What exactly is Acupuncture? and How often have you gone?

[Jewel21]

Can anyone tell me what exactly Acupuncture is??? What do they do? How often have you gone? Do they take medical insurance or cash? If so, is it expensive? Please help me! Thanks.

 

[MariaF]

Hiya, acupuncture is where they target certain vital points in your body, connected to blood flow and the nervous system.

Everything in our body comes from the nervous system - it sends signals to all our key body parts, including the pituitary gland, the ovaries and the hypothalamus (sp?)

It's not only for ttc. Acupuncture is an ancient chinese approach to cure more or less any illness.

I go to an acupuncturist specialising in fertility. They start by talking to you. They need to figure out where you are emotionally. That takes about 10-15 minutes. Then you lie on the couch, they check you eye whites and you tongue and take your pulse - in both wrists, for quite a while. This in itself is already very calming
They do everything to calmly, you are lying on a comfy couch and they touch your wrists very gently...send me to sleep by itself

Then based on what you told them and what they saw from your tongue/pulse/etc. they select the point where to insert needles. You don't really see the needles and 9 times out of 10 I don't feel ANYTHING. Even if I do - it feels like a mosquito bite.

And then they let you relax and doze off for about 20 minutes.

Seriously, I feel completely chilled and relaxed after each session. I can't even drive right away and need to sit and wait for a few moments.

They recommend that you go at critical times of the cycle. So around ovulation time and possible implantation. I also go at times of high stress - remember, acupuncture is not just for ttc.

In the UK a 1 hour session costs circa £40-45.

 

[Ebony_Blaze]

Wow it sounds amazing mariaF, I'm going to have done soon.
I'm currently saving up as the one I found advises to have a treatment once every 5 wks so saving enough for about 10 treatments so I don't have to worry about money
so hoping to book mine soon.

Maria how often do you go ?

The place I found is £45 per session which I thinks about right

x

 

[MariaF]

Well, I usually go when I expect to ovulate. As I ovulate randomly, even on Clomid, it can be every 4 to 6 weeks. But this time I actually made an appointment 2 weeks after my last session. Regardless whether I get BFP or not in 2 weeks I still want the relaxing session

£45 is what I pay for about 1 hour's session. Enjoy yours when you book it!

 

[floofymad]

I had my first session 2 weeks ago. It was £40 for an hour. Next one is 1 day before AF cause she said she wants to help me through AF. (I have endo)
Must be honest and say I didn't feel any benefits at the time or even now, but I'm hoping I will after a while.
Have reiki every 4 weeks which I think is better.
p.s. does anyone know if it's ok to have acupuncture that near to AF, when there might be a teeny tiny chance of pregnancy?!.. Just grasping at straws really... x x

 

[2Dogs1Cat]

It's fine, just tell your dr not to do tummy needles or at least the really short ones. Tell her where you are in your cycle and don't do anything you are not comfortable with!

 

[floofymad]

Thanks 2Dogs1Cat, Just didn't know if by some miracle I was pregnant, that it might cause my uterus to expel the bean iykwim! x

 

[2Dogs1Cat]

If your dr happened to hit the wrong spot could it? Yes. But the chances are sooo small. However, to put your mind at easy, say "No tummy, please!" and that will take away your stress about it. During my 2ww my dr does a very short needle and then a really nice heat lamp on my tummy. Feels great!

However, my guys is also a big believer in the ones on the inside of my ankles... which are fine going in but if I move my toes at all, at all, I have a sharp pain. Not fond of those...

Good luck!
Sara

 

[mikamum]

Wow it sounds nice

 

[floofymad]

Thank you x

 

[BizyBee]

I did it to regulate my cycles (used to range from 50-75 days or so). After going every 2 weeks for 2 months, my cycle averaged closer to 36 days. I also did it in conjunction with IVF.
I find it very relaxing and agree that it usually doesn't hurt. There are a few points that you feel a slight zing, but it goes away immediately. I found that my first session, I was wide awake and freaked out about the fact that there were needles in me. Every session after that, I practically fell asleep by the time she closed the door.

Typically insurance doesn't cover it (mine didn't and I have a really good plan). I'm in the US and it cost $45/hour at one clinic and $65/hour at another (in a larger city). Hope this helps!

 

[BlueBoo]

Hi, I've been having acupuncture for 6 months now and I highly recommend it. I started it because I had heard it was good for fertility and I had irregular cycles. I actually got pregnant 3 weeks after my second session. I don't want to get people's hopes up and make you think it's a miracle cure, but I do think it helped to 'unblock' things. Unfortunately I lost that one at 11 weeks, but I still go as I think it helps to relax me and to balance my system. I can feel things happening inside my abdomen area while she's doing it. I was terrified of needles, but it doesn't hurt at all. I go once every 2 or 3 weeks, we try to time it before ovulation to 'help things along'. It costs £40 per session.

 

[fluffystar]

I have been having accupuncture to regulate my cycles. I go every month around the time of ovulation as thats where I have difficulty.

My cycles are now 28-34 whereas previously I was having them up to 58 days long! Even if it wasnt helping its nice to have a bit of "me time" and relaxation. I pay £35 for a 1 hour session.

fluffy xx

 

[Ebony_Blaze]

Aww I can't wait to book my sessions in !

I've told myself I'm going to try and await my hycosy app which I'm waiting to have,
then if they tell me things look ok, it will be a breath of fresh air for me and will just be the next step, I know it helps at any stage but providing I don't need to wait too long for my hycosy app then I'll prob book either way ,
I can't wait...
X

 

[vicks78]

Wow it sounds amazing mariaF, I'm going to have done soon.
I'm currently saving up as the one I found advises to have a treatment once every 5 wks so saving enough for about 10 treatments so I don't have to worry about money
so hoping to book mine soon.

Maria how often do you go ?

The place I found is £45 per session which I thinks about right

x

I just wanted to check who you found. I had this done on my last IUI cycle who had a clinic in both Gravesend and Maidstone but I never really relaxed and this obviously doesn't help. I wasn't sure whether to have another go with someone different - thanks!!

 

[Ebony_Blaze]

Hi vicks

I found a fertility acupuncture place in whitstable, it's a little far out but do-able.
You know when you just get a good vibe about someone, well I emailed the lady and she replied that day with answers to all my questions, since then we have exchanged a few emails and she sounds lovely.

It's a shame you didn't get on with it, were they fertility places too ?

The website is:

Take a look and see what you think

X

www.acupunctureplace.co.uk

 

[FutureMommie]

Glad I found this thread, I went to see an accupuncurist today but we just talked because I am currently 8dpiui and she did not want to needle me and intefer with anything but I'm looking forward to going back hopefully with a bfp and will do accupuncture to maintain the pregnancy.

 

[Ebony_Blaze]

Hi future mommie

let us know how you get on

x

 

[vicks78]

Hi vicks

I found a fertility acupuncture place in whitstable, it's a little far out but do-able.
You know when you just get a good vibe about someone, well I emailed the lady and she replied that day with answers to all my questions, since then we have exchanged a few emails and she sounds lovely.

It's a shame you didn't get on with it, were they fertility places too ?

The website is:

Take a look and see what you think

X

www.acupunctureplace.co.uk

Thanks for this I'm definitely going to have a look. My sessions were with a man who was lovely and really knew his stuff and had dealt with fertility before but I just never felt comfortable with him. He also used to stay in the room when the needles were in and I would have preferred him to have left me to it - I should have said that to him but didn't want to offend. I think I'd get on a lot better with a woman. I'm gonna take a look now - thanks x

 

[jeanettekaren]

I credit acupuncture with my BFP so if you can afford it, keep it up. I was unexplained ttc for 4 years and signed up for 15 sessions of acupuncture, twice a week initially and then down to once a week. After 11 sessions I got my first BFP (which unfortunately ended in chemical mc) and two months after that I got this BFP.

I hadn't had a single +ve test in 4 years of trying previously so I'm definitely a convert, may be a coincidence but then again....

Good luck