Cosmetic Acupuncture
Women's Health
Stroke Recovery
Pain Management
Weight Loss |
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Which
women's diseases can be treated with Acupuncture? |
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Menstrual Disorders •
Menopause •
Infertility •
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) •
Endometriosis •
Uterine Fibroids •
Ovarian Cysts •
Yeast Infections •
Problemsi with Pregnancy •
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome •
Headaches around menstruation •
Acne around menstruation
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About
Period |
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What is a
regular period?
How do irregular periods happen?
About Contraceptive Pills
Irregular Periods according to TCM:
Lifestyle
Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine |
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What
is a regular period?
Before we can talk about irregular periods, we
should define exactly what a regular period is.
It usually occurs every 28 or 30 days and lasts
anywhere from 3 to 7 days. Every woman's cycle
is a bit different. You may get your period every
21 days or every 35 days, but as long as they
occur with roughly the same number of days between
each cycle, they are regular.
How do irregular periods happen?
Irregular Periods occur when hormone levels are
thrown out of sync. The glands affected with the
process of menstruation include the hypothalamus,
pituitary gland, and the ovaries. This is often
referred to as the HPO Axis.
Irregular menstruation is generally related to
disruptions in the balance of hormones. Delayed
periods may be signals that ovulation has not
occurred and, consequently, that the endometrial
lining has grown thicker. Delayed periods usually
involve heavier bleeding due to this increased
thickness. Lighter periods or bleeding between
periods may arise when hormone levels are not
sufficient to nourish the endometrial lining.
Some causes of irregular periods:
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Stress •
Poor diet •
Intense exercise •
Weight gain or Weight loss •
Pelvic infection •
Menopause •
Uterine polyps •
Fibroids •
Uterine cancer / Uterine abnormalities •
Dysfunctional bleeding
About Contraceptive Pills
Most doctors will put a woman with irregular periods
on the contraceptive pill. This will regulate
menstrual cycles but unfortunately does not treat
the root cause of the irregularity. Consequently,
when a woman discontinues the pill, the irregularity
will most likely return. What happens is that
the pill tricks the body into thinking that it
is pregnant and does not allow for ovulation.
No egg is released from the ovary and pregnancy
cannot occur. Essentially, the hormones override
the body's natural hormone balance.
Irregular Periods according to
TCM:
An irregular cycle is always due to an imbalance
of the liver and kidneys according to Traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM). "It is the rhythmic
ebb and flow of blood and essence that give rise
to periods".
Emotional stress causes the liver Qi (or energy)
to stagnate causing blockages in the body. The
liver is referred to as the "woman's organ"
as it stores the blood and is the main organ responsible
for the menstruation. Anger, frustration, tension,
and anxiety all will have an effect on the liver
organ as it is also in charge of the emotions.
As one of the functions of the liver is to promote
Qi flow through the body, emotional stress leads
to blockages in the meridian system resulting
in organ imbalance.
Overwork can lead to a deficiency in the kidney
system. The kidney system is involved in reproduction
and development. As far as the meridian system
goes, the kidneys and uterus are directly connected.
If there is a deficiency in the kidney system,
this causes the uterus to become depleted leading
to irregular periods.
Lifestyle
Take time for yourself. A tired and stressed out
body will definitely have an effect on the menstrual
cycle. Also, try to exercise daily. Anything that
gets your heart rate up.
Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
In our practice, when dealing with irregular menstruation,
We find that the combination of herbal medicine
and acupuncture treatments are most effective.
Acupuncture sessions are commonly on a weekly
basis at the beginning and last about 30-45 minutes. |
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Painful
Menstruation |
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Wat is Painful
Menstruation?
What causes menstrual pain?
Chinese Medical point of view:
Etiology according to TCM:
Patterns in TCM: |
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Wat
is Painful Menstruation?
The term painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea) refers
to pain that occurs before, during, or after the
menstruation. As many as half of menstruating women
are affected by dysmenorrhea, and of these, about
10% have severe dysmenorrhea, which greatly limits
activities for one to three days each month.
The pain mainly occurs in the lower abdomen,
lower back. In severe cases, there may be nausea
and vomiting or even fainting. Some women describe
cramps as being sharp throbbing pains that come
and go while others describe them to be dull and
constant. Some people may think that having cramps
is just simply part of the unfortunate things
that women go through; however, according to Traditional
Chinese Medicine, it reveals that there is an
imbalance occurring in the body which can be resolved.
What causes menstrual pain?
The pains are caused by contractions in the musculature
of the uterus. The contractions are caused by
the release of the body's prostaglandins, which
are hormones produced by the lining of the uterus.
Chinese Medical point of view:
For a normal period to occur, blood must be abundant
and move adequately. Proper movement of blood
relies on the free flow of liver Qi (energy).
If liver Qi is stagnant, it causes pain especially
before the period. If liver-blood is stagnant,
it causes pain during the period. Stagnation is
the most important thing to treat when dealing
with painful menstruation.
In acupuncture, there are 14 meridian systems
in the body. These meridians are pathways of communication.
Each meridian corresponds with a particular organ.
In painful menstruation, the liver meridian is
the primary meridian that is focused on. The liver
in TCM stores the blood and is considered the
"woman's organ". The liver also promotes
the smooth flow of Qi and blood throughout the
body. When the liver is not working properly,
or is "stagnant", the Qi and blood will
not flow through the body properly and pain will
result. The liver meridian also runs to the pelvic
region. The other organs which can be involved
in painful menstruation are the spleen and kidneys.
Etiology according to TCM:
• Excess exposure to cold and dampness especially
during puberty
• heat or damp-heat invades the body during
period or after childbirth
• prolonged severe illness
• excessive sexual activity
• too many childbirths or insufficient rest
after giving birth
• constitutional spleen, stomach, liver,
and/or kidney deficiency
Patterns in TCM:
Qi Stagnation & Blood
Stasis
Symptoms include distending pain in lower abdomen
before period or during first or second day of
period; dislike pressure on abdomen; menstrual
flow comes and stops with clots; menstrual flow
is dark-red; pain is totally relieved after period
Cold in the Uterus due to Yang Deficiency
Symptoms include cold pain appearing during or
after period; pain is relieved with warmth; menstrual
flow is dull light color; periods are quite scanty
Cold-Dampness in Uterus
Symptoms include cold pain before or during period;
pain is relieved with warmth but not with pressure;
small amount of menstrual blood; dark-red color
of blood; pain in lower back
Damp-Heat in Lower Abdomen
Symptoms include distending or burning pain in
lower abdomen before or during period; burning
sensation extends to sacrum; may always have lower
abdominal pain but worse during period; bright-red
colored blood; blood is thick with clots; profuse
yellow smelly vaginal discharge This pattern is
usually in patients with chronic pelvic inflammation
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Symptoms include dull pain in lower abdomen during
or after period; like pressure on abdomen; scanty,
light, and thin menstrual flow
Liver and Kidney-Yin Deficiency
Symptoms include dull pain in lower abdomen during
or after period; scanty and thin menstrual flow
The TCM Doctor does a thorough consultation with
the patient and then concludes as to the specific
TCM pattern. Very often, the patient will not
only exhibit one pattern but rather many patterns
complicated into each other. Treatments will consist
of acupuncture and/or herbal medicine. Nutrition
and lifestyle changes will be addressed as well.
With treatments for painful menstruation, the
patient should expect significant improvements
within three months of treatment. |
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Enhancing
Fertility |
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What is Fertility?
Benefits of TCM and Acupuncture for Fertility:
Research for Fertility
What causes infertility according to TCM?
Some Dietary Recommendations:
Try to reduce Stress! |
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What is Fertility?
A woman is considered to suffer from infertility
if she has been trying to conceive a child for
two consecutive years and her partner is medically
normal. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has
been successful at enhancing fertility and allowing
for healthy pregnancies and births for thousands
of years. Surprisingly, many people are unaware
of this fact and do not know that there is this
option for them to enhance fertility.
Benefits of TCM and Acupuncture
for Fertility:
Increases blood flow to the uterus
Can regulate hormones and entire endocrine system
Promotes ovulation
Helps thicken the lining of the uterus if it
is too thin
Relaxes the uterus
Improves function of the ovaries
Reduces stress
Strengthens the immune system
Supports a healthy pregnancy and prevents miscarriages
Treats the side effects of western pharmaceutical
medications
For men, it improves the quality and quantity
of sperm
Research for Fertility
More and more research studies are concluding
the positive effects of acupuncture and Chinese
herbal medicine for fertility. A December 2002
study at Weill Medical College of Cornell University
on the role of acupuncture in the treatment
of female infertility stated, "There is
sufficient evidence of acupuncture's value to
expand its use into conventional medicine and
treatment of female infertility. According to
Psychology Today, "as many as three quarters
of people undergoing western treatments for
infertility use some form of alternative therapy
as well." In 1996, the World Health Organization
(WHO) of the United Nations endorsed acupuncture
treatment for a wide range of conditions, including
reproductive problems like infertility, impotence,
PMS, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and many
more.
What causes infertility according
to TCM?
Kidney Deficiency
This kind of infertility involves irregular
menstruation with scanty light flow. It is accompanied
with general fatigue, dizziness, tinnitus, and
lower back & knees soreness.
Blood Deficiency
This kind of infertility involves scanty flow
of light red blood and delayed cycles. It is
accompanied by loss of weight, dull complexion,
dizziness, and general fatigue.
Cold in the Uterus
Sometimes the menstruation is delayed with dark
red flow with clots. The flow is often dilute.
It is accompanied by cold extremities, cold
pain in lower abdomen alleviated by warmth,
and frequent profuse urination.
Phlegm-Dampness
This is often in overweight people with prolonged
menstruation or even no periods and profuse
discharge of sticky leucorrhea.
At the Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Clinic
of Vancouver, we often combine acupuncture,
Chinese herbal medicine, and nutritional/lifestyle
recommendations for fertility patients. This
offers the best results as opposed to only using
herbs or only using acupuncture. We prefer to
see both partners on the initial visit as pregnancy
does take two. If a couple is planning to undergo
IVF (In vitro fertilization), we recommend that
they start their TCM treatments at least three
months before IVF to prepare their bodies for
pregnancy. After a positive pregnancy test,
we will continue doing treatments during the
woman's first trimester to help prevent miscarriage
as women who have more difficulty getting pregnant
also are at a higher risk for miscarriages.
Herbal medicine and dietary/supplement recommendations
are given to most couples as well.
Some Dietary Recommendations
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Do not smoke !
Eliminate alcohol
Caffeine: Drinking green tea is ok but try to
avoid coffee as much as possible as it constricts
vessels. Green tea actually opens vessels and
has an antioxidant benefit that coffee does
not.
Incorporate walnuts, black sesame seeds, barley,
tofu, black soybeans, seaweeds, various beans,
kelp, parsley, spirulina, chlorella, blue-green
algae, string beans, millet, raspberries, chestnuts,
adzuki beans, corn, asparagus, red beans, chickpeas,
peas, eggplant, fresh pineapple, figs, grapes,
cherries, coconut, shitake mushrooms, and wheatgrass
in your diet
Fresh fruits and vegetables contain bioflavonoids
which help in the formation of healthy blood
vessels in order to help the uterus prepare
for implantation and prevent miscarriage
Avoid trans-fatty acids which are toxic and
can impair both the immune systems and reproductive
systems. Sources of trans-fatty acids are shortening,
margarine, lard and animal fat, and hydrogenated
vegetable oils which are found in many processed
foods. Make sure to never heat flaxseed oil.
Eat organic foods and hormone-free meats as
much as you can - important because many chemicals,
pesticides, and hormones used to treat produce
and animal products contain synthetic estrogen-like
substances which occupy estrogen receptor sites
and have negative effects on our organ and endocrine
systems
Foods high in folic acids are dark-green leafy
vegetables and natural orange foods like oranges,
cantaloupe, yams, and sweet potatoes
Avoid junk food, excessive stress, too little
sleep, and too much or too little exercise.
These things basically cause your body to dedicate
its resources to keeping you healthy instead
of making a healthy baby. In general, give your
body every chance to be at its strongest and
healthiest.
Try to reduce Stress!
When the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated
constantly, the reproductive system is starved
of its fuel. Its blood supply is diverted away
and the hormones become unstable. In recent
years, researchers have found a link between
stress and infertility. Women who are constantly
under stress produce prolactin, cortisol and
other hormones which can interfere with or even
block regular ovulation.
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Premenstrual
Syndrome (PMS) |
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What is PMS?
TCM Treatment: Treat the Root
What can you expect?
How does Acupuncture help?
Dietary Recommendations for PMS |
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What
is PMS?
As many as eighty percent of women experience some
form of PMS at some time or another! 30-40% of these
women have PMS severe enough to interfere with their
day to day lives.
There are so many symptoms of PMS. Some women may
experience all of them or just a few. The following
are the most common examples:
- abdominal bloating
- cramps
- breast tenderness & swelling
- mood changes (irritability, frustration, depression)
- acne
- back pain
- fatigue
- food cravings
- headaches
- insomnia
- joint pain
- water retention
- anxiety
- dizziness
TCM Treatment: Treat the Root
PMS has many causes and is different for different
women. Most women respond very well to acupuncture
and Chinese herbal treatment in combination with
dietary changes, exercise, and working on their
emotional well being. In my practice, I seek to
find the root cause of the particular patients’
PMS and form my treatment protocols based on that.
For example, for some women, the cause may be dietary.
For others it may be due to unbalanced hormonal
fluctuations; and for others it may be a period
of stress build up causing a shift in their emotional
health.
According to TCM, there are different patterns contributing
to PMS:
Liver Qi Stagnation
Symptoms include irritability, insomnia, abdominal
bloating before periods, breast tenderness, very
moody, depression, bitter taste in the mouth, poor
appetite
Heart Blood Deficiency
Symptoms include sadness, absent minded, crying
for no reason, illogical speaking, dull expression,
pale complexion
Phlegm-Fire harassing upwards
Symptoms include agitation, aggressiveness, slightly
manic behavior, profuse thick vaginal discharge,
insomnia, dry bowel movements, feeling of heat,
fullness sensation in the chest, and poor appetite
Some patients may experience a combination of the
above patterns. In the clinic, it is not usually
so clear cut as one single pattern. The various
patterns have different herbal formulas and acupuncture
points prescribed.
What can you expect?
Typically, I advise the patient suffering from
PMS to come into the clinic twice per week for
acupuncture and I will combine a Chinese herbal
for them to take as well. To effectively treat
the root cause of the PMS, it takes approximately
three menstrual cycles at least. Some women will
see a reduction in their symptoms right away while
others it may take a longer period of time. Stress
levels, lifestyle, and general health are important
factors involved in response time.
How does Acupuncture help?
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, PMS
is very often due to blocked Qi (energy) and blood
in the body. This blockage can manifest as emotional
blockage (frustration, irritability, anxiety,
tension, impatience) and/or physical blockage
(pain, breast tenderness, water retention etc.).
Acupuncture stimulates the circulation of blood
and Qi throughout the body by inserting tiny thin
needles into specified acupuncture points.
Dietary Recommendations for PMS
- Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables,
whole-grain cereals and breads, beans, peas,
lentils, nuts and seeds, broiled chicken, turkey,
and fish.
- Have high-protein snacks between meals to
balance blood sugar levels
- Include foods that are high in complex carbohydrates
and rich in fiber. These help rid the body of
excess estrogen (if high estrogen levels are
your problem)
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid red meat, salt, processed foods, and
junk food. Eliminating salt is especially important
to prevent bloating and water retention around
the menstrual period.
- Limit consumption of dairy products and refined
sugars
- Avoid caffeine – caffeine can cause
breast tenderness and anxiety as it is a central
nervous system stimulant. It also depletes many
nutrients out of the system as it acts as a
diuretic.
- Do not consume alcohol especially during the
week before the period – it causes valuable
nutrients like magnesium to be excreted out
of the body through the urine
- Regular exercise is very important as it increases
oxygen levels in the blood which helps in nutrient
absorption and efficient elimination of toxins
from the body. It also helps keep hormone levels
more stable.
The most important foods to stay away from to relieve
and/or prevent PMS are saturated fats and caffeine
as they can induce an inflammatory response and
contribute to the symptoms.
Caffeine: Studies have shown that women who consume
caffeine are four times more likely to experience
PMS symptoms than those who do not. |
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Menopause |
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What is Menopause?
What are the common symptoms?
What is HRT?
Possible Risks of HRT
How can TCM treat Menopause?
How does Acupuncture help?
Diet Therapy
Some Research for Menopause |
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What
is Menopause?
Menopause is defined as the permanent stoppage
of menstruation, marking the end of a woman's
ability to conceive. It is a normal process of
ageing which occurs when the ovaries stop making
hormones called estrogens. This usually happens
between the ages of 45 to 60, but it can happen
earlier. Menopause can also occur when the ovaries
are surgically removed or stop functioning for
any other reason. Once a woman has not menstruated
for a full year, menopause is considered complete
(she is post-menopausal). A diagnostic test can
confirm menopause. The FSH test measures the body's
level of follicle stimulating hormone. As estrogen
levels decline, the pituitary gland secretes FSH;
therefore, a high level may indicate menopause.
Blood and urine tests can also determine if a
woman is still ovulating.
What are the common symptoms?
As most women approach menopause, their menstrual
periods become irregular - they happen closer
together and/or farther apart. Other common symptoms
include:
Achy joints, Tension & anxiety, Lack of concentration,
Hot flashes, Depression, Difficulties with memory,
Night sweats, Extreme sweating, Frequent urination,
Vaginal dryness, Headaches, Bone loss, Loss of
sexual desire, Dizziness Insomnia, Rapid mood
changes
Keep in mind that a woman may have one, some,
or none of these symptoms.
What is HRT?
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a combination
of estrogen and progestin prescribed to women
who have not had a hysterectomy. Progestin is
added because, given alone, estrogen can increase
the risk of endometrial cancer. Estrogen Replacement
Therapy is given to a woman who has had a hysterectomy,
since there is no risk of endometrial cancer to
worry about. While there are numerous forms, Premarin
(conjugated estrogen) and Provera (medroxyprogesterone)
remain the most popular. Infact, Premarin is the
most frequently prescribed medication in the United
States.
Possible Risks of HRT
Unfortunately, despite the possible benefits,
HRT has many potential conflicts & controversies.
Increased risk of breast cancer, uterine cancer,
ovarian cancer, endometrial carcinoma, malignant
neoplasm, gallbladder disease, thromboembolitic
disease, & photosensitivity are some possible
adverse effects. Progesterone minimizes the risk
of endometrial cancer but can cause side effects
such as an increase in cholesterol, water retention,
weight gain, and bleeding.
Unfortunately there is no consensus on how menopause
should be treated with western medicine. Despite
all the clinical & laboratory research, medical
doctors can't agree on when and under what circumstances
to start the treatment of menopause. Some propose
to begin treatment during the perimenopausal years,
while others prefer to initiate treatment only
after menopausal symptoms have begun. Some doctors
discourage the use of HRT completely since the
risks outweigh the benefits.
How can TCM treat Menopause?
TCM involves a number of practices including acupuncture
& acupressure, Chinese herbal medicine, and
nutritional advice. It especially emphasizes lifestyle
changes. TCM has been used as the sole source
of medicine in China for over 3,000 years and
is still being used today throughout the world.
Gynecology is an area in which TCM shines. It
can be used instead of or in conjunction with
western medicine for the successful treatment
of menopausal symptoms. Evidence that acupuncture
and herbal medicine have been used for women's
health can be found in early medical literature
dating back to 3 A.D. TCM doesn't recognize menopause
as one particular syndrome. Instead, it aims in
treating the particular symptoms that are unique
to each individual. For example, if ten women
are treated with TCM for hot flashes and night
sweats, each of these ten women will likely receive
a unique, customized treatment with different
acupuncture points, different herbs, and different
lifestyle & diet recommendations. This gives
a very effective result.
According to TCM, menopause is mainly due to a
deficiency of the kidneys. The kidneys are responsible
for growth, maturation, and aging. They are the
foundation and need to be nurtured throughout
our whole life. Excessive stress, overwork, poor
diet, too many children or births too close together
are some things that can deplete the kidneys and
make menopause more difficult. A deficiency of
kidney-yin is directly related to symptoms and
complications of menopause. Other common conditions
that are complicated with kidney yin deficiency
are kidney yang deficiency, kidney essence deficiency,
liver Qi stagnation, blood deficiency, and uprising
heat from deficiency.
Chinese herbs have been used for centuries for
menopausal symptoms and to protect the bones.
The formulas have many subtle but yet powerfully
strengthening effects upon the whole endocrine
system. The herbs act by stimulating the production
of hormones, altering the condition of hormone
receptors or changing the rate of catabolism of
hormones rather than providing the hormones or
hormone analogs that function the same as hormones.
The herbs have little or no hormonal effects but
the effect of the whole formula will substantially
increase hormone levels. They work by improving
the function of aging organs and glands.
How does Acupuncture help?
Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points
on the body that have the ability to alter various
biochemical and physiological conditions in order
to balance the body and eliminate menopausal symptoms.
Acupuncture is usually recommended once per week
in combination with herbal medicine and dietary
and lifestyle recommendations.
Diet Therapy
Diet is extremely important in having a healthy
menopause. It is important to avoid cigarettes,
avoid losing too much body fat, and reduce alcohol
intake, caffeine, red meat, soft drinks and refined
sugars. Eat a diet rich in leafy green vegetables,
low fat yogurt, whole grains, vegetables, fruit,
and legumes. The list of foods and herbs that
contain hormone precursors is quite long. These
will reduce the impact on the body of lowered
estrogen and progesterone production by the ovaries.
When we process our food and eat animal protein
and fat, it reduces our body's supply of sex hormones.
Some supplements that may be incorporated into
your daily regimen are calcium & magnesium,
evening primrose oil, flax seed oil or fish oils,
and a good multi-vitamin.
Some Research for Menopause
The Chinese Journal of Traditional and Western
Medicine, 1991, reported a study of 2 months administration
of Rehmannia 6 Formula (a very common Chinese
herbal formula for menopausal patients) to relieve
menopause in early post-menopausal patients. The
study showed an increase of 20% in estrogen, a
50% decrease in FSH, and a decrease in LH to pre-menopausal
levels; the number of estrogen receptors in leukocytes
more than doubled.
For the treatment of menopause, western medicine
offers few options and comes with risks and cautions.
TCM is an effective method of treatment for menopause
and has a long history of successful treatment
for gynecological disorders. Many of the newest
western medical treatments for a given ailment
have yet to be tried for over one generation allowing
measurement of any long-term side effects. TCM
extends back over 200 generations of doctors and
patients and has over 30,000 volumes of medical
literature. |
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