Awareness of the associated comorbidity between skin disease and reproductive health is such that researchers are declaring, “An assessment of sexual function should be part of the routine holistic care provided for dermatology outpatients”. The reasons for such advice are becoming obvious; herpes simplex is associated with infertility; vitiligo is associated with pre-mature ovarian failure; systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with low ovarian reserve; psoriasis is associated with erectile dysfunction, as well as, increased pregnancy risks (upwards of 20% miscarriage rates). Fortunately, for practitioners of Chinese medicine, such advice already exists within the holistic framework of ‘Yi bing tong zhi, tong bing yi zhi' (different diseases, same treatment; same disease, different treatments). By understanding the underlining pathocmechanism/ pattern syndrome of a patient’s skin disease, insights into concurrent reproductive issues may also be realized, and potentially alleviated. In this lecture, Trevor Erikson, Dr TCM, will look at acne vulgaris, one of the most commonly seen skin disorders in clinic, and how it relates to such issues as anovulation (PCOS), recurrent miscarriage, and even infertility due to high FSH. Trevor will use case studies from his own clinical experience to help illuminate his points. This will be a Chinese herbal medicine focused lecture.
Trevor Erikson, Dr. TCM, started his studies in herbal medicine in 1989, first with western herbalism under the tutelage of Dr. Terri Willard at Wild Rose herbal college in Vancouver, BC, and then later in Chinese medicine, finishing a 5-year Doctor of Chinese medicine diploma through Oshio College of Acupuncture and Chinese medicine in Victoria, BC (2005).
Trevor has dedicated the majority of his clinical experience to the treatment of skin disease, interning in the busy dermatology ward of Hunan’s #1 Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in Chengsha, China (2005), as well as completing Mazin Al-Khafaji’s prestigious Chinese medicine dermatology diploma program in London, England (2007 and again in 2011).
Trevor also took an interest in reproductive health, becoming a fellow of the American Board of Oriental Medicine (ABORM) in 2009, as well as working out of Lorne Brown’s reputed fertility clinic, Acubalance Wellness Centre in Vancouver, BC (2007 to 2011). Trevor currently runs a skin clinic in White Rock, BC, that he started in 2011, where he treats many patients presenting with a wide range of skin disorders, both acute and chronic. He also runs a full pharmacy, stocked complete with at least 300 high quality raw herbal medicines and several stainless pressure cookers used to cook up individual patient prescriptions. He also hand makes a wide variety of different skin creams and ointments, all of which are based on traditional recipes. Trevor has authored several articles in different medical journals on the topic of Chinese medicine dermatology, including the possible connection between skin disease and fertility, and has also lectured via webinar to international audiences on the same topics.
When not in clinic, Trevor may be found in his extensive gardens, cooking in the kitchen, spending time with his wife and 3 children, playing guitar, or exploring the coastlines and forests of his homeland in beautiful British Columbia. For more information on Trevor and his work with Chinese medicine dermatology, please visit his website at drerikson.com.