Presenter: Lisa Tongel, MAcOM, LAc
Original Date: June 7, 2026
In Chinese Medicine, it is often taught that treatment of many gynecological conditions necessarily involves tonifying the Kidneys, commonly with Yin tonics. This over-focus on tonification overlooks the critical role of digestion in GYN disorders and ignores the prevalence of pathogenic influences, or Gu, in modern GYN patients - leading to decreased treatment efficacy. Understanding the effects of Gu pathogens on GYN disorders is often the key to improving clinical outcomes in difficult and recalcitrant GYN cases. In this presentation, we will discuss Gu syndrome as a driver of many GYN conditions including infertility, dysmenorrhea/pelvic pain, perimenopausal symptoms, and pelvic masses. In reviewing patient cases where treatment of Gu syndrome was essential to clinical success, we will learn straightforward Gu treatments to significantly improve GYN patient outcomes.
Bio:
Lisa Tongel, MAcOM, LAc, has specialized in reproductive health, fertility, and pregnancy care since 1999. Lisa has spent her career providing integrative medicine to fertility and gynecology patients, working in a variety of settings directly with MDs and other conventional providers. In 2020, Lisa secured a grant to develop and implement an integrative medicine program for peri-operative gynecology patients. This program became the standard of care for surgery patients at a Portland, Oregon-based gynecology clinic. She has also been a co-investigator in research studying the effects of acupuncture on IVF outcomes, and is on the Board of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine’s Complementary and Integrative Medicine Special Interest Group.
Lisa is passionate about using integrative medicine to support all families who want to grow. She has special interests in endometriosis, recurrent pregnancy loss, and transgender fertility.
Lisa brings to NUNM significant experience as a longtime small business owner, making her an excellent resource to teach the Business of Chinese Medicine and Ethics and Jurisprudence courses. Lisa feels an earnest desire to help other acupuncturists succeed not only clinically, but in business as well. The professional excellence she sees possible for the field of acupuncture makes her passionate about supporting students to start their careers with the best foundation for success. She is honored to part of the NUNM community and to support its mission to create the next leaders in health care.
NUNM is accredited by the North American Naturopathic Continuing Education Council (NANCEAC). This activity qualifies for 1.5 General CEUs.