According to the old Chinese tradition, the human body comprises two complementary elements, known as “yin” and “yang” that act as the parts of the life force, called as “qi”. These two elements complement and balance the life force. However, the imbalance of the forces causes illness in humans. This is where the Chinese medicine recognizes “acupuncture” as a treatment to this elemental imbalance.
What is High Prolactin?
It is a specific hormone secreted by the pituitary gland in both men and women to regulate milk production. While in men, it is mainly responsible for maintaining the right level of testosterone, it mostly deals with estrogen in the case of women. The over secretion of prolactin can cause a different set of problems in men and women.
The main effects of the high prolactin secretion thus include:
1. Loss of sexual drive
2. Unintentional growth of man-breasts
3. Erectile dysfunction
4. Low sperm count
Alternatively, the secretion of a high amount of prolactin in women can cause severe problems like:
1. Milky discharge from breasts without reason
2. Irregular menstrual cycle
3. Lack of menstrual periods
4. Infertility
What is a Pituitary Tumor?
The pituitary gland is one of the foremost organs in the human body. Though extremely small, the gland is responsible for the secretion of hormones. Hence, if there is even the smallest form of illness to this gland, it could disrupt the entire hormonal system.
Just like in any other body parts, tumors can affect the pituitary gland as well and can lead to Pituitary Tumor. This abnormal growth develops in the gland and may affect the hormones, their levels and the surrounding organs.
Pituitary Tumor can lead to high level of prolactin, weight gain and vision problem.
Here is How Acupuncture Works
The qi is said to run across the human body through fixed pathways. These energy meridians are accessible through more than 450 acupuncture points in the body. When the meridian is blocked in a certain area, the function of related organs will be interrupted. High level of stress can lead to high level of prolactin. When blood circulation is blocked, the tumors can grow in different areas including pituitary gland. Furthermore, when the spleen function and lung function are not balanced, the water metabolism will be abnormal, thus cysts can grow in the pituitary gland. Using acupuncture to improve the circulation and water metabolism are very helpful to reduce the high level of prolactin, so the milk production will not occur to men.
Li Zheng is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist and graduate from the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine with 11 years of formal training, including 6 years of residency. She holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the US and is a Harvard Medical School-trained researcher and a professor at the New England School of Acupuncture. Her two practices are located in Needham, MA, and Boca Raton, FL. She has 26 years of clinical experience. Here she is sharing the information about how acupuncture can deal with high prolactin secretion?.