Part 2- Prevention and reversal of female hair loss with alternative medicine
Chinese Medicine classifies hair as “blood fragments”. This sentence is a translation of an ancient text (Simple Questions, Nei Jing). In traditional Chinese medicine, the Kidney has a crucial role in the production of blood in the body. 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 production of blood in the bone marrow. In Eastern medicine, much more is attributed to the kidney than the urological function assigned to it in the West. Oriental medicine defines that the kidney is the source of all the base energy of the body, the root of all yin/yang, and is also the storehouse of the “prenatal essence” (genetic code) and also governs reproductive functions. The “Ming Men fire” considered the “door of Vitality” existing between both kidneys, is called “The residence of Yin and Yang, the sea of essence, and determines life and death. The kidney occupies a very important place. in Chinese medicine, equal to the importance of the heart in Western medicine.
Now that we have a bit of history 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 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 may coincide with that of anemia, but it is not necessarily defined in the same way.
Now, from a western biomedical perspective, two of the main causes of hair loss (alopecia) are thyroid imbalances (usually hypothyroidism) and hormonal imbalances (very commonly PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome). The thyroid is an extremely complex endocrine gland with around 12 different patterns that can be attributed to its dysfunction from a functional endocrinological interpretation. The challenge is to determine if the dysfunction is within the thyroid, or is part of a larger pathway that is a crucial part of healthy thyroid function (HPA AXIS) The complexity of the thyroid, its feedback loops with other glands, along with the problem of a possible autoimmune thyroid condition is often overlooked.
Hormonal 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 often prescribes birth control pills, which rarely resolve this condition. Getting the body back into regulation is the only way to bring about lasting change back to health. This can be successfully accomplished with a strict, specialized diet that includes acupuncture and a few other lifestyle modifications.
Menopause can also cause an imbalance in testosterone levels. Many women reject HRT because of information presented at a symposium sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, Office of Research in Women’s Health in 2002. The International Position Paper on Women’s Health and the Menopause established new clinical guidelines for women going through the menopause. This publication caused many doctors to discourage patients from considering HRT.
From a functional perspective, in some cases bioidentical hormones are the answer to getting through a difficult time due to menopausal symptoms. After menopause, in healthy women, the adrenal glands should become active and produce the necessary amounts of hormones for the body to function smoothly. Keeping the body strong and able to cope and tolerate stress is a good preventative measure to ensure ease in the menopausal transition period. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have a long and distinguished history of achieving this goal. Functional endocrinology, acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine can restore the balance of hormones and help maintain a strong and healthy body.
Review of 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 test is reviewed from a “functional” standpoint. Assessment is based on ranges other than what most laboratories identify as norms.
Guidelines for finding the right doctor
Here are some guidelines to help you find the right professional trained in holistic and alternative therapies.
1. If you’re looking for a doctor, 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 doctors. It’s also important to check out the various subspecialties of any listed doctor to see if they might meet 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 problem of hair loss. Be aware that many doctors who claim to do acupuncture are only “certified” with minimal training (250 hour video course) and do not have the background, clinical experience, training, and knowledge that a licensed acupuncturist has received. If a doctor says she does acupuncture, ask her if she’s licensed (some are).
2. When qualifying a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) or oriental medicine practitioner, 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 (NCCAOM Dipl. OM) are better qualified in all areas of Oriental medicine. In China, a broad knowledge of herbal medicine is considered essential to be a qualified doctor. The most effective practitioners will incorporate current biomedical knowledge and advances into their practice. It consists of continuous training and experience in nutrition, dietetics and supplementation. The more informed the doctor, the more competent he will be in maximizing the effectiveness of the treatment.
Also, it is important to remember that treatment is a process. There are no magic pills, no quick fixes that last. Work collaboratively with your physician, and the rewards will be improved health, revitalization, and rejuvenation as this process unfolds.
Footnotes
4. The Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine- Maciocia, Giovanni, Churchill Livingstone, 1989- pg.99
5. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
