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Get to the Point

Can Acupuncture Help You Conceive?

By Kim Seidel

The TCM approach varies from woman to woman. "First of all, TCM treats the whole patient not just the disease or condition," Pobiak says. "Each patient is treated by their individual signs, symptoms and 'patterns.' The idea is to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities by treating root causes rather than just symptoms."

Every woman will have a group of signs and symptoms that are completely individual to her. This will distinguish her particular Chinese pattern and help to establish her treatment approach. Herbal recommendations also will be completely tailored to the individual. Treatment sessions and herbs will vary as the patient changes and improves. "There is no tried and true amount of sessions," Pobiak says. "However, it is reasonable to expect significant benefits and changes somewhere within eight to 10 treatment sessions. Acupuncture has a cumulative effect, and it is recommended that the patient go at least once a week for treatments. Large gaps of time in between treatments will only slow or hinder the effects."

A patient will need to adhere to certain acupuncture schedules before and after an IVF procedure. "The amount of time a woman sees her acupuncturist is more dictated by her desire to continue treatment in the same way that she might continue infertility treatments with her physician," Pobiak says. "In addition, the patient is still receiving the numerous benefits of acupuncture, which will continue to balance her physically and emotionally during this very tryin time."