HORMONES and the CONCEPT OF ENERGY
From The Desk of Dr. Sandra Testaguzza

The concept of energy is what really separates Eastern and Western medical thought.

Acupuncture is a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It involves the insertion of very fine needles throughout the skin and tissues at specific points on the body. It is the quality and quantity of energy stored in the kidneys or adrenals that play an enormous role in balancing Estrogen & Progesterone levels and synergistically render emotional balance. That's empowerment! Acupuncture is about balance! It has proven to be extremely beneficial in addressing women's health issues and has helped many women find hormonal balance.

Contrary to Eastern wisdom, the present Western medical thought is the product of an industrially manufactured consciousness. In 1966 pharmaceutical companies pathologized the concept of menopause, proclaiming estrogen as the miracle antidote of aging. Because of Western medical education and research, we are aware of the benefits of estrogen, but why are we uninformed about the value of progesterone?

The Yin and Yang of Estrogen and Progesterone

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) longevity is related to the quantity and quality of energy stored in the kidneys or adrenal glands. This means Chinese practitioners have always known that by stimulating the kidneys through herbs or acupuncture, the body has the ability to stimulate progesterone and as well acts as a modulator of estrogen activity! In the midst of this meno-boom in the Western world, Estrogen Replacement Therapy since 1966 has become the universal mantra for women's "fountain of youth" while "longevity" has long been associated to Chinese culture for over 2000 years.

It is important for every women to grasp the concept that the "kidneys or adrenal glands" in Chinese Medicine govern the entire hormonal system and is the secret to the anti-aging process of the body and mind.

According to Dr. Alvin Pettle MD/GYN, " the reason that most women experience menopausal symptoms is that their adrenal glands have been overworked and undernourished for most of their lives and struggle to produce the female hormones required for this transition. It is known that Chinese women breeze through menopause. Can we ignore such success? "

A woman can go from cycle to cycle with no problems as long as the kidneys or adrenals are empowered. This means that an imbalance of the kidney energy in TCM will be responsible for the rise and fall of hormones bringing about symptoms linked to PMS, peri-menopause and menopause. To help eliminate excess estrogen, it is also essential to keep your liver healthy.

How does one keep their adrenals empowered?

• Acupuncture builds "adrenal stamina" that stabilizes hormone levels. Chinese medical thought begins with the theory of Yin and Yang. Yin represents the levels of estrogen and Yang represents the levels of Progesterone. Acupuncture addresses these imbalances caused by hormonal change. For example, hot flashes are a consequence of the inability of Yin to restrain Yang (heat). Acupuncture points are chosen to play a role in treating a specific condition making the symptoms disappear.
• Food is Medicine: High carbohydrate consumption can be problematic and trigger insulin production that reduces hormone stimulation. Soy is known to help balance hormone levels.
• Eat lots of vegetables, fruits & whole grains.
• Avoid dairy, alcohol, cigarette smoking, red meat, and sweets
• Magnesium, Calcium, Zinc, Vitamins B especially B6, Vitamin E, Black Cohost, Ginseng (Siberian), Angelica, Milk Thistle, Dandelion
• Regular Exercise and Breathing





What are the benefits of Acupuncture during a woman's life cycle?


• Natural versus synthetic
• Eliminates hot flashes & night sweats, promotes better sleep,
• Stabilizes bladder function, incontinence or over-active bladder or painful urination
• Promotes weight loss, reduces bloating, eliminates water retention & sugar cravings
• Relieves pain and emotional stress; anxiety, anger, sadness, depression
• Gives more energy, better concentration, eases digestive disorders, constipation
• Treats Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), nausea
• Lowers stress levels, eliminates painful periods, heavy bleeding, menstrual problems
• Stabilizes mood swings, & PMS
• Treats endometriosis
• Promotes better digestion, boosts immune system, treats dizziness & headaches, sinuses
• Treats low back pain.
• Acupuncture will work on all kinds of Pain related conditions!
  Joint pain, Low Back, Neck, Shoulder and Knee, Sciatica, Carpal Tunnel, Trimyalgia, Whiplash, Sports Injuries, Arthritis, Tennis Elbow, Golfer's Back, Fibromyalgia, Stiffness

NEEDLING ENDOMETRIOSIS

Endometriosis has gained wide attention in the mass media in the last few years. The incidence of endometriosis seems to be on the rise. Endometriosis according to the Merck Manual, is "the presence of endometrial tissue in abnormal locations, including the uterine wall, ovaries, or extragenital sites. Endometriosis can be associated with pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps), sterility, backache, rectal bleeding, urinary frequency, abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, flank pain and even hemoptysis.

Modern Western medicine's diagnosis and treatment of this condition is expensive, invasive, often iatrogenic, and also often inexpensive. Traditional Chinese Medicine, on the other hand, and especially acupuncture, diagnoses these conditions without expensive lab procedures or invasive, traumatic operations. In addition, it also treats this condition humanely, holistically, inexpensively, and effectively.

As a North American practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine specializing in gynecology, I am often called upon to treat this condition. A great deal of unnecessary suffering could be avoided if more and more women could understand the power of acupuncture. Women with this condition also need to make changes in their diet, exercise, and lifestyle to prevent this condition and seek Chinese medical care AT THE BEGINNING when this condition is still relatively easy to treat. Stagnation of the liver energy is one of the major causes of pain in the pelvic area as well as low adrenal energy.

If women with dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, and infertility adjust their diets and lifestyles, then herbs, supplementation and acupuncture can bring the benefits into full display.

Women suffering from endometriosis often benefit from adding B vitamins, C and mineral supplements to their daily regime. B vitamins nourish Yin adrenals and blood plus calms the spirit. Minerals such as calcium and selenium settles anxiety and restlessness. Magnesium 800mg daily is strongly recommended for treatment of endometriosis. These supplements can be incorporated into a Chinese treatment herb such as licorice, Bupleurum, or Angelica.

Traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, is a discrete and independent health care profession. "Traditional acupuncture" is not a technique to be added to the bag of tricks of some other profession. It takes just as long to study Chinese Medicine and acupuncture as it does to learn allopathy, chiropractic, naturopathy, or homeopathy.

I therefore suggest to prospective patients to seek out professionally trained practitioners of this system in order to get satisfactory results.

Dr. Sandra Testaguzza Dr.Ac. L.Ac.

• Practises Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Ruth Pettle Wellness Centre in association with Dr. Alvin Pettle MD/Gyn.
• Obtained her practice permit from the Quebec Medical Board, as a licensed acupuncturist (A-089-89) and has received the title of Doctor of Acupuncture from the Professional College of Chinese Medicine of Ontario with 18 years experience.
• Is currently the Woman's Health consultant at York University Wellness Centre.
• Practiced childbirth by acupuncture in Quebec hospitals and lectures for the Etobicoke Hospital Foundation, York University and many other educational and health care institutions.
• Is a published writer, (Women's News Magazine, Toronto Star, Confidant, Toronto Star, Business Times….)
• Produced a video on Endometriosis with Ryerson University.
• Has been on Erin Davis Television Show, Diagnosis MD, The David Garshowitz Radio Show and French television and radio.
• Received Black Belt in Chinese Martial Arts, pilots small aircrafts
• Featured in Chatelaine's Who's Who Publication of Canadian women, where she has been honoured and awarded recognition for her notable work.
• Specializes in all of Women's Health problems; more specifically endometriosis

She may be reached at 416-236-3488 or e-mail: stwell@yorku.ca

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