Winter Newsletter 2021 Lockdown is over! (For now) and we have settled into our second location @ 3 Main street.. In this newsletter we will discuss ways to optimise your preconception journey, the importance of physical touch, and a winter warming kidney boosting broth recipe. Just a small reminder: When booking by phone or online please take note of where your appointment is. Both your text reminder and email reminder should state your appointment address being either Beachside (3 Main Street) or Top End (321 Main Street).
How Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture supports you during pre-conception
By Doctor of Chinese Medicine - Catherine Brown.
There are many reasons couples may have fertility challenges, including male factor infertility, Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) fibroids, irregular periods & ovulation.
Do you know it takes three and a half months from the time a follicle in your ovary starts to develop to the moment when the egg it contains is mature enough for ovulation?
This precious period of time can be used proactively to influence the development of your egg; thus preparing the soil to receive the seed.
Here are some of the ways I recommend patients to influence the quality of their eggs to optimise fertility:
Reducing stress: Increased stress is associated with reduced numbers of follicles and poorer outcomes in both natural or IVF cycles. Regular acupuncture is effective in reducing stress hormones, relieving anxiety and depression and regulating ovulation.
Improving sleep: More than 40% of adults get less than 7 hours sleep a night. This has adverse effects on metabolism, hormones and mood. Getting enough sleep is essential to maintain optimal hormonal regulation.
Diet: Optimal nutrition provides an optimal ovarian environment for the eggs during the critical maturation process. Chinese medicine recommends having a wide variety of tasty fresh foods in season eaten in a relaxed manner, warm cooked foods, plenty of protein, including vegetable protein, fresh fruit and vegetables – Avoid gluten and dairy and eat organic where possible.
Supplements: Maximising nutrition available for the developing eggs. It's advisable to take supplements which include Folate and other B vitamins, Vitamins C and D, omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants such as CoQ10 and minerals such as Zinc, Iron.
Avoid: High caffeine intake is associated with infertility and increased miscarriage rates. Even moderate coffee drinking (1 – 3 per day) can reduce fertility. Try to limit your intake to no more than 1 tea per day and 1 or 2 coffees per week. Women also metabolise alcohol much less efficiently than men and there is evidence to suggest that even moderate drinking (5 or fewer glasses a week) can delay conception.
Maintain a healthy weight: A BMI of 20 – 25 is associated with higher pregnancy and lower miscarriage rates than those above or below this range, losing a few kilos now could make a big difference to your ability to conceive naturally or with IVF. If you are underweight increase your intake of calorie dense protein and low GI carbohydrates.
Exercise: Doing regular exercise, something you enjoy, is beneficial. Exercise increases energy, lifts mood, helps sleep and metabolism. However exercising too much (4+ hrs/week aerobic exercise) has been shown to reduce IVF success rates. During the first part of pregnancy you need to exercise with care so take the opportunity now to increase your fitness.
The Importance of Touch
By Myotherapist Tam Philippe
As Victorians, we can all agree that Covid lockdowns have taken a toll on us all. While we all join together to stop the spread, we have missed out on opportunities to spend time with friends and loved ones. We have battled through lack of work, home schooling and walking our dogs in 5km circles. Hugs and handshakes have gone by the wayside, replaced by elbow and fist bumps.
While it is important to maintain social distancing and cleanliness practices we also need to remember the importance of physical touch.
Research has shown that massage during pregnancy can relieve the feelings of anxiety and depression that expectant mothers may encounter and post childbirth as they become accustomed to motherhood and all that it entails.
Approximately 4.0 million Australians suffer with back pain. Many of the 16% of chronic pain sufferers will also have limited social and physical abilities and will often experience depression. Chronic pain can often be non-specific and massage aimed at soothing the fascia has shown promising results in activating hypothalamus to release oxytocin within the body which can improve mood and increased the feeling of connectivity to each other.
Specialised oncology massage can ease pain and nausea associated with cancer treatment and medications along with easing the anxiety and depression that is often experienced.
At Peninsula Acupuncture we have a range of talented therapists that can tailor your treatment to suit your needs whether that involves musculoskeletal pain/ injury, chronic pain, stress, assistance with autoimmune disease and many other health concerns.
A Warming Nourishing Winter Broth By Doctor Of Chinese Medicine - Giulia Crema
Winter is the season of hibernation. It is the time of year to conserve and store our energy with adequate rest, nourishing food and a quiet mind. Similarly, it is important to heat our internal organs with nutritious and warming meals. The Kidneys, Lungs and Spleen are the organs we pay particular attention to in the colder months of the year as they influence digestion, immunity, energy levels and reproduction. Broths, stews, roasts, slow cooked ragus and soups are encouraged at this time of year to enhance the function of these organs so that our energy and vitality remains supported.
Try this favourite Winter Warming Broth. It will leave you feeling warm, nourished and ready to take on the frost weather.
Ingredients
1 Whole chicken
10 Slices of ginger
15 Shiitake mushrooms either dried or fresh
5 Chinese dates (red jujube fruit)
1 Bunch of chopped spring onions
3 Diced garlic cloves
2 Corn cobs with kernels removed
1/2 bunch of Tuscan kale
Rice noodles (optional)
Sesame oil
Tamari or soy sauce
Sesame seeds
Method
Bring a large pot of water to boil
Add whole chicken, ginger, dates, half bunch of spring onions, diced garlic, corn kernels and shiitake mushrooms
Continue to boil until chicken is cooked. Approximately 1 hour. Remove chicken and allow it to cool down
Using two forks, shred the chicken off the frame, and return the chicken back to soup to simmer for another 20 minutes or so
If you’re adding rice noodles, cook in a separate pot to avoid them over going gluggy
Add kale in the last 5 minutes
Serve up and season the soup with a splash of sesame oil and tamari or soy.
Add a sprinkle of fresh spring onions and sesame seeds on top. Enjoy
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