Increase Lactation for Breastfeeding Naturally

While it is a wonderful decision to breastfeed your baby, because of the short and long term benefits for both mother and baby, at times it might be a bit of a challenge to produce breast milk on demand in order to meet a newborn’s need.

Here are a few simple and easy methods that can stimulate milk production:

#1 Drink Enough Water

Approximately 3 to 5 days after giving birth is when a mother’s milk is expected come in. If the milk production is low, the best option at this point is to increase one’s water consumption prior to breastfeeding.

#2. Apply Warm Towels to the Breast to Increase Milk Flow

First sterilize two small towels in hot water; let it cool some what, and then apply them to both to the breast. Remove both towels after 3 to 5 minutes and then breast feed. This should increase the flow of milk dramatically

#3 Eat Well

This may seem like common sense but it is very important to eat a balanced diet when breastfeeding as you need proper nutrition yourself in order to produce milk for your baby. It is also a good way to ensure that the baby is getting a balanced food intake and that your body is able to recover from childbirth in the best conditions.

#4 Gentle Exercise

Going for a walk after eating will also increase milk production, because you are increasing the digestive process and burning energy which increases the secretion of gastric juices.

#5 Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds and fennel tea have traditionally been used for stimulating milk production almost immediately.  

To make fenugreek tea, add a tablespoon of fenugreek seeds to 2 cups of water in a pan and bring to the boil.  Let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes and then remove from the stove and set it aside to brew for about a half hour or until the tea turns dark brown to black.  It is then ready to drink although you may add sugar or honey to taste.

You can also use fennel tea but always make sure that you allow the tea bag to brew in the hot water before removing tea bag from cup. Then sweeten to taste.



#6 Acupuncture
Acupuncture has long been used to address issues of milk production and recent modern research shows its efficacy.  According to Chinese medicine, insufficient milk production is characterized by either:
- breasts are soft and the milk production is insufficient
- breasts are distended but the milk is not flowing
The use of acupuncture can trigger the body to release more prolactin, a hormone essential to milk production.  Acupuncture can also help reduce inflammation and breast engorgement.

Acupuncture Helpful for Fibromyalgia, According to New Study

The June 2013 edition of the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies reports on a study that found acupuncture helpful with fibromyalgia symptoms, including reducing pain sensitivity ...

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is believed to affect between 3% and 5% of the population according to a survey in five European countries. Conventional therapies often have limited success in treating this complex and unexplained condition and the treatment strategy often consists in prescribing different medications for the varying symptoms in a trial and error approach. A vast majority of fibromyalgia sufferers tend to turn to complementary therapies to manage their symptoms. Acupuncture, in particular, has become a popular treatment choice and has shown to be an effective treatment modality.

What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain and profound fatigue.  The pain is often described as a diffuse, aching or burning sensation and may change in intensity and change location although it is commonly more severe in parts of the body that are used the most. The accompanying fatigue may range from feeling tired to experiencing the exhaustion of a "flu like" illness.  It can come on suddenly, leaving the person feel completely drained, as if someone just "pulled the plug". While not all affected persons experience all associated symptoms, the following symptoms commonly occur together:

• chronic pain
• debilitating fatigue
• difficulty sleeping and unrefreshing sleep
• joint stiffness
• chronic headaches (ranging from ordinary headaches to migraines) and jaw pain
• hypersensitivity to smells, bright lights and loud noises 
• lack of concentration ("foggy or fuzzy head") and poor memory
• irritable bowel syndrome
• numbness or tingling in the fingers and feet
• poor circulation in hands and feet

Although fibromyalgia is not new, it can be difficult to diagnose as the condition cannot be identified through standard tests (X-rays, laboratory tests) but the widely accepted criteria for diagnosis are:
- pain in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum duration of three months and
- pain on pressure in at least 11 of 18 designated tender points on the body

Most people report that their symptoms started after a physical or emotional trauma, a period of stress or overwork, sometimes accompanied by a bout of flu or other illness that the person didn't fully recover from although in some cases there appears to be no triggering event. Fibromyalgia affects more women than men and age may be a factor too. 

Eastern Perspective on Fibromyalgia

As with any other Western "disease" or pathology, Chinese medicine does not classify fibromyalgia as one specific disease pattern.  Rather it looks at the condition as a disruption of the flow of energy or Qi in the body which may be characterized by a stagnation or a deficiency of Qi in several areas (more commonly affecting the Liver, Spleen, Kidney and Heart meridians).

Treatment then aims to address the specific imbalance unique to each individual depending on the intensity and location of the pain, the person's constitution, emotional state, digestive health, sleeping patterns and an array of other signs and symptoms. Therefore, if several people presenting with fibromyalgia are treated with acupuncture, it is very likely that they would receive a different treatment involving the use of different acupuncture points and different lifestyle and dietary recommendations.

If you suffer from fibromyalgia, acupuncture may be able to ease your symptoms and help you get back your health and vitality.  Contact us for more information.

Healthy Summer Eating and Chinese Nutrition

Summer is now in full swing, with plenty of BBQ, beach time, and most of us are spending a lot of time basking in the sun, either sun bathing or exercising outside. However, in Southern Spain the sun rays are strong and the heat can be intense so it is important to take extra precautions this season. Summer may be a time for fun and parties but it also holds risks such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, skin cancer or food poisoning to name but a few. Early signs of heat exhaustion can creep up on us if we do not stay well hydrated.  Children, the elderly and those of us weakened by illness are more likely to suffer from it but it can affect any of us and some symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• Fatigue,weakness
• Headache
• Nausea and possibly vomiting
• Cool,clammy and pale skin

It is extremely important to drink plenty of fluids, to stay in the shade especially in the hottest hours of the day and to reapply sunscreen throughout the day.  However this may not be sufficient and the intake of proper nutrients can aid in optimizing your health during these hot summer days. How do you know what foods are beneficial in the summer time?

Chinese Medicine advocates that in order to preserve health one should eat in accordance with the seasons and summer is perceived as a time when energy is abundant and the mood is high. This season is about expansion, growth, activity and creativity. Seasonal fruits, brightly coloured, reflect this principle, and so should our daily consumption of foods.

As with every season, it is beneficial to eat foods according to their energetic qualities. Chinese nutrition does not look at foods based on their calories, carbohydrate, fat or protein content. Rather, food is classified according to its energetic temperature, taste, ability to moisten and strengthen or to calm and reduce excesses. In the summer months, when heat is at its peak, foods that are energetically hot or heating in nature are usually best avoided and they include foods such as ginger, garlic, chicken and lamb.  Similarly, foods that have cooling properties and that will help clear heat, reduce toxins and generate body fluids will be beneficial and some of the "cooling" fruit and vegetables are: 

Tomato	Cucumber	Mung Bean
Asparagus	White Mushroom	Lentil
Sprouts (alfalfa, mung bean)	Peas	Spinach
Courgette and Summer Squash	Bamboo Shoots	Bok Choy
Turnip	Broccoli	Watercress
Millet	Corn	Pearl Barley
Watermelon	Apricot	Melon
Grapefruit	Lemon	Orange

.

For the salad lovers, summer is a good time to enjoy a light refreshing summer vegetable or fruit salad. Indeed, in this season we are more likely to crave a light and cooling meal.  However, for people suffering from excess cold (feeling cold all the time and tendency to a sluggish digestion and loose stools), the intake of raw foods and cold foods (e.g. ice cream, iced cold drinks) should be limited as they could worsen your symptoms.  For optimal health, it is best to eat according to the seasons but also to your constitution.

Tips to prevent dehydration and alleviate thirst

1. Keep a pitcher of water with slices of lemon and/or cucumber and fresh mint around the house.
2. Blend watermelon with water to make a delicious watermelon juice drink.
3. Make cold or hot tea with mint or chamomile.
4. Cook foods quickly, either by sautéing, steaming or simmering quickly.
5. Cook with small amounts of spicy or pungent spices to balance the cooling properties of foods.
6. Eat in moderation. Over consumption of any food, especially cooling foods, can lead to food stagnation and phlegm accumulation, which leads to sluggishness and possibly diarrhoea.
7. Do not leave your food out for too long. The hot weather tends to increase food spoilage.
8. Stay away from dairy and from heavy, greasy or fried foods.

Keep in mind that these are general summer nutrition tips applicable to everyone. It is important to acknowledge that you are your own unique individual and your diet should reflect this principle regardless of the season.

The strength of Chinese therapeutic nutrition focuses on the individual person. The trendy "one size fits all" diets out there do not fit all. Chinese nutrition takes into account what type of person you are and what conditions you might posses. If you tend to run warm and are thirsty all the time, you want to incorporate more cooling fruits and vegetables in your diet. If you are the type who complains about being cold all the time, it is a good idea to add some warming spices or foods like ginger in your summer food preparation.

Have a happy and healthy summer!