Pulling Down the Moon

Acupuncture and Uterine Blood Flow

November 5, 2015

Question : When I came to Pulling Down the Moon my acupuncturist recommended acupuncture and herbs to treat blood and qi deficiency. When I went to my RE’s office they ran a Doppler test on my uterine arteries and said my blood flow is fine. Do I even need acupuncture?

Answer : This is one of those great questions that help us illustrate the difference in approach between Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western medicine.


Blood, called “xue in TCM is in some ways the same as blood in Western Medicine. In both systems blood is the red fluid in our veins and arteries. However, TCM takes the function of blood further to include the nourishment it provides to the body. Blood in TCM is what keeps our skin and hair moistened and it is imperative for optimal fertility because it nourishes the uterine lining, creating a thick plush surface where the embryo can attach. When a pregnancy occurs the embryo also receives its nourishment from blood aiding its growth and development into a fetus.


Women lose blood each month during their menses and TCM states that if the body is deficient and unable to replenish and nourish the body adequately women may experience things like amenorrhea, scanty menses, a thin uterine lining, or recurrent miscarriage. Conditions including physical and emotional stress, poor diet and lack of sleep are all things TCM teaches deplete blood. It is also possible for a woman (or man) to have blood stagnation or stasis which can manifest as painful periods (cramps); heat in the blood may cause rashes or red acne on the skin.


So, for your TCM practitioner, a Doppler test showing adequate uterine blood flow is just part of the equation. The quality of the blood is the rest of the story. Remember, from the TCM perspective blood nourishes all body tissues, including uterine lining, developing eggs and sperm. Put another way, if you are trying to grow grapes you could fill a garden bed with sand instead of soil and still provide a thick layer of dirt for your seeds. The sand, though, would not have the necessary nutrition to nourish the crops into ripe, juicy grapes. This is why your practitioner would still recommend acupuncture and herbal treatment to a woman presenting with blood deficiency EVEN IF she had great uterine blood flow and a good uterine lining. It’s the old adage of quality not just quantity.


Blood deficiency in TCM responds well with acupuncture, herbs and a diet higher in protein and iron. If you are experiencing any of the fertility blood deficiency symptoms listed above (scanty menses, amenorrhea, thin uterine lining, and recurrent miscarriage) or other non-gynecological symptoms (dry skin, dry hair, brittle nails, dry eyes) you might want to explore acupuncture with an experienced practitioner to support your medical fertility treatment.

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Spring arrives next month, and with it, more cold days (perhaps even snow)! But March also brings the promise of new life. We love this time of year. The ground starts to smell fresh and ripe. Small green buds begin to swell from the earth reaching up, up, up. Birds chatter in the trees. The sun stays in the sky a little longer each day. After a long, cold winter of hibernation, spring restores nature’s beauty. Spring inspires us to restore ourselves, too and these self-care techniques will lead you to restoration of mind, body and spirit. Hydrate. Drink a glass or two of water first thing in the morning. Keeping yourself hydrated helps boost your mood, improves brain power and protects you against disease. Make a gratitude list. Spending just a few minutes a day writing down what you are grateful for can dramatically shift your day. The more gratitude you have, the more open to abundance you become. Breathe. Set aside a few minutes each day to practice breathing. There are so many benefits! Among them, diaphragmatic breathing alleviates stress, reduces pain, strengthens internal muscles and moves blood to organs and tissues. If you’re not sure how to get started, try our Breathe & Restore Workshop or schedule an Soothe the Senses: Calm the Nervous System Fertility Enhancing Massage™ to receive some hands-on breath work coaching. Stretch. Five to 10 minutes of stretching in the morning increases energy levels, enhances circulation, reduces injury and centers your mind. Even better is a regular yoga practice. Get started by downloading the Fully Fertile App today to give you a jump start! Our next Signature Yoga for Fertility Series begins on Monday, February 24th to reduce anxiety and stress by 20% or more in just six weeks. Eliminate something from your diet that isn’t serving you. I nstead of overhauling your entire diet, start by taking out one food that doesn’t nourish your body. Replace it with a different item that supports your desire for restoration. Learn even more by working with scheduling a nutrition consult ! We look forward to seeing you virtually or in-person at one of our centers to help you get started. Many wishes for a beautiful spring!
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