Christine Keller LAc

07/24/2024

"Why do they call it 'ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE' when it is the original medicine that humans have been using for thousand of years? Chemical medications were discovered about 100 years ago!"

03/26/2024

If severe enough, medical treatment for endometriosis may include laparoscopic surgery to remove or excise endometrial implants, scar tissue, and adhesions. For women who are not looking to become pregnant and if the condition is very severe, the most drastic form of surgical treatment involves a complete hysterectomy.

Obviously for those wanting to create a family or expand an existing one on their own, the last option takes that ability away.

In Chinese medicine, endometriosis is viewed as a blood stasis pattern and can be complicated by other existing constitutional patterns. Herbal formulas and acupuncture can help immensely with existing symptoms as well as address underlying root causes of blood stasis.
Diagnosed with endometriosis or not, if you present with any sort of menstrual irregularity or pain, a trained and skilled acupuncturist can help identify your pattern and create a treatment plan to help.

03/19/2024

Endometrial implants respond to the different phases of the cycle, these implants also grow, and bleed outside of the uterus which causes pain, irritation, and inflammation. Chronic inflammation can create scar tissue and also create a state of chronic pain and mental distress.

03/14/2024

Foods to avoid with endometriosis:

Gluten - Often is a cause of inflammation and with existing inflammatory conditions such as endometriosis, gluten can exacerbate symptoms. Whether it is the wheat sugar that disrupts insulin and throws hormones into a tizzy, or whether it is the sensitivity to GMO and commercially farmed protocols, gluten should be avoided.

Dairy - Dairy also creates an already inflamed state to be worse. Dairy may also create “stickiness” which for a blood stasis pattern in Chinese medicine, will also exacerbate inflammation, discomfort, and pain. In theory, dairy may worsen endometrial adhesions and implants.

Red meat and Pork- Commercially raised beef has been shown to contain xenohormones and antibiotics which are known hormone disruptors and considered to be toxic to the body. Endometriosis is an estrogen dominant condition so to ingest xenohormones, hormonal balance may potentially worsen.

Soy - Soy contains phytoestrogens which again, can worsen an existing estrogen dominant condition and worsen symptoms of endometriosis.

Non-organic foods - contain several hormone disruptors if exposed to pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

03/12/2024

The four stages of endometriosis

Stage 1: Consists a small amount of endometrial implants found outside of the uterus and possible adhesions.

Stage 2: Consists of slightly deeper endometrial implants as well as present, or increased adhesions.

Stage 3: Consists many deep endometrial implants, implants and cysts can be present on the ovaries, and scar tissue may be present.

Stage 4: Consists of several deep endometrial implants, cysts known as chocolate cysts or endometriomas are present on the ovaries and several thick adhesions on nearby tissues and organs.

03/05/2024

March is endometriosis awareness month.

According to WHO:

"It is a chronic disease associated with severe, life-impacting pain during periods, sexual in*******se, bowel movements and/or urination, chronic pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, nausea, fatigue, and sometimes depression, anxiety, and infertility."

To get diagnosed with endometriosis is by way of an invasive laparoscopic exploratory procedure. Many women go their whole lives with such severe symptoms and do not get diagnosed, and sadly, women are often treated with dismissive attitudes from the medical community, school, work, and even family members who have not gone through it. It truly impacts life on many levels.

In Chinese medicine, endometriosis is viewed as a blood stasis pattern and can be complicated by other existing constitutional patterns. Chinese herbs and acupuncture can help immensely with existing symptoms as well as address underlying root causes of blood stasis.

Diagnosed with endometriosis or not, if you present with any sort of menstrual irregularity or pain, a trained and skilled acupuncturist can help identify your pattern and create a treatment plan to help!

03/05/2024