Acupuncture Denver Blog

We just finished an amazing retreat in Los Angeles with women from all over the world. One of the common themes among the women was the topic of regret.  When I returned home, I received an e-mail from a dear friend going through this journey, and the topic surfaced again. Regret, remorse, should have, shouldn't have, guilt, shame, if only...  

If we examine the list of our regrets associated with fertility, it might look something like this:

 

If only I had _______________________, then I'd be a mom.

If only I hadn't done _________, then I'd be a mom.

If I had known ________________, then I'd be a mom.

If I would have ________________ earlier, then I'd be a mom.

If Dr. _____________ hadn't done ________________, I'd already be a mom.

If Dr. ____________ would have done _____________, I'd already be a mom.

If my ____________ would have __________________, I would be a mom.

If my _____________ wouldn't have _______________, I would be a mom.

I feel ____________ about what happened _____________.

 

If you keep up this line of questioning, the list will be endless. When you finish one group of regrets, another one will come along, tormenting you all the way along the journey.

Yet, as I told my friend, you don't need to indulge them, figure them out, or push them away.  They won't get you anywhere, because regret is an imposter. It isn't real. Nothing could have been done differently than it was. Your past literally could not be other than it is. You are not here by mistake.

Keep dealing with the only time you have - now. Watch the feelings (now) about a fictitious moment in the supposed past, when it was also now. Not a different now; the same eternal moment, which the mind records as memory. Every time the memory captured an event or experience in the now, it also colored it with some feelings about where your emotional body was at the time. It is doing the same thing now - coloring the memories with judgment. Nothing ever, ever, ever, ever, could have happened differently than it happened. Nothing ever is happening other than it is happening. The happening, including your response to what is, happens spontaneously based upon everything else in the universe and your own personal history. Then the mind comes in later and judges it as good, bad, right, wrong, should have, should not have... And creates an energetic knot.

The energies of regret are twofold - the downward, inward energetic pull of metal (which governs grief and loss), and the upward, outward energetic push of wood (which governs frustration, anger, and resistance) - opposite energetic movements. One pulls you in, one pushes against. It's a losing game.

When you tease out the sadness and anger, what's left is the raw emotion of how you feel about what you wish could have been. When it's projected out in the future, it creates enormous tension in the body mind. Journal about it, if you find it helpful. Do a releasing ceremony. Do a physical release if it feels appropriate. Feel its effects in your body. See what is has to offer you when you see it for what it is. Go into the heart of it. Feel the emotions associated with it. And see what gift remains in the center of it. And in the wake of showing up 100% for yourself, you are left with the only peace possible - acceptance of your past; acceptance of yourself; acceptance of what is, right now.

You have always done exactly what you had to do. And in this ever-present moment, you are doing exactly what you must be doing.

When the contraction of regret is truly released, it can't obstruct your energetic patterns anymore. Only then you are truly forgiven.

Randine Lewis, MSOM., Ph.D., L.Ac.

FABORM

www.thefertilesoul.com

 

Author of The Infertility Cure: The Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies and The Way of the Fertile Soul: Ten Ancient Chinese Secrets to Tap into a Woman's Creative Potential.

 

At Acupuncture Denver we follow Dr. Lewis' Fertile Soul Method  for fertility enhancement. Jane Gregorie, the Clinic Director, works closely with Dr. Lewis and is a founding member of The Fertile Soul Clinical Excellence in Fertility Program. 

 

Our clients have benefited greatly from attending Fertile Soul retreats. Acupuncture Denver holds Fertile Soul retreats in our clinic and continues to receive support and training from Dr. Lewis.

By Brittany Schram, M.S., L.Ac., Acupuncture Denver Staff

Did you know that the first 9 months play a critical role in determining our health throughout our lives? Expecting mothers not only experience a physical change during pregnancy, they also take on a huge responsibility of their child's future by the way they care for themselves during pregnancy. We all know that smoking, drinking and drugs are linked with birth defects, but poor nutrition and stress can also negatively impact your child.

In a Time Magazine article, Annie Murphy Paul stated, "The kind, and quantity of nutrition you receive in the womb; the pollutants, drugs and infections you were exposed to during gestation; your mother's health, stress level and state of mind while she was pregnant with you, are all factors that shape you as a baby and a child, and continue to affect you to this day." Temperament of the baby has been linked to the mother's mood as well. "It may be that the intrauterine environment is a third pathway by which mental illness is passed down in families," suggests Catherine Monk, assistant professor of psychiatry at Columbia University.

Acupuncture can help in all stages of pregnancy. Our ancient secret is not only effective for treating morning sickness and other early pregnancy symptoms in the first trimester, but it can also help prepare you for labor in the third trimester. At Acupuncture Denver, we offer "pre-birth" treatments that have been found to shorten labor time and reduce the need for medical interventions. Schedule an appointment with us today to help make your delivery as smooth as possible!

Take care of yourself, be conscious of what you are eating, exercise, and focus on a positive emotional state for the sake of your baby. Acupuncture treatments throughout pregnany are safe and incredibly beneficial! The healthier you are during pregnancy, the healthier your baby will be!

As an acupuncturist, I encourage a "whole food" organic diet, and offer advice for the different stages of pregnancy. My goal is to ensure that you and your baby are well-nourished, both physically and emotionally.  ~Brittany Schram, Dipl.Ac., L.Ac.

By Alyssa Beiss, Acupuncture Denver Staff

In 2011, Acupuncture Denver started a campaign to raise money for Charity: Water, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing clean drinking water to people in developing countries. The particular project our campaign supported involved getting clean water into a school in rural Ethiopia. We are so excited to have been notified that the project is now complete! The total project cost was over $18,000 and Acupuncture Denver was able to raise $1,454 of that! Thanks to the support of many of our friends and clients, as well as other organizations that helped to fund this project, 106 people (mostly kids) now have access to clean water to use in restrooms and, most importantly, to drink!

As you may know, both of Jane’s sons are from Ethiopia so projects like this one by Charity: Water are very near and dear to our hearts. We’re so grateful to have been a part of this and to everyone who supported our campaign. Check out the details of this project and others at charitywater.org. 

By Alyssa Beiss, Acupuncture Denver Staff

National Infertility Awareness Week is upon us and, as specialists in the field, we are excited to support it. Infertility can be an enormous challenge but lots of new research is being done to find new options for treatment, and acupuncture has recently been the focus of multiple studies. One very recent study has found increased pregnancy rates for women who use Chinese medicine alongside in-vitro fertilization (IVF). This study looked at patients who had previously had at least two failed IVF cycles and found that those who were given acupuncture and moxibustion treatments had a 35.7% success rate, versus a sham acupuncture group and a control group, which had a 10.7% and a 7.1% success rate, respectively.

This study comes on the heels of multiple other studies which have demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture for treating infertility caused by a number of factors. Another recent study found acupuncture to be more effective than Clomid at inducing ovulation by almost 30%. Similarly, a study looking at acupuncture for inducing ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), found that repeated treatments resulted in higher ovulation frequency, compared to a control group.

The most important factor to look at when considering fertility research is live birth outcomes and a recent review published in The Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine evaluated outcomes of IVF cycles when acupuncture was performed on the day of embryo transfer. This review found acupuncture to increase live birth rates in IVF donor cycles.

All of this research just further demonstrates what we’ve seen over and over again here at Acupuncture Denver: Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are truly effective for enhancing fertility! There is no question that Western medicine has done some amazing things in this field, but it’s important to remember that if you’re struggling with trying to get pregnant (or with any health issues), you do have options for treatment. Acupuncture is a great option, both as an alternative, as well as an adjunct therapy alongside Western treatments. Read about these studies at the links below and please reach out to us if you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment.

http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/744-ivfmoxa

http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/739-infertilityclom

http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/731-ovulationpcos

http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2011.0888

By Shanly Weber, MA, SEP, Founder of SHIFT

I am very excited to be leading a workshop on infertility, grief and loss this Saturday, February 9 from 9-12PM at Acupuncture Denver. Besides helping our bodies during the conception process, it is crucial  to support our mind-body connection. By that, I don't mean cognitively processing any difficulties we may be experiencing, but allowing the space for our left and right brain to integrate all the information it is receiving from both the mind and the body, and using it to develop capacity and loving kindness towards ourselves.

During the workshop, I will be introducing Somatic Experiencing (SE). SE is a gentle and highly effective physiology-oriented approach to trauma and stress, that is designed to complement numerous occupational orientations. 

Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, author of the best-selling books "Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma" and "In an Unspoken Voice," SE is based on the study of how animals in the wild process and recover from stress and trauma. There is a strong scientific component to the work, which includes the latest understanding of neuroscience and neuroplasticity, and how they affect regulation in the nervous system. We will learn how dis-ease occurs when the autonomic nervous system stays stuck in dysregulation. If you currently have support from other modalities, this workshop will give you a new and refreshing perspective, and tangible skills to support your work.

Besides introducing you to this effective technique, I will also demonstrate how healing touch and chi kung can “unblock” your energetic system. Mindfulness meditation practices will also be taught and cultivated. Since the size of the workshop is limited, we will engage in interactive exercises and I will be able to work with each individual privately. 

If you have any questions about this workshop, do not hesitate to call me at 303.489.8432 . You can also check out my website www.shiftingawareness.com and click here to sign up online.

I look forward to seeing you all there.

By Alyssa Beiss, Acupuncture Denver Staff

It is widely accepted that high levels of stress are associated with difficulty conceiving and maintaining pregnancy. It should not come as a surprise that a similar association can be made between stress levels and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. A new study of women undergoing IVF, measured levels of stress hormones throughout the IVF process, and found a correlation between lower levels of stress and increased success rates. You can read the abstract for this study here.

Past studies have found that acupuncture increases success rates when used in conjunction with IVF. Anyone who has had acupuncture knows how great it is for stress relief; so now it seems that the benefit comes not only from the acupuncture directly, but also indirectly from the decrease in stress. We see the benefits of acupuncture every day here at Acupuncture Denver. With the increasing number of IVF clinics providing acupuncture on-site, there doesn't seem to be a question of whether or not it’s beneficial when used in conjunction with Western fertility treatments. 

Jane, Merry, and Brittany see clients every day who are undergoing IVF cycles, and they work closely with a number of the local IVF clinics. As specialists in fertility, they are incredibly well-versed in treating women from both Chinese and Western perspectives, and have extensive training in specific protocols that have been shown to increase success rates. With all the appointments, tests and procedures necessary when going through an IVF cycle, it's so important for your overall health to take time to reduce stress however you can. Now this new study shows just how important it is also to improve IVF outcomes. So schedule an appointment today and start feeling the benefit!

I love sending out e-newsletters, because I always end up getting replies and updates from clients whom I haven't seen for a while. Some send pregnancy updates, baby pictures, or just touch base to let me know how they have been.  But I was deeply touched when so many people replied yesterday about my upcoming trip to Ethiopia to go get our second son (after a three-plus year wait!). It made me realize how fortunate I am to be surrounded and supported by so much love and understanding in my work and life. Nobody gets the crappiness that comes with a difficult family-building process (or the gratitude that follows when you finally have a child) as those who have been through it themselves. That's me. That's our clients. That's my tribe. And while I have an intellectual obsession with reproductive medicine that makes me good at my job, I think my personal experience of loss, uncertainty and coming up with patience I never knew I had gives me the ability to really sit with people in their own struggles. And to feel it. And to hold hope in my heart for them when I can see in their eyes that they have lost sight of it completely. And when the miracle finally happens (whatever that looks like), it's amazing to witness. Whether it's a baby, a letting go, a birth into authenticity, or a new life plan, out of the fire of deep pain, grief, and uncertainty, real transformation can unfold like magic, like alchemy.

I am honored to be part of what turns out to be a life-changing experience for so many people. And I realize how each little miracle has changed me as a person and given me hope in the face of my own family-building challenges. On my recent trip to Ethiopia (see above photo taken when I was about to meet my son for the first time-- that's not just joy but extreme shock and fear mixed with joy on my face) I had a personal experience with things unfolding as if the universe was on my side. As cynical and jaded as I have been in the past, I am experiencing the world in a totally fresh way now. I have started to trust in life. And life seems to unfold more effortlessly that way. Not always easily, but with a bit less resistance. And I have not only good fortune to thank for that perspective, but also the invisible web of love and understanding that lifts me up. I am grateful for so many people, for so many kind words, for so much help, for so much kindness. So happy. So blessed. Yay. 

By Merry Reasons, Dipl.Ac., L.Ac, FABORM

Last week, I had the opportunity of attending a post-graduate training program with Claudia Citkovitz, Director of the Acupuncture for Labor and Delivery Program at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. The intensive training focused on hand and needle techniques for labor prep, all phases of labor (including difficult and associated complications), and postpartum support. Hospital-based co-treatment approaches were also given for common medical interventions. We were taught amazing non-needle techniques that are applicable for in-office visits, and for teaching clients and their birth partners to use during the all phases of labor. 

 The final weeks of pregnancy hold a lot of energy on all levels of being – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.  It is an optimal time to receive supportive care in preparation for one of the most powerful experiences of a woman’s life.  I’m excited to add these techniques to our labor prep treatments.  We encourage clients to come in weekly starting at 36 weeks, when treatments are focused on improving blood circulation to the pelvis, calming the mind, and increasing stamina. These treatments have been shown to reduce the need for medical induction, epidurals, length of labor, and cesarean delivery.[1]  We can also address pregnancy-related conditions that occur more often at the end of pregnancy.  

 Along with acupuncture, I can also access optimal baby positioning and use hand techniques to identify areas of tension that are important to relax prior to and during labor that can then be done by a client’s birth partner.  These techniques focus on relaxing the pelvic area, dilating the cervix, calming the mind, and allowing labor to progress as naturally and safely as possible.

 In the future, I hope to offer at-home services for early labor supportive care, as well as care through each stage of labor to postpartum. If you’re interested in learning more about our labor prep services, please feel free to call or email us with questions or to set up appointments. Stay tuned!

As some of you know, I recently spent two weeks in Ethiopia with Mudula Water visiting projects and delivering medical supplies to rural health centers in the Kembata-Tembaro region. I also got to visit the midwives-in-training from Mudula, one of whom Acupuncture Denver is sponsoring for the next four years. It was my second trip to Ethiopia but the first time I got to really spend time getting to know people and places more intimately. I was also able to meet our new son and take steps to finally bring him home. Having started our second adoption process over three years ago, things finally fell into place just before I went on the trip. The way things unfolded with that process was quite serendipitous, but that's a whole other story. What really struck me about my recent time in Ethiopia was how much pure goodness is born out of the care and concern of just one or a few people who have made a commitment to empowering folks who have been voiceless or forgotten by most of the world. My heart was broken open as I witnessed the power of this goodness and love in places where you would expect to be struck by pain and suffering instead. I was moved by the beauty of people who can now recognize how worthy they are, despite the suffering and injustice they may have experienced, because someone else cared enough to stand up for them, fight for them, and give them a voice again.

One of the most moving experiences of the trip (and my life) was visiting the women's self help groups, sponsored by Children's Home Society and Family Services in the towns of Hosanna and Mudula. Women who join these groups come together regularly to make and sell handiwork and also learn about life skills like health, hygiene, the importance of prenatal care and getting to a clinic when in labor, saving money, legal rights, and how to participate in the local economy. Not only did the women in the group learn a lot of practical skills, but they also spoke of being part of a community now where everyone cares for each other and helps each other. They spoke of being freed from living a life where they were "hidden away in the kitchens" so they could now "come out into the light." They carried themselves with pride and spoke their mind. They sang to us.
 

When we entered one of the large halls where the women gathered in Mudula to meet with us, the power in that space blew us away. Most of us women in the travel group on are adoptive moms with kids from the Mudula area. We were overcome with emotion as we were sung into the room and looked out into the sea of beautiful faces, faces that looked back at us with the eyes of our own children. It is hard to describe what happened in that room, but it was nothing short of a spiritual epiphany for me and many in our group.  When my friends (the other adoptive moms with kids from this area) stood up to share how it felt to parent our kids and how grateful we were to be there, I was reduced to full-blown weeping. As reserved as Ethiopian women are, even some of them were weeping and there was a lot of tongue clicking and hands-on-hearts (a physical expression there of heartfelt emotion). It felt somehow redeeming to openly weep in front of these women, the ancestors from whom our children have come, for what has been lost and yet what has also been gained when we come together as human beings with a shared love and concern. When you parent a child who has lost so much at such a young age, somehow that loss becomes your loss and you feel a longing to connect with the family and roots that has been severed. This experience, along with my experiences with my son's birth mother reaffirmed in my heart that these roots are never really severed and that nourishing these connections feeds not only our children's souls, but our own. This family becomes not just their first family, but ours. I know that at least for me, I walked out of that room in Mudula feeling like I had been blessed by my heart-sisters and connected to an ancestral lineage of strength, power and survival that now I can see every time I look into my own son's eyes. His people are my people. And for this I am so grateful and proud.

By Alyssa Beiss, Acupuncture Denver Staff

Jane and I had the pleasure of listening to one of our favorite authors speak at the Tattered Cover book store recently. Brene Brown, author of “The Gifts of Imperfection,” and “I Thought it Was Just Me (But it Isn’t),” has done some incredible work with shame resilience and vulnerability and I am looking forward to delving into her new book “Daring Greatly.” If you haven’t yet seen Brene’s TED talks, I highly recommend checking them out on her website. I’ve watched both of them a number of times and each time I walk away feeling inspired. This talk was no different. In her witty, down to earth speaking style she talked about big issues like shame and vulnerability. She talked about how being vulnerable is necessary to connect with people but we’re often too afraid to put ourselves in vulnerable positions. We have this idea that vulnerability is weakness when in fact it really creates intimacy and trust. We’re moved when people share themselves with us but get completely freaked out at the thought of doing it ourselves. But this is the only way to really connect with anybody and, as humans, we all crave connection.

So I guess what I really took home from Brene’s talk is that it’s okay to fear making ourselves vulnerable but we can’t let that fear hold us back from being courageous and sharing ourselves. In my experience, there is something so freeing about allowing my true self to shine, even when it may make me incredibly uncomfortable. I totally agree with Brene that this is one of, if not the best way to create an intimate connection with someone and I’ve had some truly amazing experiences with this. It’s allowed me to not only connect with people on levels that I otherwise wouldn’t have, but also to recognize those that I don’t want or need in my life. And it’s made me a stronger, more courageous, and more compassionate person.