Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a system of healing which has been practiced in China and other Eastern countries for over 2000 years. The tradition is as much about the maintenance of health as the management of disease.
Acupuncture works on our internal energy, also known as Qi, to re-establish a balance between our physical, mental and emotional being. Restoring this natural balance empowers our body to heal and protect itself against illness and disease.
An acupuncture treatment is completely tailored to suit each individual’s needs, as we are unique beings so each treatment is very different. The first session involves me taking a detailed case history to get a full picture, which is then followed by a treatment. The needles used are very fine, hair like and sterile. When they are inserted into the skin there is no pain, just a dull sensation then a period of relaxation.
A treatment may involve just acupuncture, or a combination of tuina massage, cupping and moxibustion. Clothing may have to be removed just to gain access to the area of the body being treated.
Fertility Acupuncture
Extensive research shows that clinical pregnancy rates are higher in acupuncture groups. The overall analysis also demonstrates that fertility acupuncture boosts IVF live births considerably. Fertility acupuncture works with nature and a woman’s cycle is no different to nature!
Depending on where in the cycle a woman is, each treatment is tailored to enhance hormone proficiency, and egg quality, optimise the uterine environment, and reduce stress and anxiety by removing obstructions, meanwhile giving energy to where it is needed for healthy gynaecological development and smooth menstrual transitions. Whether you are trying to get pregnant naturally, or if you are using assisted conception (IVF, ICSI, IUI), fertility acupuncture can help you achieve your dream of becoming a parent.
Acupuncture treatment may be beneficial for:
Women
- unexplained infertility
- IVF, ICSI, IUI, GIFT
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- endometriosis
- ovulation issues
- menstrual cycle irregularities
- lack of periods
- miscarriage prevention
- acupuncture can also support you through your pregnancy
Men
- improves the quality of sperm. Improves sperm count, motility and morphology
Stress Reduction
Most people find that acupuncture is relaxing and helps you deal with stress, which in turn helps with your fertility. Acupuncture has a special interest in treating stress!
Lifestyle
Acupuncture is central to our treatment. We combine this with lifestyle and dietary advice. For many people, looking at their lifestyle and diet can make a big difference to their fertility. Moxibustion and cupping may also be used alongside acupuncture treatment.
Timing
Plan ahead! The ideal time to begin acupuncture is six months before conception or an IVF cycle. This will ensure that your eggs and sperm are of the best quality they can be. Egg follicles take 150 days to mature. Do not worry though if you have missed the 150-day mark. There is good evidence to show that acupuncture later in the process will still improve your chances.
Support through pregnancy
We can offer support through your pregnancy. Treatment in pregnancy may be especially helpful if you have concerns about miscarriage, morning sickness, or other problems during pregnancy. Some women also have treatment to stay in their best state of health during pregnancy.
Cupping
Cupping uses glass cups that are put on various areas of the body, mainly the back. The cups are used to increase circulation, clear toxins, activate acupuncture points and help undo knots in tight and stressed shoulders.
The cups can be used in combination with acupuncture and tui na massage, their ability to promote circulation and ease tension in the shoulders means they can help treat many ailments from aches and pains to tension and headaches.
I find that I use these more than ever in clinic. They are a very effective way of treating knots with deep stimulation without having to give the body an aggressive pummelling. They do leave marks, as have often been seen on various celebrities.
These marks are where the cups are clearing deep muscular tension.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a herb that is commonly used in acupuncture and tui na to heat specific areas of the body.
It can be used on its own to activate an acupuncture point or channel, or directly on the needle to enhance a treatment.
Using moxa is an excellent way of heating the body and warming us in the cold damp British weather.
Having needles heated with moxa has often been described as a “warm hug!”
