Liver Qi Stagnation and Unfulfilled Desires

We all in some form or another have Liver Qi Stagnation. Why? Because we all have unfulfilled desires. As adults we learn delayed gratification but sometimes delay can go on forever and then be thwarted by either the people or circumstances in our lives. This plays havoc on our Qi or energy that moves us, specifically our blood, governed by the Liver which controls the flow of blood.
Ahh free flow, when everything in our life is going smoothly and we feel on top of the world. Things just seem to fall into place. When they don't however, we emotionally become frustrated. Frustration and pent up emotions such as anger, cause us to tense up, we may develop some neck or shoulder pain, or a headache or severe menstrual cramps, PMS or a physical problem we never had before. Also, a long term illness or injury can cause us to develop this, because it limits our ability to do the things we normally love.

We can help ourselves with this by doing deep breathing, exercising, meditating, and focusing on letting go and accepting that which we cannot change, opening up to the now and seeing what happens as Eckhart Tolle and Deepok Chopra always say. Use the stumbling blocks in your life as a portal to take you deeper into the moment into your most perfect self when you let go of how it should look or be, then miracles do happen! Sometimes though surviving the emotional turmoil is real tough. I believe staying with your emotions is key, and knowing they will pass, especially if you can breathe, allow your body to regain a calmness and the mind to stop its endless story of how bad off things are. I love the feeling of the "Peace that Passeth All Understanding" There is no other feeling like it. I believe this is what St. Frances meant when he said, " True Happiness is Finding Peace In the Midst of Suffering"

Acupuncture is a perfect anecdote to moving our Qi, particularily when it has become chronically stuck. Helping us get the "Ahh" back in our lives. It is an energetic modality which biochemically releases our endorphins and neurotransmitters as well as regulates our hormones and immune system(when our immune system becomes overactive as in autoimmune diseases.) Using points along the Liver meridian like Liver 2, 3, 5 and 8 really help to smooth out the flow and soothe the liver. The liver sometimes is likened to a bully in the sense that when it becomes congested it will attack the other weaker organs especially the spleen.

Liver fire is a reference to heat rising or flaring upward causing an outburst in emotions as in raging anger, or eye problems or an intense head pain or an increase in high blood pressure. In this case, we sedate the liver. Sometimes women before their period can have this, when the blood has pooled up in the liver, which stores it before the menses begin. Menstrual clots during the period and spotting inbetween are examples of liver Qi stagnation which many women have. I see this all the time with women trying to conceivce who cannot. Once they begin a course of acupuncture treatments however, this is one of the first things that clears up along with the PMS and irritability(so often they tell me their husbands noticed they are less irritable) then I know and if they are patient and the body becomes regulated then conception can occur.
Acupuncture is an ancient procedure. When I use to do the Great American Teach In's for the schools, no matter what age, I would tell how acupuncture came to be, because when you are in pain or hurt you often hold the area to protect it but also to soothe and maybe alleviate some of the distress. So before metal needles were developed they would just apply pressure with stone or wood and then they began to sharpen them and apply more pressure to get even better results.

Stay tuned for how coffee, drugs, and alchohol congest the liver, yes even small amounts if you are already out of balance as in not being able to conceive or carry to turn.

God's Blessings Abound Far More Than Our Minds Can Fathom. May We Send This Goodness To Our Fellow Human Beings And Let Peace Reside In Our Hearts.

Welcome another new arrival born August 14th 2009!

Mom went into preterm labor back in June and we were a bit concerned as I had stated in one of my earlier blogs, but he was born just at 38 weeks and is a healthy baby boy!

His Dad after 8 months of acupuncture, change of diet, lifestyle, and a focus on his spiritual, emotional, mental and physical health, he and his wife conceived. She also received acupuncture and both took herbs throughout. In addition, I believe the meditation, postive thinking, and chakra work helped to keep them focused and calm and it also took their relationship to another level. As you all know, this fertility process can have some devasting effects on your relationships. I only wish they were still here in Florida.

Ron & Tamra, Proud Parents of Baby Chase

Welcome our newest baby, Chase born July 9, 2009! And once I get the right format of their baby pics I will post his picture. He is a little Ron all the way! Ron came to me for years for his low back and when he met Tam several years back, they decided they wanted a baby. So he underwent a reverse vasectomy. I continued to treat him for his low back but he would always say, can you improve the motility of my sperm, as he was diagnosed with poor sperm motility. We did and now he has Chase, one happy swimmer who made it to the finish line.
With each treatment on Ron, I would place points to improve the motility of his sperm, and for that matter the morphology and count. Points in the abdomen include both the Ren, Kidney, Stomach, and Spleen meridians and we did points along all 4 of them to help open blood flow and move any stagnant Qi as a result of the previous vasectomy surgery. Of course even the points we did for his low back helped to improve his fertility as the Du points and Backshu points are powerful points for reproductive health.

Prayers and Blessings to Jaime and Amber's IVF Success!!!

Hi Everyone,

It was so nice to hear from Jaime. For all of you reading this, please send her your prayers for her second IVF where she now lives in NJ. Back in 2007 she received acupuncture with me for 3 months before undergoing IVF. It was her first IVF and she wanted to do it right and she has William to show for it. In addition Amber, who has been undergoing acupuncture treatments will be having her first IVF Saturday August 8th if all goes well. If you could all send her your prayers. I pray her blessing will be received. Jaime said she would pray for you as well Amber.

HERE'S TO AMBER! Love, prayers and all our blessings. God Bless.

A Voice From The Past, Always Good To Hear!

Hi Carolyn,

Long time, no talk. I am not sure if you actually intended to send this to me, ie the Mother Theresa Novena, but the timing is interesting. As you know, I moved back to New Jersey about a year and half ago. William whom you helped me to conceive was born in NY on June 5, 2008. I am currently going through IVF again and my transfer is this Sunday. I was just recently thinking about you as I had some trouble finding an acupuncturist to treat me pre and post embryo transfer. I was remembering how nice it was when you came to my hotel in Clearwater to treat me. I wish you were here now! I did find someone though and I am all set for Sunday. Please pray for me!

Attached is a picture of William.

I hope all is well with you. Happy Birthday!

Jaime

Gonal F Meds @ a Reduced Rate

One of my dear patients asked me the following; so any of you looking for gonal F meds, at a reduced rate, let me know or Janice. Thanks, below is her e-mail to me. Good Luck and I hope someone out there on the web will benefit from her meds at such a reduced rate!!!
Hi Carolyn,
How are you? We are doing well. I am about 22 weeks now and progressing along fine, definitely getting bigger and I am feeling the baby moving on a daily basis now which is makes it all a little more real. I am usually exhausted at night and my feet are beginning to get a bit sore, and the nausea seems to be less now, although I am still taking the Zofran as needed but trying to get through the day without it.
I have a question for you. I have 25 syringes of Gonal-F Rff 75 iu left over from our IUI treatments. The expiration date on them is Apr 2010, so I won't be able to use them in time, but I was wondering if you know of anyone else who might be able to? I know I could donate them to my Dr's office to give to patients, but I would like to try to sell them to someone to see if we can get our money back. The cost of the medication without insurance was $2748.50 ($109.94/syringe), but luckily, our insurance had only a 30% co-pay, so we ended up paying approximately $824.55. I am trying to find someone who doesn't have RX coverage for these kinds of meds to sell them to since it would be a great savings to them and we could get our money back from what we paid (I don't want to make anything, just cover what we paid) and then I will put that money towards this baby's cord blood banking. I thought I would contact you to see if you might know of anyone or if there was anyone you might be treating who could benefit from this...I don't know anyone else who is going through fertility treatment at the moment.
Anyways, if you can think of anyone, let me know.
I hope all is well with you and you are enjoying your summer. I will keep you posted on any baby updates. My next appointment is Fri the 31st....just a general check up, no ultrasound.
Hugs,
Janice & Kaitlyn too :o)
By the way, the website and blog look great. It has been a while since I was on it and you have done a lot of changes. I was especially touched to see a bit of our story posted and in reading your little note you posted way back in February. That was the first I had seen of it and was very touched by your thoughtfulness....it brought tears to my eyes! You are such a wonderful and caring person Carolyn and you just put so much of your self into all of us you treat and get to know so personally. You truly are one of a kind!
xo,
Janice

The Spleen and it's role in reproduction

The Spleen in Western terms plays a role in the production and destruction of blood and immune cells. In Chinese Medicine, the spleen system includes the pancreas and governs most energetic processes in the body. The spleen transforms food into usuable nutrients and Qi to produce blood. So if we want a healthy menstrual cycle then we better eat good to have healthy blood. The Spleen is responsible not only for overall energy production but also for hormones such as the thyroid hormone, aspects of progesterone production, and immunologic systems. If the Spleen is weak, thyroid abnormalities, autoimmune processes, allergies, digestive disturbances and bleeding disorders can all occur. Menstrual difficulties can also be caused by its imbalance.

Excessive sugar and refined carbohydrates damage the Spleen and damp, greasy foods clog up its works. When the Spleen is weak we feel tired especially after eating lunch and or are muscles and whole body can ache. Often one has loose stools. In the menstrual cycle, if there is spotting before the period this is a sign of Spleen weakness.

Worry is the emotion associated with the Spleen. Also excessive use of the mind in thinking, studying, concentrating, memorizing over a long period of time tends to weaken the Spleen. This also includes "brooding". Exercise is beneficial. More on the spleen later after I get some nourishment myself. Above is Vals baby, Rachal who is now 3 months old what a cutie! Val had PCOS and worked with me for 6 months.