Fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus (womb) and up to 1 in 3 women will have them at some point. They are often asymptomatic but can be the cause of up to a third of hysterectomies. Their presence is related to the hormone oestrogen.

Both these conditions are considered to be stagnation of Blood in East Asian medicine traditions. For health and fertility, Blood must flow well and be replenished. If Blood becomes stuck, then the signals to the body to make more Blood are diminished and over time a person can become Blood deficient, especially if there is regular heavy periods, which are caused by the backlog of Blood that can then overflow or flood. This is a serious disharmony and it is important it is addressed through treatment and dietary changes. Acupuncture is known to affect the female reproductive hormonal cascade.

Note: A capital “B” is used here as the term Blood is taken to mean more than the physical blood of Western Medicine terminology, but also includes an energetic as well as physical component.

In East Asian Medicine, it is considered to be primarily stagnation of body fluids, which we call “Damp” or “Phlegm”. Often this is due to an underlying weakness in the body’s warming or Yang energy of both the digestion and also our Kidneys (which we consider to be the root of all fertility). A vicious cycle can develop where increasing levels of Damp further deplete a weakening system, which leads to more Damp. Breaking this cycle, encouraging the body to release excess stuck fluids and strengthening and warming the Yang are all important goals of treatment on the path to a fertile body.

At One Acupuncture®, treatment focuses on moving stagnation (including fluids and scar tissue) in the region of the fallopian tubes as well as releasing muscle tension and improving the smooth flow of Blood, fluids and Qi to the area.

All of these issues show that there is an imbalance in the body, often in the hormonal cascade (called the “Hypo-Pituitary-Ovarian or HPO axis) that regulates the menstrual cycle and also fertility.

Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine techniques are used to increase the smooth flow of Blood and Qi to the ovaries and throughout the body. It also can balance the HPO hormonal axis to better allow the body to regulate hormone production which can then improve ovarian function and potentially egg quality. Having enough Yang (or warming) energy is also really important. In Chinese Medicine, the Kidneys are considered to be our batteries and the root of fertility, health and longevity. Between them there lies a wonderful acupuncture point called “The Fire of the Gate of Life”, which says it all really.

Auto-Immune disorders occur either when the woman’s body attacks and destroys the sperm, when there is no natural suppression at the time of implantation or when the body over-reacts, producing small proteins called antibodies against self, so instead of attacking and disposing of foreign bodies (e.g. bacteria/viruses) the body effectively attacks self or in the case of fertility, the embryo. This can then trigger an immune response and the embryo is expelled or implantation is not secure and there can be early loss. For men, if their body overreacts to sperm these can be damaged or destroyed. This is an oversimplification of a beautiful and complex process in the body that needs to be finely tuned. Western Medicine may use steroids to suppress the immune system, but this is relatively unsophisticated as the body does need a functioning immune system for pregnancy to occur.

A core part of Acupuncture treatment is balancing the immune system as a whole and also reducing any inflammation which may causing a heightened immune response.

At One Acupuncture® as part of your unique diagnosis and treatment plan, Alison seeks to identify any likely AI issues which she can then address with treatment and advice as well as referral for specialist tests if required. Alison is trained in and can provide a personalised prescription of medicinal mushrooms, nature’s own immunomodulator food.  

Male factor includes low sperm count, abnormal shape and size (morphology), low sperm motility, Auto-immune factors and issues with liquefaction and viscosity. There may have been physical trauma, past infection or exposure to environmental toxins including oestrogen or medications. It takes 100 days to complete a sperm cycle, so treatment is recommended for around to three months for optimal impact.

Acupuncture has been shown to increase the percentage and number of normal sperm. It can address some physical blockages, e.g. those caused by what we call Damp or Phlegm, which also can make the semen too viscose. The male hormonal cascade can also be balanced. East Asian Medicine treats the whole body, through improving Qi (energy) and ensuring smooth flow of Qi and body fluids around the body. By treating the man’s whole body health, it is anticipated that the sperm are of better overall “quality”. As it also treats the mind, stress and anxiety can also be addressed.

Acupuncture treatment is given at specific stages through the cycle, which we work out together. The focus of each treatment changes at each stage, but during the cycle we work to improve the flow of Qi and Blood in the womb and to support and de-stress during this critical time. Acupuncture treatment also seeks to mitigate the side-effects of the drugs taken during IVF.

The cancellation policy is waived for all patients undergoing IVF, so we can best time treatments with your cycle without adding any extra pressure.