own. This may lead to localized scarring and blisters. Indirect moxibustion is the more popular of the forms. In indirect moxibustion, a practitioner lights one end of a stick of moxa and holds it close to the acupuncture point for several minutes until the area turns red.
Moxibustion can be used for many reasons because it provides many benefits. The first benefit of moxibustion is it is warming to the body. Many people who have autoimmune diseases, low immunity and blood conditions are frequently cold. The warming properties of moxa make it a great choice for these types of conditions.
Moxa is also a good choice for those suffering from aches and pains. The warming properties of moxa allow it to increase blood flow by warming the blood. Increased blood flow means increased oxygenation to the tissues, muscles and tendons that are sore. Another benefit of utilizing moxibustion is increased immunity. Studies have shown moxibustion significantly increases the white blood cell count in the body, which is the major component of the immune system. Moxa strengthens the immune system and helps re-balance autoimmune diseases.
Despite the fact moxibustion involves the burning of mugwort, it has been shown to be very beneficial for cooling areas of inflammation. This again goes back to blood flow. Moxa improves blood flow to areas of inflammation, while promoting the natural radiation function of the skin. This also works on chronic inflammation diseases like arthritis. As moxibustion has many benefits and can be used to treat multiple diseases and ailments, it might be a good addition to a person’s health regimen. It is recommended that only properly trained and fully licensed practitioners be used and a quick internet search can easily provide the names of those located nearby. There’s never a better time than now to start incorporating healthy living habits.
Moxibustion is a technique that involves the burning of mugwort, known as moxa, which is an herb that facilitates healing. The purpose of moxibustion is to stimulate the flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”), strengthen the blood and maintain general health. Qi is translated as life energy. There are two types of moxibustion, direct and indirect. Direct moxibustion uses moxa that is shaped into a small cone and is placed on top of an acupuncture point and burned. This type of moxibustion has two subcategories, scarring and non-scarring. Non-scarring moxa allows for the moxa to be placed upon the acupuncture point, lit and extinguished or removed before it burns the skin. Non-scarring moxibustion creates a pleasant heating sensation that penetrates deeply into the skin, but does not create a scar or any pain. Scarring moxa burns until it distinguishes on its own. This may lead to localized scarring and blisters. Indirect moxibustion is the more popular of the forms. In indirect moxibustion, a practitioner lights one end of a stick of moxa and holds it close to the acupuncture point for several minutes until the area turns red.
Moxibustion can be used for many reasons because it provides many benefits. The first benefit of moxibustion is it is warming to the body. Many people who have autoimmune diseases, low immunity and blood conditions are frequently cold. The warming properties of moxa make it a great choice for these types of conditions.
Moxa is also a good choice for those suffering from aches and pains. The warming properties of moxa allow it to increase blood flow by warming the blood. Increased blood flow means increased oxygenation to the tissues, muscles and tendons that are sore. Another benefit of utilizing moxibustion is increased immunity. Studies have shown moxibustion significantly increases the white blood cell count in the body, which is the major component of the immune system. Moxa strengthens the immune system and helps re-balance autoimmune diseases.
Despite the fact moxibustion involves the burning of mugwort, it has been shown to be very beneficial for cooling areas of inflammation. This again goes back to blood flow. Moxa improves blood flow to areas of inflammation, while promoting the natural radiation function of the skin. This also works on chronic inflammation diseases like arthritis. As moxibustion has many benefits and can be used to treat multiple diseases and ailments, it might be a good addition to a person’s health regimen. It is recommended that only properly trained and fully licensed practitioners be used and a quick internet search can easily provide the names of those located nearby. There’s never a better time than now to start incorporating healthy living habits.
■What is moxa made of?
In Japan, mugwort is a vigorous plant that sprouts in the spring on roadsides, riverbanks, and even in gaps in the asphalt.Since ancient times, mugwort has been used as a familiar medicinal herb, for example, rubbing its leaves on wounds to produce juice to stop bleeding, or to relieve insect bites and itching.
Mugwort gets its botanical name from the Greek moon goddess Artemis, a patron of women, and is a wonderful herb for gynecological conditions. In Chinese Herbal Medicine it is used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding and uterine bleeding and to increase blood circulation to the pelvic area to treat menstrual pain. Moxibustion (applying heat near the skin) has successfully been used to turn breech babies into a normal head-down position before childbirth.
Any type of heat applied to the body can increase the flow of qi and blood. Heat lamps, heating pads, or warming liniments can give a similar effect to moxibustion. But the heat combined with the powerful healing properties of mugwort gives moxibustion a proven advantage.
Mugwort is used because of its acrid, spicy odor which makes it able to travel through all of the meridians, regulate qi and blood, and expel cold. One of mugwort’s active components, borneol, is commonly used in topical therapies for its analgesic effects. Other explanations for the use of mugwort, as opposed to some other herb material, is that it grows easily in many places, is inexpensive, and burns slowly.
■What is moxibustion used for?
Moxibustion can be used to prevent diseases and maintain health as part of tonification treatments to help strengthen the organs and immune system. It warms the meridians and expels cold. It can be used to promote circulation over areas of chronic pain or muscle tension. It is especially used for pain that is worse with exposure to cold or damp weather, as with some types of arthritis pain. When applied to acupuncture points that strengthen and lift the qi, moxibustion can boost the immune system and help with fatigue, digestive issues, and much more.There are many uses for moxa but there are some instances where it should be avoided. Talk to your Chinese Medicine practitioner or you’re fertility acupuncture to see if mugwort is right for you.
Cupping therapy
Cupping is almost like a deep tissue massage with suction and decompression. Chinese medical practitioners believe cupping helps keep the body in balance, increases overall blood flow and reduces pain. It is often used in conjunction with acupuncture or acupressure.
During a cupping session, a practitioner places round cups directly on your skin. The cup is either first heated with fire or manually pumped to create a suction. The cups are then left on your skin for several minutes.
It’s important to take care of yourself after a treatment. Stay warm, cover up, drink plenty of water and eat wholesome foods. You should also avoid swimming or showering within three hours of a cupping session.
During a cupping session, a practitioner places round cups directly on your skin. The cup is either first heated with fire or manually pumped to create a suction. The cups are then left on your skin for several minutes.
It’s important to take care of yourself after a treatment. Stay warm, cover up, drink plenty of water and eat wholesome foods. You should also avoid swimming or showering within three hours of a cupping session.