Chinese Medicine and acupuncture are an effective treatment for a range of health complaints, providing relief from chronic and acute problems that western medicine often has no answer for. Due to our modern lifestyles, most women no longer know what it's like to have a regular, symptom-free menstrual cycle and many are plagued by vague symptoms including:

• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Foggy thinking
• Forgetfullness
• Depression
• Skin problems
• Insomnia
• Weight gain

Many gynecological problems can be treated using acupuncture and Chinese medicine including:

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Endometriosis
• Period pain
• Heavy, light or irregular periods
• Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Infertility
• Urinary tract infections
• Menopausal symptoms

Men's reproductive and urogenital complaints that can be treated with acupuncture and Chinese medicine include:

• Infertility
• Prostate conditions
• Erectile dysfunction
• Urinary dysfunction

Please note that acupuncture needles are never inserted in the genitals but in various places around the body.

• Preconception care for both mum and dad for four months before conception leads to a smoother pregnancy, better birth and healthier babies.

• It is important to nourish the soil before planting the seed, and you and your baby will benefit from the care and attention you pay to your health at this time. Dads are also often pleasantly surprised at the benefits to their general health and energy levels.

  Preconception care not only provides improved general health for mum and dad, but has been shown to result in lower rates of preterm labour, low birth weight, pre-eclampsia, miscarriages, perinatal death and malformations.

Acupuncture is a nourishing and natural treatment that balances body, mind and spirit through pregnancy and prepares your body for birth. It has been used in pregnancy for several thousand years and can treat common complaints including:

• Morning sickness
• Lower back pain
• Constipation
• Oedema (swelling)
• Heartburn

• Urinary Tract Infections
• Stress
• Hemorrhoids
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Leg cramps

• Fatigue & exhaustion
• Insomnia
• Anaemia
• Hypertension*
• Diabetes*

Labour and birth involves a complex symphony of hormonal, chemical, emotional and physical changes. Acupuncture can assist to keep you balanced during this special time and help to ensure that these processes are allowed to unfold naturally and unhindered.

Regular Acupuncture treatment in the 4 weeks before birth has been shown to ripen the cervix and result in a significant reduction in length of labour and also of inductions, epidural use and emergency c-sections.

Acupuncture can assist in:

• Labour induction
• Breech & Posterior positions
• Pain Management
• Reducing length of labour

Whether you already have kids or you are a new mum, the postnatal period is a delicate and sacred time as you adapt to life with your new baby. During this time Heather will come to your home to provide a gentle treatment and massage and provide tailor-made herbs to help treat any imbalances that might be effecting your enjoyment of this magical time. Some of these might include:

• Mastitis
• Insufficient milk supply
• Fatigue
• Anaemia
• Anxiety
• Depression

Very few couples are actually infertile, in most cases our modern lifestyles have left us out of sync, disrupting the sensitive balance of hormones that keeps our reproductive system functioning effectively.

Comprehensive care that involves not only acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for both partners, but also diet and lifestyle addressing body, mind and spirit can restore the balance, boost reproductive function, and help you conceive and carry to term a healthy baby. This comprehensive care that is individually tailored to you, can assist in most conditions effecting fertility including:

• Unexplained infertility
• Endometriosis
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Blocked Fallopian Tubes
• Advanced Maternal Age
• Uterine Fibrosis
• Autoimmune infertility
• Anovulation/Amenorrhoea
• Recurrent Miscarriage

The male partner is responsible for half the genetic makeup and in the 4 months it takes for his sperm to mature, they are easily effected by diet and lifestyle factors. It is generally not well known that up to 50% of miscarriages and 50% of fertility problems can be due to male factors, so preparation for both partners is essential to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine benefits male factors such as:

• Low sperm count
• Poor morphology
• Poor motility
• Erectile dysfunction

Creating a nourished, fertile ground in which to plant the seed is going to give you the best chance of success if you are planning IVF or ICSI treatment. Regular acupuncture treatment increases blood flow to the uterus to prime the endometrium and balances hormones for optimal conditions. Acupuncture also reduces stress and a weekly treatment can provide a sanctuary in which to relax during this often stressful time.

Your partner can also benefit greatly from treatment, ensuring that sperm is of the highest quality. 50% of miscarriages are actually due to male factors, so preconception care for both partners is essential. Acupuncture and diet and lifestyle changes have been shown to improve sperm count, morphology and motility. He may be pleasantly surprised to find that his general health improves too!

Acupuncture treatment in conjunction with IVF has been shown to increase the success rates by as much as 60% . This can be a stressful time, but it's also an exciting one, as you are one step closer to those dreamed about blue lines. Acupuncture can help create the peace and balance necessary for some calm in the hormonal and emotional storm. It increases blood flow to the endometrium, creating optimal conditions and reduces the all important stress factor.