Despite the advances in modern-day medical technology, old world methods sometimes come out on top. In some cases, ancient medicine and traditional techniques can be more effective than today’s high-tech practices. This is particularly true for infertility treatment, in which the age-old procedure of acupuncture trumps modern science.
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been used to support fertility for thousands of years. Recent clinical studies have shown that they can be helpful in aiding modern reproductive techniques such as In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). According to TCM, there are many factors that play a part in infertility. It could be a kidney or liver imbalance, qi stagnation, or blood deficiency. Acupuncture resets the imbalance of internal organs by inserting needles into specific points throughout the body, thus restoring energy and blood flow. When the body’s Yin & Yang is returned to proper balance, it is able to support the process of conception and pregnancy.
Acupuncture can help correct conditions attributed to infertility including hormonal imbalance, uterine fibroid, ovarian cyst, anovulation, luteal phase defect, tubal blockage, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Like IVF, acupuncture improves the function of the ovaries to produce better quality eggs, regulates hormones to produce a larger number of follicles, promotes uterine relaxation, reduces stress level, increases blood flow to the pelvic region to optimize receptivity of embryo implants, lessens side effects of drugs, and prevents miscarriages.
At Washington State Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Center, our practitioners specialize in acupuncture for infertility treatment. The following are testimonials from a few Raymond Chan’s patients:
“Dr. Chan, thank you very much for your services during my pregnancy. The tea/herbs that you prescribed definitely worked to get my contractions going. Unfortunately I was just too sick to have the baby naturally, I had to have a C-section. I have no doubt that if I did not have pre-eclampsia, the herbs would have helped my labor along well enough to have a vaginal birth. I tell everyone about Chinese medicine and acupuncture in hopes that more people will have an open mind and give it a try. Not only does this benefit health, but also it helps to break down cultural and racial prejudices.” – Jill B.
“Dr. Chan… I came in for treatment before my in vitro fertilization procedure. I wanted to let you know that I am now 13½ weeks pregnant with our baby due in August. So, thank you! This was our fourth tie trying IVG, the first time with acupuncture. We are so happy and excited. Thank you!” -Jennifer A.
“I had been trying to get pregnant for almost 10 years and had accepted the idea that it may never happen. I was referred to Washington State Acupuncture through a relative of one of my friends and I thought, ‘It won’t hurt to try.’
I came into the office for a consultation with Dr. Chan where we went over my past issues and talked about how long and what it could take to try and get pregnant. He told me we may see results in 4-6 months and actually started the acupuncture right after the consultation. I don’t like needles and I was somewhat skeptical that the acupuncture would make a difference but I am so happy that I went. I could barely feel the needles but it helped a lot for me to just not watch when the needles were being placed (they’re really skinny needles though and he just barely taps them in.) I followed all advice Dr. Chan gave me and took the herb pills he recommended from their Medicine Center.
A little after a month, I had a positive pregnancy test and I couldn’t believe it! We even went out to buy another brand because I thought it might be wrong, but I’m now the proud mother of a 5-month-old healthy baby girl. There aren’t enough words to explain how much I appreciate Dr. Chan and his office.” – Judy C.
