I should have picked a more professional and appropriate title as the point of this post was to help others who are considering acupuncture treatment for infertility with a bit of insight, commentary and resources. Which I will inevitably get to shortly but I promised a number, and now I must perform.This one's dedicated to all my sistah's like me that who enjoy a good pokin'.
Acupuncture Virgin: Poked For the Very First Time
I'm going through Infertility's wilderness
Somehow I'll make it through
Didn't know how lost I was
Until I found you
IF's got me beat... family's incomplete
Makes me mad, Makes me sad and blue
But you made me feel
Yeah, you made me feel
Shiny and new
Chorus: Acupuncture Virgin
Poked for the very first time
Acupuncture Virgin
When will that heart beat
Next to mine
Okay, enough funny business, on to the topic at hand. While researching acupuncture I have run across a number of studies and articles that all have various degrees of either backing up acupuncture to reporting no scientific difference. However, they all seem to agree that it is perfectly safe when practiced with a licenced professional. So, even though I recommend acupuncture I take everything with a grain of salt, and don't necessarily believe my doctor's claims of 80% success rate. I don't feel that it can "cure" infertility. I feel that it falls under the category of "It doesn't hurt, and it may help." My joke is that when we take a quick look at the population of the world, the easterners beat the westerners by a pretty healthy margin...so why stick to just a western doctor?
What is acupuncture?
Originating from China over 3,000 years ago, typically acupuncture is the practice of inserting thin needles into specific body points to improve health and well-being. Other forms of therapy may also be utilized such as prescribed herbs, moxibustion treatment, cupping therapy, heat therapy or pressure point massage. There are various eastern countries with acupuncture techniques, not simply limited to the Chinese, but for the purposes of this post I'll simply describe my experience with Chinese Acupuncture.
What does it help with?
Our western doctors and researchers haven't yet exactly pinpointed definitively if, how or why acupuncture works. However, considering there is so much we don't know about infertility, it's almost not surprising. I have seen commentary that it can help with the circulation of blood in the woman's reproductive system, help the development of follicle production, and improving the quality of the lining of the uterus to help promote and sustain pregnancy.
What does a typical appointment consist of?
When they call me back and take me to a room, I'm instructed to undress and put on a hospital gown opening in the back. For the first consult the doctor asked me a series of questions. He spent a few minutes interviewing me and was interested in whether or not I had painful menstruation cycles, how long we had been trying, what do I do in my line of work, stress? Then he had my lay on my back. He placed a towel over my lower half and lifted my gown to expose only my mid section. He placed the needles in a pattern that to me made me think they were over each ovary, at the top, mid and bottom points of my uterus. Then he placed the needles on the inside of my knee and around my ankles. I usually do not feel the needles go in, but I do feel the tapping vibration he makes as he inserts the needles. After they are placed where they should be he starts to twist the needles lowering them just a little bit. He tells me to tell him when I feel an "achy" sensation. Then he moves on to each needle twisting them in slightly until I feel them. It doesn't hurt, although it can feel odd. Then he places electrodes to two of the needles and turns on the machine until I feel small pulses.
He leaves me with a heat lamp so I don't feel cold, turns off the lights and tells me to rest for 15 min. After my nap, a massage therapist comes in to remove the needles, turn me over on my stomach, exposes my back and begins a 15 minute massage on my back and shoulders. When she's done the doctor comes back to place the needles on my back. He normally will find 10 points on my back and shoulders. Then it's the electrodes, heat lamp, lights off, nap time. When I'm in this position, my face is resting on one of those horseshoe shaped face cushions and the red from the heat lamp illuminates the the white sheet underneath it...but strangely enough, when I open my eyes it looks like a little pink uterus. So, I try to visualize a healthy environment and an embryo to making themselves at home to stay for a while. All of two inches from my face. Then the assistant comes in to wake me from my good dream. Session over.
How I found my acupuncturist.
I started with my insurance provider. My company covers limited acupuncture, so I checked with the insurance companies list of approved doctors. In the United States, regulation of acupuncture varies but you can check to see if the doctor is board certified with NCCAOM. I called many offices and asked for a website. I found the website of the acupuncture center and was pleased with what I found. Without out insurance the cost for me will be about $70-80 per session.
One other tid bit that made me feel comfortable with that doctor was the way he described our Qi (pronounced chee) on his website. I didn't need to know this, but it just made me go, Right On!
What is “chi” or “qi”?
Chi or qi, pronounced as chee, is a form of energy, the energy flow, or a kind of life force. A better term is “the breath of life”. It is an important concept in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. The qi flows freely in the body to make us live and keep us healthy. Without the qi we will be dead, or lacking of the qi we will be ill.
Where does the qi come from and where does it start?
In Genesis 2:7 “the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being”.
Additional words of advice.
I said this in my last post but I'll say it again. Be sure to empty your bladder before your session and try not to go on an empty stomach. I think it was a contributing factor to my lovely bruise. [Thank you for all your kind words on that by the way. Thankfully, it looks much worse than it actually feels.] Also, another thing to do as my doctor suggested is to not drink cold drinks. When I asked what he meant by that he said that especially during menstruation it's important to drink tea or even room temperature liquids. He said that in Chinese culture woman take special care not to have something too cold as it can shock the system. The idea is to keep the blood flow free to properly clear out everything and help with uterine lining. I haven't a clue as to if there is any truth to this, but you'll see me refraining from using the ice machine at work. :o) He also said to go to bed at a decent hour, no later than 11pm. He said that staying up late or for people working late shifts simply changing this one thing can help with infertility. Which I did find a study of nurses (male/female) who worked the third shift vs. those who worked during the day and the findings suggested those working late may have an effect on their fertility.
And with that last thought I must now run to bed, as I must listen to my acu!
For my readers that have experience with acupuncture and would like to share your insight, please do. Permission to hijack the comment section granted!
What is acupuncture?
Originating from China over 3,000 years ago, typically acupuncture is the practice of inserting thin needles into specific body points to improve health and well-being. Other forms of therapy may also be utilized such as prescribed herbs, moxibustion treatment, cupping therapy, heat therapy or pressure point massage. There are various eastern countries with acupuncture techniques, not simply limited to the Chinese, but for the purposes of this post I'll simply describe my experience with Chinese Acupuncture.
What does it help with?
Our western doctors and researchers haven't yet exactly pinpointed definitively if, how or why acupuncture works. However, considering there is so much we don't know about infertility, it's almost not surprising. I have seen commentary that it can help with the circulation of blood in the woman's reproductive system, help the development of follicle production, and improving the quality of the lining of the uterus to help promote and sustain pregnancy.
What does a typical appointment consist of?
When they call me back and take me to a room, I'm instructed to undress and put on a hospital gown opening in the back. For the first consult the doctor asked me a series of questions. He spent a few minutes interviewing me and was interested in whether or not I had painful menstruation cycles, how long we had been trying, what do I do in my line of work, stress? Then he had my lay on my back. He placed a towel over my lower half and lifted my gown to expose only my mid section. He placed the needles in a pattern that to me made me think they were over each ovary, at the top, mid and bottom points of my uterus. Then he placed the needles on the inside of my knee and around my ankles. I usually do not feel the needles go in, but I do feel the tapping vibration he makes as he inserts the needles. After they are placed where they should be he starts to twist the needles lowering them just a little bit. He tells me to tell him when I feel an "achy" sensation. Then he moves on to each needle twisting them in slightly until I feel them. It doesn't hurt, although it can feel odd. Then he places electrodes to two of the needles and turns on the machine until I feel small pulses.
He leaves me with a heat lamp so I don't feel cold, turns off the lights and tells me to rest for 15 min. After my nap, a massage therapist comes in to remove the needles, turn me over on my stomach, exposes my back and begins a 15 minute massage on my back and shoulders. When she's done the doctor comes back to place the needles on my back. He normally will find 10 points on my back and shoulders. Then it's the electrodes, heat lamp, lights off, nap time. When I'm in this position, my face is resting on one of those horseshoe shaped face cushions and the red from the heat lamp illuminates the the white sheet underneath it...but strangely enough, when I open my eyes it looks like a little pink uterus. So, I try to visualize a healthy environment and an embryo to making themselves at home to stay for a while. All of two inches from my face. Then the assistant comes in to wake me from my good dream. Session over.
How I found my acupuncturist.
I started with my insurance provider. My company covers limited acupuncture, so I checked with the insurance companies list of approved doctors. In the United States, regulation of acupuncture varies but you can check to see if the doctor is board certified with NCCAOM. I called many offices and asked for a website. I found the website of the acupuncture center and was pleased with what I found. Without out insurance the cost for me will be about $70-80 per session.
One other tid bit that made me feel comfortable with that doctor was the way he described our Qi (pronounced chee) on his website. I didn't need to know this, but it just made me go, Right On!
What is “chi” or “qi”?
Chi or qi, pronounced as chee, is a form of energy, the energy flow, or a kind of life force. A better term is “the breath of life”. It is an important concept in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. The qi flows freely in the body to make us live and keep us healthy. Without the qi we will be dead, or lacking of the qi we will be ill.
Where does the qi come from and where does it start?
In Genesis 2:7 “the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being”.
Additional words of advice.
I said this in my last post but I'll say it again. Be sure to empty your bladder before your session and try not to go on an empty stomach. I think it was a contributing factor to my lovely bruise. [Thank you for all your kind words on that by the way. Thankfully, it looks much worse than it actually feels.] Also, another thing to do as my doctor suggested is to not drink cold drinks. When I asked what he meant by that he said that especially during menstruation it's important to drink tea or even room temperature liquids. He said that in Chinese culture woman take special care not to have something too cold as it can shock the system. The idea is to keep the blood flow free to properly clear out everything and help with uterine lining. I haven't a clue as to if there is any truth to this, but you'll see me refraining from using the ice machine at work. :o) He also said to go to bed at a decent hour, no later than 11pm. He said that staying up late or for people working late shifts simply changing this one thing can help with infertility. Which I did find a study of nurses (male/female) who worked the third shift vs. those who worked during the day and the findings suggested those working late may have an effect on their fertility.
And with that last thought I must now run to bed, as I must listen to my acu!
For my readers that have experience with acupuncture and would like to share your insight, please do. Permission to hijack the comment section granted!
hmm interesting study about shift workers...maybe that's my problem too! I have always been curious to acupuncture, I imagine it looks more barbaric and frightening than it actually is.
ReplyDeleteHope the acupuncture helps. BTW, love he song spoofs!
ReplyDeleteLiv, you crack me up! I'll be singing old Madonna tunes all day now. :) Thanks so much for sharing about your acupuncture experience - I had a consult with a practitioner I found through NCCAOM earlier this week, and have my first actual appointment in a few weeks. I'm a little nervous, and your description put me at ease. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing this post Liv. I know I was really curious about acupunture before I started doing it and didn't know what to expect.
ReplyDeleteI've been doing acupuncture for a few months now. My sessions aren't as involved. I get to keep my clothes on and just roll up my pant legs and lift my shirt in the back. I get needles mostly in my lower back to stimulate the blood flow, but also at my knee, ankles, feet, and ears. No electro stuff, no massage (that massage sounds nice). It really helps me with stress in a way I can definitely feel and I didn't start ovulating till I got into acupuncture although that could have more to do with finally getting my treatment correct, but I took a break cycle and ovulated on my own on time and that had never happened before in my life, so maybe the acupuncture can get some of the credit there. And there have been times when I have immediately felt my ovaries respond to the needles.
Also as a bonus, I've noticed that once I started with acu I lost weight w/o really making any adjustments. Again, don't know why, or if it had anything to do with acu, but I'll take it.
I don't know why it works or even if it really does work. I agree with Liv, it can't hurt and probably helps and I try not to over think it. But I like it.
My acupuncturist is a chiropractor and I don't have any ins coverage for my sessions, but they aren't too bad, $50. I try to make it in every week and twice a week sometimes.
Oooh this was interesting! Thanks for the information :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the details (and how to find one, especially if insurance will pay!). I've seen so many people mention acupuncture treatments while undergoing IF.
ReplyDeleteAnd your song choices and lyrics are wonderful!! Have a great weekend.
great post Liv! and for anyone wanting to try acupuncture, i highly recommend it as well. my lady says the same thing about cold things. she told me to avoid cold foods altogether, as i have a low functioning adrenal system, which she is treating me for with the acupuncture.
ReplyDeletei do not get a massage, that sounds like a great bonus!
haha Liv you are so hilarious! thank you for cracking me up today- I really needed to laugh :)
ReplyDeleteYou crack me up! So glad you had a good experience. I have the same philosophy with non-trad type treatments. I once saw a chiropractor who also 'promised' to get me knocked up in three months (um, didn't happen). But I'm looking into accupuncture as well, there is varied evidence as to whether it helps with fsh levels and increase antral follie counts.
ReplyDeleteGreat post - I've been considering acupuncture (we'll I've been considering a lot of things) and this was really helpful!
ReplyDeleteJust happened upon your page from anothers!! Hope you don't mind me commenting! Would love to read more about the acupuncture as I am starting injectibles and first IUI next month!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this info! I'm thinking of giving acu a try now.
ReplyDeleteGreat post -- I'm a big fan of the acu, but the most coherent thing I've ever been able to say about it is "I like it and it makes me sleepy."
ReplyDelete