[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” font_size=”17″ bottom_padding=”15″ bottom_margin=”0″]
Dr. Gina’s wellness philosophy and clinical approach involves
Balancing the four body systems:
[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]
[op_liveeditor_elements][/op_liveeditor_elements]
-
1
Your “Neuro-Endocrine-Immune System"
This is the communication and integration between your brain, hormonal system and immune system.
Hormones includes your sex hormones, stress hormones (adrenal hormones) and Thyroid hormones.
-
2
Your “Digestive System”
Breaks down food and absorbs nutrients for use by the body. Known as “the second brain”, houses and makes important neurotransmitters.
-
3
Your “Liver Health & Detoxification System”
Protects you from free radicals and chemical toxicity, both from your environment and from your diet, as well as, is responsible for many other vital bodily processes (ie: blood sugar regulation, metabolism of hormones, activation/de-activation of genes, etc.)
-
4
Your “Energy Production Systems”
Ensures your body is making it’s energy efficiently and abundantly.
Through targeted lab testing via blood, saliva, stool and urine, much of which you can do in the privacy of your own home (ie: saliva, stool and urine) for each of the above systems, as well as, assessing patient’s answers to our in-depth questionnaires and utilizing Chinese medical diagnosis, Dr. Gina is able to assess how each system is working and formulate a customized program to rebalance your body.[/text_block]
Formulating A Customized Program
• Digestion
• Detoxification (Liver health)
• Energy Production
Dr. Gina is committed to looking at and investigating the underlying causes behind your health issues and or inability to conceive via looking at other body systems and their influences on the reproductive system, in addition to closely evaluating the reproductive system on its own.
[/text_block]
As part of your individualized, lab-based & Chinese Medical health program, we usually recommend that you purchase nutritional supplements. These may include specific vitamins, minerals, herbs (western, Chinese, Ayurvedic), natural plant-based hormones, and various other products aimed at providing you optimal support. All of the supplements we recommend are sourced from state of the art functional nutrition companies and manufacturers that only sell their products to physicians. These are the highest quality nutritional supplements available. They contain only the purest, pharmaceutical grade nutrients (nutraceuticals) and the potency of each product is guaranteed. In the past when designing nutritional programs, in an effort to save clients money, many doctors have suggested that patients purchase products at local health food stores. While this seems to save people money in the short run, the results of these programs have been inconsistent and less than would be expected had we been using pharmaceutical grade nutraceuticals. Therefore, it is in many ways more sensible both financially and in terms of consistent results, to use the highest quality, grade and potency of supplements available.
You may purchase most of your products from our online pharmacies. We will provide you with our online pharmacies information once we begin working together. In doing so, you can be assured of consistent results – if a specific protocol is not working, we will know it is not the quality or potency of the nutrients that is slowing the healing process.
All of the supplements we recommend have been proven clinically effective by hundreds of naturally oriented doctors. They have been shown to help resolve patients’ health concerns with predictable outcomes. In addition to proven clinical results, these products have also been carefully scrutinized for effectiveness based on stringent 3rdparty lab testing.
Thousands of physicians have used laboratory tests to determine nutritional deficiencies. Through the use of follow-up testing, doctors have determined which brands and which specific nutrients and herbs are consistently clinically effective. In fact, the vast majority of “Over the Counter” supplements on the market are not effective as evidenced by lack of patient improvement on follow-up lab testing.[/text_block]
Your Chinese herbal formula will be designed according to what your Chinese Medical Diagnosis is and will also be based on the signs and symptoms you exhibit and may be experiencing. Your formulas will be completely customized for your body using either Bulk or powdered herbs or herbs in tincture form that can be combined to address both your symptomatic picture, as well as, your root causal or underlying disorder. In other words, we will treat both your symptoms so that you feel better, but we will also be addressing the underlying cause of your symptoms so that your body can regain balance and homeostasis.
Menstrual cycle factors like regularity, length and quality of bleeding can affect your ability to conceive by as much as 50%. By supplementing with the correct herbal therapy during specific times during your monthly cycle, menstrual and cycle issues/irregularities can improve thereby dramatically increasing your chances of getting pregnant. All of our supplements and herbals are all natural, safe and delivered to your door.
Most of the Chinese herbal formulas prescribed, are made and compounded from three of the most trusted and respected Chinese Herbal Pharmacies in the United States:
Crane Herb Company – Crane herbs offer only those products that meet our rigorous standards of testing and clinical effectiveness. Our custom pharmacies compound herb prescriptions with KPC concentrated powders. KPC is an ISO 9001 company and is the only Chinese herb company to meet the rigorous standards of all industrialized nations. Crane herbal pharmacy is the only pharmacy that compounds herb prescriptions which comply with the FDA cGMP standards, FDA Labeling Requirements, and HIPAA.
Fat Turtle Herbs – Fat Turtle raw herbs are currently tested for over 380 pesticides and we are the only pharmacy in the U.S. that has a N.D (non-detectible) pesticide limit for over 90% of our herbs. Zero tolerance for pesticides means true purity for patients.
Urban Herbs – All our sources adhere to strict guidelines established in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, formal Manufacturing Instructions, Standard Operating Procedures and Quality Control Protocols, and ensure that every batch of product used is safe and of the highest quality. These standards are the guidelines upon which our distributors and manufacturers base each decision, and allow us to say that our formulations are built from the very best herbs found anywhere.
Chinese Herbal Tinctures – If we are not sending you custom bulk herb or granule herbal formulas from one of the pharmacies mentioned above, then we are sending you customized herbal tinctures from our own herbal pharmacy, utilizing herbal based tinctures from our brilliant friends at Conceivable.[/text_block]
Natural therapies have advanced to the point where we can now use the appropriate blend of science and nature to create lab guided, doctor recommended nutritional supplement and dietary programs. This is done by using advanced clinical laboratory testing to create individualized nutritional supplement, herbal and dietary programs. Using the latest technologies we can now accurately assess metabolic imbalances, inflammatory markers, specific nutrient deficiencies, measure hormone levels, detect bacterial, fungal and or parasitic infections in the gut, assess detoxification function, investigate genetic factors, assess neurotransmitter status and determine the best therapeutic protocol for correcting many chronic, gynecologic health conditions and underlying issues contributing to infertility. This technology can also be used on a preventive basis, to maintain optimal health in those without any current health problems.[/text_block]
Functional & Chinese Medical Dietary Therapy
As a patient, you will be provided with handouts outlining:
• Personalized, Chinese Medical and lab informed dietary support to support your specific health care needs and requirements.
• Countless recipes and e-cook books
• Shopping Lists
• Sample Menus[/text_block]
Once you become a new patient, we will set you up within our patient portal where you will be able to securely and privately communicate directly with Dr. Gina via patient portal messaging, view your treatment plans, lab-work, invoices and schedule your follow-up consults. It is also a place where Dr. Gina will upload all of your customized dietary plans, lab-based nutritional supplement protocols and Chinese Herbal protocols, as well as, a host of additional resources.ACCESS YOUR PATIENT PORTAL: Registration | Login[/text_block]
Basal Body Temperature Charting (BBT)
In an effort to correctly identify a woman’s pattern and therefore Chinese Medical diagnosis, Chinese Medical women’s health specialists routinely request that their patients record their basal body temperatures (BBT). The information contained in the BBT is invaluable to those versed in interpreting their findings. Not only does the overall pattern of the BBT chart indicate a likely Chinese Medical diagnosis, but variances within the individual phases of the chart can help pinpoint specific imbalances within the cycle itself, often suggesting or indicating hormonal imbalances and or concurrent medical diagnoses. For example, the chart of an infertility patient might show a dip in temperature during the luteal phase (phase following ovulation). This could be indicative of a potential progesterone insufficiency and or progesterone distribution issue and we would then encourage the patient to have her “day 21” progesterone level evaluated. If evaluation confirms a progesterone deficiency, appropriate treatment will then be aimed at encouraging sufficient progesterone levels which would thus, improve the patient’s chance of maintaining a pregnancy should she conceive. Another example would be a chart showing a longer Follicular phase (i.e.: > 15 days) and therefore a later ovulation or a very weak ovulation (lacking a significant rise in temperature). This could potentially be indicative of low estrogen levels coupled with diminished “Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Ovarian communication”, aka, ovaries that are struggling to respond to the signals coming from the brain to begin developing and maturing ovarian follicles and therefore eggs. We would therefore encourage this patient to have both her Estradiol and FSH levels evaluated. From the Chinese Medical Paradigm, we would work towards encouraging and promoting healthy follicular development during the week following menstruation. Healthy follicular development sets the stage for healthy ovulations to take place.
How to Take your BBT Correctly:
- The basal temperature is best taken first thing in the morning, at approximately the same time each day, before stirring or rising. The basal thermometer is placed in the same position under the tongue, before having any food or fluids. This value is then charted in the BBT chart and emailed to Dr. Gina monthly and/or before each appointment/consult for review. Other details, such as presence of cervical mucus, abdominal cramping, and timing of intercourse are recorded as well, to help inform the case.
- To make your BBT Charting more convenient, we recommend that you utilize the one of the two online sites to help you track your BBT, as well as, other month-long symptomology and/or observations which help to more precisely inform your Chinese-Functional Medicine physician’s diagnosis and therefore treatment principle and plan.
- FertilityFriend This free app provides an easy, convenient and organized way to go about your BBT Charting. The site goes through everything you need to know to help you begin accurately charting your BBT. Our patients love this resource! Chart and leave the analyzing to us!
- Conceivable This app is A LOT more advance and provides a significant more amount of resources to not only help with your BBT Charting, but also provides their monthly subscribers with: Science-Based Custom Menu Planning, Shopping Lists and Food Prep Tips, Delicious Recipes Tailored Just For You, as well as, tools to help you easily track your progress, all the while, also providing your physician with valuable and indispensable information and feedback on your monthly cycle and other aspects of your health, which helps us provide you with the most targeted treatment as possible.We have found that our fertility patients who utilize or have utilized the Conceivable App and membership have walked through their fertility journey feeling more “in the knowing” and feeling a “part of their own healing process”, thus empowering them and providing them with the daily and weekly support required during the fertility treatment process.
- App Code: healing19_trial – will give you a risk-free 30 day trial, and then will automatically adjust to only $19.99 per month. You are NOT obligated to subscribe after that. If you want to cancel or change your subscription, you can do it right in the app and of course, you can contact Conceivable directly anytime you need help or have questions!
[/text_block]
Natural Conception & Pre-Conception Care
The Fertility Program Dr. Gina utilizes is a combination of Functional medicine (laboratory analysis and lab-based nutritional supplement and dietary Protocols), customized, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Nutritional & Dietary support, in addition to, Lifestyle recommendations and modifications to promote fertility, improve general health, and support the possibility of conceiving and carrying a healthy baby to term. This treatment approach is also used for the general Pre-Conception Care program.
Pre-Conception Care is necessary and extremely important when planning to conceive. A well-balanced and timely, menstrual cycle, as well as, healthy, viable eggs, depend on the overall health and well being of the woman seeking to become pregnant.
A very interesting piece of knowledge to be aware is that your child’s health is impacted by several factors that occur before he or she is ever conceived. Your body’s internal biological environment at conception has an immense and powerful influence on the health and wellbeing of your future baby and grandchildren.
You see, oogenesis (ovarian egg development) begins in the first trimester and completed in the third trimester. Also, the process of genetic imprinting, is heavily influenced by the environment. The nice thing about this is that these are things we can influence. This means that when you conceive, during the first trimester is the time when all of your baby’s (assuming it’s a girl) ovarian eggs will be be made and so the first trimester is a very important time in which you will set the stage for your grand children’s genes. This means that what ever was going on in your grandmother’s life during her first trimester has a lot to do with who you are… It should be a goal to have as a relaxing first trimester as possible. We are treating the mother, the baby and future grandchildren….
To prepare for conception there are a number of steps discussed below:
- Evaluate and reduce the toxic burden in your body:
Many toxins acquired largely from our environment, are circulating through our body’s blood stream and can ultimately pass through the placental barrier, negatively influencing fetal development. - Optimize your lifestyle, nutritional & dietary status:
There is a great deal of research on how lifestyle, nutrition & diet effects fetal development. This is what is known as “epigenetics”. Epigenetics is defined as how our external environment positively or negatively impacts the expression of our DNA. It is very important to identify and correct nutritional insufficiencies and digestive disturbances, as a healthy and efficient digestive system equals a healthy and nutritionally sound individual. - Address underlying constitutional weaknesses and any other pre-existing conditions
For example, if you have any thyroid or blood-clotting conditions that are not addressed it could lead to a high-risk and or compromised pregnancy. Even things that are borderline normal prior to conception, for example blood sugar that is on the high end of normal, can become gestational diabetes. Or issues such as stress or too low of blood sugar or triglycerides can also negatively effect a pregnancy and or ability to conceive.
The famous adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, couldn’t me more accurate. Addressing these issues prior to conception can not only help enhance the chance of conception and a full term pregnancy, but can also help to optimize your and your baby’s health during pregnancy and post delivery.[/text_block]
[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””]
Chinese and Functional Medical Treatment Approaches may help “turn back the reproductive clock” and correct imbalances impeding conception
[/op_liveeditor_element]
[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]
Conception and thus Pregnancy, occurs when the optimal bodily conditions marry with the correct biologic timing. Coordinating both the biologic timing and specific physiological conditions can be a challenge for many women and couples, which is why it is very important to consider an “integrative and whole body” approach. In working towards natural conception, we focus on restoring fertility by restoring proper physiology & functioning of the body as a whole. This is vital for conception to occur.
For many patients and doctors alike, there is a tendency to focus almost exclusively just on the reproductive system. In Dr. Gina’s experience, this approach is often insufficient (evidenced by the fact that many of our patients seek us because conventional Western medical treatments have failed them). When the patient’s overall health and well-being are addressed as a whole, the outcome should yield, exceptional results. Once the overall health and functioning of the patient’s body systems begins to change and evolve into a state of health and balance, fertility is often restored automatically.
With all this being said, there are most definitely many aspects that need to be directly addressed at the level of the reproductive system: (ie: irregular menstrual cycles, painful menses, heavy or absent menstrual flows, etc….) and these definitely require specialized knowledge, however we could never get the kinds of results we are seeing in Chinese and functional Medicine if we only focused on the reproductive system. Instead, we additionally focus on supporting the “Neuro-Endocrine-Immune System” (brain, hormones, and immune system), digestive and gastrointestinal health, Liver and detox health, and Energy Production systems so as to provide the patient with the most thorough health and fertility support possible.
Consider that each of your internal organs have a crucial role in maintaining a healthy internal environment via not only optimally functioning individually, but also optimally functioning together with one another as a system. If any of these organs are not functioning optimally individually, then this will create a cascade of dysfunction throughout the entire internal system, thus, affecting your ability to conceive, as well as, impacting the health of your future baby if you do become pregnant. Because of this, our program for natural conception utilizing a combination of Functional Medicine (laboratory analysis and lab-based nutritional supplement and dietary Protocols) and Chinese Herbal Medicine and functional dietary therapy is not just about treating, addressing and optimizing reproductive function, its really about making the individual and or couple healthy.
Achieving a state of “health and wellness” is not just about locating and correcting problems with supplements and herbs, rather, it is about establishing an environment that is conducive to health and conception. This involves dietary and lifestyle modifications, many of which are small adjustments that can yield powerful and lasting change. This is why our approach to fertility is “holistic”. We consider and address both the internal environment of the body, as well as, the “outer environment” or lifestyle of an individual.
By correcting imbalances such as: hormonal, digestive, immune, blood sugar, detox and energy production issues utilizing lab based nutritional supplement and dietary protocols, customized Chinese Herbal and dietary therapy and integrating healthy lifestyle habits and choices that encourage your body to heal and regenerate, you create an environment that is supportive for fertility. Using this holistic approach has astounding impacts both on fertility and on your overall health.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]
[op_liveeditor_elements][/op_liveeditor_elements]
Chinese Herbal Therapy and Functional Medical Treatment can also provide support for a range of Male Factor Infertility:
- Oligozoospermia (low sperm count, <20 millions/ml or < 40 million per ejaculate): the most common male factor of infertility, and azoospermia (lack of viable sperm).
- Sperm abnormalities:
- Morphology: <30% normal (WHO Standards); < 14-15% Normal (Kruger Criteria – More strict)
- Motility: <50% forward moving sperm or < 20% total Motile Sperm
- Semen factors:
- Semen volume:< 2 ml/ejaculation (Normal: 2.0-5ml/ejaculation)
- Abnormal pH:(Normal 7.2-8.0)
- Prolonged liquefaction time: > 30 min (Normal: < 30 min)
- Sperm Vitality (% of alive Sperm):(Normal: >75% of sperm alive
- Seminal White Blood Cell count:(Normal: < 1 million/ml)
- Some sexual functional disorders, such as retro ejaculation.
- Other Urologic or Reproductive Health Issues.
In many occasions, the exact underline causes and mechanisms of the resultant abnormalities in semen and sperm listed above often can be unknown, as well as, difficult to address from the Western Perspective, other than circumnavigating the issue with ICSI (Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection). However, current research demonstrates the promising effects Chinese Medicine – both acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, play with improving the semen parameters in male factor. We suggest at least 12 weeks of Functional Medicine and Chinese herbal treatment (3 months minimum) as the development and maturation of new sperm (spermatogenesis) takes between 90-100 days. Depending on the severity of Male factor, treatment could last up to a year+.[/text_block]
Fertility Assessment and Diagnosis
The following are the most commonly used diagnostic procedures that assist both Western and Integrative reproductive medical clinicians to reach a causal diagnosis in the infertility management:
- A semen analysis should be done to evaluate the male factors.
- Prepare a basal body temperature (BBT) Chart in female patients beginning the charting on the first day of the woman’s cycle (aka ~ first day of the woman’s period). Or the woman can additionally do a month long salivary female hormone assessment.
- Anovulation is suspected if the BBT does not show the typical mid-cycle temperature elevation or if the month long hormone panels don’t show a strong spike in Estrogen followed by a sharp and steady rise in progesterone.
- Checking thyroid: (TSH), prolactin, FT3, T4, rT3, T3uptake, Thyroid anti-bodies – to exclude hypothyroidism, a correctable cause of anovulation, and or Hashimoto’s.
- Checking day 3 Estradiol, Follicle Stimulating (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH); Progesterone Levels (Day 21 Progesterone), SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin), Testosterone, DHEAS.
- A luteinizing hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone ratio(LH/FSH) (normal 1.5:1) assay.
- Exploring month long salivary female hormone panels assessing Estradiol and progesterone, testosterone and DHEAs levels.
- Checking anti-mullerian hormone or (AMH) blood levels – levels thought to reflect the size of the remaining egg supply – or “ovarian reserve”.
- An ovarian ultrasound study would be helpful to assess polycystic ovary syndrome, if the patient presents irregular menstrual bleeding or amenorrhea (no periods), obesity and hirsutism (excess facial hair).
- Antral Follicle Count via pelvic Ultra-sound to assess the number of potential “Antral Follicles” or “resting follicles” which is indicative of the ovarian reserve remaining (aka – a reflection of the remaining number of primoridial follicles that contain the eggs).
- If the semen analysis is normal and ovulation is confirmed, fallopian tube abnormalities should be assessed by hysterosalpingogram (HSG). If potentially correctible tubal disease is suggested by the HSG, laparoscopymay be indicated to visualize the oviducts and to reconstruct the damage (tuboplasty) when possible.
- Comprehensive blood Analysis (Liver, kidney vitamin d, inflammatory and cardio-metabolic panels)
- Adrenal Salivary stress Index
- Stool analysis
[/text_block]
Treatment Course Time Frame for Fertility, Hormonal Balancing & Menstrual Irregularities
[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” bottom_padding=”0″]ALL Patients are encouraged to undergo a necessary “medical evaluation” done either by their Primary Care Physician, OBGYN and or their Reproductive Endocrinologist in order to assess any immediately correctable medical disorders, or exclude any underlined malignant diseases before they embark upon Chinese and Functional medical treatments.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]
[op_liveeditor_elements][/op_liveeditor_elements]
- A combination Functional Medicine (laboratory analysis and lab-based nutritional supplement and dietary Protocols), customized, Chinese Herbal Medicine
- Functional Nutritional & Dietary support
- Lifestyle recommendations and modifications
- Thorough health history and follow-up evaluations (Bi-weekly to monthly)
The “treatment course time frame” for most women, normally ranges from 6 to 12+/- menstrual cycles depending on the individual case, to improve fertility markers and increase the chances of conceiving. Some difficult cases may need a longer period of treatment in order to prepare the body to conceive and ultimately achieve pregnancy.
Please be patient with your-self and with the treatment process. It takes at least 3-6 cycles to normalize a woman’s cycle; longer (6-12 months +) if she has taken fertility drugs, has a history of sexually transmitted disease, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, polycystic ovaries or very irregular menstrual cycles. Again, In general, we inform our fertility patients that the fertility treatment process could range between 6-12 months +/-.
As mentioned above, Internal Chinese Herbal therapy will most likely be included into this treatment regimen with the woman drinking Chinese Herbal Decoction teas and or tinctures that are addressing each of the different phases of the woman’s menstrual cycle (ie: Menstrual phase, post-menstrual or follicular phase, Ovulation phase, Post-ovulation or Luteal Phase). Please see below for more detail.
The length of this process is due to a woman’s reproductive biology, which in Chinese and functional Medicine, must work “within” vs. circumnavigating biology (ie: IVF). The egg a woman is ovulating in any given month, began developing literally 120 days prior. 120 days prior to any given ovulation, a cohort or group of follicles begin to develop, grow and mature into mature follicles, eventually yielding one dominant follicle which develops and ovulates an egg on
that given month.
This 120 day cycle is called the “Tonic Growth Phase“ and it is during this time that the body’s environment subjects its influences on the developing follicles which contain the developing eggs. If the body is in a state of health and balance this will positively influence the environment in which the developing follicles and thus eggs are maturing, yielding eggs, which are of “High Quality”. High quality eggs yield optimal fertility potential and therefore increased pregnancy and birth rates.
This follicular cycle is layered on top of a woman’s 28 day cycle which also must be appropriately regulated. This involves regulating the HPO Axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis), aka the brain’s communication with the ovaries, in order to achieve healthy menstrual phases (menstrual, follicular, ovulatory and luteal phases). So considering the overlay of these two cycles and the length of an ovarian cycle (minimum of 120 days), making lasting and effective change that yields optimal female health, healthy pregnancies, and also healthy babies, takes time.
One of Dr. Gina’s main goals in the Fertility treatment process is to focus on positively influencing the Tonic Growth Phase via Chinese Herbal medicine, lab based nutritional supplement protocols, dietary therapy and healthy Lifestyle modifications.
We affect the quality of the eggs by improving the egg’s energy capacity, aka, the egg’s mitochondrial capacity. The Mitochondria of any given cell, in which the egg is the largest in the human body, is the area of the cell that produces energy or ATP for that given cell and its functions. In order to effectively and positively influence and change a women’s cycle and therefore also the Tonic Growth phase, which is the deeper, longer cycle underlying and superimposing the 28 day menstrual cycle, we recommend patients commit to at least 4-6 months of treatment.
Again, if there is a complicated menstrual and or fertility history, or history of ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology), the process may very well require a longer course (ie: 6-12+ Months). Likewise, it takes roughly 90 days to generate new sperm in a man. If he has a history of drug and alcohol abuse or urological complications, it may take longer to regenerate his reproductive capacity.
During patient consults, the overall health of the patient and their reproductive system is assessed through understanding the patient’s general health symptoms and charting the various bodily changes throughout the menstrual cycle, specifically using basal body temperature charting and month long salivary female hormone testing.
Conventional Reproductive Western medicine offers a bigger bang, but we liken this to putting a thumbtack in the wall with a sledgehammer. For some, modern Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is the appropriate course to take. However, for others, ART has failed them and or ART is not something a patient wants. Also, there are many women who do not require fertility drugs and medically assisted reproductive techniques, yet they go through months of physical and emotional agony, not to mention the financial burden.
Functional Medicine, Dietary Therapy and Chinese Herbal Medicine are gentle, yet effective. The combination of Functional Medicine with Chinese Herbal medicine will push the tack into the wall with a thumb. This powerful combination is safe, natural, cost effective, and has no side effects. In fact, this integrative approach can only make your body stronger, while helping to create an optimally balanced hormonal environment for a healthy pregnancy to thrive within.[/text_block]
How can Functional Medicine and Chinese Herbal Medicine treat these hormonal imbalances?
Many hormonal problems are due to slight imbalances in the delicate endocrine system, which may alter a pathway by which the body produces hormones. A slight anomaly can throw the entire system off so it no longer functions smoothly.Modern diagnostic techniques may not detect any laboratory abnormality or functional causes at all. This does not necessarily mean that fertility drugs or surgical procedures are warranted.
Research has shown that Chinese Herbal Medicine influences these hormonal pathways, and assists our bodies in restoring endocrine balance.
Chinese herbal formulas have been clinically proven to be effective in altering hormone levels in the body. A commonly used formula in the treatment of infertility and menopause, for example, known as Rhemmania Six, or “Liu Wei Di Huang Wan”, alters female sex hormones by directly affecting the adrenal cortex, other endocrine glands, or both.
From a biomedical perspective, this particular formula with or without modifications, has been reported to increase plasma levels of cortisol (our stress-dealing hormone), increase estradiol (an estrogen derivative) and decrease overall FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone). It also was shown to increase estrogen receptors within the ovarian follicle, significantly.
In functional medicine, we are looking at and comparing your lab values to the “Functional Ranges”, which is the “optimal range” your lab markers should be falling within. Your lab values will often appear to be “normal” and fall within the laboratory ranges (aka, pathological ranges), but, unwanted symptoms are still at play. If those same lab values were considered and compared to the “Functional” and optimal ranges, they may very well fall outside of these optimally functioning ranges and therefor are in need of correction. By catching early functional issues via functional laboratory testing, we are able to address many underlying issues early on before they become pathological. These functional laboratory tests then guide and inform our functional medicine treatment plan in prescribing “lab-based nutritional supplement programs” specifically tailored to serve your bodily chemistry and physiologic needs.[/text_block]
The overall effect of Functional medicine and customized Chinese herbal therapy create a balance in hormone levels and ratios resulting in optimization of fertility potential and reproductive function.Your Chinese herbal formula will be designed according to what your Chinese Medical Diagnosis is and will also be based on the signs and symptoms you exhibit and may be experiencing. Your formulas will be completely customized for your body using either Bulk or powdered herbs or herbs in tincture form that can be combined to address both your symptomatic picture, as well as, your root causal or underlying disorder. In other words, we will treat both your symptoms so that you feel better, but we will also be addressing the underlying cause of your symptoms so that your body can regain balance and homeostasis.
Certain herbs and herbal combinations contain natural energetic substances, vitamins, micro-nutrients, amino acids and minerals that gently correct underlying deficiencies, removes obstructions and balance hormones. By way of a thorough diagnosis, we will analyze your body’s individual disharmonies and develop a customized herbal prescription designed precisely to correct your imbalances.
These herbal formulas will be created based upon your past medical history – from an Eastern and Western perspective, your present symptoms, and your basal body temperature chart results. We will individualize each herbal formula, providing different herbs for various segments of your month long cycle; some women may need to switch herbal preparations two to four times throughout the month to enhance the effect.
Over the counter herbal remedies are not as effective, because they are aimed at a “general population.” The whole key to effective treatment is that each individual’s particular needs be addressed. We will tailor each herbal remedy to meet your body’s reproductive requirements.
The herbal formula prescribed for you will be multi-faceted, containing:
- Herbs to strengthen your entire system and improve general health
- Herbs to correct your particular imbalances
- Herbs directly targeted at improving reproductive function – Often targeting the different phases of the menstrual cycle (menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, luteal), as well as, optimizing the “Tonic Growth Phase“.
- Please be consistent with your herbal treatment regimen. If you “forget” to take even a few days’ worth, that whole month may be lost.
[/text_block]
[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” bottom_padding=”0″]
Not only does Chinese Medicine and functional medicine address the underlying physiological issues associated with infertility, they also effectively help to address the stress known to occur when coping with a shattering diagnosis of infertility.
[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]
[op_liveeditor_elements][/op_liveeditor_elements]
Learn more about becoming a new patient and bringing yourself one step closer to optimal female and reproductive health!
[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””]
PHONE CONSULTATION
[/op_liveeditor_element]
[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” top_padding=”0″ bottom_padding=”0″ left_padding=”10″ right_padding=”10″ top_margin=”0″ bottom_margin=”10″]Fill out our new patient form to receive a FREE 20 minute phone consultation.
<< CLICK HERE >>[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]
[op_liveeditor_elements][/op_liveeditor_elements]
[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””]
NEWSLETTER
[/op_liveeditor_element]
[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left” top_padding=”0″ bottom_padding=”0″ left_padding=”10″ right_padding=”0″ top_margin=”0″ bottom_margin=”10″ width=”230″]
Sign up for our Newsletter!
Stay up to date on the latest Functional Medicine and Chinese Medical news, research studies, articles, recipes, and health tips pertaining to the fields of Reproductive Medicine and Women’s Health, as well as upcoming live and virtual talks, seminars and webinars given by Dr. Gina.
[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]
[op_liveeditor_elements][/op_liveeditor_elements]
[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”style_1.png” align=”left” font_size=”16″ bottom_margin=”10″]ARTICLES [/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]
[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””]
*All Articles
Adrenal Health
Fertility
Hashimoto’s
Menopause
PCOS
Post-Partum
Pre-Conception
Pregnancy
Thyroid
[/op_liveeditor_element]
[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””]
[/op_liveeditor_element]
[op_liveeditor_elements][/op_liveeditor_elements]
[/custom_html][/op_liveeditor_element]
[op_liveeditor_elements][/op_liveeditor_elements]
I recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.
[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]I started going to Dr. Gina about three years ago after being unable to conceive for several years. My husband and I had been through several medical interventions, and nothing seemed to be working. My doctor recommended that I look into acupuncture, so I searched for an acupuncturist near me and found Healing Traditions. I’m so glad I did… <read more> [/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]
[op_liveeditor_elements][/op_liveeditor_elements]
Certified Practitioner:
American Board of Oriental
Reproductive Medicine
[/custom_html]
Certified Practitioner:
National Certification
Commission for Acupuncture
and Oriental Medicine
[/custom_html]
How We Work | Who We Work With | Conditions We’ve Helped | How We’re Different | Services | Testimonials
BECOME A PATIENT | FREE PHONE CONSULT
Home | Articles | About Us | Contact |
Copyright © Doctor Gina Gomez. All rights reserved.
[/text_block]
[/text_block]
Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is intended to provide prospective patients with education, but does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. Dr. Gina Mortellaro-Gomez, Healing Traditions Integrated Wellness, LLC shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter this site.
[/text_block]