Fertility
Namaste! We help families get pregnant with a thorough hunt for the root cause of infertility using a unique hybrid of Functional and Eastern medicine.
Fertility
Namaste! We help families get pregnant with a thorough hunt for the root cause of infertility using a unique hybrid of Functional and Eastern medicine.
(sources: CDC.gov, Mayo Clinic, NIH.gov)
According to the CDC, In the United States, among heterosexual women aged 15 to 49 with no prior births, about 1 in 5 are unable to get pregnant after one year of trying. The NIH data says that up to one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage. It is so common, but it is rarely talked about, and many times, people struggle with tough feelings alone – but it doesn’t have to be that way. Our team will support you on your fertility journey physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Acupuncture is a scientifically-proven addition to your fertility treatment regimen. Among other benefits, it works by boosting blood flow to reproductive organs, balancing hormones and the endocrine system, and modulating stress. This puts your body in an optimal fertility state.
According to data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information at the National Institute of Health, and the British Medical Journal, Acupuncture and herbal medicine has been shown to improve IVF pregnancy rates by up to 65% within a four-month period.
Many modern fertility clinics have started a hybrid approach of Eastern and Western medicine to their IVF and IUI treatment protocols, finding this combination to be more effective than the Western approach alone. Recent studies, analyzed together in the British Medical Journal, have demonstrated that acupuncture helps to increase IVF success rates.
With over a decade of experience treating fertility patients, Dr. Joel and his team will guide you to optimal fertility using the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Our methods are both infused with sacred tradition, backed by modern science, and innovations learned from Functional Medicine.
The studies don’t lie: Acupuncture and herbal medicine has been shown to improve IVF pregnancy rates by up to 65% within a four-month period. This is according to data from the National Institutes of Health, and the British Medical Journal.
Furthermore, real stories matter! We consider case reports published which promote acupuncture for both male and female factor, and mention that “acupuncture can be considered as successful treatment in restoring fertility in the patients by improving the sperm quality and ovaries function and balancing the endocrine system and hormones.” (Sources: “Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in the management of female infertility” from NIH.gov, “Acupuncture Treatment for Fertility” from NIH.gov)
According to another study from the NIH, management of female infertility with Chinese Herbal Medicine can improve pregnancy rates 2-fold within a 3-6 month period, compared with Western Medical fertility drug therapy.
These results are from a meta analysis of a number of randomized-controlled trials including data from 4,247 women. It shows clearly that there is a greater likelihood of achieving pregnancy by integrating Chinese Herbal Medicinal therapy into your life, than by using only Western Medicine fertility drug therapy. We loved seeing the conclusion of this study’s analysis, because it incorporates "Fertility Awareness Method" — a 'Western' tool that uses Eastern modalities.
The path to a successful conception with acupuncture requires:
A firm commitment to the process. Fertility acupuncture is a commitment, and it will be most effective if you are able to carve out the necessary time and energy in your life. This means 20 to 30 minute visits 2-3 times per week, over a span of 3-6 months, as well as making lifestyle changes. Patience is also key: although the processes we follow and the modalities we use are supported by scientific evidence, it can take 3 months to one year to improve egg and sperm quality.
A willingness to try Chinese herbs and nutritional supplements to help your body reach optimal fertility. Chinese herbs from our herbalist partners are pure, safe, and effective in helping treat both male and female infertility. We use supplements that match your functional laboratory picture - improve deficiencies and regulate what might lead to harm.
Flexibility in making diet and lifestyle changes to promote optimal fertility. From Tao of Fertility, Dr. Dao says, “Chinese medicine is about teaching women to look the natural approach…you become the authority on your own condition.” We guide you using the TCM tenets of food, environment, longevity, and exercise. Remember the end goal is healthy mom and parents.
Fertility Acupuncture via Acu Naps
Fertility Guidance, Coaching, Advocacy
(virtual 20 minute sessions are available as well)
Herbal and Supplement Prescriptions
Lab Testing
Massage
Integrative approach to complement IUI, Embryo Banking, and IVF
LGBTQ+ family support
It all starts with lab work! Before we can get started working together, you’ll need to have updated lab results – taken within the past 6 months, ideally for both male and female factor.
Female Factor: Comprehensive Hormone Lab Testing (i.e., FSH, Estradiol, AMH, Thyroid). Contact us if you would like us to order labs for you. We ask that you take labs between menstrual cycle day 20 through 25.
Male Factor: We partner with MeetFellow for sperm analysis. Visit MeetFellow to get this done.
The joy is endless! We are honored to support families along their fertility journey and witness their families grow. Read on for some of the results we’ve seen with our
wonderful patients:
The joy is endless! We are honored to support families along their fertility journey and witness their families grow. Read on for some of the results we’ve seen with our
wonderful patients:
—F.L.
—E.S.
—T.Y.
—M.J.
—M.D.
With over 12 years of public health, health care, and Eastern Medicine experience, Joel focuses on patient-centered care, patient advocacy, and integrative treatments with health education and coaching. He trained at Dr. Lifang Liang’s Fertility and Women’s Health clinic where he learned the modalities to treat infertility and an array of gynecological disorders. He regularly attends international fertility symposiums, and collaborates with reproductive endocrinologists, fertility acupuncturists, naturopaths, and medical doctors to advanced the care for those challenged with infertility. His approach bridges Functional Medicine, Western Medicine, and Traditional Chinese methodologies. He brings together this wide-ranging and deep knowledge of fertility to his practice, to help you along your fertility journey. He is currently receiving mentorship by fertility author Laura Elrich and is Fellow of the Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine
The powerful health benefits of Chinese Medicine, it’s simplicity, and its accessibility have inspired Novella’s life as a healer. Her practice is part of her life-long commitment to improving the quality of life for all beings. Her treatments draw inspiration from a wide range of practices, including various types of herbalism, holistic medicine, and spiritual approaches. She has studied under the world famous DaoShing Ni, DOM, L.Ac. Ph.D. and founder of Yo San University. Also, Novella worked at the community birth center in South LA as well as in mid-city Los Angeles From the years 2010 to 2013 working along side founder, Racha Tahani Lawler, as an maternity support acupuncturist helping at risk pregnancies and general reproductive health. Her treatments will help you not only with fertility but with pain management, emotional well-being, and other crucial components to full body health.
Benn is Ritual’s massage therapist and bodyworker. He is also avid body builder competitor and fitness expert. At Ritual we see fertility as synergy between spirt, mind, and body. Ben’s massage therapy can be used an adjunctive therapy for stress reduction, physical ailments, and improve general circulation. He enjoys working in conjunction with other providers, fitness trainers, reiki practitioners, and acupuncturists to support families in their fertility journey. Do not hesitate to complement your acupuncture fertility journey with solid and reinvigorating massage!
We are looking forward to helping you on your journey to a healthy pregnancy!
We are looking forward to helping you on your journey to a healthy pregnancy!
If you’d like to get started immediately, fill out this form. If you’re interested to learn more, but aren’t quite ready to dive in, or you’re unsure what the next step is, feel free to reach out to our office by emailing us or calling/texting us at (707) 563-9010.