What could be more rewarding than helping couples conceive? If the thought makes you go all gooey inside, you may want to train in acupuncture. “Patients who seek acupuncture just before or during IVF are treated following the IVF protocol”, explains Andrea Steinlechner, Harley Street Acupuncturist.

“When the patient is at the ovary stimulation stage, acupuncture is used to enhance follicular growth. This work is carried out very closely to the IVF procedure, with the bonus of relaxing the mind”, she adds. “If the patient is trying to conceive but is not currently undergoing IVF, a treatment plan following their menstrual cycle can be developed to help patient regain hormonal balance and optimise their chances of natural or assisted conception”.

It is vital to address the patient holistically, adds Andrea. “I will want to know full details of patients’ and their families’ health history. Only then I will understand the pathology and offer a treatment. Everyone is different, I’ve had patients conceiving naturally in one month but others not conceiving after six”.

Originally published at Natural Health Magazine