Fertility Pregnancy Birth

Welcome

2018-12-02T07:08:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the homepage of June Powell, an experienced acupuncture practitioner working in the field of fertility and pre-conceptual care, through pregnancy, birth and parenthood. Please scroll down for more information on each page.

I am based in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, but am also the resident acupuncture practitioner at Midland Fertility Services, Aldridge, West Midlands, where I have worked for 9 years. I also treat weekly in Shipston on Stour.

I offer effective and professional, but also completely personal and individual treatments, coupled with nutrition and naturopathic advice, in a calm and relaxing environment.

To find out more about me, about acupuncture itself or about the treatment I offer then please scroll down and follow the links below:

To make an acupuncture appointment or if you have any questions please contact me:

Tel: 01295 738644

Mob: 07860 168254

E-mail: june@healthbalancevitality.co.uk

Treatments are available in Leamington Spa and Shipston On Stour, Warwickshire

Another naturopathic technique to help women with gynaecological or fertility problems

2011-02-03T05:04:00.000-08:00

Sitz Baths

Sitz baths are another simple, no cost, DIY technique, used by naturopaths for years and used to create movement within the pelvic area. By alternately warming and cooling this area, they increase the blood flow and activity within the circulatory and lymphatic systems, encouraging your body to shift stagnation.

Think about using this easy technique if you have fibroids, cysts or when you have been unable to conceive and want to tone up this area. Also excellent if you have bladder weakness or prolapse, or suffer from constipation. And soothing for lower back pain.

How can this help?

When the body is subjected to heat, blood moves in greater volumes to the surface of the body (the skin) to help the body lose the extra heat and maintain an even temperature in the organs. When the body is subjected to cold, the blood moves in greater volume to the inner body, enabling the body to keep the vital organs warm and ensure a balanced temperature. So, by alternating heat and cold to a particular area, a great deal of movement can be created.

In addition the muscles relax when heated and contract when cooled, which can improve the muscle tone of the pelvic organs.

How often?

Try once a week for 4 weeks, then as it suits you.

When should I not use this technique?

Never during a period when it could cause more bleeding, and not in pregnancy. So, if trying to conceive, use only in the first half of your cycle.

How do I do it?

You need your bath and also a small tub (baby bath is ideal) in which you can sit.

- Fill the bath with hot water up to about 6 inches

- Fill the small tub with cold water up to 6 inches
- Sit with knees up in the hot bath for several minutes
- Continually splash water over your lower pelvic area.
- Change baths and sit in the small tub with knees up for several minutes
- Again continually splash water over your lower pelvic area.
- Repeat this process 3 or 4 times and be sure to finish on cold
- Dry yourself quite vigorously to enhance movement.

Often after this technique you may need to empty your bladder or bowels due to the movement created. You

will find it can be surprisingly soothing and invigorating!

Combining acupuncture treatment with naturopathic techniques such as this can lead to significant changes in your body’s functioning. If you wonder if it will help you, please contact me.

Article by June Powell

Acupuncture Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Feb 2012

Top tips for healthy lunches

2011-02-03T04:44:00.000-08:00

I recently participated at a corporate ‘Wellbeing day for the workforce at Centro in Birmingham put on by their HR department. Over several hours I talked to a constant flow of people on the subject of ‘What’s in your lunch box’. Their lunches ranged from nothing, to various ‘liquid lunches’ to the classic white bread sandwich with processed meat, crisps and a bottle of coke. No wonder so many of them complained of headaches and had colds! On the other hand there was real effort from some to stay hydrated and energised throughout their day. What struck me most however is how little people actually know about the foods which give us energy or steal it from us – and how many people think they can ‘run on empty’ all day. Not a recipe for working efficiently!

I demonstrated tasty, nutritious but quick portable lunches and how to ensure energy, concentration and mood stays balanced throughout the day with healthy snacks. Many went away determined to change at least one thing – and every change matters to your health.

Here is the reminder list they took away with them – you may find it helpful too.

Top tips for healthy lunches

Think simple and whole – unprocessed, unrefined, natural and additive free – wholemeal bread, pittas or organic brown rice, quinoa or couscous. You will be satisfied for longer. Cook a batch and keep in the fridge. It’s quicker than making a sandwich!

Pack in the vegetables and the colour - as well as salads, try oven roasted red onion, yellow and red peppers and orange sweet potato drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Or baked root vegetables like parsnip and carrot with cherry tomatoes. You will have more vitality and boost your immune system.

Add some tasty protein – eggs, avocados, nuts, nut butters and cheese (try goats or feta on the roasted veg) are easy but consider planning to use leftovers from dinner – cook a little more salmon or chicken to use on your grain and vegetables the next day.

Stay well oiled! It’s vital for many body processes that you get certain fats from your food – from oily fish (try flaked salmon, smoked mackerel pate or a tin of sardines. Have a pot of nuts and seeds in your drawer or in your car, great for snacking. Use nut oils for dressing your vegetables.

Top up your water – your body is over 70% and all your cells and systems depend on being hydrated. Better than fizz, pop or anything which has ‘no added sugar’ – it has aspartame, more toxic than sweet! Remember that dehydration can cause headaches, lethargy and difficulty concentrating.

- Lunch follows breakfast – best not to skip either if you want to stay focussed, keep your metabolism up and your weight down.

- Take a little time – even 10 minutes chewing and digesting is better than eating on the run.

- Change gradually so you don’t give up – every change matters to your health

Acupuncture and stillness in the winter season

2010-12-05T03:30:00.000-08:00

I’ve become increasingly aware recently of a common theme in people’s behaviour and comments when they come into my treatment room. Often, they’ve rushed from work, been stuck in traffic or on a conference call, been taken the wrong way by the sat nav or generally preoccupied with life’s hassles and stresses. I sometimes hear someone running down the road to my door – which is nothing to do with the availability of parking and everything to do with their full (overfull?) schedules.

I answer the door, welcome them in and they come into my room – and then I see them relax; their shoulders drop, they ‘drop’ into the armchair, drink some water, take a deep breath, and then say something along the lines of ‘o it’s so nice to get in here!’. I realise that, for so many people, the hour they spend with me having acupuncture treatment (which actually involves far more than just a few strategically placed needles) is a rare hour spent focussing solely on themselves. It is a time when their phone can be silenced and no colleagues, partners or children can interrupt!

The space in which to have any treatment is important, and, after their first visit here, people know that they can indeed totally relax in this space, warm with soft colours, no harsh lights and soothing music. Knowing this means that the relaxation happens more quickly every time. It becomes also a safe place in which people articulate worries or fears which they may not express to anyone else. But it is also a place where we do a lot of laughing! Tears or laughter – it is simply about being able to be yourself.

As a Five Element Acupuncture practitioner, it is only by getting to know you that I know how best to treat you. Treatment is never about how many needles I use but about finding the most appropriate points for you individually. If you come with an acute backache or musculo- skeletal injury, I may use local or trigger points, but otherwise, whatever you come for, I need to understand you and your unique make up and energy system. I need to find out which Element you are.

Everyone has one core Element (Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, or Metal) which is one of the keys to finding balance and health. It is my job to find it and my joy to see people ‘come into their element’ as treatment progresses. The combination of receiving acupuncture treatment in this relaxing space, and taking this time to care for yourself, is a powerful one. Whilst coming for treatment, people also discover how to care for themselves better and how to honour their own intuition about what is best for them. It is a fascinating journey and the reason why I embarked on this as a career after having my own treatment (more on the Five Elements in a future blog – or you can read more, see suggestions at end. I am happy to lend these books to those coming for treatment)

We are only a couple of weeks away from Christmas – sadly a season dominated by commercialism, busy-ness and ‘shoulds, oughts and musts’. For many it’s a time of pressure, sadness or pure hard work, and the simple pleasures of what is in nature, a slower time of year, can be easily lost. Finding a point of stillness and reflection can really help to rediscover and get perspective on what is truly important to you. Allowing yourself time to daydream, imagine, wonder and to meander and wander and just ‘be’ for a while can be a great gift to yourself. And a great role model for our over active and over stimulated children. Busy-ness can be an effective cover up!

The winter solstice this year is on 22^nd December – this is the shortest day, the longest night, and the least light of the year, when the ancients thought the sun literally ‘stood still’. It may be a good time for you to consider finding something, whether it’s coming for acupuncture treatment or something else which feels right for you, which will give you that point of stillness in your life. The winter solstice also of course heralds the coming of the light and has been celebrated as such in all cultures through

all ages. So it’s an ideal time to cast a little more light on your own life.

Please feel free to phone me if you wonder about acupuncture treatment for yourself or as a gift for someone you love.

Reading suggestions on the Five Elements:

Diane Connolly ‘The Law of the Five Elements’

Angela and John Hicks ‘Healing your emotions – discover your element type and change your life’

Nora Franglen ‘Simple Guide to Acupuncture’

June Powell – Acupuncture in Warwickshire

5 December 2011

www.healthbalancevitality.co.uk

www.fertilitypregnancybirth.co.uk

Acupuncture, Nutrition and the Immune System

2010-11-15T05:34:00.000-08:00

Our immune system is the most dynamic body system in determining our state of health or disease – and in our modern culture we are bombarded by many stresses: environmental, physical and emotional, which suppress it rather than enhance it. Then we wait until we become ill before trying to ‘fix’ any problem.

Western doctors are trained to know a lot about disease, but often very little about what promotes and maintains health and prevents illnesses developing. Dieticians are employed within the NHS to control diseases such as diabetes only once they’ve occurred. This is in total contrast with the ancient Eastern physicians who were paid only if people stayed well! However, the people themselves were also expected to do what was necessary to maintain their own health – a combination of nutrition, acupuncture, breathing and exercise; living in tune with the seasons and honouring their own rhythms and life cycles. Archaeological finds of old writings show that the emphasis was clearly on taking care of any imbalance before it led to illness. This was truly whole -istic medicine.

It is within this culture that acupuncture developed. Five Element acupuncture encompasses much more than pain relief and is in fact a complete and elegant system of medicine which serves to optimise the health of a person and correct any imbalances before they give rise to symptoms or disease. The needling techniques now used by medical and other health professionals form only a very tiny part of this whole system.

So, as we approach winter, when many people get ill and suffer from colds, flu, and other viruses or feel generally run down, easily fatigued and depleted, why not consider having some acupuncture treatment, reviewing your current health, nutrition and lifestyle, and taking time to care for yourself.

As winter progresses, we receive less light and therefore less energy. The winter festival time, which has always been celebrated around the solstice (December 21^st) is the time of maximum yin, night and darkness, time to retreat and be more inward and reflective. If we are in touch with our natural instincts, we will follow the example of animals, insects and the whole of nature, preserving and conserving our energy, reducing our output and replenishing ourselves, ready to emerge in the spring with zest, ready for new growth! But modern lifestyles and the fast pace of living serve only to disconnect us further from our instincts and the messages from nature, seasons and our own bodies. If we choose to do so, we can eat the same foods all year round and maintain the same high level of activity, especially accelerating towards Christmas! But such disconnection comes at a cost, and the signs of stress, exhaustion and illness are everywhere.

If we do get ill in the winter, many people find that symptoms linger and it can be difficult to get well again. Unless we respect our body’s innate wisdom and listen to its signals, we do not give our immune systems chance to be effective.

So what is the immune system? It has many components, including the organs, bone marrow, cells, antibodies, gut flora, chemical interactions and essential nutrients. Our immune system constantly interacts with our internal environment, protecting us from factors which may cause us damage. Our skin, mucous membranes and cilia (tiny hairs) provide a first physical barrier. Our lymph system removes foreign cells and proteins, carrying the waste into the blood to be broken down in the liver and eliminated. We can often feel the swelling in our lymph nodes in our neck, armpit or groin when we are ill as this system does its remarkable work. But on a daily basis our system also keeps us well and undergoes a constant process of elimination and detoxification.

Five element acupuncture focuses on balance in your whole body system, with specific points affecting each organ, blood flow and hormonal balance, so it has a unique and effective role in boosting your immune system.

We are born with a certain innate level of immunity, derive other aspects from our mothers during birth and breastfeeding. Vaginal delivery ensures vital gut flora in the baby while early breast feeding gives antibodies and anti infective substances. Then we learn or acquire other aspects of immunity from what we are subsequently exposed to. It is our ‘immune memory’ which ensures a quicker response to a repeat infection from a virus. And, as any parents of pre school children know, little ones deal regularly with bugs and viruses, and rapidly acquire a fantastic immune memory if this is not suppressed.

For many reasons, including genetics and lifestyles, some of us may be overactive or underactive in our immune systems. If our immunity is compromised, we will be more susceptible to infections. This can happen as a result of many factors including overwork, insufficient sleep, antibiotics and other drugs, vaccinations, chemo and radio therapy, intense emotional or psychological experiences or trauma, surgery, and even travel across time zones. Poor diets with high levels of free radical formation and deficiencies in basic nutrients in dehydrated bodies compound the problem. So you may get ill more often or find it takes longer to recover and symptoms linger on. In contrast, a balanced, healthy body may still have to deal with the odd virus but will bounce back and rebalance quickly with vitality. Children often seem to have a growth spurt after dealing with an infection – because they have become stronger as a result of fighting it. Their immune system has just become more efficient too.

If, on the other hand, our immune system becomes overactive, this can potentially lead to a variety if health problems including allergies and auto immune disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. In the fertility world, there has been much interest recently in whether natural killer cells are overactive in certain women, leading to rejection of a developing embryo.

So what can you do to enhance your immune system? There is no one answer, no magic potion or supplement. Balance is the key to optimising our bodies’ natural immunity and balance. To achieve this, we need to listen to and attend to our needs. The ancient Eastern wisdom is just as valid for our immune systems (and the rest of us) now as 2 thousand years ago. Establish a balanced and healthy lifestyle, have a nourishing diet with plenty of water and oils, engage in moderate activity (this doesn’t have to mean a gym!) but get sufficient rest. Take time for your self care, do what gives you joy, and reflect on what may be blocking you from optimal health.

If you begin to put in place positive choices and seek help if you need it, you can only benefit from increased health, balance and vitality.

Top tips for the season

Eat nourishing, warming foods, simple, unprocessed and seasonal. Know that it’s natural to weigh 3 or 4lbs more in winter – it’s the season of conservation and protection! Buy a cookbook rather than a diet book – I recommend Nigel Slater’s book ‘Tender’ (2 volumes)

Rest and relax to allow your body to restore and balance. Have a pyjama day before you are ill! Don’t feel guilty about self care – it’s vital. If you have children, you are their role model for future self-care – they notice what you do more than what you say!

Keep your lymph system moving with some activity/exercise, but don’t overdo it. You can use skin brushing to stimulate movement too (2 minutes with a dry brush, starting from your feet upwards, always brushing towards heart). Exercise doesn’t include brain work or worry – neither helps the lymph system at all! Qigong and Tai Chi are classical eastern movements which stretch and tone your channels of energy.

Get some acupuncture treatment during the winter season. An experienced practitioner will detect blocks or stagnation in your energy system by observing not only physical symptoms but subtle signs in your colour, voice, odour, pulses, mood and emotional state. It’s a time to relax and care for yourself.

Keep your lower back, abdomen and feet warm – this ensures vital energy points are protected from cold and damp.

Above all, trust your instincts, your body signals and its signs of distress. Your body doesn’t lie, so best not to ignore it and carry on regardless!

If you do get a cold, don’t suppress it. Naturopaths have always seen a cold as a healthy sign of an active immune system. It’s an encouraging sign when someone who has been chronically ill has the vitality to have an acute reaction such as a cold, because this is an opportunity for the body to rid itself of long held toxicity. Mucous is a very efficient way for the body to get rid of excess toxins, while a mild fever shows your body is working appropriately to deal with an infection.

So - take time off to rest, and allow your immune system to do what it is designed to do. Increase your fluids to flush the toxins out. Take extra Vitamin C, A and zinc to improve your immune response. Echinacea is a herb well known as an immune enhancer, and others such as goldenseal, liquorice root and ginseng may be helpful too - research them or consult a herbalist to see which is best for you.

The homeopathic remedy Aconite 30 is the first remedy for sudden onset of colds. Contact Helios Homeopathic pharmacy (www.helios.co.uk) who will send out remedies first class. Ginger root has warming and healing properties – if you have a cold or just feel cold, cut a lump, add hot water with some fresh lemon juice and honey. And use garlic liberally – it is a natural antibiotic.

Enjoy your winter season and contact me if you would like an appointment.

June Powell – Acupuncture Practitioner

Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

www.healthbalancevitality.co.uk

www.fertilitypregnancybirth.co.uk

Breech Presentation and Moxibustion Treatment

2010-10-18T05:21:00.001-07:00

If your baby is diagnosed to be in the breech position, it is good to know that there is an effective treatment which is a gentle and viable option to the medical procedure of External CephalicVersion (ECV, the manual manoeuvre to turn your baby). It is Moxibustion, a treatment which is known to be effective in turning breech babies and encouraging your baby into an optimal position.

Your midwife may suggest that you consult an acupuncture practitioner if your baby is found to be breech. This is because the history and practice of moxibustion is fundamentally integrated with acupuncture. The optimum time to come for treatment is from 34-35 weeks. However, babies still turn after this, so it is worth considering up to 38 or 39 weeks.

Moxibustion refers to the technique in which moxa, a warming herb (artemesia), is applied to specific acupuncture points. It creates warmth, movement and stimulates energy flow in particular channels. For breech presentation, the point used is Zhiyin or Bladder 67, which is located on the outside of the little toe.

This treatment is now recognised to be so effective in New Zealand in avoiding Caesarean sections that it has been incorporated into the midwifery guidelines for care of women with breech babies. Its use is discussed in detail in ancient medical texts in the East, where it has been effectively used for centuries. And it is now attracting more interest and research in the West. In the Netherlands there has this year been a positive research study demonstrating reduction in breech presentations at term, (with corresponding cost savings on C sections\) when women are referred to an acupuncturist.. (1).

‘The efficacy and the survival of older methods in the face of modern technology bears witness to the existence of as yet unexplained therapeutic properties’ (2)

As yet, there is no clear physiological explanation as to why this works, and more good quality research is certainly needed, but, given the gentle nature of the treatment and the fact that it is non invasive and drug free, it offers a real alternative to women with a breech baby.

What does treatment involve?

This is a basically an easy, do it yourself treatment. All you need to do is come for one appointment (one hour, cost £40), preferably with a partner or friend who can also watch and then help you do the treatment at home. I will do your first treatment, demonstrate what to do at home, give you written information - and the 2 cigar shaped sticks of smokeless moxa!

Before I treat you, I will check out your pregnancy and general health history. The contraindications for using moxibustion for breech include multiple pregnancies, problems with the amniotic fluid and uterine abnormalities. If you have any concerns about whether it is an appropriate treatment for you, please phone me.

After your appointment, you simply need to commit to 20 minutes every day for 10 days. If your baby turns, it is time extremely well spent! If you do not have a partner who can help, it is possible to do the treatment on yourself.

It is important to keep going for the full 10 days…..although most babies seem to turn on the 4th day, clinical practice shows that stopping early may lead to the baby turning back. Most women experience an increase in movement during moxibustion and there can be a cumulative effect over several days until the baby turns.

Whilst this treatment does not involve needles, it is possible to combine it with acupuncture treatment which may help to optimise your baby’s position and help prepare your body for labour – see the information on pre-birth acupuncture. If this is something you would like to consider, please phone me to discuss..

And finally, if your baby doesn’t turn, it will be for a good reason!

(1) Van den Berg I, Kaandorp G, Bosch J, Duvekot J, Arends L, Hununk M.
Cost-effectiveness of breech version by acupuncture-type interventions on BL 67, including moxibustion, for women with a breech foetus at 33 weeks gestation: a modelling approach. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2010;18, 67—77.

(2) Newman Turner, Roger & Low, Royston.

Moxibustion. Its Principles and Practice. Thorsons 1981/1987

June Powell, October 2010
Fertility Pregnancy Birth

Aspartame - Sweet or Poison?

2010-09-20T06:36:00.000-07:00

‘No added sugar’, ‘diet’, ‘low calorie’ and ‘low fat’ are all familiar labels these days. They sound healthy – but are they? If your interest is purely your calorie consumption, then yes, you will be consuming fewer with these products. But, look a little closer. Ask questions about who profits from these products. Do they actually have an interest in maximising your personal health? This is big and competitive business with money, not health, at its core. Dig a little deeper under the labels and the advertising and you will find that you are getting much more than you may have bargained for - chemicals used in these products which can in fact cause health problems. Of course these will not be highlighted by the manufacturers, so we need to look much more closely at what we consume. I am talking in particular about the artificial sweeteners, and the main one is aspartame.

So, what is aspartame? A chemical used as a sweetener, 200 times the sweetness of sucrose or ‘normal’ sugar. It fuels an industry persuading us that consuming their ‘no added sugar’, ‘low fat’ and ‘low calorie’ products are healthier choices. It can be in carbonated drinks and pops labelled ‘diet’, in no added sugar cordials, sachet hot drinks and drinking chocolate mixes, yoghurts and desserts, baked and processed foods, chewing gums, instant breakfasts, and ready meals, especially the diet ones including those by Weight Watchers. It has to be listed, but may appear as additive E951. There are some 6000 products listed worldwide containing aspartame.

So, you may ask, what is the problem - surely a substance in such widespread use has to be safe? An internet search will very quickly show you how much controversy this chemical has evoked since it was first licensed for use in foods and drugs in the 1970s. There are many research papers on damaging health effects caused by its use. Aspartame has been one of the most widely investigated food poisons in the past 50 years, surpassing monosodium glutamate (MSG), another popular food additive.

The sheer volume of adverse reactions listed is staggering. They include headaches, fatigue, blurred vision and blindness, heart palpitations, neurological symptoms, numbness and tingling in limbs, eye problems, memory loss, dizziness, muscle spasms, miscarriages, sexual dysfunction, irritability, anxiety attacks, vertigo, epileptic seizures, rashes, tachycardia, tinnitus, joint pain, nausea, mood alterations and depression, hearing loss, slurred speech, loss of taste, and insomnia. Some studies have made links with the onset of multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and diabetes.

A real concern to me is that, if these symptoms have been found in the adult population, how much more vulnerable are children and pregnant women with developing embryos. The organisation dedicated to pre conceptual care, Foresight, is clear that all substances containing aspartame should be avoided in pregnancy. But, despite an increasing list of foods to avoid when pregnant, aspartame does not appear among them. You may like to consider why, and make your own decision.

In America the Aspartame Toxicity centre was set up because of the many health concerns, and this contains much useful information. In 2005, the European Food Safety Authority reviewed a large Italian study which raised concerns about it causing lymphomas and leukaemia in laboratory animals. But none of this knowledge is publicised. The lobby and influence of those with a vested interest in profiteering from aspartame ensures its continued use. Any research conducted by the manufacturers which shows adverse effects can be conveniently ignored. This is not surprising - a key ethical issue in medicine is that the results of trials are left unpublished if the pharmaceuticals don’t like them. The food industry seems to do the same.

A note on the chemistry

What does aspartame do in the body? When digested it releases methanol and two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Methanol further converts into formaldehyde - a toxin classed in the same group of drugs as cyanide and arsenic, (and used as embalming fluid). Thereafter it converts to formate or formic acid, substances which have an adverse effect on the brain. The pro aspartame lobby (connected with the major manufacturers either by direct employment or as contractors or consultants) claims that these broken down substances exist in other natural foods. They neglect to say, however, that in natural foods they are combined with other substances which have a protective effect in the body. With aspartame, they are being released in larger quantities and without other naturally occurring protective substances – so the effect is far greater. (1).

Studies are available linking aspartame with addictive properties and increased appetite. People who regularly consume several cans of diet drinks a day have experienced withdrawal symptoms when they stop. And it appears that regular use can actually lead to weight gain not loss. This is paradoxical given that aspartame is included in Weight Watchers ready meals! However, maybe not so surprising - my own research quickly showed me that both the CEO and President of Weight Watchers were previously employed in marketing in PepsiCo, one of the highest users of aspartame! The website has a section which states that aspartame is safe.

I believe it has to be best for all of us to consume food as close to its natural state as possible, rather that taking in chemically altered, processed and additive laden foods, which make massive profits for some but may seriously compromise our health. I also believe we should have the information which enable us to make an informed choice. I’ve made mine– it is for you to make yours. If you would like to consider your own health issues in more depth then please contact me to book an appointment.

Further reading and references

American Aspartame Centre - http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame

(1) Stegink, LD et5 al 1989 ‘Effect of repeated ingestion of aspartame-sweetened beverage on plasma amino acid, blood methanol and blood formate concentrations’ metabolism, 38,4 357-363

E for Additives, Maurice Hanssen

Foresight - http://www.foresight-preconception.org.uk/

Article by June Powell, September 2011
Fertility Pregnancy Birth

Call: 01295 738644 or 07860 168254
Email: june@healthbalancevitality.co.uk
Web: www.FertilityPregnancyBirth.co.uk

41 Russell Street, Leamington Spa, CV32 5QB

Pre-birth Acupuncture

2010-09-13T09:33:00.000-07:00

Pre-birth acupuncture refers to a weekly series of treatments in the final weeks of pregnancy, usually from week 36, to help prepare you physically and emotionally for labour and birth.

Midwives in New Zealand have been using acupuncture as a pre-birth protocol for over a decade, after research there and in Germany gave promising indications that it helped women to have a normal vaginal birth with reduced labour time. Observational studies indicate that women having pre-birth treatment consistently experienced quicker, more efficient labours, with a reduction in medical interventions such as epidurals, caesarean sections and inductions. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in this way in the East.

Acupuncture from week 36 uses specific points which affect the cervix and pelvic area in preparation for labour. The treatment is carried out with you lying comfortably on a couch, propped up with pillows, while very fine and flexible sterile needles are left in place in certain points on your legs for around 20 minutes. Most women find this relaxing. There is a brief sensation as the needles are inserted, but once in the point, you will not feel any discomfort. If you cannot lie on a couch, we can easily do the treatment with you sitting in a chair with support for your legs.

Other points may be added if you are experiencing any particular problems in this late stage of pregnancy (for example backache, pelvic pain). You may also find that treatment boosts your energy and helps you relax. The hour of treatment time will give you time just for you, and provide emotional support.

At or after term, acupuncture can be used to more strongly encourage labour. This is particularly helpful if you are facing medical induction. Acupressure points can then be used on a daily basis by you and your partner at home.

Acupressure points can also be very helpful for pain relief in labour, and I am happy to teach these to you and your birth partner during one of the pre-birth sessions.

June Powell LicAc.MBAcC.DNN
www.healthbalancevitality.co.uk
www.fertilitypregnancybirth.co.uk

Fats are a fertility issue

2010-06-30T08:33:00.000-07:00

Are you low fat ….or well oiled?!
Article by June Powell

For years now we have been bombarded with messages about consuming a low fat diet. Yet, despite a marketing obsession with ‘low fat’, ‘fat free’ and ‘cholesterol lowering’ foods, the average body weight in this country has increased, heart disease is high, and diabetes, high blood pressure and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis seem to be on the increase. Unexplained fertility problems account for an increasing rate of referral to fertility clinics.

Over the last decade I have specialised in the field of fertility, using acupuncture and nutrition. Fertility problems for both women and men have fuelled a huge array of experts, clinics and medical treatments. Costs are high, too expensive for many, and NHS cuts mean others will never be offered medical treatment. There has been a proliferation of all manner of therapists, supplements and treatments. Fertility is now big business. As treatments and testing become ever more sophisticated, I increasingly wonder if we are missing the basics. I believe people should be offered information about how their hormonal system works, what nutrients are needed to ensure it functions to the best, and how to maximise their own reproductive health.

There is little research in this area, research is often carried out by those with a vested interest in its outcome (the pharmaceuticals for example), and many studies are not made available to the general public. Empowerment of the individual is not top of the agenda; profiteering may be more so. If you are looking for objective evidence and advice, it is difficult.

Over 10 years of talking to and treating hundreds of people, there is one aspect about which I have become increasingly concerned. This is the lack of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) within the typical modern diet. I often hear phrases like ‘I try not to eat any fat’ or ‘I only use that 1calorie spray’. If I ask about nuts, seeds, oils and avocados, people often say they ‘have too many calories’. Those attending weight loss classes do not apparently receive any guidance as to how the suggested plans may affect their hormonal system, or how weight for women varies by several pounds depending on where they are in their menstrual cycle.

Many people do not eat fish, some vegetarians seem not to like vegetables very much, and some men ‘will only eat peas and carrots’! Their diets are seriously lacking in the nutrients needed for the endocrine system and for general health.

There seems to be a culture of fear around fat, although it is only saturated fats that are harmful in excess. And fat is definitely a fertility issue.

Our culture is obsessed with weight, and of course this can be an issue - it is well known that being over or under weight can disrupt the menstrual cycle and hinder conception. But to focus solely on weight, and weight loss in particular, is at the expense of proper nutritional information about how vital it is for hormonal and conceptual health to consume the good fats. For example, women seeking IVF are bound by various criteria, including Body Mass Index. If their BMI is too high, they will be told to lose weight before treatment, but are left with no nutritional guidance. I have seen women scared into going on low fat or crash diets which compromised their proper intake of nutrients, and therefore their reproductive health

Fertility health is more subtle than simply checking your BMI is within the ‘ideal range’- a thin woman may also be compromised in her fertility if her diet is lacking in the essential ingredients for a healthy hormonal system. It is also worth remembering that excess sugar in the body is converted to fat – and fat around the internal organs is definitely not good. Consuming a healthy and balanced diet is crucial not only for conception but also the health of the developing embryo. If you are overweight, switching to a fresh diet, rich in vegetables, fruit, grains, nuts and seeds; and eating fish and using nut oils will ensure both conceptual and embryo health as well as weight loss.

So what are the ‘good fats’ for conception, the ones needed to manufacture the necessary hormones? They are the Essential Fatty Acids, the 2 families of essential poly-unsaturated fatty acids called Omega 3 and 6, both oils. They need to be consumed with the vitamins and minerals which enable them to be used. By ensuring your oil intake is of the right type and in the right balance you will be maximising the health of your baby, ensuring the nutrients to have a healthy pregnancy, to promote breast feeding, and to help you be strong and healthy enough to enjoy being a new mum.

The messages about ‘eat low fat’ are not helpful. Not all fats are equal, and not all fats are bad. In our determination to avoid bad fats, we have missed the fats that promote health and which we must obtain from food. EFAs are vital for the hormonal and reproductive systems. They also help us absorb the fat soluble vitamins, give us energy and satisfy our appetite, provide insulation and warmth and regulate metabolism. They are vital for eye and brain development of the developing embryo. They have been shown to be helpful in depression, other mental illness and behavioural problems. On a physical level studies have shown positive benefits of supplementation in many areas, including coronary heart disease, blood pressure and painful menstruation. At a cellular level, EFAs are vital for the fluidity and permeability of the membrane across which all nutrients and fluids pass…..affecting the health of every cell in our bodies, and those of the developing embryo. Some fats may kill, but some definitely heal.

A more helpful message is surely to consume the good fats in the right proportions, considerably lower your intake of the bad fats, and understand the importance of the essential fatty acids The clue is in the name – they are ESSENTIAL! And, as they cannot be made in the body, they have to be consumed. (Olive oil, by the way, is composed of Omega 9, helpful but not essential, and using this cannot make up for a deficiency of Omega 3 or 6).

If you are eating a fresh diet with no processed or refined food, low in sugar, meat and dairy; are regularly eating nuts, seeds, oily fish 2 or 3 times a week, plenty of vegetables and fruit, with whole grains, eggs and maybe some lean chicken or game, and taking a multi vitamin and mineral supplement, you will be maximising your intake and usageof EFAs.

However, for many people, the balance of good fats to bad fats in our modern diets has become completely skewed – too much saturated fat with a high consumption of meat, meat products and dairy, coupled with processed and refined foods, which contain the cheapest, least nutritionally beneficial fats and may contain chemically altered fats (the trans fats) which are positively harmful (as well as a plethora of other chemicals). We have had a corresponding decrease in regular eating of whole foods like nuts and seeds, grains and especially oily fish. It is within oily fish that we have the most readily available EFA, Omega 3, and I see a conspicuous lack of these oils in most people’s diets. (tinned tuna is not a good enough source!).Yet, Omega 3 is absolutely crucial for hormonal balance and reproductive health.

Omega 3 consumption has fallen to one sixth that of the 1850s. And the balance of Omega 3 and 6 has become totally skewed in our modern diet. These are separately and independently essential, so we cannot make up for a deficiency in one by taking more of another.At the end of the 19th century, the ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 was between 2:1 and 4:1. Now it is likely to be more like 10:1 to as high as 20:1! We are seeing the results in modern health problems, in inflammatory diseases – and I believe in fertility problems.

To address the imbalance, most people need to increase their intake of Omega 3. You are more likely to be getting enough Omega 6 if you eat a varied diet including nuts, seeds and use oils. Many women already take an Omega 6 supplement – Evening Primrose oil which is composed of GLA, also contained in starflower oil, borage and blackcurrant. This often helps with menstrual problems, but it is also worth checking your intake of Omega 3 to ensure you have the right balance for your hormonal system.

There is increasing diagnosis in the fertility field of ‘sticky blood’ and of various blood clotting disorders linked to infertility and miscarriage. As Omega 3 has proven physiological effects which reduce inflammation and the tendency of the blood to clot, I believe it would be appropriate that women receive advice on redressing the balance of their intake of Omega 3 – before embarking on invasive and expensive treatments. At the very least, it will benefit her, and that of a future embryo. Yet, I am not aware that women seeking medical help for fertility are offered any such advice.

For prospective dads, what about sperm health? Eating as varied, nutritious and balanced a diet as your partner is just as important for conception. Think especially about your intake of omega 3. If you are not eating fish, take a supplement. And generally eat a fresh diet rich in vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts and generously use nut oils like flax and walnut, delicious on salads (they should not be heated).This is especially important if you are vegetarian. Essential fatty acids make up a large part of sperm cell membranes and the tails of sperm are teeming with DHA (see below). Studies in America have found that infertile men have lower levels of Omega 3s in their sperm, and some have higher cholesterol in the sperm membrane – which will inhibit sperm maturation and function. On both counts, increasing your consumption of omega 3s will help to create vital healthy and motile sperm. Men are not on the sidelines here – they are 50% of the equation in conception and creating a healthy embryo.

On the subject of supplementation, I don’t recommend using cod liver oil – the liver is the major detoxification organ in the body – of cod as well as us! So it is more likely to be contaminated. Fish oil will deliver more Omega 3 in any case. Only take a fish oil supplement from a quality supplier who filters, tests and purifies, and aim for a capsule which delivers 300mg combined DHA/EPA. A typical balance may be 180mg EPA with 120mg DHA in each 1000 capsule. You can take between 1 and 4 of these depending on your health, and your diet.

Finally, enjoy an oil rich way of eating – it can be simple, quick and delicious. Fish is easy to cook, tasty with fresh herbs or spices, great on the barbecue, and easy to use cold the following day for lunch. Salads and vegetables are enhanced by dressings made with nut and seed oils – they are far more delicious and nutritious than any ready made variety, and can be varied every time. Try walnut, hemp, pumpkin, avocado and flax oils as well as olive, to make delicious bases or simply drizzled over salads and vegetables.

If you would like to consider your own health or fertility issues in more depth then please contact me to book an appointment.

A note on the chemistry

A fatty acid molecule under a microscope is shaped rather like a caterpillar, a fatty chain made of carbon and hydrogen atoms. Each fatty acid has a different chemical structures which gives it unique properties. The Omega system used to identify them is simply a chemical numbering system, denoting how many carbon atoms a chain has and where they have a bond with hydrogen atoms. For Omega 3, you may see on foods or supplements, terms such as Alpha –linolenic acid or ALA ( a short chain of carbon atoms, found in flax, hemp walnut oils and dark green leaves) or EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid), both long chains of carbon atoms, found in the tissues of cold water fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel, and in other marine animals such as krill.

Basically, ALA is the ‘base’fatty acid from which EPA and DHA are made in the body. The short chain is converted to a long chain by a series of chemical processes. However, if your body is not functioning well or your immune system is compromised , and if you are very young or old, your body will not have the energy required. Thankfully, however, both DHA and EPA are immediately available to us by eating fish such as mackerel, sardines or salmon, or by taking a fish oil supplement. They can then be used quickly and easily in the body and are the supplement of choice to deliver this immediate effect. In health, a combination of both will be utilised effectively.

Further reading

Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill. Udo Erasmus, 1993

Know Your Fats Mary Enig, 2000

Flax oil as a true aid against arthritis, heart infarction, cancer and other diseases. Joanna Budwig, 1994

Natural Solutions to Infertility. Marilyn Glenville, 2001

Fat around the middle. Marilyn Glenville, 2006

Boost Fertility Naturally

2010-06-15T04:56:00.000-07:00

Article by June Powell,
Published in Warwickshire Living Magazine, July 2007

Difficulties in conceiving, failed IVF treatments and rates of miscarriage are on the increase. One in six couples now seek help from fertility clinics, whilst sperm health has declined significantly in the last 50 years. Many women are older when they first try to conceive, and fertility decreases with age. So working to increase the quality of both male and female fertility is more important than ever.

Whilst for many there may be a clinical explanation, there is an increase in the number of couples whose inability to conceive is unexplained medically. This can cause more emotional distress and a repeated cycle of disappointment, loss and sadness.

We are all exposed to greater levels of environmental toxicity and life is often very fast and stressful. The tendency can be to eat processed, ready prepared food thereby taking in chemicals, preservatives and excess salt, sugar and chemically altered fats. It may be that you repeatedly ‘jump-start’ your body by using caffeine or sugary snacks to keep going, or as ‘comfort food’. This can set up a vicious cycle where these substances are craved, leading to depletion of essential minerals and vitamins. This can significantly affect the intricate endocrine system, which governs hormone production and the manufacture of sperm. Even with an apparently healthy diet, you may still be lacking in certain vital nutrients especially magnesium and selenium.

The good news is that there are ways to boost your fertility naturally. Changing your lifestyle and diet, eliminating toxins as much as possible, reducing stress and taking supplements can have a significant effect on your ability to conceive. There are also specific naturopathic techniques which may be of benefit.

Having acupuncture, a balancing treatment which works with the natural rhythms and cycles of the body, is worth considering. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to affect fertility. Its aim is to restore balance and to initiate the body’s own healing process. The changes you experience, whilst no guarantee of conception, will have major benefits for your future health and that of your baby. Women often find that their menstrual cycle becomes more regular, less painful with less PMT or they become aware of ovulation. Men have seen significant improvement in sperm test results. Acupuncture and lifestyle changes can maximise the potential of IVF treatment. Acupuncture is also beneficial in supporting emotional needs through difficult times and can help at a deep level to heal emotionally.

There are also some other simple measures you can take for yourself to boost your fertility. An alkaline environment in the body is necessary in order to conceive. Dietary change can help achieve this which has beneficial effects for the whole body! Minimising meat and dairy products and increasing vegetables, fruit and grains and drinking hot water with fresh lemon has an alkalising effect.

Drinking enough water is vital for all body processes, including conception, whilst having oils in your diet is crucial as the endocrine system depends on the essential fatty acids. These are found in nuts, seeds, oily fish, avocados, olive and nut or flax oils. Cutting out smoking and reducing alcohol and caffeine are obvious ways to improve your body’s functioning. Moderate exercise, fresh air and getting enough natural light are also very important.

Finally, if you are trying to conceive, it is easy to feel inadequate and to have negative views about your body. So nurture yourself, tune into your own body processes and signs, take time for yourself on a regular basis and spend time doing the things which you love. Having a baby is the ultimate creative process and any activity which puts you in touch with your own creativity is time well spent.

It is most valuable to seek guidance from a practitioner who has training and experience in the treatment of fertility problems.

June Powell LicAc.MBAcC.DNN

www.healthbalancevitality.co.uk
www.fertilitypregnancybirth.co.uk

Acupuncture for Depression in Pregnancy

2010-03-11T08:30:00.000-08:00

March 2010

A study just published has concluded that acupuncture is a viable alternative to drugs for women suffering depression in pregnancy and post natally

150 women were involved in the randomised controlled trial conducted at Stanford University School of Medicine USA and reported in the journal Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2010, Mar 115(3))

The women who received acupuncture had 12 sessions over a period of 8 weeks, and the reduction in symptoms of depression as treatment progressed was significant.

June Powell, Fertility Pregnancy Birth

Fertility - For Men

2010-01-26T05:46:00.000-08:00

Although the focus is often on women in fertility issues, in fact, men share 50% of the responsibility in creation of a healthy embryo and viable pregnancy.

Male factor infertility has been increasing, and now accounts for 35% of infertility.

So, for male partners, ensuring that you are optimising your sperm health is a major contribution to the chances of you as a couple conceiving. Even if your sperm parameters show no particular abnormalities, enhancing your vitality, and therefore that of your sperm, is worthwhile if conception has not yet happened for you.

Acupuncture treatment will help improve and strengthen your general health and energy levels, and there are specific acupuncture points (mainly on the lower back and lower leg) which have an effect on the male reproductive system. But, as for women, your treatment will be individually tailored to you and your unique health history and life situation. So the health benefits you receive will be far wider than simply addressing sperm quality alone.

A course of acupuncture treatment has, in my experience, frequently led to significant changes in sperm parameters (volume, concentration, motility, morphology) and you may find it reassuring to have a repeat sperm tests after a few months.

Alongside your acupuncture, I will advise you on nutrition, appropriate supplements and lifestyle changes which can have a significant effect on sperm health.

If you as a couple are having fertility treatment, men can often feel they have little role and are ‘on the sidelines’. Many men find it stressful watching their partner having invasive tests and treatments, and can feel a sense of helplessness or failure. You may feel isolated from any support system, unable to talk to work colleagues, and unsure how best to support your partner. My experience of working with many men in this situation means that I can offer you support and a forum in which to discuss the issues involved.

Attending to your sperm health and overall well-being can be a major contribution to the treatment being successful and a significant way to support your partner and work as a team.

Acupuncture can help to:

Improve the quality and vitality of sperm
Strengthen general health and well-being
Relieve stress, help relaxation
Provide support and discussion of options and issues

Acupuncture and Fertility Treatment

2010-01-26T05:43:00.000-08:00

Embarking on fertility investigations or treatment can be very stressful, emotional and isolating. The medical fertility field is highly advanced, involving procedures and language which may feel technical and alien and drug combinations which have side effects emotionally as well as physically. You may feel a complex range of emotions, and at the forefront is often a feeling of failure, as a couple and as an individual. It can be an enormous stress on your relationship and men and women will experience and deal with this differently. Some women find that having the scans and procedures leads to painful memories surfacing. Your usual support systems of family and friends may not be available because it is an intensely private area of your life. And there may be cultural or religious issues which add to your stress..

During the time I have worked in this area, medical knowledge has increased massively. There are more choices, more clinics, more statistics, more treatments……and more dilemmas for those involved.

My experience of working in a specialist fertility clinic for the last 9 years, coupled with my previous experience of working therapeutically means that I can offer you support and exploration of the choices you face, and the emotions you experience. This can be particularly helpful given the intimate and private nature of treatment….the details may not be something you can discuss easily with others.

Acupuncture treatment can help to:

Minimise the side effects of drugs and procedures
Increase blood flow to the endometrial lining
Calm the uterus before embryo transfer to increase its receptivity to an embryo
Restore balance after an unsuccessful cycle
Provide support, help relaxation and relieve stress
Help at a deep level to heal emotionally

Treatment has been shown to be particularly positive close to embryo transfer time and to encourage implantation. Please contact me to discuss the appropriate treatment plan for you.

Fertility - For Women

2010-01-26T05:39:00.000-08:00

Achieving wellness and balance in yourself is the best preparation for conception and pregnancy.

Many women experience problems with their menstrual cycle and this can be a real barrier to achieving natural conception. With an irregular cycle, you may not even know if or when you ovulate. You may experience pain or other symptoms around period time- bowel or bladder symptoms, breast tenderness, mood swings, irritability, sleep disturbances or hot flushes. Acupuncture treatment can help by re-establishing hormonal balance and a regular cycle.

Other women may have a medical diagnosis – polycystic ovaries, fibroids or endometriosis for example – but find relief through acupuncture treatment, particularly coupled with attention to nutrition.

Alongside acupuncture, I will offer advice for self help including nutrition, appropriate supplements, naturopathic techniques and and other resources.

For women who have experienced pregnancy loss, acupuncture treatment can help you rebalance physically and cope emotionally with the grief and sadness this brings.

Emotional and psychological factors have an impact on us physically, especially on our hormonal system. If you are feeling depressed or anxious, or trying to come off medication before getting pregnant, acupuncture treatment can be very helpful.

Acupuncture treatment for a woman often starts at weekly or fortnightly intervals, in rhythm with your menstrual cycle, or in order to establish one. Then we may space out to monthly, or a level which suits you. By then you will know what has changed and be more in tune with your body and its individual rhythm and signs of your fertile time.

Acupuncture can help to:

Regularise your menstrual cycle and help to identify ovulation.
Balance hormone levels and reduce PMT
Reduce symptoms related to your menstrual cycle.
Improve circulation, warmth and blood flow to the uterus and ovaries
Promote maturation of healthy sperm and eggs
Restore balance and a natural cycle after miscarriage
Strengthen general health and well-being
Relieve stress and help relaxation
Support in coming off medication

Fertility

2010-01-26T05:36:00.000-08:00

Acupuncture can be beneficial for both women and men . . . .

About Me

2010-01-26T05:25:00.000-08:00

June Powell LicAc.DNN
I was inspired to practice acupuncture after experiencing the profound impact of treatment on my own health. I am also qualified in nutrition and naturopathic techniques.

I have 30 years experience of direct therapeutic work with adults and children, including work in adoption. I trained as a doula with Michel Odent.

Mothering has been a great joy for me and I have been privileged to help many others achieve the same, through all the stages from pre-conceptual care, through pregnancy and birth, to the experience of parenting.

After initial training with Zita West in using acupuncture in fertility, I have undertaken further training in this area with many respected professionals in the medical and acupuncture fields. Working at Midland Fertility Services, alongside medical staff and embryologists has given me a depth of knowledge and experience of the tests and treatments involved, and the emotional issues and stresses.

I have experience of treating women and couples through IUI (intrauterine insemination) IVF (in vitro fertilisation), and ICSI (intra cytoplasmic sperm injection), frozen embryo transfers and egg and sperm donation. I have also worked with those using surrogacy and others having complex investigations and treatments due to genetic issues.

I have treated women and couples from most of the Midlands fertility units, including Nottingham Care, Birmingham Women’s Hospital, The Priory, Birmingham, Coventry Centre for Reproductive Medicine, St Jude’s Wolverhampton, as well as several London clinics, and those going abroad.

Member of the Warwickshire Pregnancy and Birth Network
http://www.pregnancyandbirthnetwork.co.uk/

About Treatment

2010-01-26T05:23:00.000-08:00

Acupuncture uses extremely fine, flexible, sterile needles, which are gently placed just under the skin at specific points. This stimulates the body’s functioning and natural healing and restores balance. Only a few needles are generally used in one session, and they may be removed immediately or left for a few minutes while you relax. A brief sensation is felt when the needle is first placed in the point.

Your first consultation will last 90 minutes and will include your first treatment. We will talk about your health history and body systems, with particular emphasis on your difficulties in conceiving or your experience of pregnancy. Physical checks may include blood pressure, tongue and pulse diagnosis. Your treatment and its frequency will then be planned according to your unique situation.

Nutrition is key to ensuring the best environment in which to conceive and nurture a baby. It is essential for all body systems to function effectively that all essential nutrients are present and that the body is well hydrated. Foods and supplements need to be tailored to each individual and I will offer guidance in these areas as appropriate.

First Consultation - 90 minutes
£63.00

Treatments - 45 minutes
£42.00

If you want to discuss whether acupuncture treatment is appropriate for you, I am happy to offer a free 15 minute consultation by phone or in person.

Please note: Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will incur a charge

Receipts for treatments are available on request for personal use or health insurance claims.

Treatments are available in Leamington Spa, Shipston Natural Health Centre and Midland Fertility Clinic

Please contact me for further details

Tel: 01295 738644

Mob: 07860 168254

E-mail: june@healthbalancevitality.co.uk

About Acupuncture

2010-01-26T05:20:00.000-08:00

Acupuncture has contributed to many conceiving - it helps to balance the natural hormonal rhythms and cycles of the body, enhance general health and well being, and relieve stress. Specific points stimulate the reproductive systems in both women and men.

If you are trying to conceive naturally, embarking on fertility tests or treatments, or have had failed treatments or pregnancy loss, I will offer you care, support and individually tailored treatment, recognising that this is an extremely stressful and emotional time. We will jointly look at your unique situation with regards to fertility, look at factors which may be having an adverse effect on your ability to conceive, discuss nutritional changes or supplements which may help, and have a plan for treatment which will empower you and enable you to take control.

Acupuncture is often recommended for relaxation, but it offers far more than that. It is a complete health system, used over thousands of years, with an expanding research base. It treats the individual as a whole person, not separate components or systems, and stimulates the body’s natural mechanisms to re-balance and heal. Whilst no guarantee of conception, by taking charge of your health and general wellness, you will be maximising your chances of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy.

If you are pregnant, acupuncture is beneficial for a range of symptoms, and is a great way of maintaining optimum health. Pre birth acupuncture is highly recommended as a preparation for a smooth transition into labour, whilst acupressure techniques can be learned by your birth partner. The use of moxa, a warming herb, used on an acupuncture point, is well known as an effective way to encourage a breech baby to turn. And, at term, acupuncture can help to encourage the start of labour.

After birth, gentle treatment with moxa and acupuncture is a nurturing way to restore balance and promote lactation. And, when adapting to life with a newborn, coming for treatment provides a way for a new mother to care for her own health and wellbeing and take time and space to nurture herself.

Using naturopathic techniques for fertility and gynaecological problems

2010-01-16T03:54:00.000-08:00

Castor oil packing

Castor oil has been used therapeutically for thousands of years and is a well known naturopathic technique. If you haven’t heard of it, that’s not surprising – it is a cheap DIY treatment which is not going to make much of a profit for any business, but may have great benefit for your own health. Naturopaths know that is has remarkable healing properties, bringing energy, creating movement and blood flow, and shifting stagnation in the part of the body to which it is applied externally. Consider using this technique on your pelvic area if you have endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovaries or blocked fallopian tubes or if you have painful periods or are having difficulty conceiving.

In balance, our bodies naturally deal with toxicity every day. There is a natural flow from our cells into the lymph system, which drains into the blood, which passes through the liver, where toxins are filtered out and passed out through the bowel. However, if we are not healthy or our systems are compromised, this natural flow and release can be impaired at any of the stages, leading to a back up of toxins, which will make us feel unwell or cause stagnation, blockage or other problems in a body system. But, by promoting movement in your cells using castor oil packs, toxicity held within those cells will start to be released and follow the above route to be excreted. Because the liver is the main internal organ of elimination and detoxification, it is also treated so that it is able to deal with this additional detoxification and release. So, as we are considering the pelvic area, you can use a piece of cloth (see below) to cover from the pubic bone up to the breasts (boobs to pubes!), which then effectively covers the liver as well.

This is a simple technique to do yourself at home – the first time it may feel a little messy, but you soon get the hang of it and it feels very therapeutic and soothing. And it means that you are taking an hour to spend just on yourself!

You need:

A piece of unbleached cotton or towelling big enough to cover the area to be treated. It can be used up to 40 times – do not wash it but keep in an airtight plastic bag in the fridge.
A bottle of cold pressed castor oil (try Nutrigold or the Nutricentre)
A roll of cling film
A hot water bottle or heating pad.

Fold the cotton into double or treble thickness depending on the area to be treated

Place it on the draining board and pour on enough castor oil to cover well.

Get a warm hot water bottle or heated pad ready.

Place the oily cloth over the area to be treated, and then wrap cling film over the cloth and around your body to keep the pack in place.

Put on comfortable clothes or a dressing gown and lie down and relax for an hour, placing a warm hot water bottle over the area. Placing a towel underneath is a good idea in case of leakage!

You may like to use this time to listen to music or just to tune into your body and be aware of any sensations or images which arise. Then remove and shower, saving the cloth for next use in the fridge in an airtight bag.

After treatment you are likely to have a deep feeling of relaxation and soothing.

Aim to do this once or twice a week but not during a period or in pregnancy.
An ideal time is just after a period, leading up to ovulation.

Combining Acupuncture treatment with naturopathic techniques such as this can generate real and lasting changes in your body’s functioning. If you wonder if it will help you, please contact me.

June Powell

January 2012

Acupuncture treatments in Leamington Spa

Contact

2009-12-02T07:20:00.001-08:00

To book an acupuncture treatment at Leamington Spa, Shipston-on-Stour or Midland Fertility Services, or if you have any questions please contact me on:

Tel: 01295 738644
Mob: 07860 168254
E-mail: june@healthbalancevitality.co.uk

I am happy to offer a free 15 minute consultation by phone or in person.

News and Articles

2009-12-02T06:59:00.002-08:00

The latest news and articles by June Powell on acupuncture and nutrition:

Sitz Bath for women with fertility and gynaecological problems - Feb 2012 *NEW*
Top tips for healthy lunches - Feb 2012
Naturopathic Techniques for fertility and gynaecological problems - Jan 2012
Acupuncture and stillness in the Winter Season - Dec 2011
Acupuncture, Nutrition and the Immune System - Nov 2011
Some thoughts for women on egg collection and embryo transfer - Nov 2011
Acupuncture and Breastfeeding - Oct 2011
A Seasonal 'Tune Up' with Acupuncture - Oct 2011
Aspartame - Sweet or Poison? - Sept 2011
Fats Are a Fertility Issue - June 2011
Breech Presentation and Moxibustion Treatment - Oct 2010
Pre-Birth Acupuncture - Sept 2010
Acupuncture for Depression in Pregnancy - March 2010
Boost Fertility Naturally - July 2007

Resources and Links

2009-12-02T06:59:00.001-08:00

Acupuncture for Health
My website for information on acupuncture for a wide range of health issues, physical, mental and emotional.
http://www.healthbalancevitality.co.uk/

Acupuncture and acupressure in pregnancy and birth
Debra Betts’ informative website on use of acupuncture and acupressure in pregnancy and childbirth, with free downloads
http://www.acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/

Pregnancy and Birth Network
A group of professional women committed to working in fertility, pregnancy and birth in Warwickshire, signposting women to a range of healthcare and resources.
http://www.pregnancyandbirthnetwork.co.uk/

The Cotton Nappy Company
Retail and on-line shop for cotton nappies, organic baby clothes and toiletries and wooden toys. Situated under my treatment room in Leamington, there is a lovely space for feeding and changing nappies.
http://www.thecottonnappycompany.co.uk/

Appointments at . . .

2009-12-02T06:58:00.001-08:00

41 Russell Street, Leamington Spa, CV32 5QB

Call: 07860 168254 / 01295 738644

Located in the centre of Leamington Spa, within easy walking distance of buses and train station. On street car parking and 2 mins from the Covent Garden car park. Directions: Please click here for a map
Evening and Saturday appointments are available.

Appointments also available at:
Shipston Therapy Centre, Shipston on Stour

Testimonials

2009-12-02T06:57:00.000-08:00

"Thank you for all your support over the last year. What a year it has been and such a fantastic outcome. N and Y are our worlds - and we couldnt have done it without you!"

J and P, Warwickshire - August 2011

"June treated me during my second pregnancy, both for overwhelming nausea and pelvic problems which made pregancy an absolute ordeal for me. Not only did her treatment assist those physical symptoms, but her calm, reassuring and sympathetic manner also provided great emotional support. I only wish that I had seen her during my first pregnancy and I fully intend to continue receiving treatment post pregnancy just for my general well being"
H, Leamington Spa - July 2011

"I feel great, and so much better than when I first came to see you. I do feel much more settled too and less tense and anxious. I am enjoying life again and even enjoying work and trying to be as creative as possible within my role. I have also been taking up painting again. J has definitely noticed a difference in me since our last session and I can now think much straighter. I enjoyed my sessions so much with you I just wanted to say a massive thank you for the time and effort you put in with me. The acupuncture alone is magic but your patience and kindness was a therapy in itself!"
L. West Midlands - May 2011

“After 3 unsuccessful attempts at IVF, I got in contact with June and started my 4th attempt along with June’s acupuncture. I now have a beautiful baby daughter which I thought would never be possible. I have recommended 2 other friends, both of which have been successful. June puts you at ease and helped us make our dream come true.”
L, West Midlands

“We tried and longed for a baby for 7 years, but nothing happened, so we went down the road of IVF. We were very, very lucky and achieved a pregnancy on our first course of treatment. A few years later we sought IVF to help us have a second baby, but after 5 failed IVF treatments we were left with broken hearts and an empty bank balance. We had just about given up when we read in a magazine of the benefits of acupuncture to fertility problems. We contacted June and 6 months after both starting treatment we achieved what we had been told was impossible – a natural pregnancy!”
M&S, Coventry

“I know H would never have been conceived naturally if it wasn’t for the help of acupuncture and for that I thank you with all my heart”
D, West Midlands

“I have absolute belief that our beautiful son was only conceived due to the assistance of acupuncture. Therefore I have no hesitation in encouraging others into trying this approach. Words cannot really describe how grateful we are for all your help, but the wait and the perseverance were all worthwhile”
S, Warwick

“I want to thank you for all the help you gave me, both with the acupuncture and the practical and emotional advice and support. I truly believe that your input played a major part in my IVF being successful. Thanks to you I spent a lot of time relaxing and visualising to develop a more positive attitude. It was your warm character and empathy which helped me so much at a time when I was feeling low.”
J, Midlands

“I’d just like to thank you for all your help and support last year. I‘m sure the pre-pregnancy acupuncture made a difference, and during pregnancy it proved a great time to relax and look after myself. I always felt good after our chats too! I’d really recommend having treatment in the few weeks coming up to term……I managed my labour with no pain relief!”
M, Leamington Spa

Birth and After

2009-12-02T06:56:00.002-08:00

Pre-birth acupuncture on a weekly basis from week 36 or 37 is particularly helpful in promoting a smooth transition into labour. Specific points are used to help ripen the cervix. Studies from New Zealand and Germany have shown a reduction of labour time for women who have had weekly treatments, and midwives also report reduced rates of intervention.

Teaching acupressure (direct pressure to a specific area) points to you and your birth partner can make a great difference to pain relief, intensity of contractions and efficiency of progress in labour. I suggest that birth partners come along to a session around 36 weeks.

After a difficult first experience of birth, treatment can support and prepare you for a different experience with your second baby

Adjusting to life with a newborn and tuning into her needs is challenging. It is a time of huge changes, physically, hormonally and emotionally. There are shifts in your relationship and on your lifestyle. It is likely to be the biggest change in your life so far, and may involve losses as well as joys. You may be inundated with advice, from family, friends and baby manuals. Feelings of uncertainly and lack of confidence are natural. You need time to adjust to your new role. And you are tired!

New mums need support. Unlike some cultures, we do not truly support, reassure and empower new mums, and a woman can feel under pressure to do too much too soon, to ‘get back onto shape’or to follow other people’s advice rather than her own instincts. Yet new mums usually intuitively know what nurtures them and their babies. It may be helpful to think of the first 3 months of your baby’s life as another trimester, when the focus is simply the well-being of you and your baby and adapting to life together. A little like learning to dance….. a totally unique experience of practising, tuning into each other, taking wrong steps, but gradually becoming a fluid and easy partnership.

Maintaining support for yourself during this time with acupuncture treatment will help you to recover and balance physically and emotionally. It can help to establish breast feeding and relieve some of the possible breast problems. I am happy to visit a new mother and baby at home for the first one or two treatments, from 4 or 5 days after birth.

Later, as your baby grows, prioritising occasional treatment for you will contribute to keeping you healthy and balanced. Your baby is always welcome with you, and you are welcome to feed in my room or in a specially equipped room at The Cotton Nappy Company shop directly below.

Pregnancy

2009-12-02T06:56:00.001-08:00

I believe in that all women should have the chance to have the healthiest pregnancy and best birth possible. Anything you do for your own health, physically and emotionally during pregnancy, will have positive benefits for your baby too.

Hopefully this will be a happy and exciting time for you. But pregnancy can also lead to anxieties and unexpected feelings, especially if you have been trying to conceive for a long time, had fertility treatment or previous miscarriages. You may be shocked, feel vulnerable and responsible for the life inside you, anxious about the baby’s development, the birth and unsure about the life changes a baby will bring..

Having acupuncture treatment in pregnancy is an ideal way to nourish yourself physically with gentle treatments, and provides time just for you where you can share and express those complex and often conflicting feelings. This will help you feel healthy and empowered through your pregnancy.

Pregnant women are highly motivated to find drug-free solutions to medical and health problems. Acupuncture from an experienced practitioner is a safe, effective and gentle way of gaining relief from many of the disorders of pregnancy, and can lessen the need for medical treatments.

If you do not suffer specific problems, acupuncture treatments every 6-8 weeks will help you stay healthy and relaxed. I have treated many women from the very beginning of their pregnancy, including those carrying twins and triplets.

From 36 or 37 weeks, pre-birth acupuncture has been shown to be particularly helpful in promoting a smooth transition into labour.

If your baby is in the breech position, treatment with moxa, a warming herb on a point on the little toe, is often effective, and after your first treatment with me, is an easy one to continue at home on a daily basis for the next 10 days, checking with your midwife as soon as you feel the baby make a major movement. The optimal time to come is around 34 to 35 weeks, but can be used later.

At every treatment we will talk about where you are in your pregnancy, discuss any problems, feedback from your midwife, and any concerns or anxieties you may have. I will pass on any tips on nutrition, resources or other treatments which may help you have the best experience you can have. I will always refer you back to your midwife if I have any concerns.

Acupuncture can help with:

Nausea and sickness and heartburn
Back pain or sciatica
Pelvic/symphysis pubis pain
Constipation and haemorrhoids
Tiredness and lack of vitality
Promoting sleep
Alleviating anxiety

Acupuncture & IVF: Some thoughts for women on egg collection & embryo transfer

2009-11-01T09:23:00.000-08:00

If you are embarking on IVF you may be bombarded with advice, or get none – it depends how many books you read, whether you talk to friends or colleagues who’ve also had IVF….. or how many fertility forums you cruise!

I’ve worked in this area as an acupuncture practitioner for 12 years, with women and couples using many different clinics, which have different protocols for egg collection and transfer. So, you may be in a theatre, in a gown and under general anaesthetic for your egg collection in one clinic (Coventry Centre for Reproductive Medicine for example) whereas in another (like Midland Fertility Services) you will be in your own clothes, and awake but under heavy sedation. In some clinics you may have your partner with you, in others not. The surroundings will be different in each clinic, and the before and after care will vary according where you are, the medical staff who are on duty, and whether or not you have an anaesthetic. So, your experience will be different to others you may read about, and their advice may or may not be helpful!

However, wherever you are, here are my thoughts, distilled from the hundreds of experiences I have heard about, on what can help you through your egg collection and embryo transfer.

Keep warm – if in your own clothes, you can keep warm socks on and your partner can take an extra layer or blanket for you in case you get chilly. If you have an anaesthetic, be sure to get warm afterwards – it is an operative procedure and there is inevitably some shock to your system. Concentrate on keeping your feet, lower back and lower abdomen warm, as these are where vital acupuncture meridians governing conception originate.
Take the homeopathic remedy Arnica in a 30 potency before and after your egg collection. It helps to heal bruised and traumatised tissue, very important before your embryos are placed. Helios Homeopathic pharmacy (www.helios.co.uk) is very helpful and will send remedies out first class. Health stores and some pharmacies stock them too. Helios can supply quick dissolve tablets which are useful for your partner to have available for immediately afterwards. You can take Arnica every hour or two on the day of collection, and increase the time between doses as you feel less sore. It’s fine to take it alongside any pain killers you also need, and safe to use alongside any other medication.
Rescue Remedy (a combination of 5 flower remedies as discovered by Dr Edward Bach to help deal with shock and trauma) can be used freely to help you cope emotionally in a very stressful time.
Eliminate anything highly perfumed or toxic during this stage – as the sign from the labs at MFS says, ‘embryos don’t like perfume’. And what you put on your skin is absorbed into your body. Sweet almond oil is a gentle and economical moisturiser which you can safely use now and throughout pregnancy.
Remember to drink lots of water and other fluids. Some clinics now emphasise this, others don’t mention it. Your body has been dealing with a lot of medication, extra hormones and anaesthetic or sedating drugs, so you need additional fluid to help your liver and lymph system deal with the extra load. Extra hydration is crucial if there is any suggestion that you are hyper-stimulating,
The issue of how much to rest is one that all women ask about. You have been through a lot, expended a lot of energy, your body has been working hard………and you’ve had an operative procedure. So, after egg collection you need to rest for at least a day or two so that you heal ready for your embryos to be transferred. Listen to your body and respond to what it is telling you! After embryo transfer, it’s best to take a common sense approach - limit any strenuous or stressful activity (which depletes your kidney energy) and reduce exercise other than walking. Take time to rest and relax over the first few days when implantation will happen. Take time off work if that suits you best, but otherwise be extra kind to yourself and get early nights. Your body doesn’t lie, so trust its signals and treat yourself gently.
After egg collection, and if you have a willing partner, a foot massage is nice. Concentrate on the bottom of the foot and the inner ankle, and you will be stimulating the kidney channel which is very important for conception.
Eat lightly and stick to your familiar foods – a non challenging diet is best when your body is dealing with so much. Eat regularly to keep your blood sugar level, at this time of year especially, and eat warming foods. From embryo transfer, you are potentially pregnant so avoid anything unusual, toxic or alcoholic. You are nourishing yourself and your developing embryos.
Relaxation and hypnotherapy CDs are available if these appeal to you. During and after acupuncture treatments, I play instrumental or vocal music which is very relaxing. Women often ask me what I’ve played during their treatments so that they can do the same at home.
And finally, don’t forget your acupuncture treatments! There is now considerable research about the value of having acupuncture during IVF and around embryo transfer, both physically and emotionally. Read some of the testimonials to see how women have found their treatment, and phone me to talk about the details of how it may help you. It cannot give any guarantees, but I cannot think of anyone who hasn’t found the treatment helpful in some way – and it is much more gentle and relaxing than you may expect! Some of the acupuncture points used have beautiful and evocative names such as ‘Door of Infants’ ( a point which directly affects the ovaries); ‘Gate of Hope’ (a point on the liver channel) and ‘Gateway to the Origin’ (a point on the Conception channel, which is responsible for nourishing and holding a new life).
While people around you may tell you to ‘think positive’ (so easy to say, not so easy to achieve), I feel that a more helpful approach is to simply acknowledge your feelings, conflicting and changeable as they will be, remember you’re longing to be a mother, and be hopeful. And, when your embryos are placed inside, welcome them in and invite them to stay.

June Powell
Acupuncture and Nutrition treatments in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

1 November 2011

www.fertilitypregnancybirth.co.uk

Acupuncture and Breastfeeding

2009-10-18T06:32:00.000-07:00

Perhaps a treatment involving needles won’t be your first thought to help breastfeeding - unless of course you’ve already discovered the amazingly diverse benefits which come from having acupuncture. In fact, these tiny, sterile needles can be a very gentle and effective help for lactation, and have been used in this way for thousands of years.

In the same week that a breastfeeding woman was asked to stop because she was in a public place, I have asked 3 women in late stages of pregnancy what they plan to do about feeding. All of them said they want to breast feed, but they all immediately added ‘if I can’. It reminded me again that women need more support, more factual information before birth and practical help after birth. Midwives are stretched in hospital and post natal home visits are less frequent than they were 20 years ago. Families may be distant, so the hands on help of a female relative is rare. And culturally we don’t see women feeding naturally as often so have no idea how a baby actually looks when latched on correctly. Comparisons with bottle feeding don’t help either – the two are so different in so many ways. Add to this a celebrity culture which emphasises ‘getting your body back’ as quickly as possible after birth, and it’s no wonder women have difficulty understanding that most can indeed feed their own babies – given information, determination and support. Once you’ve learned the skill, it’s free, flexible and very transportable!

So how can acupuncture help?

Out of the 360 or so acupuncture points on the body, there are several which can be used specifically to promote lactation. And the good news is that, once you have been treated, you can continue acupressure at home with the help of a partner.

One of the key points is on the top of the shoulder, and applying deep acupressure to this point causes a deep achy and yet relaxing feeling. For those of you who have had acupuncture to encourage labour, this point (Gall Bladder 21) will already be a familiar point, and may be one which your partner used to help with pain relief in labour. It promotes the free flow of energy – and milk!

Other points we may use lie on the Stomach channel, which actually passes directly through the nipples and exerts an important influence on the breasts. Accessing this channel is often done on the lower legs, but there are also points on the abdomen and chest which can be used. There are others too, some which have a specific effect to remove heat for example. So, if you want to maximise your flow, or if you do experience discomfort, get engorged breasts, blocked ducts or mastitis, come for a treatment or, if local, arrange a home visit. Do consult your midwife or GP as well – in some cases you may need antibiotics, but acupuncture can certainly be used alongside.

And of course, having acupuncture treatment post-natally will help to restore balance after birth and can be an important time to care for yourself. I am always happy to visit new mums at home if reasonably local.

For sore and cracked nipples, you may find some natural remedies very helpful – rescue cream and calendula cream can both be safely used directly on the nipples.

The old naturopathic technique to prepare a woman’s nipples for feeding was to place a drop of her own urine on each, morning and night. Remarkably effective I understand! Cabbage leaves, tea strainers and shells are all old techniques – you can take your choice!

A suitably diverse diet should provide the bulk of nutrients needed for lactation, but that depends on the freshness and quality of your diet (challenging in those early weeks with a new baby) If in doubt, take a multi vitamin or have a nutritional consultation. Also, don’t forget that during lactation, there is a very large need for calcium and Vitamin A – so get those tins of sardines out! You can take a calcium supplement of course – if so, make sure you take it in citrate form or it will not be absorbed (you need an extra 500-600mg a day) Don’t forget that it’s vital to drink a lot of fluids too.

And finally, before your baby comes, make sure you have a comfortable and calm space – or several – where you can relax while you feed. A baby will often fall asleep at the breast and this can be a lovely time to doze, nibble or sip, read a little or just be – all very important to nurture yourself as a new mum!

Local help (in and around Warwickshire)

Post natal doulas will visit and help you one to one – see the Pregnancy and Birth Network www.pregnancyandbirthnetwork.co.uk.

NCT have local BF counsellors – check with your local group

La Leche League (mother to mother support www.laleche.org.uk) have a local

contact, Helen 01926 407454

Childrens Centres may have drop in sessions.

Birth and Baby Reality hold weekly coffee mornings in Leek Wootton – good for meeting and sharing with other new mums.

National helplines:

National Breastfeeding helpline

0844 20 909 20

The Breastfeeding Supporterline

0844 412 4664

Association of Breastfeeding Mothers

08444 122 949

La Leche League Helpline

0845 120 2918

Books and magazines

The Continuum Concept – Jean Liedloff

Birth and Breastfeeding – Michel Odent.

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding – La Leche League

The Drinks are on Me – Veronika Sophia Robinson

Bestfeeding – Renfrew, Fisher, Arms

Breastfeeding….naturally – Australian Breasfeeding Association.

Leaflets available on http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk

The Mother magazine – published bi-monthly, very supportive of long term breastfeeding. www.themothermagazine.co.uk

Article By June Powell - October 2011

Offering Five Element Acupuncture in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

www.fertilitypregnancybirth.co.uk

www.healthbalancevitality.co.uk

A Seasonal 'Tune Up' With Acupuncture

2009-10-12T07:53:00.000-07:00

It’s October and we’ve had our September heat-wave. The final echo of summer has come and gone. The mellowness and warmth are ending, the light is getting less and less each day, and it’s time to think about preparing ourselves for winter!

In nature, everything now slows down, trees give up their leaves, there is little growth, the sap descends, animals store up food and some prepare to hibernate. The golden feel of harvest days gives way to white frosts and chilly mornings. This is a tipping point in the year from the maximum ‘yang’ energy of summer to the maximum ‘yin’ of winter. And as nature responds differently in each season, in tune with the different phases of energy, so should we treat ourselves differently. If you tune into how you feel at this time of year, maybe you will see that you have a natural urge to be more inward looking, generally cosier, getting more rest, eating more warming foods, and being more contemplative, less active. Trees need a time when their sap, their own life energy, descends and turns inward. We need that too.

But we have become increasingly detached from nature’s rhythms and flows. So, as nature prepares to sleep, humans increasingly act counter to this natural flow. There is no let up in busy frenetic lives, little attention to different foods or getting more rest. And then a lot of people hurtle headlong into a frenzy of Christmas activity. No wonder so many become ill during winter! And if not ill, then maybe miserable, resentful, discontented or depressed. Or just out of sorts.

As a 5 Element acupuncture practitioner, the rhythm of the seasons is vital to my diagnosis and treatment, and can be key to addressing health issues for an individual. For example, some people notice that they get bouts of chest infections or bronchitis every autumn, or maybe more frequent IBS. This would come as no surprise to a 5 Element acupuncturist. Both are related to the Metal element, the Element associated with autumn and to the body organs of the lungs and colon. So problems in these areas, which indicate an imbalance in that person’s Metal element, may well respond to a course of acupuncture treatment. Similarly, there are ailments often seen at different times of the year. The ancients observed this and we can still use that knowledge to help prevent illness today.

But even without a particular health issue related to a season, the ancient Chinese saw these transitional times between seasons as a vital time to have a treatment. This time of year is seen as the most crucial. There are in fact particular points done at this time, which help strengthen and nourish the body and help you make the transition into winter with ease not disease.

Each season is related to a different Element, of which we all have a predominant one, a kind of constitutional, guardian or core element. There are 5 – Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal. The skill of a practitioner is in finding out which your core element is, and treating you accordingly. The particular combination of the 5 elements in each of us gives us our characteristics, our strengths and our weaknesses.

Coming for acupuncture treatment supports your core element and will help you address the root cause of any imbalance, whether it is physical, mental or emotional. And this leads to lasting change rather than simply suppressing symptoms. It can be a fascinating journey of discovery about yourself, and knowing how best to attend to your specific needs.

If you are interested in 5 Element acupuncture, in finding out which element you are and in addressing your health issues, then please call me for an informal chat or to make an appointment.

If you are in good health now and are interested in seasonal tune-ups as a way of maintaining your wellness, maybe you would like to consider coming for treatment 4 or 5 times a year. An hour every few weeks is a great investment for future wellbeing.

June Powell - 5 Element Acupuncture Practitioner
Based in Leamington Spa, covering Warwick, Kenilworth, Coventry and Warwickshire.
Acupuncture treatments are also easily accessible from Birmingham, Solihull and the Midlands.

http://www.healthbalancevitality.co.uk/
http://www.fertilitypregnancybirth.co.uk/

For information on acupuncture in Leamington Spa please call me on 07860 168254