Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need to provide any information before starting fertility acupuncture treatment?
I would like to receive any test results you may have relating to fertility / hormonal health / general blood results prior to your first fertility acupuncture session, but if you are not able to do this, don’t worry, we can discuss during the first session, and you can send them on later.
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How will I feel after my first fertility accupuncture session?
It’s normal to feel quite tired and relaxed after your first session, so I always recommend taking a little time to let the treatment set in, have a short rest if you can and plenty of water to drink and a little food if you feel hungry.
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How many fertility acupuncture sessions do I need?
I know that change can take time, and I recommend a minimum three-month preparatory programme of weekly sessions of acupuncture treatment, along with diet and lifestyle changes, to maximise your chances of success.
The process of recruiting and maturing an ovarian follicle takes around 3 months, so treating over this time period is required, and during this time we also aim to improve uterine quality.
Traditional Chinese Medicine in simplistic terms understands illness and infertility as being caused by imbalance, which needs to be corrected. The aim of the acupuncture treatment is to get you in the best shape possible, physically and mentally, for fertility and pregnancy, and to prepare you for conception, whether natural or assisted.
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What should I expect in my first fertility acupuncture session?
In your first session with me, I'll take time to go through all aspects of your current health, diet, lifestyle, and medical history. I will want to consider your digestion, sleep, emotional health, stress/ors, work-life balance, exercise, menstrual cycle, underlying health issues, any test results, and more.
This helps me to build up a treatment plan specifically for you and your unique presentation. After all that, there will be the fertility acupuncture itself. I'll make sure you are comfortable, and it will be a chance for you to relax and switch off for a while.
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How long do fertility acupuncture sessions typically last?
For fertility acupuncture. pregnancy acupuncture and women's health acupuncture your first appointment will take around 1.5 hours. Follow-up appointments generally take 1 hour. -
Does acupuncture really help with fertility and those undergoing IVF?
There is a growing body of clinical evidence to support fertility acupuncture treatment. Fertility acupuncture has been scientifically proven to regulate hormones, improve blood flow to the uterus, and to reduce the stress and anxiety that inevitably accompany fertility and IVF struggles. Many of my clients have turned to acupuncture to complement traditional fertility treatments. -
I am starting fertility treatment soon - am I too late to start a course of acupuncture?
Research suggests that regular acupuncture treatment in the months leading up to ARTs (assisted reproductive techniques ie, IUI/IVF/FET) are more effective for supporting successful outcomes than starting acupuncture just prior to beginning ART. I recommend a minimum three-month preparatory period with acupuncture to maximises chances of success. -
When should I start having acupuncture if I'm having IVF?
I recommend starting fertility acupuncture sessions at least 3 months before starting an IVF cycle. This gives sufficient time for treatment to make a positive impact. Eggs take around three months to mature and to be ready for ovulation, so consistent fertility acupuncture treatment during this time has the most significant impact. -
Can fertility acupuncture help those with PCOS?
The evidence in support of acupuncture to treat PCOS is growing, with a large number of clinical studies confirming that acupuncture could improve symptoms of PCOS by regulating hormone levels, promoting ovulation and attenuating insulin resistance. Reference: Ye et al Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022 Oct 24;13:1035929 -
Do I need to do temping (BBT) when I come for fertility acupuncture treatment?
Yes. BBT (basal body temperature) tracking can give a huge amount of useful information and allow me to tailor your fertility acupuncture treatment to your specific needs. It also allows us to track changes and progress. Don’t worry if you are new to this, I can give you all the information you need to get started, and I’ll discuss it with you as you build up your chart.
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How do I book an appointment
You can contact me to book in for treatment via email, text or phone and you can also request a free 15 minute discovery call to discuss how acupuncture could help you. -
Does acupuncture hurt?
No. Acupuncture needles are extremely fine and nothing like those used for injections or to draw blood. Some may feel a sensation of tingling or a dull ache, and some may feel nothing at all. Generally people find acupuncture a very relaxing treatment, and I’ve even had some patients fall asleep during their treatment! -
Is acupuncture safe?
A number of scientific papers published on the safety of acupuncture have concluded that acupuncture is safe, so long as it is delivered by a properly trained individual. We would therefore recommend that you ensure your practitioner belongs to a professional organisation such as the British Acupuncture Council. As acupuncture involves the insertion of needles there will sometimes be a small bruise where the needle was inserted.
Occasionally, people can feel dizzy or tired after a treatment, but this passes quickly. To help your practitioner ensure that there are no unwanted side effects, please let them know any medications that you are taking, such as anti-coagulants. Also let them know if feel hot or you are hungry/thirsty.
Below are some research papers on the safety of acupuncture:
MacPherson H, Thomas K, Walters S, et al. The York acupuncture safety study: prospective survey of 34 000 treatments by traditional acupuncturists. BMJ Clinical research 2001;323(7311):486-87. White, A. (2006). The safety of acupuncture - evidence from the UK. Acupuncture in Medicine, 24(Suppl), 53-57. https://doi.org/10.1136/aim.24.Suppl.53 Witt CM, Pach D, Brinkhaus B, et al. Safety of acupuncture: results of a prospective observational study with 229,230 patients and introduction of a medical information and consent form. Forschende KomplementÄrmedizin 2009;16(2):91-97. doi: 10.1159/000209315
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How many acupuncture sessions are usually needed to see results?
This will vary from person to person. Acupuncture treatment is cumulative. As a general guide, I recommend weekly treatment initially, usually for a minimum course of 6-8 sessions. As improvement allows, this will move to fortnightly or monthly. I will be able to give more of an idea of how many sessions will be required for you personally at your initial session. For fertility acupuncture, I recommend a 12-week preparatory course of weekly acupuncture sessions. -
Can acupuncture help fertility in those with endometriosis?
Yes, there is a growing body of evidence, cited by the British Acupuncture Council (https://acupuncture.org.uk/), to support acupuncture as an effective treatment for endometriosis, and it works by reducing pain and inflammation. Other benefits of acupuncture include regulating the immune system, hormones and managing stress, making it an excellent choice to support fertility in those with endometriosis. -
What is your cancellation policy?
Please give 48 hours notice to cancel an appointment otherwise the full fee will be due. -
What acupuncture qualifications do you have?
I was awarded a first-class degree in Traditional Acupuncture by Oxford Brookes University, after three years of full-time study at the College of Traditional Acupuncture. I have been practicing acupuncture since 2011. I have also completed extensive postgraduate training, including an Advanced Diploma in Fertility Acupuncture (https://www.fertilitysupport.training/advanced-level-diploma), taught by the world renowned Naava Carman (https://www.fertilitysupport.co.uk) and widely regarded as the gold standard in the field.
This extensive training in fertility acupuncture covered many in-depth topics including reproductive immunology, the treatment of complex pregnancy conditions using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), TCM approaches to PCOS, Endometriosis, OHSS, other hormonal imbalances, as well as the use of TCM to support Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART).
As a Fertility Support Trained Practitioner (https://www.fertilitysupport.expert), I am committed to ongoing CPD to retain my status as such and thus ensuring that I give my patients the most informed and up-to-date care. I am a member of the British Acupuncture Council (https://acupuncture.org.uk), which sets the highest professional standards in the UK.
Members are regulated and approved by the Professional Standards Authority for Health & Social Care (PSA) (https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk). This offers a quality mark for high standards of training, safe practice and professional conduct.
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What clothes should I wear for treatment?
We generally recommend that you wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. This will help you to be relaxed during the treatment and allows easy access to many of the acupuncture points. -
How much does it cost?
The cost of an initial consultation and treatment for fertility acupuncture, pregnancy acupuncture and women's health acupuncture is £95 with follow-up appointments charged at £80. The cost of an initial consultation and treatment for general acupuncture is £80 with follow-up appointments charged at £70. -
Can I claim for my treatment through my insurance?
Many insurance providers allow members to claim for acupuncture treatment. I am registered with a number of providers. Please check with your specific provider.