Category Archives: Case Studies

INFERTILITY

 

young mother and baby outdoor on a warm summer day

A 40-year old female is our returned patient for infertility.  Prior to coming to the clinic, she had tried to get pregnant for years.  She had failed six times with in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures, which cost her about $100,000, as well as two cycles of failed medicated intra-uterine insemination (IUI).  She has history of uterine polyps and hypothyroidism.

She was referred to our clinic by a friend as a last resort for treatment.  She has imbalanced hormone levels with high amounts of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and little progesterone.  Her cycle is not very regular.  She also has severe pre-menstrual anxiety and mood swings.

The treatment goal worked on balancing hormone especially high FSH that inhibit good ovulation.  She didn't take any medication except Synthroid to maintain her thyroidal function at an optimal level.  After three months' treatment, using only acupuncture and herbal therapy, levels of FSH as well as those of other hormones were normalized based on lab results.

 

Within a short period, her cycle returned to normal and anxiety was reduced significantly.  Six months later, she was successfully pregnant with a healthy baby.

Two years later, she came back for a second child.  According to the patient, she tried to conceive on her own without success.  Upon reviewing the case, her cycle was too short to support a good ovulation.  She complained of fatigue after taking care of a toddler.

The treatment then focused on strengthening her energy and improving egg quality.  Within three and a half months of treatments solely with acupuncture and herbs, she was pregnant.  However after the pregnancy, she continued to exercise rigorously on a treadmill.  As a result she had a miscarriage one week later.  After explaining the risk of strenuous exercise during early pregnancy, she agreed not to do so after ovulation.  Two months later, she was successfully pregnant again.  Now She is a happy mom with two healthy children.

 

 

ABDOMINAL CRAMPS WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS

 

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A 48 year-old female diagnosed with endometriosis presents with severe menstrual cramps every month.  She has been our patient for many years for various reasons.  Ultrasound demonstrates a cyst on the right side of the ovary.

The pain is progressively worse without any relief by strong narcotic drugs.  The menstrual volume is high with lots of clots.  She barely functions on the days of her menstrual period.  Besides, she also complains of abdominal bloating, fatigue and constipation.  Due to immune weakness, she has an episode of Bell's palsy after the viral infection.  Her mouth deviates to one side.

Based on tongue diagnosis, the patient has blood stagnation and Qi (energy) deficiency.  The herbal therapy is designed to regulate the blood circulation to reduce stagnation and to tonify the blood after the period. The treatments take several steps to regulate the hormonal imbalance.  Due to the severity of the pain, the initial treatment is to promote Qi and blood circulation to reduce the symptoms.  The constipation, a result of the cyclic build up of the atopic endometriol lining and not indigestion, is resolved after treating the stagnation.

After the period is over, strong tonic herbs are used to strengthen the energy and the immune system.  After series of rigorous treatments, mouth deviation from Bell's palsy has resolved without any complication.  The patient reports much improvement in energy and minimal pain during period without using pain-killing drugs.  She has no trouble in carrying out a normal life when the period comes now.

 

BACKACHE WITH DISK HERNIATION

 

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A 27 year-old female complains of severe backache with limping.  The pain is so severe that it prevents her from ambulating. She did not recall any trauma or injuries related to the symptoms.  She denies any bowel or bladder incontinence.

She has been in and out of the emergency for severe pain without any relief.  According to the patient, extensive studies have been done to rule out any pathology. She was given narcotic drugs to alleviate the pain.  Over several weeks of narcotic drugs administration, the pain has not been reduced. However, her constipation becomes a prominent issue as a result.

 

 

Examinations show the patient has severe blood stagnation based on tongue.  Physical examination is consistent with disk herniation.  Electrical acupuncture treatment is used along the related meridians and channels.  Cupping is used after acupuncture.

After two office visits, the patient is able to walk freely without trouble.  She is able to go back to work the following day.  Herbs are given to reduce blood stagnation.  One month later, the patient is checked in without any sign of stagnation or constipation.  She is completely pain free.