Now is the time to boost your immune system. Winter is around the corner and your best defence is a robust immune system.
Here are 11 simple things you can do to boost your immunity:
Get sufficient sleep; which is 7-9 hours for most adults folks. Learn more about sleep & how to get it..
Get sufficient exercise; which is minimum 150 minutes weekly for most adults. Find something you enjoy and do it regularly, starting with 15 minutes can help.
Reduce your stress levels; even taking 5 minutes each day to do something that relaxes you will help. It could be listening to music, reading a book, having a bath, playing a guided meditation, stretching, watching the world go by.. whatever works for you. It’s best during this time to disengage from the phone, screen and any demands. It’s only 5 minutes remember..
Do breathing exercises; simple breathing awareness for 5 minutes daily will do. Qi Gong or Yoga exercises are even better.
Avoid eating refined sugar; use natural sweeteners like stevia if it helps.
Don’t smoke. Sing out if you need help with this.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
Take liquid Panax Ginseng. Ginseng is the most popular Chinese herb for a good reason
Take a high potency Vitamin C supplement
Take our Defence Plus or Resistance Formula. They contain astragalus, codonopsis and lots of other plants which have a strong immune strengthening function. Available in capsule, pill or granulated form.
(The above products are available at Freedom Chinese Medicine)
Written by:
Dr. Elaine Hickman
B.H.Sc. TCM (Acupuncture), Cert.Cl.Ac (Beijing) Registered Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Freedom Chinese Medicine 27 Ivanhoe Pde Ivanhoe VIC 3079 Ph. 03) 9486 5966
Having health goals for the New Year is a splendid thing I reckon. Improving our health is such a worthwhile venture. The more well we feel, the more we can enjoy life and give to others. The hard part can be, where do we start? If we have a particular challenge, sure that’s a focal point. But what if you feel generally well, but want to feel better and be proactive? To build habits that improve your health for years to come? There’s so much health advice out there that it can be overwhelming ..
So, what are the top 3 health priorities for most people?
Better Sleep.
In my clinical experience, better sleep is the first place to start. Most of us need 8 hours sleep to function well. Science shows that it doesn’t differ much. Some of us feel fine on less sleep, but continued lack of sleep can create last hormonal changes in our body that we won’t be aware of until years later .. So, not compromising on at least 8 hours sleep is important.
It’s not just about quantity of course, sleep quality is also important. How do we set ourselves up for better quality sleep?..
The hours before midnight are the most restorative, so aim for earlier nights.
Winding down before bed is key. Creating rituals that cue your nervous system to down-regulate.
Disengaging from work conversations and notifications.
Reading/ listening to music/ bathing/ showering
Avoiding alcohol (yes it negatively impacts sleep quality)
Avoid late night snacking and drinking. Our digestive system & bladders being active can disrupt sleep.
Avoid blue screen light at night.
Of course, we can’t control these optimal conditions all the time. The goal is most of the time.
2. Better Diet
This one can get complex, so focus on the basics first:
Mostly whole, unprocessed foods
At least 5 different coloured vegetables per day
Relax while you eat. Avoid eating at your work desk etc.
Limit refined sugar!
Avoid overeating. Eat until you 2/3 full only.
Seeds are nutritional powerhouses, incorporate them into your daily diet.
A varied wholefood diet is good for our gut microbiome, try not to be too narrow with your food choices. Try a new food each week perhaps?
3. More Movement
Moving our bodies is good for our physical and mental health. It improves our sleep, memory and much more. Any kind. Choose a few activities that you enjoy and do them regularly. Aim for 150 minutes of exercise per week. 5 days of 30min sessions can work well. Don’t forget to incorporate at least 2 sessions of strength training in the mix. There’s lots of great videos and guides for routines which can be done easily at home.
The great thing about healthy habits is that they have a cumulative effect. It all adds up. Any positive changes will have a positive ripple effect. Pick one or pick 3 changes. Making one positive change per week can set up new habits and give lasting benefits. If it is a change that is particularly hard for you to contemplate, perhaps just try it for a week and see how you feel. Reframing it as a trial can take the pressure of it. Or simply pick an easier change and aim for momentum.
Overindulging in the Festive season left you feeling a bit sluggish? Had enough of the sugary treats? Have you gained a few kilo’s? Are you ready to get moving?
Well, here are 6 tips for detoxing and maybe losing a bit of weight:
1. Drink at least 2 litres of water per day. Water is essential for the driving of detoxification processes and can act as an appetite suppressant if taken intermittently throughout the day.
2. Sleep. For around 8 hours if possible, and don’t be afraid to do more if you are tired; your body is likely to need it whilst processing toxins.
3. Ease back off the meat and eat an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables; make sure to include fibrous greens and whole grains if possible. Juices are useful; especially celery and beetroot.
4. Do some light but regular exercise to keep things moving and encourage some sweating; but it’s best not to make yourself too tired as there is an increased risk of falling ill when detoxing.
5. Go for foods super high in antioxidants; green tea, matcha, berries, nuts, dark chocolate, pomegranate, grapes, artichokes, even coffee 🙂
6. Have Acupuncture!
How Acupuncture Stimulates Detoxification
Acupuncture activates specific points along the body’s energy channels, stimulating circulation and encouraging the flow of Qi. This improved circulation supports the lymphatic system, helping the body eliminate waste and toxins more effectively. As these natural detox pathways open, the body works to release stored impurities, which can lead to temporary symptoms of detoxification.
Enhanced circulation also means better oxygen delivery to tissues and improved function of vital organs such as the liver and kidneys. These organs play a central role in filtering toxins from the blood, so their activation during acupuncture naturally supports the detox process. The result is a short period where your body works intensively to clear accumulated waste.
We face many pressures in modern life that can leave us stressed and not feeling ourselves. Although acupuncture is ancient, it is a fantastic way to address the stresses of modern life. To help us feel grounded, rested and improve overall wellbeing.
Stress doesn’t affect everyone the same way. We each face different challenges and our bodies express this in different ways. Based on our own constitution, lifestyle choices and life experiences. A skilled acupuncturist listens to you about how you’re feeling physically and emotionally. They then come up with an individualised treatment that is suitable for you at that moment in time.
What aspects of Stress can acupuncture treat?
Anxiety – Acupuncture can help reduce symptoms of anxiety including worry, restlessness and difficulty with focus and concentration
Pain relief – Some people hold their stress in their neck and shoulders, others in their lower back. Acupuncture is excellent at reducing muscle tension, relaxing muscles and reducing inflammation.
Digestive upsets – Many people find that their digestion is different during times of stress or anxiety. Acupuncture is effective at regulating digestive symptoms including bloating, heartburn and pain.
Sleep disturbance – Acupuncture is a fantastic way to promote relaxation and reduce stress enabling much more restful sleep.
Acupuncture does all this through helping to regulate the nervous system – balancing the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) and the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest), which often become imbalanced during times of stress. Acupuncture has also been shown to reduce cortisol (one of the body’s stress reaction chemicals) and trigger the release of endorphins (the body’s mood enhancers and pain relievers).
The treatment may utilise acupuncture alone, but may also incorporate other Oriental Therapies such as massage, cupping, gua sha (scraping) and moxibustion. In some cases, the use of traditional Chinese herbal medicine may be recommended to help address the underlying condition and help manage the stressful period.
Written by Dr. Steve Dauncey
Acupuncturist & Herbalist
Steve commenced his practice of Chinese Medicine in 2005, later branching into workplace wellbeing, mental health and injury support in various industries.
Having now returned to his passion for Acupuncture, he draws on personal, professional and lived experience, with a special appreciation for the impacts of neurodivergence and mental health.
Steve is a kind and empathetic practitioner who provides a welcoming and inclusive space for his patients to achieve their individual health and wellness goals.
Outside work Steve enjoys time in nature, collecting hobbies and hanging out with his kids.
Arthritis is a common health complaint and here at Freedom Chinese Medicine, we help people who suffer from this sometimes debilitating illness, on a daily basis, often with excellent results.
We have seen people who have tried every other available treatment with no success, walk out of the clinic with a renewed sense of wellbeing and hope for recovery. I have seen people with even the most severe cases of arthritis enjoy significant freedom from pain.
This is one of the great joys of being a Chinese medicine practitioner.
If you try our treatment process, some of the results you a likely to enjoy are:
• reduction of pain
• improvement in mobility
• reduction of swelling
• increased strength in joints and muscles
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is an umbrella diagnosis that covers many conditions, including:
However, put simply, it can be classified as ongoing stiffness, inflammation, pain and sometimes even deformity of joints.
How do you know if you have arthritis?
Two of the most common complaints that people come into our clinic for, are knee and neck arthritis. If you are having trouble with these areas, or any others for that matter, it is a good idea to make an appointment to have a treatment and assessment with one of our experienced Chinese medicine practitioners. They will look for common complaints such as:
• pain or tenderness in any joints
• decreased mobility and range of motion
• stiffness, especially stiffness that is affected by weather changes
• swelling of the joints
• reduced strength
• bony outgrowths
Tips to manage arthritis
1. Omega 3 supplementation
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) can reduce the proliferation of chemicals inflammation, the causes of pain and swelling in arthritis.
Two integral components of cartilage are Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. These are building blocks for new cartilage growth
3. Avoid foods that encourage inflammation:
• Sugar
• Trans fats
• Saturated fats
• Foods containing Omega 6 fatty acids
• Refined carbohydrates
• MSG
• Gluten and Casein (for those with gluten intolerance or Coeliac’s disease)
• Aspartame
Reference to support above statement: https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/arthritis-diet/foods-to-avoid-limit/food-ingredients-and-inflammation-12.php
4. Eat more foods that are beneficial for your joint health such as…
Reference to support above statement: https: https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/arthritis-diet/best-foods-for-arthritis/
5. Stretch and move!
The old adage ‘use it or lose it’ applies here. Often our worst enemy can be a modern, sedentary lifestyle. Joints need circulation, muscles need to shorten and lengthen and tendons and ligaments need activity in order to stay strong.
Even a simple, gently daily stretching routine can be of great benefit. Yoga, under the guidance of a properly trained health care professional, is an ancient and wonderfully gentle path that has stood the test of time for not only joint health, but overall wellbeing as well.
Proof acupuncture works for arthritis!
Across 18 high quality studies involving 18,000 participants, acupuncture was shown to relieve pain by about 50%.
Reference to support above statement: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/acupuncture-is-worth-a-try-for-chronic-pain-201304016042
Acupuncture is not only a well-known way to relieve pain in people, animals are also receiving the benefits of this ancient practice. Would you believe acupuncture has been successfully tried on giraffes? The Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island, is one of the first places to use acupuncture on a giraffe.
A nearly 2,000-pound patient named Sukari suffers from arthritis. Click here to see her getting an acupuncture treatment.
If you’d like to try Acupuncture to see if it helps your arthritis. Contact us on 9486 5966 or click here to book online.
Inflammation, while a natural defence mechanism, can lead to health problems when it becomes chronic. Here are some conditions associated with chronic inflammation:
What about short-term inflammation? Like an inflamed joint or injury? Tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, hey anything with “itis” in it, refers to inflammation. So, how do we reduce it?
Here are 16 natural ways to reduce inflammation:
Reduce your intake of refined cane sugar. The white stuff is pro-inflammatory. These days there are many simple ways to substitute sugar. Swap it out for your favorite: There’s stevia, erythritol, monk fruit, xylitol, rice malt syrup & more. All natural sweeteners and all much lower GI than cane sugar. Whole fruit is OK in moderation (2 serves daily). If you find yourself craving a sweet treat, and fruit won’t cut it, a small amount of dark chocolate is a good choice. Also keep in mind that it is long term daily habits that matter most. The occasional indulgence is not worth feeling guilty about.
2. Reduce your intake of refined carbohydrates; the white flours, pastries, potatoes, white bread. Swap out for lower GI carbs such as brown rice, wild rice, steel-cut oats, quinoa or buckwheat. There are many pastas available these days made out of quinoa or buckwheat. This will also help to balance your blood sugar and insulin levels.
3. Reduce your intake of saturated & trans fats. Deep fried food, highly processed foods, packets of chips, red meat, butter.
4. Reduce your alcohol intake. Even a little bit. It all helps.
5. Stop smoking. Even a reduction will help.
Now, before you accuse me of taking away all your fun. Here’s some delicious anti-inflammatory foods .. and also, maybe food wasn’t meant to be all about fun & pleasure? Maybe there are better ways to gain pleasure? Just a thought.
6. Have more oily fish; salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, sprats, cod, trout, anchovies, fish roe, tuna, swordfish, striped bass and eel. 2-3 times per week. Or a good fish oil/ Omega 3 supplement.
7. Eat more red/ purple fruit and vegetables. Red cabbage, red grapes, beetroot, tomatoes, berries etc are all high in quercetin which reduces inflammation.
8. Have turmeric root regularly. Turmeric is in yellow curries, you can have turmeric latte’s, smoothies or drink tea made from turmeric root. Curcumin is the component of turmeric which is highly anti-inflammatory. Best combined with black pepper for improved absorption.
9. Fresh pineapple contains bromelain which is also anti-inflammatory. Especially for our airways. The congestion of sinusitis, bronchitis and asthma can be eased by bromelain.
10. Olive Oil, especially extra virgin, is high in healthy monosaturated fats and antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory properties. Olive oil contains compounds that can protect the heart, reverse inflammation, enhance insulin sensitivity, and improve arthritis symptoms. Olive oil is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that can be safely consumed by anyone
11. Add more herbs to your cooking or try herbal teas. Plants such as turmeric, ginger, black pepper, garlic, cardamom, cinnamon, green tea, coriander seeds, rosemary, chamomile, lemon balm, licorice root, oregano, parsley and fenugreek. Holy Basil or Tulsi Tea, sage and spearmint. All have anti-inflammatory properties.
12. Drink more water
13. Get enough sleep and manage stress levels
14. Exercise 5 days per week
15. See a herbalist for stronger anti-inflammatory plant medicine. There are hundreds of strong anti-inflammatory herbs on the plant. It just takes knowledge to use them safely and effectively. Plants like Boswellia, Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Calendula, Echinacea, Passion Flower, Rhodiola, St John’s Wort, Ginseng. All have a long history of anti-inflammatory use.
16. Try Acupuncture. Acupuncture indeed exerts strong anti-inflammatory effects in multiple biological systems, namely, the immune, digestive, respiratory, nervous, locomotory, circulatory, endocrine, and genitourinary systems.3
Written by;
Dr Elaine Hickman
B.H.Sc.TCM (Acupuncture), Cert.Cl.Ac. (Beijing)
Elaine has trained and worked in various settings, both in Australia and China. She has over 23 years experience in treating many health problems. Elaine loves to provide a health care experience for people that is respectful, effective, empowering and enjoyable. Elaine has particular expertise in Women’s Health, Children’s Health, Family Medicine and Wellness promotion. She brings extra understanding and knowledge to the table having been through infertility herself.
Elaine has mentored many students & graduates. She is a Mum, lives in the High Country and loves growing food & medicinal plants.
Click here to book a nutritional, herbal, acupuncture or online consult with Elaine or her Associates:
Kavoussi B, Ross BE. The neuroimmune basis of anti-inflammatory acupuncture. Integr Cancer Ther. 2007 Sep;6(3):251-7. doi: 10.1177/1534735407305892. PMID: 17761638.
3 Li N, Guo Y, Gong Y, Zhang Y, Fan W, Yao K, Chen Z, Dou B, Lin X, Chen B, Chen Z, Xu Z, Lyu Z. The Anti-Inflammatory Actions and Mechanisms of Acupuncture from Acupoint to Target Organs via Neuro-Immune Regulation. J Inflamm Res. 2021 Dec 21;14:7191-7224. doi: 10.2147/JIR.S341581. PMID: 34992414; PMCID: PMC8710088.
Do orgasms during menstruation cause endometriosis?
According to results of a 2019 study of 555 women, vaginal intercourse and sexual activity leading to orgasm during menstruation increases the risk of endometriosis!
The finding supports one of the theories of what causes Endometriosis—retrograde menstruation. This theory describes the backflow of menstrual blood into the pelvis as leading to endometrial cell adhesion outside of the uterus—cells from the uterine lining sticking where they are not supposed to.
Good to know! So apart from refraining from orgasms during your bleed, how else can you tackle endometriosis naturally? How can you prevent endometriosis from reoccurring and stop it from progressing if you already have it?
Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture:
Chinese medicine is used widely to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms associated with endometriosis. While it is not guaranteed to reverse lesions, it may help limit tissue proliferation, that is, slow down its progression. This is crucial for preventing the condition’s development and the recurrence of endometriosis after surgical removal of adhesions.
According a study acupuncture can reduce dysmenorrhea (pain) associated with endometriosis (1). Another study (2) showed Chinese Herbal medicine was able to increase pregnancy rates in endometriosis patients.
In Chinese Medical theory, endometriosis is effectively blood stagnation. A good practitioner will asses what is the underlying cause of this stagnation, as it’s different for different people. They will use acupuncture to move blood, resolve pain and reduce inflammation and herbs to warm the uterus, resolve masses and stop heavy bleeding.
Avoid Inversions :
We saw above in the ‘sex study’ that back flow of blood may not be the primary cause for endometriosis, but it is a contributing factor. I advise my patients that inversions in yoga and pilates should be avoided during menstruation.
Love your liver and get down with Cruciferous vegetables
Endometrial tissue proliferates with the exposure to some types of estrogen. So by adding a cup of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussel sprouts into your diet daily, you can help your liver clear excess hormones.
DUTCH testing
Whether you have been diagnosed with endometriosis or not, a urinary DUTCH test is an amazing assessment of sex and adrenal hormones to identify markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. (4) It is the gold standard to understand how estrogen is being metabolised in the body and you can then work with your practitioner to design a supplement and nutrition plan tailored to how your body is working.
I can organise a DUTCH test for you in clinic or online via https://www.freedomchinesemedicine.com/booking
Written by:
Dr Jessie Fayers
Acupuncturist & Herbalist
Dr. Jessie Fayers is a passionate and knowledgeable practitioner. She has been practicing acupuncture and herbal medicine for over a 15 years in Australia and abroad.
Jessie supports her clients to achieve optimal well-being through treatments that include gentle Japanese style Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Nutritional Medicine. She uses functional pathology testing with in depth case history to provide you with a individualised treatment strategy utilising your diet, supplements and herbal medicine to get sustained changes and guide you to optimal health and vitality. Some of the tests she prescribes regularly are Complete Microbiome Assessments and Hormone panels. Jessie’s special interests include digestion, fertility and women’s health.
Jessie has worked in a variety of healthcare roles in Indonesia, USA, India, Nepal and Uganda and recently in Australia as a volunteer acupuncturist at the Asylum Seekers Resource Center. She lives on a country property with her partner and 2 border collies and is a ceramicist and gardener.
Migraines can be debilitating and sometimes the medications don’t work. In Chinese Medicine, there are several types of migraine, all with different underlying causes and differentiated by symptoms. In a session, it is the practitioner’s job to go through a process of differential diagnosis to determine exactly what is causing your migraines, so that the treatment may be as targeted and effective as possible. Some of the methods we use to treat migraines are..
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the primary form of treatment for migraines in Chinese Medicine and has been found to be quite effective (1). It is safe and has less side effects than commonly prescribed medications (1). Your practitioner will determine the most appropriate acupuncture points to use for your case in order to treat the underlying cause, so not everyone’s treatment will look the same. Like all good things, it may take a little time. Several sessions are likely necessary before you start to truly see results, though everybody is different.
Chinese Herbs
Chinese herbs are another method that’s quite effective in the treatment of migraines. The herbs we prescribe will also be used to treat the underlying cause, just as the selected acupuncture points are. In fact, Chinese Herbs have been found to significantly reduce the frequency and pain severity of migraines, with longer treatment times resulting in increased effectiveness (2). Having herbs each day is like giving yourself a little treatment and tends to help carry the patient from one acupuncture appointment to the next, so that the underlying cause is being treated daily in one form or another.
Diet and Lifestyle Advice
The correct diet and lifestyle choices are powerful tools for the management of our health and wellbeing. Migraines are no different. Common lifestyle advice for migraines includes ensuring you have enough sleep and rest to replenish and refresh your body and working towards a healthy work/life balance. A term I’m sure we’ve all heard so much at this point that it seems trivial. But the concept of balance in life is highly important. If you do suffer from migraines, have you ever noticed that they tend to become more frequent when you’re under stress and/or spread particularly thin? There’s a reason for that.
Written by
Dr Camille Mucha
Acupuncturist & Herbalist
Camille grew up surrounded by natural therapies and even technically received acupuncture while in utero!
Even so, she initially decided to pursue Science – before coming back to her roots and studying Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs.
Camille is a compassionate, caring and intuitive practitioner whose areas of interest include chronic health issues, pain management, migraine management, mental health, stress, anxiety and Women’s health, including fertility.
Camille is available at Freedom Chinese Medicine in Ivanhoe, Melbourne on
1. Urits I, Patel M, Putz ME, Monteferrante NR, Nguyen D, An D, et al. Acupuncture and Its Role in the Treatment of Migraine Headaches. Neurol Ther. 2020;9(2):375–94.
2. Lyu S, Zhang CS, Guo X, Zhang AL, Sun J, Chen G, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Oral Chinese Herbal Medicine for Migraine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses Using Robust Variance Estimation Model. Front Neurol. 2022;13:889336.
Still trying? Want to make sure you have all your ducks in a row? Wondering if there’s something amiss? The fertility journey can be full of doubts. I remember. I had 3 years of trying with doubts. It can be so tough. Knowing what to try can make it easier. One of the most important parts of my work in fertility, is helping people remove common obstacles to conception. Working out the obstacles that often get overlooked. Even by high profile fertility specialists. Whether you’re trying naturally or via IVF/ IUI, these things are worth checking..
Vitamin D level. Your GP might have said your Vitamin D level is in the normal range (50-100nmol/L). However, studies show that women with Vitamin D levels above 75nmol/L have an increased likelihood of pregnancy and live birth. Interestingly, those in the study who corrected their Vit D levels BEFORE conception were associated with less miscarriages. This study found that Vitamin D levels affected IVF success rates. Those with Vit D deficiency were “less likely to develop mature eggs and would produce poor quality embryos. Supplementation with vitamin D alone during pregnancy probably reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and the risk of having a baby with low birthweight.
What to do next? Get tested. Some people need a little extra Vitamin D, some people need a lot. Sunshine and diet changes are great to help maintain Vitamin D levels, but to boost them rapidly, it’s likely you’ll need a supplement.
Organise a restest in a few months to make sure what you’re doing is working!
2.Luteal Sufficiency means that atleast 12 days passes between ovulation and when your menstrual flow (not spotting) begins. Atlease 12 days between these two events is sufficient for implantation of a fertilised egg. Nothing less. How Do I Know if I’m Ovulating?
Luteal Insufficiency is often overlooked. It is common in women with short cycles but can still happen in 28 day cycles. It can be linked with low progesterone. Which is also often overlooked in people with infertility and recurrent miscarriage.
3. Tubule Patency. This means that your fallopian tubes are open and working properly – not blocked or spasming. A Tubule Patency Test or HyCoSy is done under ultrasound. This test is worth doing if you have not conceived after 12 months of trying (6 months if over 35) AND if you haven’t conceived for 5 years prior. This test can be painful. It is worth taking a painkiller the day of the test. Some clinics advise this but some don’t. Mine didn’t and I wish they had!
4. Sperm Quality.
Here’s a little-known fact; the bar has been progressively lowered on acceptable semen values. Especially morphology (sperm shape). For example: In 1987, the level for normal morphology was 50%, now it is only at 3%. That is, 97% abnormal sperm shape (2 heads or 2 tails), is considered OK. This is OK for IVF, espcially ICSI where they can select normal sperm. However, if you’re trying naturally, even between IVF/IUI cycles, you can imagine that you’d want higher odds of normal sperm reaching an egg. Most natural fertility specialists say to aim for 10-15% normal morphology. Morphology is the most significant semen parameter. Research shows that the percent of morphologically normal sperm are significant predictors of time to pregnancy. Even independent of sperm concentration.1 Remember; Semen analysis results can vary from lab to lab. And results can vary from month to month.
And remember; it only takes one sperm to fertilise an egg.
5. Caffeine intake. Unfortunately, caffeine can increase miscarriage risk. Even caffeine intake before pregnancy. Studies indicate that miscarriage risk begins to rise with just one cup of tea or less than half a cup of coffee per day.
6. Toxins in our Environment. There are a bunch of toxins in our environment that have been proven to reduce our fertility and increase the chance of miscarriage. Yes, we can’t avoid all of them. Yes, our grandparents did OK without this knowledge. But they didn’t live with the multitude of hormone disrupters (mainly plastics) that we now do. There are a few main offenders. Let’s focus on them. And the simple steps we can take to reduce our exposure .. https://freedomchinesemedicine.com/detoxing-to-increase-your-chances-of-getting-staying-pregnant/
Written by:
Dr Elaine Hickman
B.H.Sc.TCM (Acupuncture), Cert.Cl.Ac. (Beijing)
Elaine has trained and worked in various settings, both in Australia and China. She has over 25 years experience in treating many health problems. Elaine loves to provide a health care experience for people that is respectful, effective, empowering and enjoyable. Elaine has particular expertise in Women’s Health, Children’s Health, Family Medicine and Wellness promotion. She brings extra understanding and knowledge to the table having been through infertility herself.
Elaine is available Mondays & Tuesdays at Freedom Chinese Medicine in Ivanhoe, Melbourne or via video chat most other days. Her trusted Associates are available all other weekdays. Click here to book.
Chen LW, Wu Y, Neelakantan N, Chong MF, Pan A, van Dam RM. Maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and risk of pregnancy loss: a categorical and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. Public Health Nutr. 2016 May;19(7):1233-44. doi: 10.1017/S1368980015002463. Epub 2015 Sep 2. PMID: 26329421; PMCID: PMC10271029. Gaskins AJ, Rich-Edwards JW, Williams PL, Toth TL, Missmer SA, Chavarro JE. Pre-pregnancy caffeine and caffeinated beverage intake and risk of spontaneous abortion. Eur J Nutr. 2018 Feb;57(1):107-117. doi: 10.1007/s00394-016-1301-2. Epub 2016 Aug 29. PMID: 27573467; PMCID: PMC5332346. Association of preconception serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations with livebirth and pregnancy loss: a prospective cohort study
Sunni L Mumford, PhD, Rebecca A Garbose, MD, Keewan Kim, PhD, Kerri Kissell, MD Daniel L Kuhr, Ukpebo R Omosigho, et al. Published:May 30, 2018DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(18)30153-0 https://fertilityfirst.com.au/vitamin-d-deficiency-could-be-a-key-fertility-factor/
Palacios C, Kostiuk LK, Peña-Rosas J. Vitamin D supplementation for women during pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2019, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD008873. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008873.pub4
1. Obtain a proper fertility thermometer. which is a digital thermometer which has 2 decimal points. You can buy one from most pharmacies. Or online via the download below if it’s more convenient. Dedicate that thermometer to BBT checking and clean it with an alcohol swab regularly.
2. Obtain a app or a chart. Remember that every woman’s cycle is different, or even be the same month to month and Apps have different parameters. You want to keep the thermometer next to your bed, so that when you wake up, your eyes open – before you drink, eat, have sex, or even sit up in bed – take your temperature the thermometer goes in your mouth or vagina. Most thermometers keep memory of last read so you don’t even need to record it straight away.
3. On the first day you get your period (proper flow, not spotting), fill in the date and day of the week under cycle day 1. Continue noting the dates of your cycle until the first day of your next period.
4. You can also note the time you took your temperature. Try to take it at about the same time each morning. If you cannot or did not, just make a note.
5. At least 3 hours solid sleep is required beforehand (to get a basal temperature read). So if that didn’t happen, just make a note for that day. No need to take your temperature.
6. Conditions affecting your temperature may include things like a late night, fever, a cold, broken sleep or alcohol. These may cause abnormally high or low temperatures, resulting in inaccurate chart interpretation if not noted down. So, ignore minor fluctuations. It’s trends & patterns we’re looking for over months.
You may find this a little overwhelming at first; however, it doesn’t take long to get into the routine. And after about 3 cycles you will start to see an obvious pattern and be much more aware of your fertility 😊
Written by:
Dr Elaine Hickman
B.H.Sc.TCM (Acupuncture), Cert.Cl.Ac. (Beijing)
Elaine has trained and worked in various settings, both in Australia and China. She has over 25 years experience in treating many health problems. Elaine loves to provide a health care experience for people that is respectful, effective, empowering and enjoyable. Elaine has particular expertise in Women’s Health, Children’s Health, Family Medicine and Wellness promotion. She brings extra understanding and knowledge to the table having been through infertility herself.
Elaine is available Mondays & Tuesdays at Freedom Chinese Medicine in Ivanhoe, Melbourne or via video chat most other days. Elaine’s trusted Associates are available most weekdays. Click here to book.
• Salmon
• Grapefruits
