Acupuncture and Fertility

My name is Amelia Hirota and when I entered acupuncture school in 1998 no one was studying acupuncture and fertility. I was interested in fertility and I knew that I wanted to work in the field of reproductive medicine. The medicalization of the women's health, including the routine prescription of birth control pills, scheduled c-sections, medically managed births, conventional hysterectomies, and routine HRT medication for menopause all motivated me to delve into effective, empowering options for women.

The practice of gynecology in traditional Chinese medicine dates back to the Song dynasty, over 700 years ago, when traditional Chinese medicine officially began to have specialties. It seemed to me that if traditional Chinese doctors had been focusing on gynecology and women's health for over 700 years, then I would likely find a more holistic approach to treating infertility and gynecological imbalances in traditional Chinese medicine. Little did I know that acupuncture for infertility would be common place in less than 10 years.

My Undergrad Education

When I first went to college, I was a pre-med student, intent on being a sports medicine doctor or a surgeon. Unfortunately, I didn't know anything about acupuncture in 1984. I grew up watching Quincy on TV and playing the game Operation in the 70's. I had a steady hand and thought that I might make a good surgeon. After working my way through the biology portion of my pre-med requirements at Occidental College in Los Angeles, I became captivated with the idea of studying abroad in Japan. Hence, began my love affair with the Orient. I began to study Japanese and I spent my junior year at Waseda University in Tokyo, one of my favorite cities in the world. When I was in Japan, I had my first shiatsu massage, acupuncture treatment and taste of Asian herbal medicine. Acupuncture immediately intrigued me. I was fascinated at how my body and emotional state could change with just a few needles inserted in my arms and legs. I returned to Occidental College and graduated with a B.A. in economics and a minor in Asian studies.

Todaiji Temple in Nara, Japan

After college I traveled throughout Asia for 2 years, including the countries of China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Australia. During these travels I saw the serene practice of Tai Qi in the parks of China and the widespread use of herbal medicine throughout the region. The jamu (herbal tonic) sellers in Indonesia were especially enchanting with their sing song voices and heavy bottles of brown herbal brew, reputed to increase energy and extend one's life. Following my travels, I completed my pre-med requirements of chemistry, physics, botany, anatomy and physiology at Pasadena City College. It was during my botany course that I discovered an affinity for plants, which later lead to my obsession with Chinese herbal medicine. Once my pre-med requirements were completed, I realized that my passion for health was more in alignment with the holistic approach of traditional Chinese medicine, than with the symptomatic manner of western allopathic medicine. Therefore, I began to research acupuncture schools in the United States.

Travels in India on a Motorcycle

Before attending acupuncture school I needed to attend to my wanderlust again. In 1996 I was planning a 1 year motorcycle trip to India with my boyfriend, Amie at the time, who later became my husband. Just prior to the trip, I was diagnosed with leukemia and given about 7 years to live. According to my doctor, allopathic medicine had nothing to offer me at that point, so she encouraged me to proceed with my travel plans, as I was feeling fine.

Our Royal Enfield Bike in the Himalayas
Amelia Hirota and Amie Yusop

Soon after arriving in India, we visited a Tibetan doctor in Manali. She checked me over and with no prompting from me, determined that my blood was unhealthy and proceeded to question me about my diet. At that point, I had been a vegetarian for 6 years and a vegan for 2 of those years. She promptly informed me that I needed to eat meat, lamb specifically. Her other lifestyle recommendations included eating warm foods, no raw vegetables, not thinking too much, staying in a warm climate, being with someone who said loving things to me, drinking an occasional beer and taking Tibetan herbal medicine. I followed her lifestyle advice and took her herbal pills 3 times a day. Once a week at 3 AM, I also took one "precious pill", which was wrapped in silk. I had to smash it before bed, mix it with hot water, cover it with a white, silk cloth and leave it for the morning. Then I arose at 3 AM, chanted a healing chant in Sanskrit to the Medicinal Buddha and drank the herbal brew. I then returned to bed and was to keep my body warm until morning.

There were a lot of details to taking Tibetan medicine and I illustrate them here for the purpose of understanding the intrinsic relationship between holistic medicine and lifestyle. It's important to make the practice a part of one's life and give it priority. It's not a matter of just popping a pill. I was very curious about what the effect of this herbal medicine, my new carnivore habits and other lifestyle changes would have on my health, so I went to a local lab in India monthly to have my blood tested. I wanted to monitor the progression of my leukemia. Well, within just 3 months, all of my white blood cell counts normalized and I was given a clean state of health. My doctor back home was happy to hear my news, but also intrigued with this herbal medicine.

Acupuncture School in Hawaii

As a result of my experience with Tibetan medicine, my goals to attend a traditional Chinese medicine school were strengthened and I applied to the Hawaii College of Traditional Oriental Medicine on the island of Maui. This school was founded by Eileen Bellerue and it came on the recommendation of Michael Weinstein, a talented acupuncturist in Santa Monica, CA. This program was very strong in herbal medicine, while exposing students to various styles of acupuncture. The school was traditional and strived to educate its students in all 8 branches of traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, herbs, dietary therapy, massage, qigong, tai chi, Chinese astrology and feng shui.

After completing my academic foundation, I transferred to the Traditional Chinese Medicine College of Hawaii in Kamuela on the Big Island. This school was founded by Angela Longo and was modeled after the apprenticeship model, as Angela Longo had apprenticed extensively with Dr. Kong, a renowned practitioner from southern China. The school was exceptional in auricular acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Auricular acupuncture utilizes the ear to treat the entire body. The herbal pharmacy was straight out of China with over 400 drawers filled with herbs. This school truly immersed its students in the study of herbal medicine.

Graduation Day
Dr. Chang Yi Hsiang with Amelia Hirota

For my last year of school, I transferred to the Tai Hsuan College of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (now known as The World Medicine Institute) in Honolulu on the island of Oahu. This was the oldest school in Hawaii, with a wonderful mix of Daoist philosophy and modern allopathic medical training. The World Medicine Institute was founded by Dr. Chang Yi Hsiang, a 64th generation Taoist lineage holder and had a reputation for bringing out the Daoist aspects of traditional Chinese medicine. Dr. David Roth was the primary instructor of western medicine and he was extremely skilled in training us in the fundamentals of biomedical science and preparing us for conversing with allopathic physicians.

I graduated from Tai Hsuan College with a Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine in 2001 and later passed both the national acupuncture and the herbal boards, which are offered by NCCAOM (National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.) I'm a recognized diplomate in both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine and I'm licensed in the states of Hawaii, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

My Clinical Experience

I opened my first clinic in Maui, Hawaii with one of my former instructors, Dr. Len Allison. The clinic was called Blue Bamboo Chinese Medical Center and Spa. It was a fairly large clinic with 6 treatment rooms inside and a gazebo treatment room outside. We can do that kind of thing in Hawaii. With 7 massage therapists, 5 acupuncturists, an esthetician, and 4 receptionists we started one of the first community acupuncture clinics in the U.S.. We charged between $25 - $40 for a treatment and soon the community discovered the wonders of Chinese medicine.

Opening day Celebration at Blue Bamboo
Len Allison, our Shinto priest, Amelia Hirota

I currently practice acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine at the Center of Balance acupuncture clinic, located in East Greenwich, RI. We have a wonderful group of holistic practitioners. Most of my practice involves reproductive medicine with my primary focus utililzing acupuncture for infertility. I treat infertility, menstrual issues, hormone imbalances, pregnancy, labor & delivery, and menopause.

The Staff at Center of Balance
Amelia Hirota, Patricia Gilmartin, Barbara Morse, Claudia Rauwolf

When I'm not treating patients in the clinic, I teach classes on Chinese medicine, attend conferences, work with patients in my online programs, devour books and journals and grow my own herbal medicine. I absolutely love empowering women to take control of their health.

When I first entered acupuncture school, each of the students was asked what they hoped to do with their education. My response was that I wanted to eliminate PMS and menstrual cramps from the planet. I felt that this would help both women and men live happier and more fulfilling lives. Now, after studying the menstrual cycle for about 10 years, I know that regulating a women's cycle is the key to her health and fertility. I hope that my site will help women from Minnesota to Mumbai gain a deeper understanding of their bodies, menstrual cycles and fertility. Thanks for reading my story. I hope that you feel like you know me a bit better now.