Ask the Acupuncturist

Hello John,
I am currently experiencing sadness (from a break-up), more than actual anger (when I was in the relationship). I looked up the xiao yao formula and found some inexpensive stuff on the net. I got the name ‘jai wei xiao yao wan’ and found a formula called Free and Easy Wanderer Plus teapills by Plum Flower brand.  What do you think? Is this a brand you would recommend continuing with?  Thanks for any thoughts and opinions you can offer,

– Raven

Dear Raven,
Sorry to hear about the relationship issues, although I am very happy that you are not experiencing as much anger.  Anger deranges almost all body functions, including dramatic reduction in immune health. Dan Zhi Xiao Yao and Xiao Yao are the #1 and #2 selling formulae in the United States.   We are a country of frustration and unfulfilled desires, which causes liver depression qi stagnation (that then generally assails the spleen causing spleen deficiency) which these formulas treat.  Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San (sometimes called Jia Wei Xiao Yao San) is stronger to treat the depressive heat build up which can lead to  symptoms such as anger, frustration, acne, headache, etc.

I like to start women out with generic types of formulas for exactly this reason;  if they work they are easy to find.  I like to fine tune them to more specifically to address the individual.

Mayway/ Plum flower is a very good company.  That being said, teapills are very weak.  The company that I use for these formulae has a dramatically higher extraction ratio, so it takes less to do the job.  You would need about a half bottle of teapills per day to equal the dosing of the versions that I carry.

– Dr. John Nieters, L.Ac. DAOM, FABORM

“I started going to John for my back pain about 2 months ago, and with first appointment, it significantly improved and after like 2 or 3rd appt, the pain was completely gone.  His approach is very comprehensive and I feel very comfortable with John, who is warm and very kind.   I am about 5 months pregnant now, but he knows how to treat pregnant woman, so there is no need to worry about.  Every time I go to the appointment, I feel so much better, and I highly recommend him for anyone who has health issues.”

Posted by MN on Yelp 5/24/11

Thank you MN for sharing your experience. I am so glad that you had relief from your pain. I am going to do a special episode of The Balancing Point radio show, explaining why acupuncture works for pain on Monday 5/30/11 from 9-10am. If you want to know more, please tune-in on the radio KEST 1450 AM or listen to the podcast which will be available at www.thebalancingpoint.net, after the show.

– Dr. John Nieters, L.Ac. DAOM, FABORM

Read the follow up to this post on John’s women’s health and fertility blog: www.alamedafertility.com

Hi John,
Koichi gave me your name. I’ve been under his care for four years. I would like to ask your advice about something.

I am in Israel right now, beginning the process of having a child by artificial insemination. I am almost 40. There are expert doctors here, and the process is very common, but they also pump you full of hormones, which scares me as much as anything. I am a staunch advocate of holistic health, and have been preparing my body for this for years (nutrition, exercise, saunas, Network, cleanse). I intend to do acupuncture too. Can you give me some advice about whether I should try IUI or IFV, with or without hormones? I need the perspective of someone who understands holistic medicine. I feel like it’s a race against time. Someone also pointed out that the time has passed for it to be a natural process anyway. Maybe it’s worth the discomfort in this case. If you have any advice or someone I could talk to I would really appreciate it.

Thank you,

– A.I. in Israel

Dear A.I. in Israel,
Happy to point you in a direction or give you some information myself.

I would need to know a bit more information to be able to assist you.  The choice between IUI and IVF would be dependent on the answers to some of the following questions.  Also, the hormone questions would be better answered with more information.  Answer what you are comfortable with.

Reason for artificial insemination?
Have you been pregnant before?
Other fertility methods attempted; including sex?
Have you ever been given Clomid or other fertility drugs?
Any history of diabetes, polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, or uterine myomas (fibroids)?
Have you been or will you be doing herbal treatments?
Have you had an ultrasound or hysterosalpingogram to visualize the uterus and fallopian tubes?
Are you doing a Basal Body Temperature chart of your menstrual cycle.
Hormone levels now.  Have you had:
Thyroid – TSH, T3, reverse T3
female hormones – FSH, LH, progesterone, primarily
Vitamin D level
Inflammatory markers – C-reactive protein, homocysteine
antibodies/autoimmune – Lupus, anti-cardiolipin, or any others

I look forward to addressing the considerations involved.

– Dr. John Nieters, L.Ac. DAOM, FABORM

Dear John,
I just receive my cholesterol panel and vitamin D results from my MD, he says my test is normal. Total cholesterol 132. HDL 45, LDL 71, triglycerides at 78. Vitamin D is 84. My understanding was that the blood calcium level was going to be checked.  With a Vitamin D level of 84, is there a risk that I am taking too much calcium?  My MD seemed to think that I would have to have major health issues before calcium deposits would form.  Do I need to have this done?
– Over 40 Mom

Dear Over 40 Mom,

I think that your total cholesterol and HDL are too low.  Cholesterol is the precursor for most of your hormones.  Low levels (which you have) are associated with higher rates of many illnesses and many psychological issues.  The best way to increase cholesterol levels is through increased moderate stress exercise and increasing fish or krill oil intake.  For women I like to see HDL levels over 70.

High cholesterol in women is almost (the exception being in some diabetic women and familial high cholesterol in the 700-800 range) a non factor for heart disease and stroke.  Low cholesterol is the problem for women.  I have two meta analysis with a total of 44 cholesterol studies looked at that show this.

With you vitamin D level I would personally recommend against added calcium supplementation.  There are conflicting studies in this area of calcium supplementation. There are good studies showing problems with calcium supplementation along with normal to high Vitamin D levels.  Eat a good diet and you should be getting enough calcium.

– Dr. John Nieters, L.Ac. DAOM, FABORM

Hi John,
My elderly mother is exhibiting serious forgetfulness and lack of desire to interact with others. I would like to study the details mentioned yesterday as suggestions for actions for me to take.
Thank you for your assistance,
– Carolyn

Dear Carolyn,
As I said at the Expo, I am developing few formulas to specifically address these issues. In the meantime here are my short term recommendations for supplements. If your mother has access to acupuncture, please consider trying it with someone who has studied with Dr. Jiao Shunfa.

Group #1 critical :
-Krill oil or fish oil (krill better)
-High dose beta carotene
– Vitamins B6, B12, and folate
-Huperzine A
-Vinpocetine
-Vitamin D3 – do a vitamin D test and keep levels at 55 units or more.

Group #2 Good
-Herbal formula ; this is very individualized.  A good general formula is “Flavonex- Salvia and Gingko”
– Rhodiola
– Bacopa monnieri
-Phosphatadyl choline
-Phoshatadyl serine
-Ubiquinol – high absorbency Co-Q10

Supplements, are a piece of the puzzle. Added to regular exercise, Brain Fitness program or something like it, new relationships, acupuncture treatment, nutrient dense organic food and opportunities for engagement you can start to reawaken the brain.

– Dr. John Nieters, L.Ac. DAOM, FABORM