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MINNEAPOLIS   :: 612-436-4700 :: 212 3rd Ave North, Suite 205, Minneapolis, MN 55401

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Acupuncture and Fertility

Interview with MPR (Minnesota Public Radio)
Click here to read Jennifer's interview Women's health, acupuncture, and Chinese Medicine.

As the popularity and success of acupuncture treatment for fertility becomes more widespread, more people are looking to Chinese medicine and acupuncture to treat infertility.

While infertility may appear to be the main issue it is actually a manifestation of a deeper underlying imbalance. Acupuncture and/or herbal medicine treatments, will start working right away to get your body back to its optimum balance and ready for conception. Whether you are trying on your own or involved in an IVF cycle, the overall goal of treatment is to prepare the body for conception and a healthy, full term pregnancy.

In a recent article, Prevention magazine published a review by researchers at the Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York on acupuncture's effect on female fertility. They found that acupuncture helps to:

• Regulate hormones and ovulation
• Improve ovarian function - more follicles and better quality eggs
• Increase blood flow to the uterus - improve chances of implantation
• Regulate menstrual cycle
• Reduce stress, anxiety and promote relaxation

Acupuncture treatments can be especially beneficial to those women undergoing modern fertility treatments such as IUI, IVF and donor cycles. Numerous studies have shown that acupuncture treatments increase the rate of pregnancy in women undergoing IVF treatments.

Above all, the best thing about acupuncture is that there are no side effects. In fact, acupuncture will help to reduce any side effects you might be experiencing with IVF. Wherever you are on the path to pregnancy, acupuncture can help increase your chances of becoming pregnant.

Fertility Treatment Plan
• Acupuncture treatments - schedule determined by your cycle
• Dietary recommendations
• Lifestyle suggestions
• Chinese herbs - as needed

Start acupuncture treatments up to 3 months before you try to conceive. Women's follicles are recruited about 3 months before being chosen for ovulation. The quality of the egg is influenced during this 3-month period, so acupuncture treatments today will affect the quality of your eggs up to 3 months from now.

If you are currently in an IVF cycle or are planning an IVF cycle: Acupuncture treatments are scheduled according to where you are in the cycle. The acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas are designed to complement the IVF cycle and reduce any side effects.

Start treatments a least one month before your scheduled transfer date. Starting treatment early gives your body a chance to develop healthier eggs.

Please email Jennifer if you have any questions, or for more details on the treatment.
Call to Schedule an appointment: 952.345.1953

Links and Resources
• www.resolve.org
• www.theafa.org
• www.ivfmn.com
• www.lifangliang.com
• www.easternharmonyclinic.com
• www.docmisha.com
• www.zitawest.com

Articles
• Prevention article
• CBS News article
• BBC News article
• Pregnancy Today article

Recommended Reading
• The Infertility Cure: The Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies by Randine Lewis
• Fertility and Conception: A Complete Guide to Getting Pregnant by Zita West
• Fertility for Dummies by Jackie Meyers-Thompson and Sharon Perkins

Jennifer Johnson, Lic.Ac., MAOM
Jennifer is licensed both by the state of MN and nationally to practice acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. She received her Master's in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine from the New England School of Acupuncture in Boston. Jennifer is a professional member of the national infertility organization, RESOLVE, and she has had advanced training and specialized education in treating infertility and gynocology with Traditional Chinese Medicine.

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