MENOPAUSAL SYNDROME

Menopause itself is not a disease. It is a normal physiological change, nature's way of slowing down the aging process in women past child-bearing age. Unfortunately, many women do not traverse this cusp quickly and smoothly. When that happens they may experience any of a number of signs and symptoms. These include:

• Hot Flashes
• Night Sweats
• Menstrual Irregularity
• Uterine Spotting and Flooding
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Palpitations
• Migraines
• Insomnia
• Vaginal Dryness & Atrophy
• Vaginal Itching
• Osteoporosis

Traditional chinese Medicine is a 2,000 year old, professional medical system, and gynecology is one of its specialties. Within Chinese gynecology, menopausal syndrome is a recognized and treatable condition. In fact, it is one of the conditions that is most easily and satisfactorily treated by Chinese medicine (as long as menopause is natural and not surgical).

Chinese medical practitioners may use acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine or a combination of both to treat menopausal symptoms. With either method, practitioners seek to nourish and supplement the liver and kidneys, boost the qi and fortify the spleen, nourish the heart and quiet the spirit, clear pathogenic heat and lower rising yang energy, thus restoring bal-
ance to the woman's entire organism. According to Chinese medical theory, menopause occurs when, because of the natural aging process, a woman's body no longer produces sufficient blood to sustain a monthly period without this blood loss being draining on her body and particularly her kidneys, the organ Chinese medicine sees as the root of life and longevity. Therefore, the body in its wisdom reverses the flow of a channel in the center of the body which sends blood down to the uterus from the heart. Rather, blood and essence from the kidneys are sent up to the heart to nourish the woman's spirit. Thus, in Chinese medicine, menopause is seen as a true change in life from mother of biological children to mother of the
community. This is why, in traditional cultures,post-menopausal women are regarded as wise women, since their heart spirit is now nourished and enlightened in a way that it was not before. This age-old, traditional wisdom is not "folk" medicine or superstition. It is supported by clinical research from both China and Japan. Reports in both the Shandong Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, #6 1992 and Sichuan Traditional Chinese Medicine, #6 1993, discuss the successful herbal treatment of a number of menopausal complaints, inclding hot flashes, anxiety, insomnia, night sweats, irritability, and heart palpitations. In the second study, 28 out of 30 women were either cured or markedly improved in 15 days to 2
months for a total amelioration rate of 93% In Yunnan Traditional Chinese Medicine, #5,1993, the treatment of menopausal syndrome with ear acupuncture is presented. These women suffered from menstrual irregularity, hot flashes, night sweats, heart palpitations, dizziness, emotional depression, uterine bleeding, and agitation. Tiny intradermal needles were
embedded in acupoints in their ears over a period of 1 month. Eighty-seven percent of the women in this study registered significant improvement from this cheap and easy therapy. Likewise", research in Japan has shown that menopausal and post-menopausal women using chinese herbs had greater bone density than women in a comparison group not using Chinese herbs (Traditional Sino,Japanese Medicine, 13 [1992].

Western practitioners not only use acupuncture and Chinese herbs to treat menopausal complaints but also typically advise patients on diet, exercise, and lifestyle, thus treating the whole person and bringing balance to every aspect of the patient's life. These therapies are without side effects. So why not try these natural and effective, low cost and safet traditional therapies before resorting to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other expensivei high-tech therapies with unknown risks?

<BACK>

ACUPUNCTURE

Q: What is acupuncture?

A: Acupuncture is one of the modalities of Oriental medicine. Although what is called acupuncture in the West comprises several different therapies (such as moxibustion and cupping). mosty it consists of the insertion of fine needles into the body at specific points shown to be effective in the treatment of specific health problems. These points have been mapped by the Chinese over a period of two thousand years, and there are more than a thousand known acupoints. In the past three decades, electromagnetic research has confirmed the existence and location of these points:

Q: What problems can be treated by acupuncture?

A: The World Health, Organization recognizes acupuncture's effectiveness for over 40 common disorders, such as:

1. Ear, Nose & Throat Disorders, Toothaches. earaches, sinusitis, rhinitis, laryngitis
2. Respiratory Disorders Colds & flus, bronchitis, asthma, allergies, emphysema
3. Gastrointestinal Disorders Food allergies, nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, ulcers, colitis
4. Circulatory Disorders Hypertension, high cholesterol, arteriosclerosis,angina pectoris
5. Urogenital Disorders Cystitis, stress incontihence, neurogenic bladder, prostatitis, prostatic hypertrophy
6. Gynecological Disorders Menstrual irregularity,  endometriosis, PMS, infertility, menopausal syndrome
7. Musculoskeletal Disrorders Tennis elboW, frozen shoulder; TMJ, sciatica, low back pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia
8. Pschoemotional & Neurological Disorders Depression, anxiety,insomnia, headache, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, intercostal neuralgia, post-stroke paralysis, dizziness, tinnitus

In addition, acupuncture has been used for centuries throughout Asia to treat hundreds of other problems.

Q: How does acupuncture work?
A: Modern Western medicine cannot yet explain how acupuncture works: Traditional Asian acupuncture is based on  ancient Chinese theories of the floW of qi ( a fine, essential substance which nourishes and constructs the body) through distinct channels that cover the body somewhat like the nerves and blood vessels. Accordingcto this theory, acupuncture adjusts the floW of qi in the body, leading it to areas where it is insufficient and draining it from areas where it is stuck and/or superabundant. In this way, acupuncture restores the harmonious balance of the body and its parts. In Chinese, there is a saying, "If there is pain, there is no free flow; if there is free flow, there is no pain." Acupuncture promotes and reestablishes the free flow of qi.

Q: Does it hurt?
A: Acupuncture needles are typically not much thicker than a hair; and their insertion is practically painless. It is
nothing like receiving an ordinary injection. In some cases, you will not even know the needles are in place. In
others, there may be some tingling, warmth, heaviness or a feeling of the qi moving up and down the channels. Most people
find acupuncture extremely relaxing, and many fall asleep during treatment.

Q: How many treatments will I need?
A: That depends on the duration, severity, and nature of your complaint. You may need only a single treatments for an acute condition. A series of 5 - 10 treatment may resolve many chronic problems. Some degenerative conditions may require many treatments over 1 time. To help reduce the number of treatments, your practitioner may suggest dietary modifications, specific exercise regimes, relaxation techniques, self massage, and/or Chinese herbal medicines, all of which may help to increase the efficiancy of acupuncture.

Q: Are there different styles of
Iacupuncture? i, Acupuncture originated in China but has spread to Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Europe, and America. In different countries, different styles have developed based on differing opinions as to theory and technicque. Patients should talk to their practitioner about his or her particular style and learn as much as possible about the treatment being proposed.

Q: What criteria should I use in choosing an acupuncturist?

A: Prospective patients should ask about where the practitioner trained and for how long he or she has been in practice, and, most importantly, what experience the practitioner has had in treating your specific ailment. Acupuncture is a licensed and regulated health care profession in over 40 states in the U.S. In addition, the National Commission for the
Certification of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) certifies both acupuncturists and Chinese herbal practitioners. Acupuncturists who have passed the NCCAOM  Iexam are entitled to add Dipl. Ac. (Diplomate of Acupuncture) after their name.

Q: What should I know about the proposed treatments?
A: Your practitioner will explain the nature of your problem in Oriental medical terms and what treatment he or she is recommending. Your practitioner will tell you what benefits and risks there are to the proposed treatment and what other treatment options are available to you through this practitioner or by referral to another practitioner or physician.

Q: Is there anything I need to do before receiving an acupuncture treatment?
A: The following suggestions will help you get the maximum benefits from your treatment:

1 Wear loose clothing. Women should not wear one piece dresses. Avoid wearing stockings.
2. Avoid treatment when excessively fatigued, hungry, full, emotionally upset or shortly after sex.

Q: Is there anything I need to do while receiving acupuncture?
1. Relax. There is no need to be frightened. Ask your practitioner any questions you have along the way so that you can gett the most benefit possible from the treatment.
2. Do not change your position or move suddenly. If you are uncomfortable, tell your prac-titioner.

Q: What can I expect after treatment?
A: Patients often experience dramatic results in the first treatmentic. Some patients experience an immediate total or parital relief of their pain or other symptoms. This relief may 'last or some pain may return. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief onlY to notice the pain diminish over the next couple of days. GenerallY, yOU should expect to feel better.

<BACK>

Rediscover Bladder Control Without Drugs or Surgery

Improve Your Quality of Life

Problems related to bladder control, such as urine leakage at inappropriate times or frequent bathroom visits, impact quality of life. Bladder control problems prevent people of all ages from fully participating in their normal activities. In fact, there are 33 million people living in the United States who have bladder control problems -a large percent are women. The evadri Bladder Control System helps empower women to rediscover bladder control. With proper use, The evadri System helps restore bladder control without the side effects associated with drug therapy or the recovery time associated with surgery.

Why wait? It's time to discover The evadri-System.

Who Can Benefit from The evadri Bladder Control System?

• Those who suffer from weak pelvic floor muscles bladder, uterus and rectum
• Those who experience urgency, frequency, and sometimes involuntary bladder emptying that may even be painful
• Those who have stress incontinence -urine loss associated with coughing, sneezing, and/or laughing
• Those who experience urinary leakage following surgery
• Those who have given birth and now have bladder control problems
• Those who find the use of absorbent pads or diapers.restricts their quality of life

How it Works

The evadri System is an office-based treatment unit that provides a safe, well-tolerated therapy for bladder control problems. The evadri System treats incontinence by teaching you to control the muscles that support and help control bladder function.

At an in-office treatment session, a small sensor is inserted into the vagina. You are then asked to do a "Kegel," or contract the pelvic floor muscles as if trying to stop urinary flow. The sensor evaluates muscle strength and allows the muscle contraction to be seen on a display screen. This helps you and your healthcare professional determine if you are using the correct muscle. This is sometimes referred to as biofeedback.

With a little practice, you can learn to contract the correct muscles, while relaxing others. Kegel exercises. help strengthen pelvic floor muscles; and therefore improve bladder control. By watching the Kegel exercises on a screen, you can learn correct exercise technique.

Small patch electrode sensors may be placed across the abdominal muscles to monitor the activity of abdominal muscles. Monitoring your stomach muscles helps you to isolate the pelvic muscles needed for good bladder control.

Painless electrical signals are then sent to the weakened pelvic muscles, causing them to contract effectively. The key to success is correct identification, isolation and contraction of the pelvic muscles foliowedbTa muscle
relaxation phase.

With a home exercise program that includes symptom related exercises and regular doctor visits; some patients have noted improved bladder control within as little as six weeks. Some patients may need follow-up sessions after their initial treatment regimen.

Proven Therapy

The evadri Bladder Control System provides a highly effective, well-tolerated way to treat most types of bladder control problems. Results of a clinical trial show that when used with a complete training program, the treatment approach offered with The evadri System has been more effective in reducing bladder accidents in patients with urge incontinence or overactive bladder (80.7 percent) than drug beatment with Ditropan' (oxybutynin chloride) (68.5 percent).

A complete training program to help control bladder function consists of:

monitoring voiding patterns
diet and fluid adjustments
retraining voiding habits
relaxation training
clinical office sessions for muscle training with The evadri System
avoiding environmental irritants .home exercise and attention to overall physical fitness

In another clinical study, 80 percent of women felt that they were able to wear less protection, such as disposable pads
or panty liners, when treated with a complete training program and the treatment approach offered with The evadri System.

The treatment approach offered with The evadri System helps empower women to regain control, enabling them to lead normal lives through retraining the pelvic muscles associated with bladder function. After this type of treatment, 78 percent of women felt that bladder control problems no longer restricted their activities

<BACK>