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Katonah Yoga for Fertility

Katonah Yoga is based upon the principles that yoga is designed to improve the function of the organs.
The practice creates space within the body, thus creating room for the organs to function well.

Chinese Medicine Organ Systems and Fertility

The primary organ systems related to fertility in Chinese Medicine are the Kidneys and the Heart, as well as the Liver. A yoga practice focused on improving functionality of these organ systems will improve chances of conception, as well as overall wellness and vitality.

Yoga for the Kidney System

To access the Kidneys, one must work with the lower body. Our two legs relate to the two Kidneys and
represent the root system of the body. Using tools and postures to access the lower parts of the body
will give space and comfort to the Kidneys, flush out any stagnation within them, and keep their energy
reserves flowing well. These include pigeon, bound angle, shoelace, and standing folds.

Yoga for the Heart System

Working with the Heart system means working within community. It relates to the articulation of the practice and needs held within the body. The Heart is meant to feel all emotions fully, but then is designed to let them move through and release these emotions as well. A practice focused on clarity of needs and communal guidance and support gives nourishment to the Heart system and brings joy to the
practitioner! Breathwork (pranayama) helps move stagnant energy out of the Heart.

Yoga for the Liver System

A happy Liver system is a well functioning with no stagnation or Heat held within. Guiding the
practice to include supported backbends and twists will open up the Liver’s capacity for movement and
expansion.


Katonah Yoga provides archetypal patterns and fits for a well-informed practice. A good practice holds
up and provides clear evidence of improvements and expansion within the body and mind.

Contact us for a free 15-minute discovery call to find out more about how we can support you on your fertility journey with individualized Katonah Yoga.

Fertility Blood Analysis

You may wonder why your hormone blood work analysis is taken on different days of your menstrual cycle. Hormone testing is an important tool used in assessing and diagnosing reproductive disorders.

In particular, testing for hormone levels on specific days of the menstrual cycle can provide valuable information about the functioning of the ovaries and reproductive system.

By measuring hormone levels on specific days of the menstrual cycle, healthcare providers can diagnose and treat a variety of reproductive disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, and infertility.

If you are struggling with fertility or other reproductive issues, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about whether hormone testing may provide insight to your difficulties.

Day 2/3 Vs. Day 21 Blood Tests

Follicular Phase Bloodwork

Day 2 or 3 testing, also known as follicular phase testing, is typically done on the second or third day of the menstrual cycle. During this phase, the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol are measured. These hormones play important roles in stimulating the growth and development of follicles, which house the eggs in the ovaries. Elevated levels of FSH and LH, and low levels of estradiol, can indicate ovarian dysfunction or premature ovarian failure.

Luteal Phase Bloodwork

Day 21 testing, also known as luteal phase testing, is typically done 7 days after ovulation has occurred. During this phase, the levels of progesterone are measured. Progesterone is a hormone that is released by the corpus luteum, a structure that forms after ovulation. Elevated levels of progesterone indicate that ovulation has occurred and that the corpus luteum is functioning properly. Low levels of progesterone can indicate a luteal phase defect or anovulation.

Contact us to find out more ways we can support you on your fertility journey.

What Is Katonah Yoga?

What is Katonah Yoga

Katonah Yoga is a formal technique that informs and reforms your yoga practice.

It’s about listening to the body through alignment & measures.

It is a specially designed technique that provides information and insight to your yoga
practice. It focuses on alignment and measures to ensure that you are working through formalized
movement and not falling back into habits that can lead to imbalances in the body.

The reason for moving away from a “feelings” based practice is to get out of your own way. Emotions are wonderful tools to guide and process life’s experiences, but can be biased and full of judgement. By shifting the focus onto the measures and fits within the body, knowing that the body cannot lie, one is better able to access information that is useful and measurable.

The 3 Principles of Katonah Yoga Technique

The Katonah Yoga technique revolves around three principles: all polarities are mediated by trinity; the universe has intelligence implied through pattern; and by virtue of repetition there is potential for
insight.

1. Polarity

First, polarities lie in all worldly things, and the beauty of polarity is when you put yourself in the
center there lies the opportunity to mediate and modulate your experiences.

2. Pattern

Second, pattern provides information about habits and tendencies to lean on strengths, while overlooking weaknesses.

Understanding pattern gives power to the practitioner because the Universe runs on pattern through
seasons, moon cycles, tides, and so much more. By understanding patterns, one can better learn how to align with Universal intelligence and become a more well-rounded human.

3. Practice & Repetition

Finally, the practice of yoga is just that: a practice. It brings about learning to manipulate time by repeating techniques to eventually master one’s own domain. Practice doesn’t make perfect, but it makes sense. It guides the practitioner to continue to explore the Self and unravel any narrative threads that no longer serve, thus giving space to rewrite one’s story.

Katonah Yoga Instructor

Working with a Katonah Yoga instructor will provide outside information to help guide your yoga
practice. The instructor can observe where you like to go and where you don’t, and can reorient your
yoga practice with verbal cues and hands-on adjustments.

Many props are also used to help support the postures, provide better framework, and create good boundaries.

I love to incorporate one-on-one individualized Katonah Yoga practice into sessions. Contact us to book a combined yoga and acupuncture session or a free 15-minute discovery call if you have any questions about it!

Whole Person Fertility Care

When it comes to fertility treatment, the emphasis is often on the physical aspects of the process. But we see the Whole You and we realize that your emotional and mental well-being should not be overlooked.

Did you know that research shows the psychological impact of fertility struggles are similar to those associated with conditions like cancer and IVF?

We know that compassionate care & support can make all the difference – helping to create a more positive experience with better outcomes.

A huge multinational study reports that supportive & mental health service offerings have significant positive impacts on achieving pregnancy, because folks actually continue on their fertility treatment journey.

Our Whole Person Fertility Care plans are designed to reduce stress & calm the nervous system while also addressing specific fertility concerns.

We understand that every person’s journey is unique & we’re committed to providing individualized Whole Person Fertility Care that meets the heart of your specific situation.

We want to get to know you, understand your unique circumstances & develop a customized treatment plan for your individual needs.

We aim to be trauma-informed & to build relationships to create a safe, supportive & non-judgmental space for open communication.

We’re here for you & to meet you where you’re at.

In addition to acupuncture and herbs, we offer mindfulness programs, individualized yoga, nutrition, massage & other resources that help you navigate your pathway to parenthood.

We are here to walk every step of the way with you & we’re so honoured to be part of your journey!

Contact us to set up a free 15-minute Connection Call.

One of our fertility experts would love to connect to hear your story & explore how we can support you 💚

References:
PMID: 8142988
PMID: 34756644

beautiful photo from @nushu 

Inflammation Due To Stress – What You Can Do About It

Stress: why & how is it bad for us?

We know that stress is bad for us, but exactly why and how is it bad for us?

study published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences of the U.S.A. cites that chronic stress changes the activation of genes in immune cells at the bone marrow level. These cells are primed at the level of the gene, so they’re programmed to be even more defensive against external threats, and are even more inflammatory than normal.

Typically, our body’s immune system responds to pathogens with some inflammation. However, in the case of chronic stress, there is no pathogen and the process is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system, which triggers an excessive level of inflammation. When this level of inflammation is present with no real protective or healing role, it actually becomes harmful.

What can we do to reverse impacts of inflammation?

So what can we do to both help manage our stress and reverse the negative impact that resulting inflammation has on our bodies?

My two personal favourite approaches are through acupuncture and mindfulness meditation, both effective in reducing stress and mitigating inflammation in the body.

Acupuncture

I don’t how many times first-time patients look at me dubiously as I reach for a fresh blister pack of acupuncture needles, reassuring them that acupuncture is very relaxing. It’s a little counter-intuitive that being pinned with tiny needles could be ahem… relaxing. But it really is! Despite any doubts, patients agree as some will joke about wishing they could stay in acupuncture all day when it comes time to take their needles out.

For the super skeptics, there is scientific evidence: one study shows that acupuncture decreases levels of Neuropeptide Y, a neurotransmitter secreted by the sympathetic nervous system in response to stress.

As for inflammation, when it is systemic, it can manifest physically in numerous different ways. Depending on each individual’s constitution, inflammation can present as poor digestion, pain, headaches, allergies, insomnia, asthma, pms, irregular menstruation, cramps, endometriosis, infertility, recurrent miscarriage …and that’s just to name a few.

According to Chinese Medicine, how these disorders manifest collectively maps out whether your body’s imbalance is due to deficiency, blockage, pathogenic heat, stickiness, or any combination of these. Once this pattern is determined, stimulation of specific acupuncture points can support your body to re-balance. This meta-analysis of studies speaks to the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment on various inflammatory disorders.

Mindfulness Meditation

The impacts of meditation on stress are more obvious, even if you’ve never tried it, chances are you’ve had some anecdotal exposure to the calming effects of meditation. Especially in today’s fast paced normal, there seems to be a naturally surging movement toward being ‘un-plugged’. People are looking for balance and one of the ways they are finding it is through the practice of being still and present.

study published in the Journal of Behavioural Medicine in 2014 finds that a group of 174 adults dealing with stress-related problems, illness, anxiety and chronic pain practise mindfulness meditation for 8 weeks and experience symptom reduction as well as improved well-being.

But the positive effects of meditation don’t stop there. Research published in the Journal of Psychoneuroendicrinology in 2014 found that even 8 hours of mindfulness meditation triggers an anti-inflammatory response that is not observed when compared to a control group. Blood samples were taken from two different groups at the beginning and at the end of an 8 hour period. One group was comprised of 19 meditators, who practised mindfulness meditation. The second group was made up of 21 non-meditators who performed leisure activities (like reading and walking) for the same period of time. Despite similar baselines, they found significant down-regulation of pro-inflammatory genes in the meditation group.

So if you’re stressed out and feel like it’s starting to take a toll on your body, consider trying acupuncture and/or mindfulness.

Contact us for a free 15 minute consult to discover how we can help you.

Canadian Fertility Awareness Week

April 23-29 is Canadian Fertility Awareness Week #CFAW

This year, we are joining the conversation to help elevate and redefine (in)Fertility to be more positive and inclusive.

In recognition of the diversity of modern families and that there’s more than one way to build a family, this year we are super happy and excited to join in the celebration of #CanadianFertilityAwarenessWeek

We are helping to raise awareness about the often stigmatized fertility struggles that #1in6 Canadians experience to build their families and to empower those who need access to fertility care to build their dream of becoming parents.

We believe in Whole Person Fertility Care.

Stay tuned for more juicy info throughout the month of April and for some exciting collaborative events we have planned for you for Canadian Fertility Awareness Week

Cancer, Fertility Preservation & Acupuncture

February 4th is World Cancer Day and it’s an opportunity to raise awareness about cancer and the impact it has on individuals, families, and communities around the world.

Cancer & Fertility Preservation

One of the lesser-known impacts of cancer is the effect it can have on fertility. Many cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, can cause infertility and make it difficult for individuals to start a family after their cancer journey is over.

Fertility preservation is the process of preserving a person’s ability to have biological children before undergoing cancer treatment. It can include methods such as cryopreservation (freezing) of sperm, eggs, or embryos, ovarian tissue freezing, and gonadal shielding during radiation therapy. This allows cancer patients to have the option of having biological children in the future, even if their fertility is affected by the cancer treatment.

Fertility preservation is an important option for cancer patients of reproductive age and should be discussed with healthcare providers before treatment. This gives patients the option of having biological children in the future, even if their fertility is affected by cancer treatment.

When facing a cancer diagnosis, one of the concerns that may arise is how the treatment may affect fertility. Fertility preservation is the process of preserving a person’s ability to have biological children before undergoing cancer treatment. Here is an overview of a few methods that could be an option to preserve fertility.

Cryopreservation

Cryopreservation involves freezing sperm, eggs, or embryos for future use. This method is a good option for individuals who have not yet started a family and want to preserve their fertility before undergoing cancer treatment.

Ovarian tissue freezing

Ovarian tissue freezing is a method where a piece of ovarian tissue is removed, frozen, and stored for later use. This method is usually used for women who have not yet reached menopause. The tissue can later be transplanted back into the patient’s body to restore ovarian function and fertility.

Gonadal shielding

Gonadal shielding is a method where a shield is placed over the ovaries during radiation therapy to protect them from radiation exposure. This method is usually used for individuals who are undergoing radiation therapy to the pelvic area.

Ovarian suppression

This method involves the use of medication to temporarily suppress the ovaries from ovulating before cancer treatment. This method is usually used for individuals who are undergoing chemotherapy and help to protect the ovaries from the harmful effects of cancer treatment.

Diet

Making certain changes to your diet can help preserve fertility. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins E and C, may help protect eggs and sperm from damage.

It’s important to note that not all cancer patients are candidates for fertility preservation, and the decision to pursue it should be made on an individual basis, taking into account the type of cancer, stage of cancer, treatment plan, and patient preferences. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional as soon as possible to evaluate your options, and make an informed decision based on your personal circumstances.

Cancer & Acupuncture

In a cancer diagnosis, it can be difficult to navigate the physical and emotional aspects of treatment. However, acupuncture can be a valuable tool to help support cancer patients through their journey. Acupuncture has been found to be safe and effective in improving overall health and well-being, and can also be used to support fertility preservation.

Acupuncture has been found to improve ovarian function and increase blood flow to the ovaries, which can be beneficial for patients undergoing ovarian tissue freezing or egg freezing. A study published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics found that “acupuncture can improve ovarian function and increase blood flow to the ovaries” (Siterman, et al., 2017).

Acupuncture can also help to reduce the side effects of cancer treatment, such as nausea, fatigue, and stress. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that “acupuncture can reduce the side effects of chemotherapy” (Smith, et al., 2016). This can be important for cancer patients undergoing fertility preservation, as the side effects of treatment can make it a difficult process to go through.

Acupuncture can also help to improve overall health and well-being, which can be important for cancer patients undergoing fertility preservation. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that “acupuncture can improve overall health and well-being in cancer patients” (Smith, et al., 2016).

Fertility preservation is an important option for cancer patients of reproductive age. Acupuncture can improve ovarian function and blood flow to the ovaries, reduce the side effects of cancer treatment, and improve overall health and well-being. It’s always recommended to work closely with your healthcare provider to determine the best integrative treatment approach for each individual.

To find out more about how we can support you through cancer treatment, schedule a free 15-minute Q&A consultation with one of our acupuncture specialists.

References

PMID: 28482596
PMID: 26887135
PMID: 26887135

Beautiful photo: @yaseminvollmond

National Breastfeeding Week

In honour of National Breastfeeding Week, we want to acknowledge the immense journey of breast & chest feeding mamas and parents.

However you feed your baby is best, and for National Breastfeeding Week we see you and acknowledge what an important job it is.

The journey of breast/chest feeding can be fraught with difficulties, especially in the beginning. One of the most common sentiments of new parents is that they wish they would have known how challenging this part of parenting can be.

Keeping your brand new family member fed for 24 hours of the day is more than a full time job. I usually tell my patients that during this time, their only job is to keep baby nourished while everyone else nourishes them.

I recommend that my patients get supremely comfy, get a good series of books on a Kindle or Kobo (think easy to hold with one hand), very large water bottles full of water and electrolytes, tons of one handed, nutritious snacks, and to simply surrender to the special slowness of this stage of life.

Another thing that I recommend to all of my patients is that they have an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant on their team. I also urge my patients that if something is feeling wrong – such as pain or lack of milk supply – to not wait to give their lactation consultant a call. IBCLC’s are experts on all things breastfeeding and have the knowledge to make a major impact on a family’s nursing journey.

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture and Moxibustion can also be very helpful in the early days for the following issues:

♡ clogged ducts

♡ mastitis

♡ low supply

♡ candida infections

♡ Raynaud’s of the nipples

If you would like to learn more about how we can help you with your journey, contact us for a free 15 minute consultation.

photo: @joinpartum @kashafierceeee

Whole Family on CBC Radio

Listen to Whole Family Health’s Dr. Alda Ngo and Dr. Caitlin Dunne from PCRM speaking to Canadian Infertility Awareness Week 2022.

From CBC RadioActive: This Saturday, a virtual event is taking place to help those struggling to have children. Dr. Caitlin Dunne is a Reproductive Endocrinologist, and Co-Director of the Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine, and Dr. Alda Ngo is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. They will be bringing their expertise on infertility to the discussion and join us to tee up the event.

For more information on how we can support you on your fertility journey, please contact us for a free 15-minute Q&A Consultation.

The Research On Acupuncture For IVF

Acupuncture has become a commonly sought out resource for people going through IVF fertility treatment.

When you see a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner for fertility support, they take more into account than just your reproductive organs. Your practitioner looks at your whole body and how the interconnected systems may be out of balance to support your entire body and self. Treatments are specific to each person’s needs.

Whole system traditional Chinese medicine (WS-TCM) can include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, dietary support, advice on supplementation with nutraceuticals, and lifestyle support. 

Whole System Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and IVF Research

In a 2015 retrospective cohort study published in Reproductive Biomedicine Online, 1231 IVF patient records were reviewed to assess the effects of adjuvant WS-TCM on IVF outcomes compared among three groups:

  1. people who had elective Whole Systems TCM treatment with IVF (WS-TCM group)
  2. people who had elective acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer with IVF (acu-group)
  3. people who had no additional treatment with IVF (usual care group)

Among 1069 non-donor cycles reviewed, the WS-TCM group was associated with greater odds of live birth (61.3%) compared with the acu-group (50.8%) and the usual care group (48.2%).

There was also a lower rate of spontaneous miscarriages in the WS-TCM group compared with the other 2 groups. However there was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of biochemical or ectopic pregnancies.

Among 162 donor cycles, WS-TCM was associated with increased live births at 85.7%, compared with 59% in the acu-group and 62.5% in the usual care group.

This study shows a correlation between an increased number of acupuncture treatments (11-12 treatments) and greater odds of live birth. This suggests that a combined approach of WS-TCM treatment before starting IVF with the two treatments on the day of embryo transfer acupuncture may be an optimal intervention to improve IVF birth outcomes in addition to stress reduction.

Increased Acupuncture Dose Improves Effectiveness

Other studies also suggest that an increased acupuncture dose is consistent with the effectiveness of improved fertility outcomes: 

  • In 1996, a prospective non-randomized study demonstrated that Uterine blood flow was improved with eight electro-acupuncture sessions (2). 

  • A 2009 prospective clinical trial consisting of 9 electro-acupuncture sessions plus embryo transfer day acupuncture were correlated with an increase in serum cortisol and prolactin and improved IVF outcomes (3). 

  • A 2011 Randomized Controlled Trial that consisted of 14 sessions of low-frequency electro-acupuncture significantly reduced androgens and improved menstrual frequency over physical exercise or no treatment in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). (4)

  • A 2013 Randomized Controlled Trial shows positively induced ovulation in people with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with 24 visits over 3 months. (5) 

Acupuncture On Embryo Transfer Day

I would be remiss not to mention that in 2014 there was one randomized control trial finding live births were lower in the IVF plus acupuncture group compared with the control group that had IVF with no other intervention (8). 

Researchers suspect that the location of treatment offsite from the IVF centre may have contributed to this finding.

Furthermore, initial randomized controlled trials published in 2002 and 2006 found that acupuncture improved IVF pregnancy rates compared to IVF alone (9, 10). 

The 2002 study found that having 1 acupuncture treatment before embryo transfer and one acupuncture treatment after embryo transfer was associated with 42.5% pregnancies, whereas pregnancy rates in the control group (no acupuncture) only had a 26.3% pregnancy rate (9).

The 2006 study compared 3 groups (10):
1. people who received acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer (ACU 1 group)
2. people who received acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer and again two days later (ACU 2 group)
3. people who received no acupuncture (control group)

Clinical pregnancy rates were 13% and 10% higher in the ACU 1 and ACU 2 groups respectively compared to the control group (10). 

It’s also consistent with the previously mentioned studies cited above (1,2,3,4,5), that only having acupuncture surrounding the embryo transfer is not as effective in increasing live birth outcomes when compared to increased dose of acupuncture treatments.

Acupuncture For Fertility Stress

Receiving acupuncture not only helps IVF outcomes but it has also been associated to help reduce stress and anxiety in patients undergoing IVF. This stress reduction was demonstrated in two randomized control trials published in 2009 and 2012 (6,7). Both studies showed that acupuncture on or around day of embryo transfer does significantly reduce stress in IVF patients. 

In Conclusion

In conclusion, there is evidence that having acupuncture surrounding an IVF cycle is beneficial but having a whole system Chinese medicine approach starting prior to an IVF cycle is more effective and associated with greater chances of achieving a pregnancy and live birth. 

For more information on how we can support your fertility journey, feel free to contact us for a free 15-minute Q & A consultation.

References

  1. PMID: 25911598 
  2. PMID: 8671446 
  3. PMID: 19118825 
  4. PMID: 20943753
  5. PMID: 23482444 
  6. PMID: 18314118 
  7. PMID: 22499825  
  8. PMID: 24937975 
  9. PMID: 11937123 
  10. PMID: 16600232 
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