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Anja Centre: Tuning in to the Power of Inner Guidance

Wed, 02 May 2012 04:54:00 GMT

Mind communicates through thought, consciousness speaks to us through ‘knowing’. This ‘knowing’ is called intuition. It is not something you think, it is something that you feel.’
- David Icke.

Intuition is the ability to perceive that which cannot be explained in the 3D physical world. It refers to the inner vision, or inner guidance we receive from higher planes of consciousness.
Most people believe that they cannot see the extraordinary, yet intuition is a very natural state of psychic perception that we can all access and develop.

In the Hindu energy system, intuition is a function relating to the sixth chakra or Anja Centre, commonly referred to as the third eye. It is located in the centre of the head, slightly above eye level. It is associated with the pineal gland, which translates light into hormonal messages that regulate sleep patterns, immune function and stress adaptation.
The third eye is considered the ‘window to the soul’. When the mind is still and the lower chakras are balanced, the Anja centre opens, bringing deeper levels of insight to our current reality. Instead of seeing just the parts, we begin to comprehend the whole. When the Anja centre is open and activated we intuitively sense the path to take in life. A sense of knowing guides us, with wisdom beyond the intellect and five senses. We feel a strong sense of direction and purpose and understand how we fit into the overall divine plan. The intuitive path will often involve taking emotional risks, following our ‘hunches’ and opening our mind to extravagant possibilities.

When our Anja centre is blocked we are cut off from our intuitive guidance. We feel lost in life and find it very difficult to make decisions. We lack a sense of direction and purpose. We feel disconnected from others and the world around us. Stress, emotions and over-thinking (over- intellectualisation) are common causes of Anja centre blockage. If the blockage is not cleared it eventually manifests in the physical body, giving rise to symptoms such as migraine headaches, chronic sinus issues, insomnia and eye problems.

Esoteric Acupuncture is one way of awakening the Anja centre and activating our intuitive power. The Indigo Triangle sequence opens up energy in the Anja to heighten our level of perception and awareness. It helps us to see, not just with our physical eyes but with a depth of wisdom and insight that guides us to our true purpose.

To book in for your initial Esoteric Acupuncture consultation call Dr Rachel Berners (CM) on 0417 325 393. Mention this article to receive 50% of the cost of your initial consultation.

Article written by Dr Rachel Berners (Chinese Medicine) with extract from:

Human Race get off your Knees, David Icke, 2010.
Esoteric Acupuncture Vol 1, Mikio Sankey, 1999.
Wheels of Life, Anodea Judith, 1987.
The Energetics of Healing, Carolyn Myss, 1997.
http://www.chakrahealing.com
http://roshanbaskota.com

Heart Chakra: Key to healing the human energetic field

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:52:00 GMT

The heart chakra (Anahata) is the fourth of the seven bodily chakras in the Hindu nadi system, also referred to as the ‘core of our spirit’. It connects the world of matter (lower three chakras) to the world of spirit (higher three chakras). This chakra is associated with the powerful frequencies of love and compassion. The state of the heart is reflected back at us by the power and quality of love in our lives. Clearing this chakra helps us to overcome issues of the lower chakras so that we may evolve spiritually.

In Sanskrit, the heart chakra translates as “unstruck” or “unhurt”. Healthy heart chakra energy relates to our ability to transcend past hurts and return to a state of unconditional love. When we embrace love as a state of being (rather than being something that is outside of ourselves) we dissolve the illusion of separation and celebrate oneness with all other beings. We transcend the ego and loosen our personal boundaries. When our heart chakra energy is balanced and healthy we radiate love, kindness, joy, compassion, empathy, tolerance and forgiveness. We love and accept ourselves and others unconditionally and without judgement.

An important aspect of being able to love others unconditionally is being able to accept and love ourselves. What we do not have we cannot give to another. Mastery in relationships involves a certain level of self-serving to maintain our own inner balance. The risk of exhilarating love is that it is easy to lose our grounding, the delicate balance between serving ourselves and serving the other is lost. Many people lose their alignment by giving too much or giving when their energy is depleted. Society and religion teach us that selfishness is ‘bad’, yet altering our own energetic balance creates a coherent centre within ourselves which in turn harmonises the energy around us.

Heart chakra imbalances show up as any issues surrounding love. Manifestations include an inability to get over a broken heart and move forward, lack of self- love, lack of joy and happiness in life, abandonment issues, feelings of betrayal and an inability to trust in relationships. Physical symptoms include heart related conditions such as high blood pressure, palpitations, atrial fibrillation, heart attack, stroke and so on. Shortness of breath, excessive perspiration and pain in between the shoulder blades are also signs of heart imbalance.

Esoteric acupuncture is one method of balancing the heart chakra. Specific needling sequences used in esoteric acupuncture open up energy flow in the heart chakra, clearing blockages from past trauma that we have been holding in our energy field. These blockages often cause us to keep repeating destructive self-limiting patterns of thought and behaviour that sabotage our potential to give and receive love. Removing these blockages initiates the frequency of love to expand through our energy field, raising our current level of consciousness and allowing us to heal and evolve spiritually. When our heart chakra is open and balanced, our very presence radiates peace, love and joy, positively touching those around us. This is the true essence of healing.

If you find this article interesting and would like to experience Esoteric acupuncture for yourself please contact Rachel Berners @ Be Good 2 Urself Chinese Medicine on 0417 325 393.

Article written by Dr Rachel Berners(Chinese Medicine), with extracts from:
‘Wheels of Life: The classic guide to the chakra system’, Anodea Judith, 1987.
‘Heart Chakra(Anahata)’, Aymen Fares, 2011.

Esoteric Acupuncture: Activating the chakras to promote healing and awaken consciousness

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:53:00 GMT

The seven major chakras are well documented in the Hindu Nadi system. Chakras are energy-centres aligned along the vertical midline of the body, from the base of the spine to the top of the head. They consist of a collection of tiny particles of very subtle matter that rapidly rotate around a central axis.

The chakras act like memory banks, holding records of all events that have taken place in a persons’ life. They store vast quantities of information, relating to not only the present life-time but past lifetimes and future events. The bodily chakras become blocked as a result of past emotional or physical trauma. These blockages have the potential to cause all sorts of physiological and psychological imbalances if they are not cleared.

Esoteric acupuncture is one method of balancing the chakra energies to create a more harmonious frequency within our energy field. The specific sequences in esoteric acupuncture unlock the encoded information stored in the seven chakras and assist in creating a unified chakra system, where energy begins to ascend from the base of the spine upwards towards the crown. This process involves the shifting of frequencies from a negative imbalanced state to a positive balanced state. When our chakra system is unlocked or activated we experience higher states of consciousness.

Each chakra relates to different parts of the physical body and controls different aspects of our emotional, mental and spiritual development.

The root chakra (muladhara) is associated with survival and the acquiring of our basic needs such as food and shelter. The root chakra governs the function of our adrenal glands and the “fight or flight” response, that is naturally generated when our survival is under threat. Imbalances in this chakra result in selfishness and a ‘me first’ attitude, where a person believes their needs are more important than everyone else’s. Hoarding and excessive attachment to material possessions is an example of root chakra blockage (“ the more things I possess, the more secure I feel”). Not being able to release or let go of things is usually a lower chakra energy issue. Physical manifestations of root chakra blockage include constipation, haemorrhoids, flatulence, bloating, hip and pelvic pain, sciatica and adrenal exhaustion.

The sacral chakra (swadhistana) is associated with the lower back and kidneys. This chakra is associated with our physical power and will or motivation for life. The desire for money, power and fame (status) is rooted in the Sacral chakra. The second chakra also governs our relationships with others and sexual energies. On an astral level, second chakra imbalances are associated with the emotion of fear, eg the fear of not being good enough, fear of not performing sexually, fear of not having financial security, fear of loneliness, change, growing old and death itself. Physical manifestations of sacral chakra blockage include kidney stones, kidney pain, chronic lower back pain, bladder/prostate issues, urination issues, ovarian and uterine disease and male erectile dysfunction.

The solar plexus chakra (manipura) is located directly below the hypochondrium (rib-cage) and above the umbilicus. It is associated with the spleen and liver organs. This chakra is related to our spiritual development and ability to conquer lower desires that prevent us from moving up to the heart chakra. Our digestive system and emotional state is controlled by this chakra. On an astral level, imbalances in this chakra manifest as anger, depression, confusion, intolerance, stress, excessive worrying and over-thinking, stubbornness, rigid thinking, not being able to trust others and not being able to complete tasks or achieve goals in life. Physical symptoms involve digestive problems such as heart-burn, bloating, nausea and vomiting, hiccupping, pancreatitis as well as liver issues such as cirrhosis, tendon problems, dizziness and insomnia. Chronic Fatigue is usually a result of an imbalance or blockage in the solar plexus chakra.

The heart chakra (anahata) is the most important chakra in esoteric acupuncture as it facilitates the opening of all other chakras and initiates the frequencies of love. The energies of love, compassion, wisdom and ultimate truth are related to the heart chakra. Physically this chakra is associated with the immune system and thymus gland. Imbalances on an astral level include anxiety, excessive mental chatter, lack of self-love, lack of joy and happiness in life, broken-heartedness, inability to let go, fear of abandonment/betrayal, inability to trust and general issues surrounding relationships and love. Physical symptoms include excessive talking, heart problems, immune and blood disorders, shortness of breath and spontaneous sweating. Chronic pain in the left middle back area is often related to a heart chakra blockage.

The throat chakra (vishuddha) is associated with the thyroid gland. This chakra is symbolic for the aspect of truth in our lives and relates to our ability to express ourselves. If we are not being authentic and ‘speaking our truth’, imbalances in this chakra occur. We must always strive to express ourselves in a truthful manner. The truth itself carries neither a good nor bad connotation, it simply is. Although truth contains the Qi (energy) of both positive and negative frequencies, it is how we view these frequencies that will trigger the ‘good’ or ‘bad’ vibrations in our energy field. Imbalances in the throat chakra result in a fear of speaking out, inability to express oneself and difficulty releasing emotions. When life doesn’t seem to be going according to plan and things aren’t happening for us, this is often a throat chakra issue. Physical symptoms include lung problems, sinus issues, allergies, frequent coughs and colds, thyroid problems and stiffness in the body. As the lungs and heart are closely related, people with heart chakra imbalances often also have lung chakra imbalance.

The sixth chakra is the anja centre or ‘third-eye’. This chakra is associated with the pituitary gland and governs our powers of intuition. When the third eye is open we have a clear understanding of our purpose in life and how we fit into the overall divine plan. Knowing how we fit into the overall scheme of things is vitally important to our health and well-being and keeps us connected. When our third-eye is blocked, we lack imagination and creativity in life. Physical manifestations include sinus congestion, sinus headaches, difficulty concentrating and eye problems such as blurred vision and glaucoma. Regular practice of meditation strengthens this chakra. When one begins to ‘awaken’ spiritually it refers to this chakra opening.

The crown chakra (sahasrara) is located at the top of the head and is associated with the pineal gland. This chakra symbolises a gate-way to the higher spiritual world. Activation of this chakra enables us to access higher levels of consciousness and inter-dimensional realities. When our crown chakra is blocked we experience difficulty quieting the mind for meditation practice, there may be panic or disturbing thoughts. On the physical plane, crown chakra blockage manifests as headaches (vertex, temples and occiput), dizziness, vertigo and feelings of being imbalanced. A common practice in meditation to un-block the crown chakra is to visualise ‘white light’ streaming down into the top of the head.

Esoteric acupuncture is a New Energy medicine involving the correction of energetic imbalances through activation of the seven physical body chakras. Activation of the chakras creates a high-frequency vibration within our energy field that initiates healing and allows us to experience higher states of consciousness. It is in higher states of consciousness that we are able to transcend the illusion of pain and separation (fear-based reality) and move into love and awareness.

For further information on Esoteric Acupuncture or to book in your initial Esoteric Acupuncture session call Rachel @ Be Good 2 Urself Chinese Medicine on 0417 325 393.

Article written by Dr Rachel Berners (Chinese Medicine) with extracts from ‘Esoteric Acupuncture: Gate-Way to Expanded Healing’, Vol 1.

Esoteric acupuncture: A new model for expanded healing and consciousness

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:41:00 GMT

Every now and again we have an experience that shatters our current state of consciousness and allows us to expand a bit further. I recently had this experience after attending a weekend workshop with L.A based acupuncturist Mikio Sankey. Mikio Sankey is the founder of esoteric acupuncture and is slowly becoming recognised as a pioneer in the field of energy medicine.

Quantum physics tells us that everything in the human body boils down to the vibration of tiny particles. We are energy(Qi) in motion and our state of health relies on the movement or “flow” of this energy. All disease processes begin by affecting these subtle energetic bodies before they manifest in the physical body.

Esoteric acupuncture balances the energy flow through the seven major chakras to expand conscious awareness and open the heart energy. Deep-seated energetic blocks in the physical and etheric bodies are able to be ‘unlocked’ using specific geometric groupings of acupuncture points. These points, when needled in sequence, create a holographic energy field.

Esoteric treatments are designed for anyone who is on the spiritual path, but preferable for those who are regularly grounding themselves with meditation and inner-plane work. When we are more consciously and spiritually aware, we begin to view our imbalances in a different light, allowing greater capacity for healing and transformation. Higher states of consicousness initiate the frequencies of love to expand through our energy field, so that through our own healing, we also assist in healing those around us. Treatments are recommended for any stuck energy pattern that is stopping you from reaching your highest potential and being who you want to be. Addictions, sexual and relationship issues, fear and anxiety patterns, depression, chronic pain conditions, digestive, thyroid and weight conditions are all common examples of blocked chakra energy that respond well to esoteric work.

The answer lies not with-out, but within... the changes we want to see in the world must start with ourselves. Expanded healing energy techniques are crucial in dealing with the multitude of new frequency imbalances facing us in this millennium.

For more information or to book in your initial esoteric acupuncture session at Eltham or Port Melbourne Endota Spa, please contact us.

Article written by Dr Rachel Berners(Chinese medicine), with extract from ‘Esoteric Acupuncture: Gateway to Expanded Healing’, Vol.1, Mikio Sankey.

Thoughts on Surrender

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:47:00 GMT

“What is the secret of your serenity?” asked the student, “Whole-hearted cooperation with the inevitable.” said the Master - Anthony DeMello.

We all come across situations in life that push us to the edge and challenge us to face ourselves. They bring up discomfort, pain and emotional turmoil, however they also provide valuable seeds for personal and spiritual growth.

In the traditional sense, the word surrender feels very negative. We associate surrender with weakness and defeat. In a spiritual context however the concept of surrender can empower us to transform and let go of that which does not serve us.

Surrender involves the release of selfish attachments and expectations generated by the ego. When we become fixated on a certain end result we stop allowing life to unfold in its natural way. We stop “going with the flow”. Our body responds to this resistance by creating tension and pain.

Part of “waking up” and becoming more consciously aware involves noticing when we are developing attachments so that we can release them and carry on being in the moment without expectation. Dropping our personal agenda and accepting a situation as it is without judgement liberates us, giving the situation a chance to evolve and new opportunities to arise. We have flexibility of mind to see which path life takes and the openness to embrace it.

Coming up against obstacles is an inevitable part of life. Moving into surrender is acknowledging that there is a greater life force energy existing outside of us that has its own intelligence beyond our comprehension. Since each of us is a small part of this energetic field it becomes obvious that working against the greater current is unproductive. The experience of pain itself is life reminding us that we are too focused on the external world. When we ground ourselves in conscious awareness we realise that there is nothing that we actually “need” to occur, as we are whole right now in this very moment.

Boosting Immunity with Chinese Medicine

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:16:00 GMT

Our immune system involves a complexity of tissues, fluids and cells that act as our defensive armour against foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria. In Chinese medicine they call the immune system our wei qi. When our wei qi is strong we quickly and efficiently fight off infections.

Unfortunately the modern lifestyle for many of us includes moderate to high levels of stress and anxiety, irregular eating patterns, poor food choices and over-consumption of alcohol, anti-biotics and other medications. These factors weaken our defensive qi, leaving us vulnerable and open to invasion of bacterial and viral pathogens. Immune system depletion is linked to a wide range of inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies, hay-fever and even cancer.

Immune system depletion can manifest as overwhelming lethargy and weakness in the body, so that even small exertions feel exhausting. Other symptoms may include loss of appetite, shortness of breath, irregular patterns of heat, sweating and chills, skin conditions, gastrointestinal problems and recurrent colds and infections. Sometimes we don’t know what is wrong apart from that we just don’t feel quite right.

Research suggests that the environment in our gut is closely linked with our immune system. Our digestion regulates the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals that are required for the manufacture of important proteins involved in the immune response. When digestive function is impaired we slowly build up toxic matter in the bowel that compromises gut absorption, therefore treatment of immune function in Chinese medicine often involves addressing underlying digestive issues.

In Chinese herbal medicine, natural compounds from plants are used to enhance the immune system. A study undertaken by the Journal of Immunology and Laboratory has found that the common Chinese herb Huang Qi (Astragalus) can increase both specific and non-specific immunity. This herb can be used alone or in combination with other herbs in a prescription for specific symptoms. At Be Good 2 Urself Chinese Medicine, a qualified practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine will formulate a prescription as well as giving advice on diet, activity and other supplements.

At a spiritual level, dysfunction and illness provides us with some time to contemplate the state of our lives. Are we living in balance? Reduction of stress is a crucial factor and the employment of qi balancing activities such as meditation, yoga or tai chi can help to keep us flexible and grounded in the present. Practising gratitude and forgiveness in our lives can assist in letting go of stuck energy patterns and open pathways for regeneration and renewal.

Are you tuned in or tuned out?.....

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:01:00 GMT

If it is possible to slow the ageing process and preserve health & vitality what really is the best approach?

Magazines and the media are constantly informing us of the ':right' things to eat, the 'right' way to exercise, what we 'should' and 'shouldn't' do to the point that it becomes a confusing and exhausting roller coaster. Instead of tuning in to our bodies own subtle signals and intuition we let external sources drive a lot of our behaviour.

The simple route out of all the chaos and back into ourselves is called 'conscious awareness'. This involves more than just thinking that we are being aware at a mind level. It involves regularly getting into an expanded meditative state so that we can tune back in to how our body is feeling. When we increase our bodies awareness we are getting back in touch with ourselves at a soul level. When the body and soul is aligned, life suddenly becomes lighter, clearer, and we are able to direct our energy effortlessly with purpose.

So how do we know if we are tuned in or tuned out? When we are tuned in things are going easily for us, we are calm & certain, the answers are clear, everything fits together, we feel in harmony with situations, there are no outer obstacles, we are open to possibilities, we don't judge ourselves or others, we feel whole. When we are tuned out things are not going smoothly for us, we are confused & uncertain, the answers are not clear, we go back & forth, everything feels mixed up & we feel 'out of sync", there are many obstacles, we are conflicted on the inside, we find it hard to see a way out, we blame ourselves & others, we feel incomplete and that we are lacking something.

Regular reflection and meditation enables us to 'tune back in'. There is no 'right' way to meditate and it is best to let your body guide you however it is usually done sitting or lying in a quiet space with as little distraction as possible. All you need to do is allow your mind the time it needs to quiet down. The thoughts will whirl by initially, just notice that they are there and let them pass by like clouds in the sky. The trick is to focus on your breathing. The rising & falling of the abdomen. It may take the body a while to get back into its natural breathing state so it is important not to rush the process, it is not a race. Its you getting back in touch with you in your most natural rhythm.

Becoming 're-tuned' can be a difficult process, especially in times of stress when we need it most. Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that promotes the natural flow of energy(Qi) in our bodies and provides an excellent way of tuning back in. Fine stainless steel disposable needles are inserted at specific energy points in the body to re-establish our energy flow. The body responds by falling into a deeply relaxed state, the breathing regulates and the mind becomes quiet. After a treatment, patients often report feeling 'dreamy', physical discomforts diminish and the mental outlook softens. With tuning back in we become less effected by the outer world. We are able to make better decisions with calmness and clarity. We re-connect with our soul and our individual purpose in life. We feel more positive in ourselves and in our communication with others. Our energy(Qi) is flowing easily. This really is our natural state, we have just forgotten Who We Are.

To book in for your initial acupuncture session with Dr Rachel Berners(CM) @ the Eltham or Port Melbourne Endota Spa call Rachel on 0417325393.

Article written by Dr Rachel Berners(CM). Extracts from the book "Reinventing the body, Resurrecting the soul" by Deepak Chopra.

Do you want to increase your IVF success naturally?

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:17:00 GMT

Are you currently undergoing IVF or thinking about starting your first IVF cycle? Want to maximise your IVF success rate while minimising the disturbing effects of the IVF process on your body and mind?

Research now shows that using acupuncture to support your IVF procedure can increase your success by up to 60%.

Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine involving the insertion of fine, stainless steel needles into specific energy points on the body to stimulate the flow of energy(Qi). Acupuncture has been used for centuries to promote health and well-being and prevent disease. Research shows that acupuncture assists the IVF process by regulating hormone levels, reducing stress on the body and preventing miscarriage.

Acupuncture can be started as early as 3 months before the IVF cycle begins, to prepare the body and assist in regulating any imbalances. Once the IVF cycle starts acupuncture is performed weekly. On the day of the transfer a pre-transfer acupuncture session is performed to relax and prepare the body and a post-transfer acupuncture session is performed to still the mind and encourage implantation. After the transfer sessions acupuncture is used weekly, well into the first trimester, especially if there is a history of miscarriage. Acupuncture has the ability to deeply relax and sedate the mind to ease stress and tension.

Supporting your IVF procedure with acupuncture not only increases your chances of success but also minimises the energetic disruption that IVF has on the body and mind.

To book in your initial IVF consultation with Dr Rachel Berners(CM) @ the Eltham or Port Melbourne Endota Spa, call Rachel on 0417325393.

Article written by Dr Rachel Berners(CM) with extracts from 'Acupuncture & IVF', Lifang Liang, 2003.

Prepare your body for labour naturally with pre-birth acupuncture..

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:59:00 GMT

In Chinese medicine, the state of energy flow in the body at the time of labour can influence how smoothly and naturally a labour progresses. Acupuncture is well documented for its ability to stimulate energy(Qi) flow, improve circulation and reduce pain.

Recent research has found that weekly pre-birth acupuncture sessions can reduce mean labour time by up to two hours. On top of that, feedback from midwives is suggesting that pre-birth acupuncture is reducing the rates of medical inductions, epidurals and emergency C-sections, while increasing rates of normal vaginal births. This is great news for women who want to do everything they can to promote the smoothest and most natural labour possible.

Pre-birth acupuncture can be used from week 37 up to delivery to invigorate blood flow and loosen the pelvic ligaments. Sessions are performed weekly and take about 20minutes each session. Acupuncture is safe, relatively painless and free of side effects. Acupuncture also helps with reducing any stress and anxiety that a woman may have concerning labour, especially if it is her first pregnancy. Any other complications of pregnancy can also be addressed, such as lower back pain, haemorrhoids, insomnia, heartburn, hypertension, oedema, varicose veins and breech position.

To book in your initial pre-birth acupuncture session with Dr Rachel Berners(CM) @ the Eltham or Port Melbourne Endota Spa call Rachel on 0417325393.

Article written by Dr Rachel Berners(CM) with extracts from 'The Essential Guide to Pregnancy & Childbirth', Betts, 2006).

Preparing for IVF with Chinese Medicine: How to maximise your chances of pregnancy

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:06:00 GMT

Research now indicates that IVF supported by acupuncture can be up to 40-60% more successful than IVF without acupuncture support. Acupuncture to increase fertility is nothing new, it has been used for thousands of years in the Chinese medical system. Dr Lifang Liang noted in her clinical observation that after acupuncture, ultrasound showed that the colour of a women’s ovaries turned from cloudy to bright and clear, follicles increased in number, the uterine lining thickened and the number of embryos increased significantly. Acupuncture also helps to reduce stress and any nasty side effects from IVF drugs.

IVF for a lot of women is an intense and emotionally demanding process, not to mention costly with repeated failed cycles. A very common question that I get asked in clinic is, “is there anything I can do to increase the chances of this working?”. Well the answer to this question is yes. Many women do not present in clinic until a few days before embryo-transfer. From a Chinese medicine perspective however, to maximise IVF success the supportive role of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine starts well before transfer time.

Before beginning a new or subsequent IVF cycle there is a window of opportunity of three months that a women’s fertile potential can be increased using acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. This can involve things such as regulating the menstrual cycle, encouraging proper follicular development and thickening of the uterine lining and promoting healthy ovulation patterns. In other words, physiological conditions can be primed so that they are more likely to support and carry through a pregnancy. So if you are considering starting an IVF cycle and want to use Chinese medicine to its advantage, give yourself this time to work with your Chinese medicine practitioner. This is also a good time to get checked for any infections, auto-immune disease or thyroid issues that can interfere with conception. The partners sperm should also be checked for any abnormalities before starting fertility treatment.

After embryo-transfer it is important to support progesterone levels, which are essential for embryo implantation and miscarriage prevention. Some women naturally do not produce enough progesterone on their own to achieve lasting pregnancy. Chinese herbs to support progesterone are typically used from egg pick up and continued until the hCG pregnancy test. If there is a positive pregnancy test they can be used throughout the entire first trimester, especially if there is a history of miscarriage. At Be Good 2 Urself Chinese Medicine these herbs are taken once daily as dissolvable granules in hot water.

Diet and lifestyle need to be addressed in order to optimise fertility. Obvious factors such as alcohol, caffeine intake and smoking need to be avoided as these factors can interfere with embryo development. A balanced lifestyle including at least eight hours of sleep a night is essential for the production of hormones involved in fertility. A diet rich in foods that supplement the blood, thicken the uterine lining and encourage healthy egg production can be helpful. These foods include organic free range chicken, beef, lamb, eggs, oysters, sea cucumber and oily fish. Important supplements include Vitamin B and iron for blood production, folate, vitamin E and fish oil. A qualified Chinese medicine practitioner can advise you specifically on a diet and particular supplements that are required based on your constitution. The focus after transfer is on rest, relaxation and proper nourishment of mother and embryo. Strenuous exercise regimes should be avoided. Gentle activities such as meditation and yoga can help to relax and reduce anxiety.

Article written by Dr Rachel Berners(Chinese medicine) with extract from, ‘Acupuncture & IVF: Increase IVF success by 40-60%’, Lifang Liang, 2003.

Anti-biotics and Obesity

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:40:00 GMT

We all fall back on the safety of antibiotics from time to time. We get run down, inflamed and our immune system copes poorly in fighting off infection. We live in an unfortunate age where taking antibiotics in advance is the preferred option to taking time out of our busy schedules for rest and recovery. We have that function to attend, so we use antibiotics while we keep flaming up the fire in our bodies. To say that we have stopped listening to our bodies is an under-statement. Life has over-ridden basic health principles. The epidemic attitude of "soldiering-on" keeps our egos happy while our bodies pay the price. There are of course circumstances where antibiotics are a necessary, however, frequent or careless use may be causing long term health implications especially in the area of gut health, immune and weight regulation.

Intestinal flora provides the building blocks to healthy digestive and metabolic functioning. If gut flora is compromised, our metabolism can pay the price. It now appears that damage of our intestinal flora may be making us fat down the line. 'Gut microbes are considered to contribute to body-weight regulation and related disorders by influencing metabolic and immune functions'1.

Protecting and supplementing healthy gut flora is an important tool for anyone who is trying to manage their weight. The use of biotic and herbal supplements can achieve this. In Chinese medicine the use of herbs such as ginseng and astragalus help to support digestive and immune functioning. In Chinese diet therapy eating a diet plan according to our constitutional patterns will promote efficient digestive power. Rather than a convenient option, antibiotics should be kept as a last resort.

Article written by Dr Rachel Berners(CM) with extract from, 'Insights into the roles of gut microbes in obesity', Sanzy & others, Interdiscip Perpect Infect Dis. 2008.

"The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything"...

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:24:00 GMT

I came across this buddhist quote of wisdom while randomly internet searching and it caught my eye because of its utter simplicity in regards to our eternal quest for well-being.

A consumer society tricks us that we must 'do this' and 'do that' to maintain our health and prevent 'ageing'. But is less actually more? Do we forget that our bodies actually have divine intelligence for healing that far exceeds the need to take that vitamin pill or supplement?

Eastern wisdom continually reminds us that to achieve peak states of health and consciousness we need to re-connect with the source or 'go within'. This can be done by any form of meditation. By emptying the chaos in our minds and achieving stillness, our bodies can finally heal. When we become empty we have the capacity to truly transform. We lose the old and take in the new. When we are not dragging along the usual mental baggage, we have more energy available. We become more open and flexible. We see opportunities rather than setbacks. Life starts to FLOW. In Buddhist philosophy they talk about joining the river of life which is effortless and requires no action. We can just sit back and enjoy the scenery rather than trying to control things all the time. The more we adopt these mental attitudes to life we realise that alot of that 'stuff' we were doing before we dont actually need. We begin to trust in ourselves. Medicine becomes less about 'doing' and more about 'being'.