Approximately, 10-15% of couples have difficulty conceiving at some point in their reproductive lives and seek out a fertility specialist for treatment (Lancet 2002).  A commonly used procedure is IVF or “in vitro fertilization.’  IVF involves retrieving a woman’s egg, fertilizing the egg in the laboratory, and then transferring the embryo back into the woman’s uterus through the cervix.  Typically a woman takes a series of drugs to stimulate egg production for retrieval.  In 2003, over 120,000 treatments were performed in clinics in the United States.  According to Sterility 2006, in 2000, about 200?000 babies worldwide were conceived through in vitro fertilization.

Each cycle of IVF is very expensive, lengthy and very stressful.  New drugs have been developed to also improve success rates, however, only a few adjunctive procedures have been shown to really improve the success rate of IVF.  There have been many research studies which have shown that acupuncture improves the success rate of IVF, even as much as 60%.

Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years and has been used to regulate the female reproductive system for centuries.  How does Acupuncture work on fertility?  There are a few mechanisms for its effects on fertility: 

1. Acupuncture mediates release of hormones and neurotransmitters which may stimulate the secretion of GnRH, and thus influencing the menstrual cycle, ovulation and fertility
2. Increase blood flow to the uterus by decreasing sympathetic nervous system activity and increasing the thickness of the uterine lining.
3. Decrease fight or flight response, relaxing the patient and reducing stress
4. Improve the function of the ovaries to produce better quality eggs
5. Strengthen the immune system

The treatment is typically 30 minutes and virtually painless.  Most patient’s state that the acupuncture treatments are very relaxing.  Our latest success is twin girls due in March 2012 by IVF and Acupuncture.

Acupuncture is widely accepted in the United States as an adjunct therapy with IVF due to the many successful research studies which have been completed. 

If you are interested in trying Acupuncture with IVF, call the Wellness Institute at Lake Health, TriPoint Physicians Pavillion 440-375-8153.

There are numerous studies which have demonstrated the effectiveness of acupuncture and infertility.  I have included some of them for your reference.

1. Influence of Acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy: Paulus, et.al. Fertility and Sterility Vol: 77, No. 4, APRIL 2002
   This landmark study published in one of the most prestigious medical journals in reproductive medicine demonstrated that women undergoing acupuncture treatments had an increase in ongoing pregnancy rates of over 60%, compared to control subjects that did not receive acupuncture.
2. Changes in serum cortisol and prolactin associated with acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer treatment. Magarelli, et al. Fertility and Sterility, 2009
   This Study examined the question of whether acupuncture improves pregnancy rates through stress reduction. The answer was that acupuncture significantly improves pregnancy rates, but not by reducing stress levels (as measured by cortisol and prolactin). Of particular interest in this study, however, was the fact that this particular acupuncture protocol doubled a woman's chances of maintaining her pregnancy. 
3. Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilization: systematic review and meta-analysis: Manheimer E, et.al. British Medical Journal, 2008 Feb
   This was a meta-analysis looking at all the available, quality acupuncture research. When taking all factors into account the investigators found that "acupuncture increased the odds of clinical pregnancy by 65% compared with the control groups."
4. Does Acupuncture Enhance a Woman's Chance for Pregnancy and a Live Birth? Athol Kent. Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Spring; 1(2): 89.
   This is a review of the use of acupuncture for IVF. The author discusses a summary of the evidence and concludes that "the order of magnitude of improved outcomes [with acupuncture] is higher than more conventional adjunct maneuvers".
5. ACUPUNCTURE PERFORMED BEFORE AND AFTER EMBRYO TRANSFER IMPROVES PREGNANCY RATES. D. B. Youran. Fertility and Sterility. September 2008 (Vol. 90, Pages S240-S241) This study used a different acupuncture protocol timed immediately before and immediately after the embryo transfers. They found a statistically significant increase in pregnancies. (55% clinical pregnancies in the acupuncture group versus 34% in the control group). There were also significantly less pregnancy losses (only 4% in the acupuncture group versus 23% loss in the control group).
6. Clinical observation on acupuncture for treatment of infertility of ovulatory disturbance. Song et al. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2008 Jan;28(1):21-3.
   This study compared acupuncture to Clomid and found that both induced the same effects on ovulation, however, in the acupuncture group, the pregnancy rate was higher and the miscarriage rate was lower.
7. Impact of Acupuncture Before and After Embryo Transfer on the Outcome of In-Vitro Fertilization Cycles: A Prospective Single-Blind Randomized Study. M. R. Benson, et al. Fertility and Sterility. September 2006 (Vol. 86, Issue 3, Page S135)
   In this study they had a 10% increase in Clinical pregnancies in the acupuncture group. Not statistically significant but a trend toward increase in pregnancies.
8. Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the reproductive outcome in infertile women: a prospective, randomized trial: Westergaard LG, et.al. Fertility and Sterility 2006 Apr 4 This study once again demonstrates that properly applied acupuncture results in IVF ongoing pregnancy increases of over 60%.
9. Influence of acupuncture stimulation on pregnancy rates for women undergoing embryo transfer.: Smith C, et.al. Fertility and Sterility 2006 Apr 4
   This study examined 228 IVF patients. The group that received true acupuncture showed improvements in ongoing pregnancies of over 50% compared to subjects that received a sham acupuncture treatment. This is very clinically significant, though it did not rise to the level of statistical significance.
10. Influence of Acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy: Paulus, et.al. Fertility and Sterility Vol: 77, No. 4, APRIL 2002
    This landmark study demonstrated that women undergoing acupuncture treatments had an increase in ongoing pregnancy rates of over 60%, compared to control subjects that did not receive acupuncture.

Acupuncture has been utilized for over 5000 years.   Many Americans think that acupuncture originated in China.  Interestingly, Egypt, Persia, India and Japan were known to have used acupuncture first, even before China.  However, China is credited for extensive development and research on acupuncture due to the early writings and documents written during the dynasties.  Acupuncture can be traced back as far as the Stone Age in China and is a major component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  Modern acupuncture needles are made of a solid, sterile stainless steel. East China was the first to develop needle-like tools made of stone, called "bian" stones.  Bones, rocks, and bamboo were other materials were also used to make the needles.  Metal needles were finally invented after the invention of bronze casting.  Northern China was responsible for developing Moxibustion.  Moxibustion is the burning of an herb, Artemis Vulgaris, on or near the skin to nourish the Qi (pronounced "chee") and warm the body during the cold season.  In modern times, we can use infrared heat lamps to mimic the warming effects of the herb.   China was the first to document the use of acupuncture points,  and thus all systems of acupuncture began with the original Chinese medical text, The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine by Huang Di Nei Jing, compiled during 475-221 B.C.  In the next centuries, Acupuncture developed quickly by the many Chinese dynasties who improved the system of acupuncture.  Another monumental text, "A Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion" was written in 400 AD.  This book described the names and number of points for each channel or Meridian, their exact locations, indications, and methods of manipulation.  These ancient texts are the basis for modern acupuncture which has been practiced in the United States for the last 150 years. 

Acupuncture became more popular and accepted in the United States in 1971, after President Nixon made a trip to China.  During this trip to China, James Reston, a journalist traveling with President Nixon, had an emergency appendectomy in China.  On the plane ride back to the United States, President Nixon was surprised to learn that acupuncture was used for Mr. Reston's post-operative pain relief.  When Mr. Reston returned to New York, he wrote an article in the New York Times regarding his experience in China with Acupuncture.    Mr. Reston was amazed by how a patient could be totally awake and that sticking needles into the body could actually block the pain from surgery. Since that time, acupuncture has grown in popularity in the United States.

The report from a Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture held at the National Institute of Health (NIH), in 1997, stated that acupuncture is being "widely" practiced by thousands of physicians, dentists, acupuncturist, chiropractors, and other practitioners, for relief or prevention of pain and for various other health conditions.  According to the 2002 National Health Interview Survey-the largest and most comprehensive survey of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) used by American adults today- an estimated 8.2 million U.S. adults have used acupuncture, and an estimated 2.1 million U.S. adults have used acupuncture in the previous years. It is estimated that now 15 million people each year try acupuncture for the first time and more would try this ancient healing method if they only knew more about how it worked.  Hopefully, as you continue to read these blogs, you will have a better understanding of acupuncture, and perhaps try this method for yourself.

I get asked all the time, "What can acupuncture treat?"   Well, the list is truly endless.  In very simple terms, acupuncture balances the body to try to maintain and restore homeostasis.   Anytime your body is out of balance or in disharmony, acupuncture may be able restore harmony and improve your body's function, thereby, . In 1997, the National Institute of Health (NIH), endorsed acupuncture for some common conditions. The NIH stated "there is sufficient evidence of acupuncture's value to expand its use into conventional medicine."  The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture and Traditional Oriental Medicine's ability to treating these following conditions.   

 
      Because of the neural, hormonal and immune effects of acupuncture, the list of what acupuncture can treat is extensive.  In the last fifty years, there are been many scientific studies which have validated and clarified how acupuncture works.  The use of acupuncture has dated back over 5000 years.  Since the 1970's, acupuncture has been utilized by millions in the United States.  Acupuncture is an ancient therapy which has been proven to be successful for so many conditions.

One of the first questions I get asked about acupuncture is "do the needles hurt?"  This is usually followed by the words, "I hate needles!"  Well, surprise, I hate needles too!  However, there is a big difference between the size and thickness of acupuncture needles and the hypodermic (injection) needles you have experienced at a doctor’s office or hospital.
If you are the typical person, you have either donated blood, had your blood drawn for a yearly physical, or have been given an injection of some sort. So when you hear the word "needle," you probably revert back to the time you were giving blood, lying on a table while the nurse placed a tourniquet on your arm, slapped your elbow crease tofind the perfect vein, as you turned your head to prepare for the sharp pierce of the seemingly large, scary needle.  Sound familiar?

Acupuncture needles have no resemblance to the hypodermicneedles.  Hypodermic needles are hollow and have a large diameter because they are used to inject substances into the body or extract liquids, like blood, from the body.  Acupuncture needles are solid and thin.  They can be thinner than the size of a human hair. Many people do not even feel the acupuncture needles being inserted, while others may feel a very mild tingling, which usually last for a few seconds.  If there is any discomfort, it is typically very short and very mild.  The most commonly used length of an acupuncture needle is one inch.

Acupuncture needles are FDA approved and are always made from stainless steel.  The acupuncture needles are always pre-sterilized, and are disposed of after a single use.   
So, do not think of acupuncture needles like the needles you have experienced in the past.  There is no need to be afraid of acupuncture needles; they are safe, sterilized and almost painless!

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people see a health care provider. It has been estimated that up to 80% of the world's population will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives, with the low back as the most common. Typically, low back sufferers may get a prescription from their physician for muscle relaxers or pain relievers.  When the frequency or intensity becomes more chronic and severe, some may try steroid injections, pain patches, and/or surgery.  In the last few years, alternative therapies have emerged and have become more popular, one of them being acupuncture. 

The use of acupuncture to treat low back pain has dramatically increased over the past 20 years.  One of the increases of acceptance is the many hundreds of evidence-based research studies which have been done over the past few decades.  If you are one of those people who are skeptical of acupuncture because you think it is still a mystical ancient Chinese voodoo, think again.  Modern acupuncture is science based.  Thousands of years ago in China, they may have not known why a specific acupuncture point decreased low back pain, but in modern times, scientists have validated acupuncture as a reliable method of pain relief through controlled studies, fluoroscopy MR imaging and physiology of the central and peripheral nervous systems. 

A 2009 randomized controlled study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, concluded that acupuncture helps relieve chronic back pain.  The study also demonstrated that acupuncture resulted better than standard care such as medications or physical therapy. [Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(9):858-866].  Another study published in the Clinical Journal of Pain (2001) provide further proof that acupuncture is a safe and effective procedure for low-back pain, and that it can maintain positive outcomes for periods of six months or longer without producing the negative side-effects that often accompany more traditional pain remedies.
After a detailed history and evaluation, I will use very thin, single-use, pre-sterilized needles placed strategically in the back and different areas of the body.  Many times electrodes are attached to the needles (electroacupuncture) which has shown in increase endorphin (your body’s natural pain killer) release to decrease pain and inflammation.  A typical treatment may last 30-45 minutes.  A typical treatment plan is 1-2 times a week for 4-6 weeks.   

So if you have chronic low back pain, why not give acupuncture a try, what do you have to lose—except for your back pain!

Stress is a natural part of life.  As a mother of two small children, I know what it’s like to be constantly running from babysitter to school to work, making dinner, cleaning up and then to violin lessons, laundry, paying bills, checking e-mails, etc.  It seems that life moves faster and there’s no time to slow down.   The never-ending hectic lifestyles and inability to handle stress, has caused major illnesses in America.  Stress can come in many different forms such as anxiety, insomnia, depression, obesity, and fatigue.  There are various techniques you can use to relieve stress.  Maybe you have tried a few different techniques such as yoga, deep breathing, listening to relaxing music, massage and meditation.  If those techniques are not effective enough for you, then you should try Acupuncture.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing art that involves inserting fine needles at very precise acupoints throughout the body. The needles stimulate the body’s natural healing processes in its energy system. Traditional Chinese Medicine states that energy or Qi (pronounced “Chee”) flows through the body system through channels or pathways called meridians. There are 14 meridians that run vertically throughout the body.  Stress causes an imbalance in the body’s Qi and causes it to flow improperly. The Qi can become blocked and stagnant.   It must be unblocked and flow freely in order to restore harmonious balance to the body.  Too much stress can cause the Qi to be blocked!  By stimulating the proper acupuncture points, the Qi can flow freely, thereby alleviating stress induced mental and physical symptoms. In Modern Medicine, researchers have discovered that the lesions produced by inserting a needle into a specific acupuncture point on the body, stimulates parts of the brain that then activates the principal survival systems – nervous, endocrine, immune and cardiovascular systems.  Acupuncture normalizes physiological homeostatis and promotes self-healing.  When needling for stress and anxiety, specific points are needled to activate reflexes to the brain, which creates a balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to promote self-healing.  When we stress too long, we overuse our sympathetic system, we become exhausted because of consuming stored energy.  Our immune system becomes suppressed and we are more likely to get sick, become sensitive to pain, and are not able to handle stress.  With Acupuncture, the sympathetic nervous system is able to calm down and the parasympathetic system becomes active.  The Parasympathetic system helps us to relax i.e. ensures proper food digestion, which helps us to absorb and supply energy to the body.  Acupuncture helps to balance these systems thereby decreasing our stress and improving our health.