Our acupuncture treatments complement IVF, IUI and other Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
Whether you are a current patient of Toronto Total Wellness Centre or not, we would be happy to assist you with an acupuncture treatment on the day of your IVF transfer. Recent studies suggest that having acupuncture treatments, administered by a qualified and experienced practitioner of Chinese Medicine, as an adjunct therapy to your IVF or other assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments can improve the success rates by 65%.
Patients attend Total Wellness Centre for a variety of reasons, for varying lengths of time, and with varying frequency. Treatments over several months allow the practitioner to observe several menstrual cycles, and to fully address any underlying causes of infertility. However, recent studies have clearly shown that most patients will benefit from even just one or two treatments of acupuncture around the period of time of their IVF treatment. The effects from acupuncture are cumulative, starting after the very first treatment.
We have collected many peer reviewed studies that attempt to quantify the effects of combining acupuncture with IVF.
Acupuncture can increase the efficacy of IVF leading to a better success rate, and reduce the pain associated with IVF. Reducing the pain leads to lower stress associated with the IVF procedure and in turn to a higher success rate. While we firmly believe natural healing techniques like acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine work best over the long run, any studies that show how acupuncture can help our patients must be considered. The prevailing theory is that even a single acupuncture treatment will provide some limited health benefits, although as previously mentioned, the effects of multiple acupuncture treatments are cumulative over time.
The Benefits of Acupuncture of the IVF or IUI Patient Include:
Relaxing the patient, decreasing stress, and taking individual time with patients
Regulating hormonal imbalances resulting in a larger number of follicles
Strengthening the immune system
Lessening the side effects of drugs used in IVF or other western reproductive procedures and techniques
Improving the function of the ovaries to help produce better quality eggs
Increasing blood flow to the uterus and increasing the thickness of the uterine lining
Preventing the uterus from contracting
Improving semen and sperm to create a better quality and quantity of embryos
Decreasing the chances of miscarriage
Generally helping to minimize the side-effects associated with ART
Although some patients attend our clinic beginning just prior to transfer, we recommend for those patients undergoing IVF to commence treatment ideally at least three months in advance of the transfer. The more time you have to treat the underlying cause of infertility, the more prepared you will be physically, mentally and emotionally to deal with IVF or IUI. In addition, having acupuncture as soon as possible after the transfer has been shown to help increase the odds of conception.
Have you considered hypnotherapy to lower stress associated with fertility treatments, to reduce pain associated with IVF treatments, and to improve your fertility success rate? Recent studies indicate hypnosis can be a valuable tool for those people seeking to improve their chances of conceiving.