w ww w. Gwa. lgi laelei lceeencteenr .toerrg. o r g Donations can also be mailed to: P.O. Box 308 - Mecca, CA 92254 Your donation is 100% deductible. ID # 27-3133601 Food insecurity can cause poor school attendance and performance, lowered workplace productivity, and physical and mental health problems. At our weekly food distribution, Galilee Center hands out over 400 food boxes to working families who struggle to make ends meet. For Some, One Box of Groceries Can Make a World of Difference Donate today at GalileeCenter.org Your $50 donation will help feed a family of 4 for 4 days. www.DesertHealthNews.com September/October 2025 Natural Options The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 10 Continued on page 11 When my mother was younger, it felt like she could get pregnant with the look of an eye. But things have changed. Today, many young women have been on birth control for years—not just to prevent pregnancy, but also to manage health concerns like irregular cycles, hormonal imbalances or heavy bleeding. Now, when they’re finally ready to start a family, it’s not always easy. Many people wait until their 30s or even 40s to have children, often after establishing careers, but by then, a woman’s egg production and egg quality have naturally declined. Several factors impact egg quality, including age and diet. Even those who are healthconscious may unknowingly be harming fertility by consuming too many cold foods, like iced coffee, salads and sushi. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), cold diets can hinder conception; after all, you need to “warm the oven” to nurture life. Others may follow a diet heavy in fried foods and dairy, or drink alcohol or smoke—all of which disrupt hormonal balance and lower fertility. And let’s not forget the all-powerful stress factor. Stress can throw reproductive hormones out of balance and lower egg reserves. Some women who have been trying for years find that once they adopt a child, they suddenly conceive, likely because the stress and fear have lifted. Certain genetic and medical conditions also play a role. Turner Syndrome (a chromosomal disorder) can lead to premature ovarian aging. Endometriosis causes inflammation, affecting both egg quality and hormone balance. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) causes hormonal imbalance, irregular cycles and affects egg maturation. Women with PCOS may have many egg follicles but see their reserves decline quickly. Environmental toxins—from pesticides, plastics and even beauty products—can further disrupt hormone health and reduce fertility. How can TCM help? TCM has supported fertility for centuries by enhancing overall health and vitality, improving egg quality and balancing hormones. Fertility in TCM is tied to jing, our life essence, with which we are born. Some people have more than others, but lifestyle, nutrition and stress significantly impact it. By nurturing jing, TCM can support fertility, improve the chances of conception and promote long-term wellness. In my practice, women seek treatment, not only for fertility support, but also for IVF preparation, implantation support (pre- and post-), breech baby positioning and labor induction. And don’t forget the men! Fertility isn’t just about the female reproductive system; male factors matter, too. As women age and their egg supply declines, men may also experience reduced sperm count and motility; thus, addressing fertility requires a comprehensive look at both partners. Acupuncture, a key part of TCM, enhances blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, balances reproductive hormones and reduces stress. When combined with a healthy lifestyle, like getting enough B12 and folate for cell growth, consuming omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation and taking royal jelly to support ovarian function, it can make a significant difference. Ironically, as I was finishing up this article, I received a call from a patient who was canceling her next appointment because after the last one, SHE HAD THE BABY! ♥ Diane Sheppard is a licensed acupuncturist and doctor of traditional Chinese medicine with AcQPoint Wellness Center. She can be reached at (760) 345.2200. For more information, visit www.acqpoint.com. Infertility: Lifestyle and TCM Can Help By Diane Sheppard, PhD, LAc Personal wellness services such as facials, massage and other spa therapies have reached a turning point. The Wall Street Journal recently emphasized this trend in a spotlight comparing an AI-powered robot massage to a traditional massage therapist. This underscores the evolving landscape of wellness. Advanced robotics, AI technology and machines are here to stay. These mechanical innovations play a feature role in an industry where empathetic touch has been the primary reason participants seek a personal reboot. Many of us have felt the ramifications of “techno-stress” in our daily lives. It is now common to participate in a “digital detox” as a mental health action. When we turn to a wellness facility for relaxation, a prerequisite is delivering a quintessentially human service. No gadget can truly replace the effectiveness of human touch. The mother of all senses, touch is what we yearn for even in these technological times. From our beginnings, we are essentially wired to be touched, and today, many suffer from touch starvation. When I was in my 20s, learning the nuances of the spa industry, I decided to attend massage school. This experience taught me more than how to massage. The knowledge of anatomy, somatic work, energy exchange and boundaries were key teachings. Taking an introductory massage class may expand our understanding of many subjects. There is a place for technology to assist rather than replace. As consumers, we must ask these informed questions when scheduling wellness services. Beyond massages, facial services are now revealing protocols where most of the work is done by a machine. In a recent facial, I found the practitioner's use of the machine omitted the facial massage and other sensory steps. As a consumer, communicating the requirement for touch more than tech to wellness facilities is a proactive way to ensure this will be noted. The “chariot of touch” is a metaphor for our times. In the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, the body is considered the chariot or the vehicle for how we process the world. The horses represent senses–like touch; the reins represent the mind; and the charioteer is the driver. Living with Jennifer Di Francesco Wellness The Chariot of Touch Why touch remains essential in wellness No gadget can truly replace the effectiveness of human touch.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjA1MjUy