Part 2- Prevention and reversal of Female hair loss with Alternative medicine
Chinese Medicine classifies hair as "the bits and pieces of blood". This phrase is a translation from an ancient text (Simple Questions, Nei Jing). In traditional Chinese medicine the Kidney has a crucial role in the body's manufacturing of blood. It is interesting to note that modern biomedical facts support this ancient knowledge with the discovery of Erythropoietin. Erythropoietin is an essential hormone, which is necessary in the manufacturing of blood in the bone marrow. In Eastern medicine, the kidney is ascribed a great deal more than the urological function assigned to it in the west. Oriental medicine defines the kidney is the source of all the base energy of the body, the root of all the yin/yang, and also being the storehouse of the "prenatal essence" (genetic code) and well as governing the reproductive functions. The "Ming Men fire" considered the "gate of Vitality" existing between both kidneys, is called "The residence of Yin and Yang, the sea of essence, and it determines life and death. The kidney holds a place of major importance in Chinese medicine, equal to the importance of the heart in Western medicine.
Now that we have a bit of background from a Chinese medical perspective: how does this help the problem? Very simply, by supplementing the kidney (and often accompanying blood deficiency) with herbs, acupuncture and dietary/ supplements, we can effect a change. It is important for the patient to understand that this is not a "quick fix", but a means to repair the root cause of the problem. Blood deficiency can also be a cause of alopecia. In traditional Chinese medicine the definition of blood deficiency can overlap with anemia, but it is not necessarily defined in the say way.
Now from the Western biomedical perspective, two major causes of hair loss (alopecia) are thyroid imbalances (usually hypothyroid) and hormonal imbalances (very commonly PCOS or polycystic Ovarian syndrome). The thyroid is an extremely complex endocrine gland with about 12 different patterns that can be attributed to its dysfunction from a functional endocrinology interpretation. The challenge is in determining if the dysfunction is within the thyroid, or part of a larger pathway that is a crucial part of healthy thyroid function (HPA AXIS) The complexity of the thyroid, it's feedback loops with other glands, along with the issue of a possible autoimmune thyroid condition is often overlooked.
Hormone imbalances are the other major cause of hair loss from a Western biomedical perspective. PCOS is a condition where there is a preponderance of testosterone. The western biomedical community usually prescribes birth control pills, which rarely resolves this condition. Getting the body to re-regulate is the only way to produce a lasting change back to health. This can be successfully accomplished with a specialized, strict diet including acupuncture, and a few other lifestyle modifications.
Menopause can also cause an imbalance in testosterone levels. Many women reject HRT because of the information presented at the symposium sponsored by the Office of Women's Health Research at the National Institutes of Health in 2002. The International Position Paper on Women's Health and Menopause established new clinical guidelines for women going through menopause. This publication caused many Md's to discourage patients from considering hormone replacement therapy.
From a functional perspective, in some cases bioidentical hormones are the answer to get through a difficult time due to menopausal symptoms. After menopause, in healthy women, the adrenals should kick in and produce the necessary amounts of hormones to keep the body running smoothly. Keeping the body strong and able to cope and tolerate stress is a good preventative measure to ensure ease in the transition period of menopause. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have a long and distinguished history of accomplishing this goal. Functional endocrinology, acupuncture combined with Chinese Herbal medicine can restore balance to the hormones and help maintain a strong and healthy body,
Reviewing recent blood work can be an extremely helpful tool in understanding the disease process in these types of presentations. It is important to note that the blood work is reviewed from a "functional" viewpoint. The evaluation is based upon different ranges than which most labs identify the norms.
Guidelines to finding the right practitioner
Here are some guidelines to help you find the right practitioner trained in alternative and holistic therapies.
1. If you are seeking an MD check with ACAM (American College for Advancement in Medicine) or ICIM (International College of Integrative Medicine). These are two organizations that offer training and seminars to medical doctors. It is also important to check the various subspecialties of any physician listed, in order to see if they can match your needs. Alternative medicine has many subdivisions. I would only consider a specialist who has extensive experience in nutrition, supplements and functional endocrinology to address the hair loss problem. Please be aware that many MD's who claim to do acupuncture are only "certified" with minimal training (250 hours video course) and they do not have the background, clinical experience, training and knowledge a licensed acupuncturist has received. If an MD states they do acupuncture, ask if they are licensed (some are).
2. In qualifying a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.), or practitioner of Oriental medicine, I would consider their training in herbal medicine. New York State does not require Board certification in Chinese herbal medicine to be a licensed acupuncturist. Licensed acupuncturists who are board certified in Chinese herbal medicine (Dipl. OM from NCCAOM) are better qualified in all areas of Oriental medicine. In China, extensive knowledge of herbal medicine is considered essential to being a qualified practitioner. The most effective practitioners will incorporate current biomedical breakthroughs and knowledge within their practice. This consists of ongoing training and experience in nutrition, diet and supplementation. The more knowledgeable the practitioner, the more competent she or he is in maximizing the effectiveness of treatment.
On thing more, it is important to remember that treatment is a process. There are no magic pills, no quick fixes that last. Work as a partner with your practitioner, and the rewards will be better health, revitalization and rejuvenation as this process unfolds.
Footnotes
4. The Foundations of Chinese Medicine- Maciocia, Giovanni, Churchill Livingstone, 1989- pg.99
5. Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis
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