Acupuncture
No. Acupuncture is a therapy, not a one treatment wonder. Acupuncture has cumulative effects over time. Getting better depends on dosage of acupuncture, it depends on the number of sessions. But it is not just the amount but also the frequency of sessions and the time in between these sessions.
That depends! It depends on what you are receiving acupuncture for, and the length of time you have suffered for the complaint. Acupuncture is generally offered in courses of 10-12 treatments. You may only need one course. You may need a number of courses. A complaint you have had for six months will take much less time than an issue you have had for 20 years. Treatment for chronic issues tend to time.
Menstrual Issues: If you are receiving acupuncture for menstrual issues, we generally recommend at least 3 months of treatment.
Fertility: Acupuncture for fertility could be anywhere from 3 months to a couple of years.
Chronic skin issues: It depends on how long you have suffered with the skin condition. Acute cases resolve quickly. If you have had the skin condition for years, then it will be months of treatment. Skin conditions are not treated with acupuncture alone. Acupuncture is combined with herbal medicine.
The initial health assessment generally takes one hour. This is an in-depth assessment of your health from a Chinese medicine perspective. We go over all aspects of your health, not just a main complaint.
Follow-up acupuncture sessions will take 30 – 45 mins, and at times up to an hour. Please set aside time so you are not rushing to the next appointment or back to work.
Please bring your latest blood tests and other investigations relevant to your health if you have had recent investigations. You will also need information on your menstrual cycle. is you are still cycling.
For fertility acupuncture, please being in the reports of all your investigations and medications and the sperm analysis of your partners’ sperm. If you are doing IVF cycles, your IVF protocol.
Acupuncture requires regular, frequent sessions to be effective. Frequency of acupuncture sessions depend on the condition. Usually acupuncture treatments are weekly. For chronic conditions, weekly treatments may become fortnightly, and then monthly. For acute conditions and pain, you may be asked to come in 2-3 times the first week or two.
You may be asked to continue treatment even though your condition has resolved. This is because the cause of your complaint is a deficiency and without remedying this deficiency, the condition will most likely return. Deficiencies are usually supplemented by herbal medicine.
If your acupuncturist ask you to come in weekly, and you schedule fortnightly appointments, the treatment will not be effective.
Not generally. Acupuncture is a very thin needle and the needle is nothing like those used for vaccinations or having your blood taken. In fact, some people don’t even notice the insertion of the needle.
There is often a sensation with acupuncture. You may feel a dull ache or a tingling sensation. You may feel a relaxing feeling. There can be pain on insertion with some points where there are more pain receptors, but this is usually for a brief moment.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine is something that many of us have not grown up with. And this means we are unfamiliar with the benefits of Chinese herbal medicine or even how to prepare and take them.
Many acupuncture clinics supply Chinese herbal medicine in pill form. At Mei Hua Clinic, Herbs are generally prescribed in dry or raw herbs that are cooked up into a tea. This is called a herbal decoction. The dry herbs are boiled/simmered, which takes time. And the herbs are usually unpleasant to drink. Seriously! Possibly the worst thing you have ever tasted. That is why I suggest to hold your nose as you drink down the decoction. Though some people do admit they enjoy them?!
Herbal decoctions are the most effective treatment, and easily custom made. Meaning you will get the most effective treatment for you. This usually negates the taste and time it takes to prepare.
Yes. Chinese herbal medicine is safe during pregnancy. Chinese herbal medicine practitioners are trained in safe usage of herbs. There are some herbs that are not used in pregnancy, some herbs that are used to treat issues during pregnancy and other herbs and formulas that are beneficial to mother and fetus during pregnancy. Herbs in pregnancy have been used for over 2000 years.
Yes!
When the body is working well, it is like a well-oiled machine. When it isn’t working so well, it might only be 1 cog that is out of kilter and effecting the rest. This is a good way to view the body. There can be many causes for digestive complaints and that cause is what we are looking for when we do an initial intake/ health assessment.
So what do periods have to do with digestion? If we bleed heavily every month, or if we only have short menstrual cycles and we are bleeding frequently, our digestive system needs to replace this blood loss. Losing a lot of blood can put a strain on our digestive capacity and weakens it.
Once the digestive system is weakened, it doesn’t function well and we can experience a whole host of digestive issues. This can include bloating, tiredness or fatigue.
Directions to cook herbs are found here.
Fertility
Egg quality naturally declines with age, but improving the environment around the ovaries can make a difference. Acupuncture works by stimulating circulation and supporting the body’s endocrine system, which helps nourish developing eggs. While results vary from person to person, many women notice improved cycle regularity and reduced tension, which can support conception efforts.
Yes, acupuncture can help improve fertility by supporting hormone balance, regulating cycles, and reducing stress.
For women trying to conceive naturally, acupuncture may support the reproductive system in subtle but meaningful ways. By enhancing circulation to the uterus and ovaries, calming the nervous system, and addressing underlying patterns such as hormonal imbalance or stress, acupuncture creates a more receptive environment for conception. It is often combined with lifestyle and dietary support for best results.
Fertility acupuncture is weekly. Our menstrual cycle is divided into 4 phases. These phases have different energy as we use the acupuncture sessions to ensure these energies are balanced.
Acupuncture is also used for stress relief and anxiety support which is often suffered when trying to conceive (ttc).
Acupuncture can support women with PCOS or endometriosis by helping regulate cycles, reduce inflammation, and support hormone balance.
For PCOS, acupuncture can help restore more regular ovulation, and reduce stress, all of which may support fertility. For endometriosis, acupuncture may help relieve pain, improve blood flow, and create a more favourable uterine environment. While acupuncture is not a cure, it can complement other treatments and improve overall wellbeing.
Consistent acupuncture, rather than a single session, is most effective when used alongside IVF.
Starting treatment several weeks before your cycle and continuing weekly through stimulation and embryo transfer can help improve blood flow, support hormone balance, and create a more receptive environment for conception.
Some studies also suggest combining acupuncture with tailored Chinese herbs may further support fertility, making regular, ongoing treatment the best approach for women preparing for IVF.
Acupuncture is a therapy and its results are cumulative. This means success of acupuncture is not seen in one or two treatments. Research shows IVF success with Chinese medicine is most effective with individualized Chinese medicine treatment using both acupuncture and herbal medicine. This review also showed that women who received an average of 12 sessions of acupuncture with IVF recorded higher live birth rates than those who did no acupuncture or acupuncture only around the time of transfer.
A session typically includes an initial assessment, gentle acupuncture, and lifestyle guidance tailored to your fertility goals.
During your first visit, we’ll review your menstrual cycle, medical history, and any fertility treatments.
Most women find the treatment calming, often feeling a deep sense of relaxation.
Subsequent sessions usually last 30-45 minutes, and ongoing treatment plans are tailored to your individual needs.
Chinese herbs can improve the uterine lining and support ovulation by nourishing the blood, balancing hormones, and promoting healthy circulation to the reproductive organs.
Herbs are chosen to gently strengthen the body’s natural fertility systems. They help build a thicker, more receptive uterine lining and support regular ovulation by improving blood flow and hormonal balance, creating a healthier environment for conception.
Hormones can be supported naturally through a combination of lifestyle, nutrition, and targeted therapies. Eating a nutrient-rich, whole-food diet, managing stress, getting regular gentle exercise, and maintaining healthy sleep all help regulate reproductive hormones. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can also support hormone balance by improving blood flow, reducing stress, and addressing underlying patterns that may affect fertility. Together, these approaches create a healthier environment for ovulation and conception.
