Episode 43: More Needles?!: Acupuncture & Fertility Treatments

The Whole Pineapple

Dr. Lee Hullender Rubin wants you to understand acupuncture and how it can aid all kinds of issues, including infertility.

The founder of Rosefinch Health, Dr. Lee is an award-winning doctor of acupuncture and a leader in the field of integrative reproductive medicine. She blends compassionate care with over two decades of clinical experience specializing in fertility, IVF support, pelvic and vulvovaginal pain, and cancer-related support. She is also a teacher and researcher in acupuncture and integrative East Asian medicine and founded Rosefinch Academy to help other providers learn more.

But about that “being poked with needles” thing: In unskilled hands… well, just don’t be in unskilled hands. Acupuncture can seem random to the unfamiliar, but it’s a highly specific process developed, literally, over thousands of years.

If you’ve avoided acupuncture because you’re needle-phobic, here’s a big tip: acupuncture, in the right hands, doesn’t and shouldn’t hurt. In skilled hands, you won’t feel the needle going in, only the results.

So, here are a couple of tips for assessing an acupuncture provider:

1. Ask to see their license for your state or look them up on your state’s medical board.
2. Your specialist will perform an assessment of you involving lots of questions. You should do the same. Ask about their training and experience until you’re confident about their professionalism.
3. Your acupuncturist is part of your care team. Make sure this provider is complementary to and cooperative with the rest of your care.
4. Your acupuncturist should understand your goals and have experience dealing with fertility issues, so ask about their work in fertility in particular.
5. Check with aborm.org (aborm.org) but realize not everyone who is qualified has taken this optional test.
6. Ask: if this isn’t the cycle for me, how will you support me?

What can acupuncture do for you?

1. At the very minimum, acupuncture can help you feel more relaxed and have better energy. And that can be super-helpful at a difficult time.
2. Acupuncture may increase your chances of a clinical pregnancy or live birth.
3. Acupuncture can relieve stress and help you sleep better.
4. Acupuncture may help your body ovulate more consistently.
5. Acupuncture may help control blood sugar levels.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of this conversation among Ruby, Anne, and Dr. Lee, so be sure to listen to hear all the science behind acupuncture. This ancient treatment method has so much to offer us here in the present!

Learn more about Dr. Lee and schedule an appointment at Rosefinch Health at rosefinchhealth.com

And as always, learn more and hear more from The Whole Pineapple at thewholepineapple.com.

The Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine (ABORM): aborm.org