4 Tips for treating Uterine and Ovarian Cysts

How an acupuncturist in Ridgewood and Bergen County, NJ treats Uterine and Ovarian cysts!We have four powerful weapons in our arsenal that will do a number on gynecological cysts. They are acupuncture, herbology, hunger awareness training, focused deep breathing and posture retraining.Each of the first three individually will resolve most cysts, and the last three will prevent their return, but applying all five together beefs up the process and ensures the body's ability to utterly destroy these unwanted intruders in a timely manner, and bar their reappearance.What Is A Cyst?A cyst is a closed pocket or pouch of tissue, mainly composed of protein molecules. It can be filled with air, fluid, pus, or other material. From a Chinese theoretical point of view, a cyst is a place where excess yin has stagnated. Cysts and tumors are both known as qi and phlegm stagnation.A cyst is differentiated from a benign tumor in that a tumor is solid and can potentially turn toxic (cancerous). However, a benign tumor is also made up of protein molecules, is also seen asqi/phlegm stagnation, and will generally respond to the same treatments listed above.Gynecological cysts and tumors will easily stagnate menstrual blood, leading to pain, menstrual irregularities of all types, excessive bleeding, amenorrhea, constipation and infertility. In addition, because stagnation often develops into excess heat, a woman will sometimes suffer from hot flashes, insomnia or a myriad of inflammatory conditions.What Causes Gynecological Cysts To Develop?There are two general causes of cysts: Liver qi stagnation and Spleen damp.Liver regulates qi, and when liver is stagnated, qi is stagnated, especially along the Liver/Gall Bladder meridians. The groin area is encircled and dominated by the liver meridian. Qi moves fluids, and when the qi stagnates, fluids can stagnate, causing a buildup of fluid which we call phlegm. Thus, is born qi/phlegm stagnation in the liver meridian.In the U.S., liver qi stagnation is almost universal, and the common causes of liver qi stagnation are worrying and poor posture. Worrying and all of its avatars, such as anxiety, dread, guilt, nervousness and resentment, result from thoughts that are stuck in the future or the past. Analyzing the past and planning for the future are useful cognitive abilities, but since neither the future nor the past actually exist, thoughts and emotions that linger there will not be in the flow of life and will necessarily become stagnated.Stagnation of thoughts and feelings cause people to tighten various muscles and organs, consciously or unconsciously. This is particularly true for any structures lying along the liver or gall bladder pathways, such as the uterus or ovaries.Two forms of unhealthy posture will cause the liver channels – which run along the medial seams of the legs - of women to contract and tighten up, contributing to stagnation of qi and fluids in the groin area. These two habits are extremely common among American women, many of whom are unknowingly and symbolically barricading their sexual organs and sexuality against imaginary threats during waking hours. They are:

1. Standing and walking pigeon-toed, i.e. with one foot or both feet inverted.
2. Standing and sitting with legs crossed instead of apart and firmly planted.

In most cases, for a pocket of yin to stagnate, there must exist an excess of yin in the first place. In the U.S., excess yin in the form of Spleen Damp is practically universal. Its most common manifestation is excessive body fat, the obvious result of overeating. In fact, any excessive body fat above the optimal lean zone - 5 to 10% for women – creates a large potential for qi/phlegm stagnation.And with two-thirds of Americans overweight or obese, tumors and cysts have become quite common occurrences. This is easily demonstrated by statistical evidence, given that cancer is currently a close-second leading cause of American mortality.Weapon 1: AcupunctureAcupuncture's main claim to fame is its ability to move qi  or energy and blood flow and with it, everything else. Many roads lead to Rome, and there are a variety of acupuncture protocols that will obtain successful results.My particular method involves three simultaneous applications of acupuncture:

1. Electro-acupuncture. First, ascertain exactly where the cyst lies, either by palpation, from the location of the patient's pain, or from information supplied by her gynecologist. Then, have her lie on her side so that you can place needles in abdominal and low back spots that will allow electrical current to run directly through the growth, being careful not to cross the mid-line. Thirty minutes of electrical stimulation will thoroughly hammer the unfortunate cyst.
2. Needling the liver/gall bladder meridian points. If the practitioner treats you for cysts, whatever method he or she uses, we usually locate tender points along the Liver and Gall Bladder meridians, especially on the feet and legs. Liver 3, GB 41, and Liver 8 are common candidates.  Why Liver? The liver in Chinese medicine, is said to be responsible for activation of blood flow, throughout the body. This is particularly useful for women with cysts as we need the moving force to help “roto” route or move the blood flow to reduce the cyst.  In addition, Spleen 9 and Stomach 40 will help activate stagnation of damp and phlegm, respectively. Damp and phlegm are the by products of excess weight, poor absorption of food and breakdown. Blood sugar, insulin regulation need to be regulated as well.
3. Auricular acupuncture/acupressure. Specific points in the ear can be used to have a direct effect on the uterus area. Situated in the anterior corner of the triangular fossa.

Two to three treatments per week for 8 to 10 weeks are optimal. Treating once per week will take double or triple the time but will help.Weapon 2: HerbologyWe have a number of “kung fu” herbs in our Chinese pharmacopeia that share an extreme prejudice against cysts and tumors, and love nothing better than ambushing and chewing them up. Blood activators for the uterine area such as H. Leonuri yi mu cao, Rz. Curcumae e zhu, and Rz. Sparganii san leng can serve as chief herbs in a formula that must also take into account the degree of Spleen Damp, Liver qi stagnation, and the level of heat found in each patient. In Chinese medicine, people range from cold to hot. Cold people tend to gain weight easy, have a paleish complexion, have weaker consitutions and may be hypothyroid or have PCOS. Other women may present with ruddy complexion, sweating more easily, have a leaner body type.A combination like Frigid Extremities Powder si ni san can serve as a base formula for heavy Liver qi stagnation. Its magic will activate energy and blood flow upward, downward, inward, and outward, and combined with the above blood activators will focus its attention on the lower abdomen.For heavy dampness, a recipe like Two-Cured Decoction er chen tang will serve nicely as a base formula, with the addition of the above-mentioned kung fu herbs, some qi activators, and heat cleaning herbs  when and where needed.Weapon 3: Losing weight!Spleen Damp refers to people who have gained weight. Spleen refers to the pancreas and small intestine organs, the organs related to blood sugar management and absorption.  The more fat you have the harder your blood sugar wil be to maintain. This weakens the digestive function as it relates to carbohydrate and sugar metabolism, leading to what the Chinese call Dampness. Dampness is the left over body condition from fat, and poorly managed sugar. This spleen damp sabotages the production of energy in your body. Everything becomes sluggish and slower moving and reduces energy. Without the moving quality of blood flow, it blocks the ability f the body to move around the body and attack unwanted growths.Lean means clean. Getting lean includes allowing the body to recognize unwanted growths as food, since these structures are mostly composed of calorie-laden proteins.Focus on lean proteins, lots of veggies, small portions of complex carbohydrates and eating smaller meals throughout the day. Reduce processed foods, more healthy choices.Weapon 4: Focused Deep BreathingDeep breathing, the basis of all meditative exercises such as qi gong, tai qi, and yoga, causes significant changes to the body's chemistry. From a Chinese point of view, the inhalation of air that is cooler than the internal temperature of the body will relieve pathogenic heat, while the exhalation will relax muscles that are continually held in contraction by those suffering from chronic stress, over scheduled lives, deadlines, juggling acts between work and home life or just constant stimulation and go-go-go lives. All of these create a mental stress picture, creating at minimal, a low level of stress. Stress for prolonged times affects the Liver organ causing your free flow of blood to become sluggish. Mental snappiness, neck tension, and jaw clenching, or headaches, more prone to allergies, more PMS symptoms and feeling mentally “blocked” are all signs of this phenomenon called Liver stagnation.Just before going to sleep every night, have take 20 deep breaths, mentally focusing all the while on the lower abdomen, so that the uterus and surrounding muscles fall into a state of complete relaxation with every exhale. This will facilitate the liver's ability to regulate uterine blood flow, as well as allow free passage of the blood in its quest to search and destroy growths.Eventually, this practice will set up a new pattern of a relaxed lower abdomen, helping to prevent the return of gynecological stagnation of any kind.Weapon 5: Posture RetrainingTeach your patients that the habits of foot inversion and leg crossing will decrease circulation in the liver channels and the uterine region, and that it is an unconscious reflection of irrational fear. Question her on every visit as to whether she is practicing pointing the toes straight forward and standing/sitting with feet slightly apart and firmly planted on the floor.Special Considerations1) The first two weapons are absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy, but present no special risks during the post-partum nursing process.2) Whenever possible, have the growths measured every 4-6 weeks by Western medical methods – usually ultrasound. Make sure patients tell the medical doctors who and what are responsible for the "amazing" shrinkage of their cysts.3) Tumors will submit to the same process, but generally take longer, being that they are made of solid material. The larger the tumor, the more time and effort will be required, and the more important leanness becomes, since tumors are essentially stored protein.The above protocol is so powerful, there is a risk of moving forward too fast when shrinking large tumors. One acupuncturist who wrote much of the information for this article shares the following case study.

"Years ago, I had a patient come to me with a grapefruit-sized uterine tumor that she wanted me to eliminate. I suggested that she might want to consider surgery on something that big, but she insisted that I help her with it. Everything was going smoothly, the tumor was shrinking, and then one day she came in with a trail of medium-sized subcutaneous lumps – about four of them – across one buttock, right along the gall bladder channel. I assured her it was a temporary result of too much too fast, decreased the formula dosage, and skipped the electro. A few days later, she returned for the next visit, and to my great relief, the mysterious lumps had vanished.

Sometimes, menstrual problems, including cysts and tumors, contain a strong element of mental disturbance that need the attention of professional psychotherapists. Years before she came to me, the above-mentioned patient endured a horrific divorce and at that time decided that she didn't want to ever have children. She consciously tightened up the uterine area and put on a significant amount of body fat, all of which contributed to the growing of that grapefruit-sized uterine tumor. Eventually she found a new lover, lost some weight, discovered the tumor, and reversed her decision about having babies. Well, after we had shrunk the tumor to about half its size, she called me one day to cancel further treatment. I asked her why, and she told me she wasn't at all sure anymore about letting go of the tumor, since her new relationship wasn't working out. I was stunned!"

So I hope these 4 ways of tackling your fibroids have helped informed you. If you’ve like my post then please “like” me on my facebook page and follow me for these and other tips and insights that you can use to better your life and expand your perspective go to  facebook.com/integrativeacupuncturecenter.Want more help? I would like to give you a chance to get to know me and to find out how acupuncture can be of help to you. Schedule your “get acquainted” consultation and evaluation today. If you are ready to take control of your health and your life now, call (201) 444-7150 or send me a message. I am never too busy to help you with your healthcare needs.Excerpts taken from original article Putting the Hurt on Uterine and Ovarian Cysts from Acupuncture Today:February, 2014, Vol. 15, Issue 02.