Fertility

Today Qigong is most often referred to as any set of breathing and Qi circulation techniques that are capable of improving health, preventing illness, and strengthening the body. Qigong is slow meditative exercise for the body, the breath, and the mind.

‘Qi’ is the vital force behind everything, everything is ‘Qi’ at differing densities; quoting Einstein, “matter = energy times the speed of light squared”. ‘Gong’ is cultivation, effect, attainment. Qigong can be translated as ‘cultivation of vital force’. It regulates the balance of Yin Yang energy returning the body to a balanced, normal physiological state.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the human body is treated as an integral system of interrelated networks with different physiological functions. This integral system uses the energy pathways to link the organs and other human systems into a unified whole, making the communication and interaction between parts of the body possible. The energy that flows in the energy pathways is called Qi. It extends internally to the organs and externally throughout the body, completing and interrelated system of networks.

Traditional Chinese Medical Qigong is a compilation of effective preventative, healing, and strengthening exercises derived from a long history of the Chinese peoples experience with nature and living in harmony with it.

Qigong is studied not merely for the health and strength of the body, but as an attempt to understand human nature and its interactions with the environment and the universe as a whole. Realizing that humans are part of nature, any attempt to understand human physiology inevitably involves the study of wholism.

From commoners to scientists, martial artists to government officials. Qigong studies span the masses of the Chinese population.

Supporting Research into the Health Benefits of Qigong

Qi Gong is a practice which combines relaxing movement, breathing and visualization. It is a tool to make Qi circulate in order to preserve one’s health, cure diseases and prolong life. The consistent practice has been shown to foster development of a profound inner calmness and non-reactivity of the mind, allowing individuals to face, and even embrace, all aspects of daily life, regardless of circumstances.

Science has proven the complementary healing effects of Qigong in medical science. Qigong can relieve chronic pain (including low back (6)), reduce tension, increase activities of our immune system (even at the genetic level (2)), improve heart health, mediates neuroendocrine responses (10), improve eyesight, and influence blood flow & biochemistry (1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10). There is also proof of its positive effects on depression (4), and stabilization of the autonomic nervous system and the emotional state (5). It induces a state of relaxation via the induction of alpha brain waves and the release of serotonin (8). Jang & Lee randomized study put forth Qigong as an effective complementary therapy for managing the symptoms of PMS (9). It has also been concluded that visualization was an effective intervention for long-term smoking cessation and abstinence in adult smokers (3). The Division for Research and Education in Complementary and Integrative Medical Therapies, Harvard Medical School, study of the ‘Use of mind-body medical therapies’ stated that ‘much opportunity exists to increase use of mind-body therapies for indications with demonstrated efficacy’ (11).

The cultivation or preservation of ones health through the complimentary practice of Qigong plays an integral part in any persons path to wellness and the accomplishment of their goals. Join a class, read a book, buy a video.

References:

1. The application of qi-gong therapy to health care, Li TY, Yeh ML, Tri-Service General Hospital.

2. Genomic profiling of neutrophil transcripts in Asian Qigong practitioners: a pilot study in gene regulation by mind-body interaction. Li QZ, Li P, Garcia GE, Johnson RJ, Feng L, Microarray Core, Center for Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.

3. Guided health imagery for smoking cessation and long-term abstinence, Wynd CA, Nursing Program, University of Akron College of Nursing, Akron, OH 44325-3701, USA.

4. Qigong exercise for the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease: A randomized, controlled pilot study, Schmitz-Hubsch T, Pyfer D, Kielwein K, Fimmers R, Klockgether T, Wullner U, Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.

5. Nonlinear analysis of heart rate variability during Qigong, Lee MS, Rim YH, Jeong DM, Kim MK, Joo MC, Shin SH, Center for Integrative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University, Korea.

6. Randomized, controlled trial of breath therapy for patients with chronic low-back pain, Mehling WE, Hamel KA, Acree M, Byl N, Hecht FM, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA.

7. Qi-training (qigong) enhanced immune functions: what is the underlying mechanism? Lee MS, Kim MK, Ryu H, Center for Integrative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Republic of Korea

8. Appearance of high-frequency alpha band with disappearance of low-frequency alpha band in EEG is produced during voluntary abdominal breathing in an eyes-closed condition, Fumoto M, Sato-Suzuki I, Seki Y, Mohri Y, Arita H, Department of Physiology, Toho University School of Medicine, 5-21-16, Omori-nishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-8540, Japan.
9. Effects of qigong on premenstrual syndrome: a randomized placebo-controlled study, Jang HS, Lee MS, Department of Nursing, Wonkwang Health Science College, Iksan, Korea.

10. Endocrine and immune effects of Qi-training, Lee MS, Kang CW, Ryu H, Moon SR, Professional Graduate School of Oriental Medicine and Center for Integrative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Republic of Korea.

11. Use of mind-body medical therapies, Wolsko PM, Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Phillips RS, Division for Research and Education in Complementary and Integrative Medical Therapies, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Spence Pentland of Vancouver BC Canada received his five year Doctor of TCM education from the International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Vancouver. To complete his studies he spent 500 hours at Anhui Hospital of TCM Hefei City, in the Peoples Republic of China. He is a licensed and registered member of the Canadian Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, and practices at Acubalance Wellness Centre (Acubalance Wellness Centre Vancouver BC) where he treats only Men’s reproductive health (Mens Reproductive Health Information) and Women’s fertility issues (Infertility Information).

Tags: qigong, qi, gong, meditation, chinese, medicine, acupuncture, infertility, fertility, breathe, relaxation

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Egg donation is a medical procedure that requires much thought on the part of the donor and time involved by both parties. Before a woman can be considered as a recipient, there are many other infertility treatments to try. Egg donation is often used as a last resort after these treatments fail. Another possible reason for egg donation is if the woman had experienced early menopause, which is before her 40th birthday. The only reason for egg donation not to be considered as a treatment option is if the woman’s infertility is caused by problems with the uterus, such as severe uterine fibroids (or growths in the uterus wall) or even a tilted uterus.

Once a woman decides to donate eggs, she must fill out an application for an egg donation company, which can be many pages long and usually asks for a medical history including any sexually transmitted diseases, a sexual history, general health questions, allergy summary, an educational history, personality summary, favorites as a child and adult and many other things. The application includes everything the donor would tell her significant other and more. The company then reviews the application and based on the information provided, the woman will either be accepted or rejected. If a woman is accepted, she is then contacted by a Donor Coordinator who may ask for more information or for some elaboration on her application answers. If a woman is not accepted, she is still contacted and given the reason for her rejection.

After acceptance into the program, a profile is made of the donor. It includes things found on the application, such as likes/dislikes, favorites as a child and/or adult, personality aspects, physical characteristics (hair color, eye color, height, race) and photographs of the donor, ranging in age from an infant to adulthood. Photographs of the donor’s children may also be included in the profile, if she chooses to add them. This profile may be posted online through the company, or is kept strictly as a hard copy for local couples only. Most donors have their profiles online through the donation company as this provides a better chance of being chosen to donate. Once a couple choose a donor, there are legal aspects to be taken care of, such as the legal agreement between donor and recipient protecting both parties’ rights to anonymity and a legal document stating the recipient will take care of the donor’s medical, legal and some travel expenses. Some companies or recipients may not pay for travel expenses, so the donor should be sure to read the contract very carefully before signing. Once all the legal aspects of the donation are taken care of, the recipient’s fertility doctor will contact the donor and set up an appointment for the screening.

This screening includes a physical examination, blood tests for genetic disorders, STDs, alcohol or nicotine use and others, a visit with the Egg Donor Coordinator for an overview of the entire process and a visit with the center’s social worker to be certain that the donor has taken into account all the emotional aspects of the egg donation. After this screening, the donor’s part in the process is minimal until the last 2 or 3 weeks of the cycle. At that time, depending on the doctor’s decision, she will either begin taking drugs to encourage the development of eggs or begin Lupron injections to suppress her menstrual cycle, making it easier to synchronize it with that of the recipient. If the doctor decides to begin developing eggs immediately, the donor will go into the doctor’s office for the drug syringes and a nurse will show her where and how to do the self-injection procedure. The needles themselves are similar to the ones used by diabetics to inject insulin and the drugs are injected just under the skin of the abdomen or thigh. The donor may be a little nervous giving herself the injections at first, but this is completely normal and fades with time. While she is taking the medication, the doctor’s office will closely monitor the donor to make sure her body is responding well to the treatment. This involves 5 or more early morning vaginal ultrasounds and blood work drawn. If the doctor decides to synchronize the donor’s and the recipient’s menstrual cycles, the donor will begin Lupron injections to suppress her cycle until it is in sync with the recipient’s. Once this occurs the donor will begin the injections to stimulate egg development. Then the donation experience will follow the previous example. Once the eggs are sufficiently developed, the donor will receive an injection to trigger ovulation.

The eggs will be collected approximately 34 to 36 hours after the injection. This procedure involves anesthesia but no cutting will take place. The eggs are collected via the vagina. This is similar to the vaginal ultrasounds the donor received earlier. A needle is attached to the ultrasound probe. The doctor uses the ultrasounds to guide the needle for egg collection. After this procedure, the donor will spend one to two hours in a recovery room, then she can go home for further recovery. It is recommended that a donor bring a friend to this procedure to drive them home, due to the anesthesia making it dangerous for the donor to drive after the procedure. An antibiotic is frequently prescribed to prevent infection and it is recommended that the donor schedule a follow-up exam and ultrasound for one week following the egg collection.

After collection, the eggs are examined and then mixed with sperm collected from the male partner of the recipient. The fertilized eggs are then placed in a special growing medium and incubated for three to five days. Several of the resulting embryos are then transplanted into the recipient and the rest are frozen. Approximately 2 weeks following the embryo transplant, the recipient receives a blood pregnancy test. If the transplant was successful and the recipient is pregnant, she will receive hormone supplements for 6 to 10 weeks to maintain the pregnancy until her body begins producing hormones in sufficient amounts.

Tags: infertility

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For the older woman to overcome all that has been limiting her from having a child, changing her thoughts becomes a must.

Having spent so much time listening to misleading talks and learning how difficult it is for an older woman to have a child she has now developed this mental attitude in her mind that it is hard or it will be difficult for her to conceive.

All the physical and medical facts facing her have become like a mountain of problem in her life.

Now she will have to train herself to change her thought pattern. My pastor once shared the story of the great magician Hudini who could open locks with the power of his mind.

A day came when he went into a contest and he thought he was locked up when actually the door was unlocked.

As usual he spent all day trying to break the lock and open the door without realizing that the door was not locked.

After attempting all day to open the door he was finally let out only for him to discover that the door was not locked in the first place.

In his mind he had a vision of a locked door even though in reality the door was not locked.

This is the situation that many older women find themselves in, when confronted with fertility issues.

The battle wages on in their mind when physically everything is perfect.

For the older woman to overcome her limitation, changing her thoughts and focus becomes a must.

The Bible says that, as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7. So whatever you allow to occupy your thought pattern is what you will become.

One of the most powerful books in the world today that has changed many lives is a book written by James Allen called, As a man thinketh.

The title of that book was taken from the bible. See Proverbs 23:7 which says “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he”.

The principles of that book was also taken from the bible. So you can see how powerful the word of God is and what it can do if you trust it.

I want you to carefully look at this scripture and see what kind of thoughts the Bible recommends that we think.

1. Whatever is true
2. Whatever is noble
3. Whatever is right
4. Whatever is pure
5. What ever is lovely
6. Whatever is admirable
7. Whatever is excellent
8. Whatever is praise worthy

Think about such things. Philippians 4:8. If what you are thinking about does not come under this selection, you are sinning against yourself and polluting the storehouse of your life, which is your heart.

God Himself gave you these promises. I know the plans and thoughts I have towards you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

In God you have a future, you have hope of attaining all your dreams and desires, including having a baby at your present age.

Change your thought patterns and start thinking the victory you desire from God.

Also remember that our God is able to do immeasurable, more than all we can ask or imagine or think.

So giving you a child is no big deal to God no matter how bad the medical report you have received.

My God can turn the situation around for you. He says he can do more than you can ask; why not give him a chance today? But you must add trust and faith to your asking.

Prayer
Sister say this prayer out now:

Lord Jesus, I believe your word. I thank you that you love and care for me so much. Lord I believe your word today. Let every man and symptom and circumstance be a liar and let only your word be true in my life.

From today I declare in Jesus name that I shall still bear fruit in old age.

I shall remain fresh and flourishing. I open my mouth and declare that the Lord is upright, You are my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in you. I love you Lord. Amen.

Please always open your mouth and speak
out your prayers in faith.

The Word of God creates as we speak it out of our mouth. So speak it out. The creative power is in the spoken Word.

God Bless and I LOVE you.

Veronica Anusionwu

Tags: fertility, ovulation problem, infertility help, female fertility, fertility problems, women’s issue,

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