Acupuncture at PFC: Acupuncture and the ART of Conception

In furtherance of our quest to truly master the Art of Conception, PFC is now offering our patients acupuncture as a concurrent therapy in their treatment plans. PFC has teamed with Integrative Conception, a group of qualified practitioners who specialize in treating fertility with Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The simple aim of our acupuncture team is to support your fertility treatments and improve your success.

Following traditional TCM theory, our acupuncturists will develop a treatment plan that is specialized for you. Practitioners communicate effectively with your PFC fertility specialists to create your unique treatment plan. Treatment plans typically include various pre-ovulatory therapies as well as specialized acupuncture treatments performed immediately before and after embryo transfers.

Acupuncture treatments are performed on-site in an inviting and soothing environment. Your personalized care consists of well-researched acupuncture, guided imagery, nutrition and lifestyle advice, as well as close communication with your physicians about any additional concerns.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?

Traditional Chinese Medicine is the formal term for the combined therapies of Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, Moxibustion and other healing modalities. TCM theory achieves good health by balancing energies in the body using these several methods. The theory has evolved over thousands of years and is safe and highly effective. TCM uses a "holistic" approach, meaning it treats any individual problem by treating the whole body at the same time. A patient can expect TCM to provide benefits for virtually any illness, and fertility is no exception.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is performed by inserting fine needles into carefully selected points which correspond to the TCM theories of energy meridians that run through the body. According to TCM theory, acupuncture needles correct unbalanced energy in the body when the needle is inserted in the proper location. With the needles in place, a patient may feel very little, or may feel a dull energy sensation flow briefly through the body. Your ability to "sense" the acupuncture working may astonish you the first time.

How Does it Work?

TCM theory explains that channels of energy run in regular patterns through meridians in the body like water flowing through an aqueduct. Any obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is akin to a dam that backs up the regular flow, causing disease, pain and imbalance. Acupuncture and other TCM modalities can influence blocked energy in meridians, reestablish proper flow, and promote good health.

Acupuncture, TCM and Infertility

Acupuncture can be used to treat any type of fertility disorder including spasmed tubes. (Spasmed tubes are often de-spasmed with acupuncture, though blocked tubes will not respond to acupuncture). Acupuncture is often combined with herbs to treat elevated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), repeated pregnancy loss, unexplained (idiopathic) infertility, luteal phase defect, hyperprolactinemia (when not caused by a prolactinoma), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with annovulatory cycles, and male factor including men affected with sperm-DNA-fragmentation.

Treatment

When Should Treatment Begin?

Patients are commonly treated for three to four months before an insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), or donor-egg transfer.

The Pre- and Post- Embryo Transfer Treatments

One of the most important implementations of TCM during an IVF treatment is what is commonly referred to as Pre- and Post- Transfer Treatments. The chances of conception increase when reproductive-specific Acupuncture is administered prior to and shortly after the embryo is transferred to the uterus during an IVF treatment. Recent scientific studies have demonstrated that acupuncture immediately prior to and after embryo transfer assists fertility outcomes by improving uterine artery blood flow, decreasing uterine contractions, supporting endometrial lining and implantation and increasing pregnancy rates.

Fertility & Sterility, Vol.77, No. 6, Human Reproduction, Vol. 22, No.4

Acupuncture in Pre-Ovulatory Phase

Reproductive Acupuncture treatments do not consist only of pre- and post- embryo transfer treatments. Your pre-ovulatory phase acupuncture treatments work to bring your body back to its optimum balance and get ready for conception.  Typical changes you may sense quickly include: reduction in the stresses that interfere with ovulation, regulation of menses, and a general feeling of good health. 

More subtle changes may eventually include a normalization of the hormones that regulate ovulation and allow an egg to be released, an increase in uterine blood flow improving chances of a fertilized egg implanting, or an improvement in ovulation cycles in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, to name a few. 

All together, TCM will work to get your body in a healthier and more balanced state which will better lend itself to conception throughout your other Assisted Reproductive Therapies.

Package of Treatments

PRICES:

Initial visit: $180

Follow-up visits: $100

Day of Embryo Transfer or Day of IUI: $250 *includes before and after treatments

Package: $1800 (includes: initial visit, 16 follow-up visits, + day of transfer treatments)

The Acupuncture Facility

Our in-house acupuncture facility is a welcoming and soothing enviroment designed to suit your acupuncture needs.

Research & Recommended Reading

General Infertility Acupuncture Research

Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with electro-acupuncture - Elisabet Stener-Victorin, Urban Waldenstrom, Sven A. Andersson and Matts Wikland

Acupuncture Normalizes Dysfunction of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis - Bo-Ying Chen M.D., Professor of Neurobiology

Effects of Electro-Acupuncture on Nerve Growth Factor and Ovarian Morphology in Rats with Experimentally Induced Polycystic Ovaries - Elisabet Stener-Victorin, Thomas Lundeberg, Urban Waldenstrom, Luigi Manni, Luigi Aloe, Stefan Gunnarsson, and Per Olof Janson

Substitution of Acupuncture for HCG in Ovulation Induction - Cai Xuefen, Obstetrical & Gynecological Hospital, Zhejiang Medical University, Zhejiang Province

Relationship Between Blood Radioimmunoreactive Beta-Endorphin and Hand Skin Temperature During The Electro-Acupuncture Induction of Ovulation - Chen Bo Ying M.D. Lecturer of Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture Research, and Yu Jin, MD., Prof of Gynecology, Obstetricus and Gynecology Hospital Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China

Role of acupucture in the treatment of female infertility - Raymond Chang, M.D., The Institute of East-West Medicine, The Department of Internal Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Pak H. Chung, M.D., The Department of Internal Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Zev Rosenwaks, M.D., The Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility.

In Vitro Fertilization Acupuncture Research

Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy - Wolfgang E. Paulus, M.D., Department of Reproductive Medicine, Christian-Lauritzen-Institut. Mingmin Zhang, M.D., Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China. Erwin Strehler, M.D., Department of Reproductive Medicine, Christian-Lauritzen-Institut. Imam El-Danasouri, Ph.D., Department of Reproductive Medicine, Christian-Lauritzen-Institut. and Karl Sterzik, M.D. Department of Reproductive Medicine, Christian-Lauritzen-Institut

Acupuncture Treatment For Infertile Women Undergoing Intracytoplasmic Sperm injection - Sandra L. Emmons, MD, Phillip Patton, MD

Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the reproductive outcome in infertile women: a prospective, randomized trial - Lars G. Westergaard, M.D., Ph.D., Qunhui Mao, M.D., Marianne Krogslund, Steen Sandrini, Suzan Lenz, M.D., Ph.D., and Jørgen Grinsted, M.D., Ph.D.

Influence of acupuncture stimulation on pregnancy rates for women undergoing embryo transfer - Caroline Smith, Ph.D., Meaghan Coyle, B.Hlth.Sc. (Acup.), and Robert J. Norman, M.D.

Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study - Stefan Dieterle, M.D., Gao Ying, M.D., Wolfgang Hatzmann, M.D., and Andreas Neuer, M.D.

Recommended Reading

The Infertility Cure by Randine Lewis, P.HD.

Inconceivable by Julia Indichova

Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford

The Acupuncture Team

Our Team

The PFC Acupuncture Group is brought to you by Integrative Conception. We are an inspired and dedicated group of acupuncturists who specialize in reproductive medicine. We have advanced training and a wide knowledge base of western medicine to best complement your treatment choices.

We are members of American Society for Reproductive Medicine, American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine, RESOLVE, California State Oriental Medical Association. We are nationally and locally licensed and active in ongoing education and research in the field of reproductive health.

Tiffinie McEntire Tang, M.S., L.Ac.,

Tiffinie McEntire Tang is a California State Board licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist; she is also a co-founder of the Acupuncture Group at Pacific Fertility Center. Receiving her Masters of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco, Tiffinie dove right into private practice, focusing primarily on women’s health care and wellness. Her approach to healing is one that is holistic, incorporating, not only acupuncture and herbs, but nutritional enhancements to her patients. She also encourages her patients to find creative ways to incorporate exercise, meditation, and overall mindfulness into their daily lives to give way to a more stress free life.

Tiffinie’s undergraduate education includes a BA in English Literature and holistic health from San Francisco State University. She has also worked in the high stress worlds of journalism and finance, which has proved to create a deeper understanding of needs of her urban patients. With regard to Chinese medicine and your experience, she has also been fortunate to have studied and interned with some prominent practitioners of Chinese medicine in the Bay Area who focus primarily on fertility. In addition, she continues to increase her knowledge of women’s health, reproductive medicine, and gynecology. Overall, Tiffinie encourages her patients to keep learning, too, in an effort to empower them to optimize their healing experiences and lives.

Jennifer Moss, M.S., L.Ac.,

Jennifer Moss, MS, L.Ac. is a licensed acupuncturist specializing in Fertility, Pregnancy and Reproductive Health. She has received advanced training and specialized education in treating infertility and obstetrics with Traditional Chinese Medicine, and has been treating couples who are trying conceive at her private practice since 2002. Jennifer is one of a select few Bay Area acupuncturists who have passed the competency test required to become a certified fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine.

Jennifer currently treats patients who are seeking to conceive with or without modern reproductive therapies. She is the co-founder of the Acupuncture Group at PFC. Her decision to team up with PFC was born when she realized that many of her successful fertility patients were being treated concurrently by PFC.

Jennifer graduated magna cum laude from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1998. In 2001, Jennifer graduated the top of her class with a Masters of Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco. Jennifer is currently certified to practice Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology both nationally and by the State of California. She is a professional member of the American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM).

Jennifer attributes successful pregnancies to the ancient, complex, and well-developed knowledge base of Traditional Chinese Medicine fertility protocols. She has pledged to herself to remain a career student in the intricacies of fertility and pregnancy treatments with Chinese Medicine, and this dedication has paid off for her patients with many healthy and successful births. Jennifer is dedicated to the integration of ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine with cutting-edge assisted reproductive therapies. As her personal philosophy, Jennifer has always sought to empower each patient with knowledge of their own course of treatment. Jennifer knows that many patients are new to Chinese Medicine, and questions are always welcome.

Sara Stieg, M.S., L.Ac.,

Sara Stieg is a California Board Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist and ABORM certified; she is also a co-founder of the Acupuncture Group at Pacific Fertility Center. Sara specializes in women’s health and reproductive medicine. She received her Masters of Science degree from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco. Her undergraduate education includes a Bachelors degree in psychology, Italian studies, and holistic health care.

Throughout her career, she gained knowledge and hands on experience through extensive internships and advanced training. Sara has been fortunate to intern under several prominent Chinese doctors, and continues to increase her knowledge in the field of reproductive medicine and gynecology by her commitment to research and ongoing education.