and Chinese Medicine Treatments
at the Center for Chinese and Wholistic Medicine

Marjorie Singler, L.Ac., M.A.

Acupuncture Treatment is highly efffective for increasing fertility

Acupuncture Combined With Assisted Reproductive Treatments
The electro-acupuncture protocol based on the Swedish study of uterine arterial blood flow has been shown to increase the uterine artery blood flow. This can have an effect on increasing the uterine lining and can enhance possibilities of implantation.

It is recommended to have eight acupuncture treatments 2-3 times per week to bring increased blood flow to the uterus. The timing of these treatments is important. They should start at the beginning of the fertility cycle (usually with the start of lupron) and continuing until the embryo transfer date or until the endometrial thickness is 12-14mm.

After the acupuncture embryo transfer, acupuncture can be continued once per week for the first trimester to help prevent miscarriage by strengthening the Kidney Chi (adrenal function and vital essence).

Marjorie Singler has used herbal formulae repeatedly to lower elevated FSH levels, to regulate irregular menstrual cycles, to mitigate pain in the endometriosis patient; to mitigate pain in the patient who presents with ovulation and/or menstruation related migraines; to thicken an unresponsive endometrium; to treat the amenorrheic; the oligomenorrheic patient; to treat patients with partial tubal occlusion; and the patient who presents with idiopathic infertility. Additionally, Dr, Singler has successfully treated male factor infertility, which includes presentations such as low sperm count and poor motility.

Acupuncture-assisted IVF. A German study (n=160) showed a 42.5% success rate with acu vs. 26.3% in the control group alone to a pregnancy rate increase to 42% with invitro and acupuncture together.

At Dr. Singler's Centre for Chinese Medicine, there is a 75% overall success rate for patients who have received treatments 8 or more times.

Treatments for infertility at our center are comprised of the following:

1) Acupuncture 30 min before and after the in vitro procedure (using specific protocol of the German acupuncture study where there was a pregnancy rate of 42%).

2) Acupuncture treatments several times while one is preparing for and completing in vitro procedures.

3) Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine 2X per week to increase fertility and /or treat the root causes of infertility; such as endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes; and- ovulation, fibroid tumors, high prolactin levels; low sperm counts; luteal insufficiency; positive anti-sperm antibody; thin uterine lining, etc.

Length of duration of treatments: IVF acupuncture treatments can vary from a minmum of 2-20 treatments with Chinese Medicine alone as the choice, 3-12 months of acupuncture and herbs as the routine therapy to treat the root causes of the infertility. Treatments for infertility usually involve coming between 1-2 treatments per week for 3-12 months depending on the case.

Pregnancy rates: Depending on the nature of the problem, research shows that Traditional Chinese medicine used alone achieves pregnancy rates of between 40-85%, and these rates can be higher when combined with Integrative Chinese and Western Medicine. See the articles on "What is Acupuncture, and how do herbs work in Cinese Medicine.

Assessment and diagnosis: This is done by looking at the 12 pulses on the wrist and looking at the color, coating and geography of the tongue. Typically, there are imbalances with the spleen, liver, and kidney channels, and each case is diagnosed differently, and treated highly individually. A comprehensive report of findings and treatment plan is given at the 3rd visit.

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