Dr Lulu Beyers: Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture

28/07/2024

Its been a long hiatus from the world of social media. I think many health/healing practitioners would be able to relate! We often become so engaged with the lives and health challenges of our patients, that we forget to share all the wonders and inspirations with the rest of the world.

The world of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is just too awe-inspiring, life changing, and profound, not to share!

More to come soon…

06/03/2023

Feeling so blessed to be part of this incredible team of women!

10/01/2021

New year, new energy! Let’s shake off 2020! White Lotus is in full ‘swing’ again from tomorrow. Don’t miss an opportunity to press the reset button 😉 We are here for you!

20/09/2020

How can Acupuncture boost fertility?
One of the most common questions I get in my practice.

Here is the how...

☘️ Egg development / quality

Acupuncture improves blood flow to the ovarian arteries, delivering more nutrients to the follicles, which can improve follicle (egg) development (Chun-lanJINa 2009, Huang 2008)

☘️ Balances hormones

The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that sends messages via the pituitary gland to the ovaries. Feedback loops between the brain and the ovaries ensure that the right amount of hormones are produced at the right time for ovulation, fertilisation and implantation. Stress, toxins and other factors can disrupt hormone balance and lead to infertility.
Acupuncture releases endorphins in the brain, which activate the hypothalamus to produce gonadotrophin-releasing hormones, the pituitary to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone and the ovaries to produce oestrogen and progesterone. These hormones are essential for healthy reproductive function.

☘️Improves Uterine Lining and Implantation

For implantation to occur, the uterine lining needs to be at least 8mm thick. Stress, diet, toxins and hormonal imbalances can result in a thin uterine lining, preventing implantation and conception.
Acupuncture improves blood flow to the Uterus, which can increase the thickness of the womb lining to supports implantation and conception (Stener-Victorin, 1996)

☘️Improves Male Fertility

Male factor infertility can include problems with s***m quality, count, morphology, testosterone levels, obstruction or ej*******on.
Research shows that acupuncture can help with circulation and increased blood flow to the te**es to improve s***m development. Studies also show that acupuncture can increase testosterone, improve s*x drive and reduce impotence (Pei 2005 and Dieterle 2009)

☘️ Assists with PCOS

PCOS is one of the main conditions that prevent women from conceiving. PCOS symptoms and signs include hormone irregularities, ovarian cysts, an-ovulation, insulin resistance and irregular menstrual cycles.
Acupuncture can assist with PCOS by reducing stress hormones, balancing s*x hormones, controlling hyperglycaemia through increasing insulin sensitivity and decreasing blood glucose and insulin levels, reducing cysts, stimulating ovulation and regulating the menstrual cycle (Lim 2010, Huang 2008)

☘️ Assists with Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue is found outside the womb, normally in the pelvis. The endometrial cells outside the womb are still affected by changes in hormone levels, causing them to bleed and create pain and inflammation. This can impact fertility.
Research shows that acupuncture can significantly reduce endometriosis pain by increasing cytokines and reducing inflammation (Zijlstra 2003, Wayne 2008 and Jin 2009).

☘️ Improves IVF Success

Research shows that having acupuncture before and after embryo transfer can increase pregnancy rates by 60% and reduce the number of miscarriages by 50% (Paulus 2002 and Quintero 2004).

Study links:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1001784409600055

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18460933

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2018/3752723/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3962314/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8671446/

https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-019-2472-1

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3962314/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16009169/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19394002/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20230329/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18460933

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1781596/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18794019

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19761114

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11937123

https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(04)00199-2/fulltext

07/09/2020

Suffering with menopausal symptoms and looking for an alternative to HRT? Typical symptoms include hot flushes, nightsweats, insomnia, decreasing bone density, anxiety and mood swings.
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 menopausal symptoms, known as “Liu Wei Di Huang Wan"(LWDHW) alters female s*x hormones by directly affecting the adrenal cortex, and other endocrine glands.

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 estrodiol (an estrogen derivative) and decrease overall FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone). It was also shown to increase estrogen receptors significantly.
On top of this, LWDHW has been shown to prevent bone loss and the development of Osteoporosis.
So what does all of this mean? Along with a few lifestyle changes, LWDHW can reduce nightsweats, flushes, anxiety and insomnia - leading to a better quality of life for menopausal women.

The below article includes supportive studies for the effects of LWDHW:
https://www.darcynat.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Menopausal-Hot-Flashes-Cool-Flare-Herbal-Article.pdf.pdf

24/04/2020

‘Having a strong immune response during the incubation period can prevent the infection taking hold, reduce the actual quantity of virus in the body and prevent it from getting to the lungs.’

Having a strong immune response during the incubation period can prevent the infection taking hold, reduce the actual quantity of virus in the body and prevent it from getting to the lungs.

16/04/2020

‘The World Health Organisation recommends people quit smoking as it makes them more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection.’

‘Early data from China suggests smoking history is one factor that increases the risk of poor outcomes in COVID-19 patients.’

Early data suggests being a smoker might put you at higher risk if you catch coronavirus, so there's never been a better time to quit. The good news is the benefits are almost immediate.

01/12/2019

This time of year, most of us are feeling the effects of 'year-end mania', with calendars jam packed with both work and social events. More reason to claim a day (of half) for yourself. Research shows the benefits are multi-fold.

Most of the scientific research about human social isolation doesn't really extol its benefits. We're social animals, and too much time on your own has been linked with higher levels of heart disease and early rates of death among the elderly. But…

12/10/2019

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine outperforms omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid) for the treatment of acid reflux. This treatment result was significant for both short and longterm relief of symptoms, and showed a lower relapse rate.

GERD (acid reflux) more effectively eliminated with acupuncture and herbs than suppressed by drugs.

12/04/2019

Something we all know...

Taking at least 20 minutes out of your day to stroll or sit in a place that makes you feel in contact with nature will significantly lower your stress hormone levels. That's the finding of a study that has established for the first time the most effective dose of an urban nature experience. Healthca...

16/02/2019

It’s about time these facts become known! When looking through the lens of Chinese Medicine, I frequently observe female patients on the OCP, presenting with a TCM pattern called ‘Liver Qi Stagnation’. This pattern can be caused or aggravated by taking the OCP. Depression is one of the primary emotional features of this pattern. If this pattern progresses, it can lead to infertility, menstrual irregularities and mood swings.
Even sadder for the health of these poor women is that, soon after, they end up in the psychiatrists office getting medicated further with anti-depressants. All of this without understanding the true root of the problem.

Please ladies! There are other options out there! Protect your mental and reproductive health at all cost.

‘I went from being fine to having suicidal thoughts within six months’