Pulling Down the Moon

Anna’s News: Electrifying Acupuncture Data – A Deeper Look

March 22, 2010

You may have read my recent post about an Ann Arbor study* that found electro-acupuncture, in conjunction with Traditional Chinese Medicine pattern diagnosis, achieved IVF success rates double that of the national average.  Because the results of this study are so striking, we wanted to take a closer look. 


What makes this study interesting is that it adheres to a main tenet of Traditional Chinese Medicine – that treatment is individualized according to a patient’s specific diagnosis, rather than a standardized protocol. In this study, acupuncture points,  chosen according to a patient’s traditional Chinese medicine pattern , were combined with electro-acupuncture and the researchers found the likelihood of a conception was greatly improved. 


The study compared three different groups of acupuncture patients all going through a typical medicated IVF cycle. The first group was a traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA) group, which used selective points based on the individual’s presenting pattern.  There were five different Chinese medical diagnostic patterns recognized and three to five points were selected for treatment based on each patient’s specific pattern.  The second group used electro-acupuncture (EA) based off of points used in a previous Swedish study done by Stener-Victorin et al which was published in Human Reproduction**. The third group used a combination of both TCA and EA. Acupuncture intervention for all groups consisted of a minimum of 12 treatments, two per week, prior to embryo transfer. 


The frequency of treatment in this study is higher than many other studies (including the Sterner-Victorin study which used 8 sessions)  looking at acupuncture and IVF. Patients had a minimum of 12 sessions (2 per week) prior to transfer and about half of the patients had more than 13 treatments.  All groups had IVF conception rates higher than the national average, but it was the third group that had the best outcome with an 81% success rate. The first group (TCA only) had a 64% success rate and the second group (EA only) had a 63% success rate.


Now, in case you’re a bit freaked out by the term “electro-acupuncture, I’d like to take a moment to dispel your fears. Electro-acupuncture is a technique where a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machine is attached with small clips directly to acupuncture needles. When electricity is applied to the needles, the sensation is that of a light tapping. Some patients have even asked me if I’m tapping them with my finger when I’ve used EA on them, but I’m not, that’s simply the sensation caused by the TENS machine. It’s a comfortable feeling that is kept constant during the entire treatment session. By stimulating the points we are further enhancing their function, thereby intensifying the effect of treatment.


These results from the Ann Arbor study show the importance of using a differential traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis with the benefit of the added stimulation from the electro-acupuncture. I have seen this to be true empirically in my fertility practice so when this study came out it was especially exciting to see that it affirms my practical experience.


Please feel free post your comments and questions! 


http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1089/acu.2009.0692 * http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/11/6/1314 **

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Tips for Spring Restoration

February 18, 2025
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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