Finding a Good Fertility Acupuncturist

by Taylor
(Tampa Bay, FL)

Hello Amelia,
My name is Taylor. My question is, How do you find a good fertility acupuncturist in one's area? What questions should one be asking when looking?

I have been trying to conceive for 3 years. I have been seeing an acupuncturist for 2 years. She has always told me things look fine and that I could come once a month, maybe twice if I wanted. I keep reading it is important to do it more often.

I quit caffeine totally about six months ago on my own accord. She kept telling me it was okay to have a cup or two of coffee if I wanted. About five months ago she put me on Vitex, stating she couldn't believe she didn't think of putting me on it sooner.

So, I have begun to wonder if she knows what she is doing. After reading more about what you do with your clients, I would very much like to find someone who will work with my chart, help me get my hormones balanced, and address any other possible issues and blockages.

I don't mean for this to be long winded, but would love any insights on the appropriate questions to ask a possible acupuncturist to get a feel for if they truly are as fertility specialized, as the one above claims to be. I am growing more uncomfortable, as I seem to have more ideas on what I need to change than she does. It has been a long journey and I'm trying to make appropriate choices to move forward.

Thanks so very much for any insights you may have.

Thanks so much!
Taylor
Tampa Bay,FL

Comments for Finding a Good Fertility Acupuncturist

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Finding a Good Fertility Acupuncturist
by: Amelia Hirota

Hi Taylor,
It seems to me that you've been very patient with your fertility acupuncturist. Oh how I wish that you were my patient and you came to see me after only a year of trying to conceive!

You haven't mentioned if you've experienced any positive changes in your menstrual cycle or other health issues, so it's hard for me to really evaluate your current acupuncturist. However, the fact that she's not giving you stringent dietary advice or looking at your BBT chart makes me wonder how comprehensive her fertility program is.

Also, after 2 years of treatment, I would expect you to be on some personalize herbal or nutritional supplement protocols to hone in on your particular issues. If the only product that you've been prescribed is Vitex, then I wonder if your acupuncturist is a board certified herbalist?

Since it sounds like you're thinking of changing practitioners, I would recommend that you call other acupuncturists in your area and ask them the following questions:

1. What percentage of their practice focuses on fertility patients?
2. If they are really specializing in fertility, what percentage of the patients are also working with a Reproductive Endocrinologist and what percentage are trying to conceive naturally?
3. Beyond acupuncture, what other modalities does she focus on when treating fertility patients? (Lifestyle changes, meditation, qigong, dietary therapy, moxa, herbs, nutritional supplements, detoxing, etc.)
4. Does she do any testing to further evaluate her patients' state of health?
5. What does she think of the BBT chart?
6. Does she treat men or focus on male fertility at all?

Once you've interviewed your nearby acupuncturists, spend the money on making an initial appointment with your top choices. Only by sitting down with them, talking face to face and experiencing a treatment by them, will you really know if your resonate with them or not.

Good luck!
Amelia Hirota, D.Ac.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Trying to Conceive FAQ.