What are the seasons of the menstrual cycle?

What are the seasons of the menstrual cycle?

The changes in our hormones throughout the month of our menstrual cycle can be likened to the seasons in nature, as Summer transitions to Autumn, then to Winter and Spring. Throughout each phase, the fluctuations in Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Oestrogen and Progesterone all contribute to the changes in our mood, sleep, energy, motivation and mental capacity. Although many women believe the menstrual cycle is just a regular monthly bleed, I want to explain and break down each phase and discuss practical ways to harness this ‘fifth vital sign’. As a note, a normal menstrual cycle length for women is anywhere between 26 – 35 days. I refer to a 28 day cycle as ‘textbook’, as it is the average but not the rule. Only about 14% of women have a 28 day cycle.

Winter – Menstruation

The menstrual phase begins on the first day of full bleed which is classified as day 1. It is normal for women to bleed for 3-5 days, including 1-2 days of light spotting as it finishes up. Menstrual flow can vary dramatically from woman to woman, however normal blood loss is about 50mL or 2.5 tablespoons, anything below 25mL is considered scanty and anything more than 80mL is considered heavy. If we translate this to menstrual products, if not using a menstrual cup, a ‘normal flow’ would be the use of 10x regular pads or tampons spread evenly over all the days of your period.

So what are your hormones doing?
At this phase, your hormones Oestrogen and Progesterone are at baseline, meaning that as Progesterone begins to plummet your uterine lining starts to shed. Some women do feel a sense of relief of premenstrual symptoms with the arrival of the period, however other common symptoms associated with the loss of Oestrogen and Progesterone through your menstrual bleed include lower back or girdle pain, headaches, cramps and lethargy.

How can I best support my body?
The menstrual phase is a time where our body is at its most yin, we are losing blood and fluid and our hormones are plummeting. This is why I recommend for women to listen to their bodies and really begin to slow down and hibernate during this stage. It is an important time to rest, to prioritise sleep and nourish their bodies with warm and nourishing meals that are high in proteins, healthy fats, low GI carbohydrates and a variety of seasonal vegetables to support the detoxification process. In terms of exercise, this is a time where I recommend avoiding high intensity exercise including running and opting for more yin style movement including walking, Pilates and/ or Yoga. As the body is already depleted from the loss of Yin, blood and fluid from your menstrual bleed, we want to ensure you are not over exerting your body during this phase, which will be detrimental to the upcoming ovulation phase.

Spring – Follicular Phase

The follicular phase of your menstrual cycle starts from the day after you finish bleeding until ovulation. These days can vary depending on the length or your bleed, as well as the length of your entire menstrual cycle. During this phase of spring, we come out of hibernation and welcome in the energy of the new menstrual cycle. The hormones are beginning to rise as the body prepares for the next cycle of ovulation, specifically FSH and Estradiol, our feel good hormone.

So what are your hormones doing?
Your Follicular Phase is when the hormone FSH is most dominant. FSH is produced in the pituitary gland, which is a small endocrine gland located at the base of the brain, it sends signals down to the ovaries to say, “produce follicles”. With the maturation of your developing follicles, the hormone Estradiol begins to rise as one dominant follicle prepares for ovulation. Estradiol is also responsible for the thickening of the endometrial lining, which is important for efficient implantation of the embryo if a couple is trying to conceive, or to support a healthy menstrual bleed.

How can I best support my body?
The Follicular Phase of your menstrual cycle is when women often start to feel a positive shift. Estradiol is rising, which is our feel good hormone that is going to support mood, energy, motivation and overall well being. It is still imperative that you are eating a diet rich in good quality proteins, healthy fats,
carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables however you may notice your cravings have decreased or are completely gone during this phase. The reason is because oestrogen creates satiety, therefore minimising food cravings. In combination, we will feel more motivated to exercise and I recommend incorporating some HIIT style training into your week, if you are feeling up to it. Other symptoms and changes that you may feel during this phase, include an increase in libido as the body is nearing ovulation, changes in cervical mucus as well as an increase in concentration and mental clarity. If possible, it is best to arrange important work meetings or presentations around this phase as your hormones are about to peak.

Summer – Ovulation

The ovulation phase of the menstrual cycle is determined by the release of one or potentially two eggs from an ovary. It is normal to occur anywhere between day 12 to day 21, and this will then be an indicator of how long your entire menstrual cycle will be. A lot of people put emphasis on when the menstrual bleed will arrive, however I believe it is more important to focus on when ovulation occurs, because if you are not ovulating regularly you will not have a regular period. This phase of summer is when we are in our most ‘yang’ energy, we will feel an increased drive to be more social, to cease the day, we will feel more creative and more motivated.

So what are your hormones doing?
During the follicular phase, when the brain is sending FSH down to the ovaries to produce follicles, and Estradiol is rising with the production of these follicles, a dominant follicle will begin to form in preparation for ovulation. This is when ‘signals’ are sent back to the pituitary gland, and the hormone LH spikes to initiate ovulation.

How can I best support my body?
The ovulation phase of the menstrual cycle is when women will feel at their peak. It is recommended for women to harness this energy, as it is the period of time in their menstrual cycle where women will feel the most motivated, they will have improved mental clarity, they will feel more focused, have an increase in confidence and an overall sense of wellness internally and externally. During this phase of your menstrual cycle, I recommend to continue to organise any events in your social calendar, if possible plan your important work meetings or presentations and incorporate more HIIT style training sessions. Food and nutrition is important throughout every stage of your menstrual cycle, and although your appetite may have decreased with the surge
of Oestrogen, it is still important to prioritise regular healthy meals and snacks into your daily diet.

Autumn – Luteal Phase

The luteal phase of your menstrual cycle, also known as your Autumn phase, is when you begin to transition out of your most yang energy and into your more introverted yin phase. It is the 10-16 days between ovulation and your menstrual bleed, and it is determined by the lifespan of the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum is a progesterone-secreting gland that is formed from the emptied follicle you have just ovulated.

So what are your hormones doing?
Post ovulation, your corpus luteum produces the hormone Progesterone, which is the critical hormone for period health. For couples trying to conceive, Progesterone is the hormone that holds an early pregnancy before the placenta takes over. Aside from pregnancy, progesterone has other benefits like reducing inflammation, building muscles, supporting sleep, protecting the heart against heart disease and calming the nervous system to reduce stress. We can think of Progesterone being the yin to Oestrogen’s yang, as its role during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle helps to regulate Oestrogen.

How can I best support my body?
This is the period of time where women need to give themselves permission to be ok where they are at, as you come into the final stage of your menstrual cycle before your period arrives. Your hormones are shifting and with that, so should your lifestyle. I recommend prioritising earlier nights, eating nourishing good quality meals with adequate protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates; as well as shifting back to yin style exercise and movement.
A challenge that I like to set for my patients is learning to say ‘no’. What this means, is to prioritise downtime in your busy social calendar, and knowing when you are beginning to burn the candle at both ends. Saying ‘no’ empowers you and supports your health during this week of
big hormonal changes. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are great ways to support your hormonal health and menstrual cycle. Rather than experiencing ‘peaks and troughs’, through each phase or season of the month, I support women to experience rather an ‘eb and flow’.

By Georgia Payten
TCM Practitioner & Acupuncturist at The Pagoda Tree.

June 8th, 2023|
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Traditional Chinese Medicine’s view on Female Reproduction and Pregnancy

Traditional Chinese Medicine’s view on Female Reproduction and Pregnancy

Traditional Chinese Medicine draws its philosophy and treatments from the connection between humanity and nature as Chinese Medicine views the human body as an ecosystem. In the same way ecosystems in nature consist of rivers, lands, mountains, clouds and so on, the ecosystem of the human body consists of organs, fluids, nutrients, blood and oxygen. Just as there are complex relationships in nature, clouds delivering water to the mountains in the form of rain, rain flowing down the mountains and washing soil toward the plains, land being refreshed and replenished by this soil while rivers fill with water from the rain, there are equally important and complex yet traceable relationships between the different organs and systems within the human body. Just as the health of the external ecosystem depends on maintaining equilibrium, the right amount of rain in the right season, the right amount of soil washed down the mountain, and so on, the health of the human body depends on maintaining balance within its different systems.

Traditional Chinese medicine doesn’t treat a Kidney or a Lung or an Ovary; instead, it addresses the energetic health underlying the organs, then it gently supports the body to function in the most efficient manner through Acupuncture treatments, Chinese Herbal medicine and dietary changes to bring your organs and meridians into balance.

So how does this apply to Women’s Health and Fertility?
Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches us that fertility is a woman’s natural state from the time of menarche until she reaches menopause. Fertility relies on the eb and flow within the network of organs, hormones, and energy systems within a woman’s body. One of the beauties of Eastern medicine is that there is no separation of mind, body, emotions and spirit, and Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment is based upon supporting and balancing them all. Even though the organ systems in Traditional Chinese Medicine are considered to perform the same function as they do in Western Medicine, in Chinese Medicine these organs have additional responsibilities. When we think of a woman’s menstrual cycle and reproductive health, in Western Medicine one would assess hormones and her uterus for the cause. In comparison, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, menstrual irregularities can be caused by problems with either the meridians or the Organs other than the Uterus. She will have to have enough Essence in her Kidneys, and enough Blood supplied by the Liver and Spleen. Treating menstrual problems with Traditional Chinese Medicine, therefore may involve the Penetrating and Conception Vessel meridians, and/ or the Kidneys, Liver or Spleen. Treatment would aim to nourish a woman’s Qi and Blood, the Essence, or balancing Yin and Yang within the body.

How can Acupuncture support your body throughout your pregnancy?
There is definitely a place for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture from the moment a woman is open to conceiving, throughout pregnancy as well as postpartum care. During the first 12 weeks of a woman’s pregnancy, treatments are focussed on supporting the symptoms of the first trimester. Treatments using specific points to nourish Qi and blood to support energy, calming the Central Nervous System to reduce any stress or anxiety as well are reducing the frequency and severity of any nausea and/ or vomiting symptoms.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, the Penetrating Vessel has a close relationship with the Stomach channel and the uterus. Disorders of the Penetrating Vessel can therefore lead to rebellious qi which interferes with the descending action of the Stomach, leading to nausea and vomiting. It is believed that from the moment of conception the Penetrating Vessel undergoes profound changes, as menstruation is no longer occurring and the blood and essence of the Penetrating Vessel are now required to nourish the now growing baby.

As a woman comes into her second trimester, we see this is when they often feel their best. The nausea and vomiting will subside anywhere from this 13 week point, up until 20 weeks. However, it is important to note that a small percentage of women will experience nausea and/ or vomiting throughout their entire pregnancy. A woman’s energy also returns and we often see her overall well being improve. Symptoms that may arise during the later stages of her second trimester and into the third trimester, is that she may start to experience musculoskeletal aches and pains, heartburn, changes in sleeping patterns including insomnia as well as the same lethargy she experienced during her first trimester. As with all acupuncture treatments, dosage is important and this frequency will change throughout the pregnancy. Your practitioner will be able to guide you on the best time to come in for appointments throughout each trimester to support your body during the 9 months.

 

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By Georgia Payten
TCM Practitioner & Acupuncturist at The Pagoda Tree.

May 18th, 2023|
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What is the Fourth Trimester? And how can we support the mother during the Postpartum period?

What is the Fourth Trimester? And how can we support the mother during the
Postpartum period?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine and culture, the first month after giving birth is crucial to the immediate and future health of both the mother and her baby. This is a period of time, where it is encouraged for the mother to rest, recuperate, and to also be supported. After the previous 9 months of growing a baby, it is not only important to ensure that her baby is healthy, but also she is healthy and ensuring she is supporting her body to recover. In most traditional cultures, in some way shape or form, the mother will rest for the first forty days post birth. In traditional Chinese culture, this practice is known as ‘sitting the month’, where mother is confined inside her home, away from the wind and cold, limiting socialising and is encouraged to rest. The term is is referred to as ‘the gateway’, or Zuo Yuezi, as it is the threshold between one way of being, and an entirely new existence – Your life before baby, and life with baby. The aim for spending dedicated time in this revitalising in-between space, is that
the mother will emerge more beautiful and rejuvenated than before.

So what are some practical ways to reclaim this wisdom?
Firstly, creating a support team around you, which can include asking for help from family members, friends and/ or mothers/ parents groups. If you live remotely, this can also mean having a good relationship with your GP. Secondly, with your support team, creating those healthy boundaries and clear expectations with family and friends that you’ll be spending this time at home to recover. I recommend educating friends and family members about the fourth trimester so they have an understanding of why you are doing it and how it will benefit your recovery.
In addition, prioritising rest, doing absolutely nothing and knowing it is good for you. I also recommend surrendering to the mess in the house, sleeping when your baby is napping throughout the day and not feeling socially pressured to be out and about “showing off” your baby. Priority and focus should be on limiting activity beyond baby care, mother-warming acupuncture treatment and resting as much as possible. In combination with prioritising warmth and warming the body through consuming warm foods, keeping the body warm especially the feet, and
avoiding any exposure to cold including swimming in the ocean for the first 40 days. This will help support a mother’s postpartum recovery, rebuilding her Qi and conserving her Jing for breastfeeding, future menstrual cycles, fertility and even to menopause.

Do you deserve the first four rty days?
A lot of mothers feel as though they don’t deserve or aren’t entitled to this transitional period from woman to mother. Another consideration is a woman’s circumstances during this time, whether she lives remotely, her partner or support person is back at work, she has other young children to take care of or if she is a single-parent. The simple answer, each and every woman deserves some kind of nourishment and support post birth. We have to remember, over the past 9 months, she has grown and birthed another human, that kind of energy expenditure needs adequate time to rebuild. Simple ways a mother can support herself during this stage, include ensuring she is showering daily, opening the windows and doors to let some fresh air in the house or sitting in the sun whether that be on her balcony, in her backyard or at a local park.

What are the Acupuncture treatment recommendations post birth?
There are a lot of benefits in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture post birth. These treatments can support recovery and prevent any disharmonies that may arise, including deficiency of Qi, blood and/ or yin as well as blood stagnation or invasion of pathogenic cold.
These kinds of patterns can make a mother feel depleted, she may experience pain, cold hands and feet, dizziness and lightheadedness, a sense of apathy as well as anxiety and depression. Ideally, I like to see a mother come in for a treatment within the first 1-2 weeks post birth, this treatment is called ‘mother warming’, which is a one-off warming moxibustion treatment to help energise a woman and aid her recovery. The moxibustion is a Chinese mugwort leaf that is used as a heat source to stimulate acupuncture points. This moxibustion stick is used to warm the woman’s abdomen, from the area at the top of the pubic bone up to the navel, this should radiate a nice pleasant warmth feeling in the local area.

As a Chinese Medicine practitioner, I can also safely prescribe Chinese Herbs if needed in combination with diet and lifestyle advice.

If you would like to learn more about the Fourth trimester, I recommend the following resources:
● The First Forty Days by Heng Ou
● Golden Month by Jenny Allison
● The Postnatal Depletion Cure by Oscar Serrallach

 

By Georgia Payten
TCM Practitioner & Acupuncturist at The Pagoda Tree.

 

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May 11th, 2023|
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Pre-labour Acupuncture Treatments

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When is the best time to have Pre-Labour Acupuncture treatment? And what are the
benefits?
You may have heard of the term ‘Pre-Labour Acupuncture’ or ‘Acupuncture Induction’ from your midwife, a friend or even a family member talking about the results and experience they had with treatment to support and induce labour. So what does this treatment actually entail? And is there any research or evidence to back these claims? There is a common misconception that women will come in for a one off ‘Acupuncture Induction’ treatment at 40 weeks and spontaneous labour will be guaranteed. Although, you may have of a friend of a friend who had this experience and there is no doubt that there is some clinical evidence, the therapeutic benefit of Acupuncture as a pre-labour treatment comes from the cumulative effect of weekly Acupuncture treatments from 36 weeks. It is from this date of 36 weeks gestation, that we begin to use more stimulating Acupuncture points to relax the muscles and sinews, soften and ripen the cervix, calm the Central Nervous System and begin to prepare the body for the most efficient labour. In combination, we will discuss lifestyle and diet advice to begin to incorporate into your daily practices. We will then continue Acupuncture treatment until your due date, and discuss more frequent biweekly treatments if you go over. In clinical practice, in which pre-labour/ pre-birth Acupuncture treatment is used from 36 weeks, evidence shows when compared to the local population rates, there was an overall 35% reduction in the number of inductions (For primigravida women, this was a 43% reduction); 31%
reduction in the epidural rate, 32% reduction in emergency caesarean delivery; and a 9% increase in normal vaginal births (Betts & Lennox, 2006), with these positive results. Acupuncture can provide a safe and effective treatment for women seeking natural labour.

So how does the treatment differ to other Acupuncture treatments throughout
pregnancy?
Throughout pregnancy, your Acupuncturist will be aware of contraindicated points and will avoid these areas. These specific points have a stimulating action and from a Chinese Medicine perspective will strongly move Qi and Blood through the channels and the uterus. Throughout pregnancy we want to support a nutritive and protective environment in the uterus where all nutrients and oxygen is directed to your developing baby. So Acupuncture points are minimal and treatment is focused on tonification and calming the mind and body. Comparatively, pre-labour Acupuncture treatments from 36 weeks are focussed on beginning to stimulate adequate flow of Qi and blood through the uterus. The contraindicated points that were avoided throughout pregnancy will now be safely used, by your registered Acupuncturist. These specific points will aid cervical dilation, relax and soften the ligaments prior to labour, support the descending action of the baby into the pelvis, calm the mind and prepare the body for the most efficient labour.

Will this treatment affect my baby?
A common question I am asked during a consultation is, ‘will this treatment hurt/ affect my baby?’. Put simply, Acupuncture performed by a registered Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Practitioner will be safe for you and your baby. Acupuncture is a safe alternative for women seeking natural pregnancy and labour support. For peace of mind, when booking in with a Chinese Medicine Practitioner, ensure they have further training and experience in treating Women’s Health and Pregnancy.

What if my baby is breeched?
If your baby is in the breech position, first and foremost it is important to check in with your care provider what your options are. Tools and techniques to encourage your baby to move into the optimal position of cephalic, have been shown to work best when your baby is at 34/35 weeks gestation as they have more room in the uterus to flip. Acupuncture and Moxa treatment is beneficial for turning breeched babies, however this treatment does differ from Pre-labour/ Pre-birth treatment. The focus is on turning the baby, rather than encouraging the baby to move into the pelvis for labour preparation.

For the best results and outcome from pre-labour/ pre-birth Acupuncture treatments, I recommend chatting to your registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner about booking in weekly appointments from 36 weeks gestation.

By Georgia Payten

TCM Practitioner & Acupuncturist at The Pagoda Tree.

 

Reference:
Betts, D. and Lennox, S. (2006). Acupuncture For Prebirth Treatment: An Observational Study
of its use in Midwifery Practice. Journal of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture,
17(3), pp.16–19.

April 20th, 2023|
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What is Endometriosis? And how do I know if I have it?

As Endometriosis Awareness month finishes up, let’s delve into the symptoms, diagnosis and management of this condition.

So what is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition where the endometrial tissue grows in areas outside the uterus. This condition affects 1 in 10 women*, and it typically can take 8-10 years to be diagnosed. Although the estimated prevalence of Endometriosis is thought to be around 10%, an estimated 40-60% of women* who experience dysmenorrhea have Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is classified as secondary dysmenorrhea, which is defined as severe period pain, which may not be directly related to your period and may be associated with an underlying reproductive disorder or condition. Symptoms experienced can include burning, throbbing, searing or stabbing-like pain that can last for multiple days and can occur throughout the entire menstrual cycle. It can affect quality of life, leading to vomiting and can interfere with daily activities causing some women* to miss school days/ work days and/ or social events. Other associated signs and symptoms can include nausea, fatigue, pain during sex and dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

Unfortunately due to the complicated nature of this condition, it is unable to be diagnosed with a regular ultrasound. The most accurate form of diagnosis for Endometriosis is Laparoscopic surgery. Currently, this procedure is performed via keyhole surgery, where the Endometrial lesions are removed from areas outside the uterus. These can be found in the pelvis, bladder, bowel, ovaries, fallopian tubes and in very rare cases outside the pelvis.

Although symptoms of Endometriosis can be managed to improve a woman’s quality of life, it is unlikely for the Endometrial lesions to disappear on their own and generally cannot be treated with medicine.

So how do we view Endometriosis from a Chinese Medicine perspective?

There are a number of diagnostic patterns for Endometriosis, however the most common I see are forms of Qi Stagnation, Blood Stagnation and Blood Deficiency. The pain is a result of qi and blood not moving, and depending on how impeded their flow is, dictates the severity of the pain.

Qi stagnation will present with signs and symptoms of dull achy pain in the pelvic girdle and lower back, and is often associated with premenstrual symptoms, on the other hand, Blood Stagnation will cause sharp stabbing-like pain with dark clotted menstrual blood and Blood Deficiency will present with pain that is worse at the end of the menstrual bleed or after the period is over. In a patient, these 3 diagnoses can present on their own or in a combination, depending on symptoms.

It is important to identify the differentiation in signs and symptoms of each patient to ensure the correct Chinese Herbal Formula and Acupuncture treatment is prescribed.

How does Acupuncture actually decrease the pain? And how regularly would a patient need treatment?

Research shows, Acupuncture will reduce systemic inflammation which will then in turn decrease the inflammatory response of this condition and reduce the severity and quality of the period pain. In addition, by needling specific points on the surface of the skin, this will release endorphins, the body’s natural pain-killing chemicals as well as affecting the part of the brain that governs serotonin, a brain chemical involved with mood. Furthermore, Acupuncture has been shown to significantly reduce Prostaglandin levels in women with both Primary and Secondary dysmenorrhea.

In terms of treatment frequency, we know that Acupuncture is cumulative, so the more frequently you have treatment the quicker you begin to feel the benefits. Ideally, it is recommended a patient come in weekly for 1 month to support each stage of their menstrual cycle, reduce inflammation and regulate hormones. Depending on symptoms, I would then recommend to continue treatment fortnightly or monthly for a 6-12 month period.

With the positive outcomes in research showing that Acupuncture treatments significantly reduces period pain intensity, duration and symptoms over time, I recommend patients to use Acupuncture as a form of monthly pain management instead of their monthly Naprogesic.

By Georgia Payten
* Women & people assigned female at birth.

March 29th, 2023|
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The truth about weight loss

Almost 2 in 3 Australian adults are either overweight or obese. Lets just let that sink in for a bit. 2 in 3 – that’s about 11 million people in this country alone who are struggling to maintain a healthy weight. We all know that there are many health implications for being over-weight and obese, but still the statics are not improving…..so why is this such an issue for us? Why not just lose the weight?

January 3rd, 2019|
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The wonderful Chaste Tree (Vitex), is it what you are missing?

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We use a number of different herbs and supplements in clinic, to treat a wide range of issues.   However in a clinic that specialises in hormonal health and fertility, Chaste Tree (also known as Vitex or Chaste Berry) has to be one of the favourites. 

July 18th, 2018|
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Am I having a boy or a girl??

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There is something in the water here at The Pagoda Tree, as not only are we helping many couples fall pregnant, but our small staff of 11 has seen 4 pregnancies/births in the last year.   During that time, one of the funniest videos to come out, was when our manager posted her big gender reveal of her soon to be baby.  Her and her partner had purchased a big balloon to pop, that would reveal the gender through coloured confetti.  What followed was her popping the balloon and jumping being ecstatic to have a girl as pink confetti flew through the air, and her partner standing beside her looking utterly confused as he remembered he was colour blind.

It got me to thinking that it is great that couples can decide to find out the gender of their babies now days, but what is going to happen to all the old ways of predicting?  If you are a bit of a traditionalist/hipster like myself, then I think its time that we bring the old ways of predicting back in vogue.  Here are some of the best (but not most accurate) ways to tell if you are having a boy or a girl.

May 23rd, 2018|
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How best to utilise Acupuncture for IVF.

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Assisted conception is becoming more and more common and many people believe that IVF automatically results in pregnancy.  However as anyone involved in fertility will tell you, conception is not always easy and there are a number of things that can affect fertility. 

IVF is costly, so to be better prepared is not only good for your health, but also your wealth.  Research suggests that people who receive Acupuncture pre and post IVF procedures, better their chances of a successful full term pregnancy.   Acupuncture during IVF is time sensitive though, so what is the best timing for your acupuncture appointments and the reasoning behind them???

April 18th, 2018|
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Why it’s so important to have acupuncture treatments during your first trimester.

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We are always so excited for our patients when they become pregnant! Sometimes it’s been a long road to success, and sometimes it’s completely unplanned. Either way, the first trimester is such an important time to be taking care of yourself — and we want to help!

 Many women don’t realize that not only is acupuncture generally safe during pregnancy, treatments by highly experienced practitioners can make all the difference during this incredibly special time.

How, you ask? Allow me to enlighten you!

April 3rd, 2018|
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