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Fertility

Whether you are looking for help relaxing through your western medical procedures like IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) or you want to conceive a child naturally, we are here to help. In our practice we have seen periods return, progesterone levels change and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) levels reduced. We have seen "hopeless cases" turn into happy parents a year later. Sometimes all the body needs is a little nudge to help it regain its balance. We treat both male and female infertility with acupuncture and herbs as well as meditation for those who are interested. Please feel free to give us a call and we will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Recent studies demonstrated that acupuncture before and after embryo transfer results in much higher pregnancy rates and lower miscarriage rates (you can read the full articles on our studies and research page). This is incredibly exciting news for both first time IVF/ART (In Vitro Fertilization/Assisted Reproductive Technology) patients and patients who have tried IVF/ART without success in the past.

We do not know exactly why acupuncture is so successful in assisting IVF but a number of physiological effects may contribute to its effectiveness. It has been suggested that acupuncture and herbal therapies used before ART increase the thickness of the uterine lining. Progesterone levels have been found to be higher in women receiving acupuncture and herbal treatments before ART treatments. Another reason that acupuncture may have such a dramatic impact on IVF success is through increased blood flow to the uterus. It is well known that acupuncture stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which increases blood flow (vasodilatation) and also allows the patient to become incredibly relaxed. During implantation sometimes the uterus "flutters" and has small contractions. It has been suggested that acupuncture allows for such deep relaxation that this no longer occurs.

It is our experience that patients who have had several unsuccessful IVF cycles experience much improvement if they receive regular acupuncture treatments and take herbs before their next cycle. We have seen more follicles grow, thicker uterine linings, more eggs retrieved, and better quality embryos after treatment.

Recommended Protocol of Treatment for IVF & ART Patients

The beauty of Chinese Medicine is that it treats each patient individually, thus patients' protocol is tailored to their specific needs. In general, coming for regular treatments for two months before ART is recommended, especially if the patient has tried IVF/ART in the past without success. This allows the herbs and acupuncture to really take hold and bring about a strong mind and body for implantation and future pregnancy. A minimal protocol for acupuncture assisted IVF would be two treatments per week leading up to IVF, two treatments as close to or on the day of IVF, and two treatments per week after IVF until fetal heartbeat is detected.

It is ideal for acupuncture to be given as close to transfer as possible. Healing Elements has practitioners on call, even on holiday weekends, to make sure all of our patients can get treatment when they need it. If transfer is early in the morning we suggest acupuncture the night before and then again the morning after transfer.

Click here for a video on acupuncture for fertility.

 

Acupuncture for Pregnancy

Acupuncture offers women the choice of drug free treatment and can be successfully used for the treatment of a wide range of conditions. At Healing Elements we offer treatment for:

  • Miscarriage
  • Morning sickness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Heartburn
  • Constipation
  • Varicose veins
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Musculoskeletal conditions
  • Sciatica
  • Carpal tunnel
  • Pregnancy back pain
  • Fatigue and exhaustion
  • Anaemia
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Thrush and abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Indigestion 
  • Constipation
  • Itching in pregnancy
  • Sinusitis
  • Headaches
  • Pregnancy-induced hypertension
  • Edema
  • Small for dates babies
  • Breech and posterior positioned babies
  • Labour induction
  • Pre-birth treatment to prepare the body for an efficient labour
  • Acupressure for pain relief during labour
  • Pain relief and problems during labour
  • Postpartum recovery

Pre-birth treatment involves a series of two treatments weekly from 36 or 37 weeks to prepare for labour. Points are used according a woman's constitution and pregnancy history. These include points to ripen the cervix, to help position the baby in the best presentation for labour and to promote optimal energy and stamina for women to enter into labour.

Data on 169 women was gathered by 14 midwives as part of their midwifery practice in Wellington, New Zealand. It found that when comparing all caregivers (midwives, general practitioners, and specialists) to those women who had received prebirth acupuncture:

  • There was an overall 35% reduction in the number of inductions (for women having their first baby this was a 43% reduction);
  • There was a 31% reduction in the epidural rate.

When comparing midwifery-only care to women receiving prebirth acupuncture there was:

  • A 32% reduction in emergency caesarean delivery;
  • A 9 % increase in normal vaginal births;
  • No differance in the onset of early labour in those women receiving prebirth acupuncture.

Breech babies are ideally treated between 34 and 36 weeks gestation. This is often a one-off treatment with women being shown how to continue treatment at home with a moxa stick (a herb that has been shaped into a cigar-like stick). The moxa stick is lit and held over specific places in the body to stimulate the acupuncture points.

Acupuncture is a safe and widely accepted form of treatment during pregnancy. At Healing Elements, Dr. McCollum regularly treats pregnant women and provides relief for them when other treatment options are not available.

Acupuncture is often used as a natural alternative to pitocin for inducing labour on or near the baby's due date.

Dr. McCollum has received post-graduate level training in the safe treatment of pregnant women. Understanding the special needs of women during all stages of pregnancy, Dr. McCollum seeks to help pregnant women feel as comfortable as possible.