Acupuncture? Does it work?

Okay, I've never been one to be into alternative medicine but I've seen little bits of info about acupuncture being effective in helping achieve pregnancy. Yesterday, while at my first RE appt (TTCx11 months), I saw a brochure at the office for acupuncture. I'm assuming the doctor endorses it or else she wouldn't have the pamphlet there. My question is whether anyone has tried acupuncture for help TTC and has it worked? Is it expensive? What does it entail?

Also, is it painful?

It is not painful. You're lying on a couch while the needles are inserted on meridians (knots) and supposed to remain lying down (and low :-)) for about half an hour on the couch, while the stimulation of these energy'knots' takes place. About the effect: what is called in acupuncture meridians, is pretty much the same as in Indian yoga/ayurveda nadi's (http://medical-dictionary.thefreediction... It is believed that on a very subtle level there are energy fields and lines. They go along with your biorhythm. I'd say it is a question of attitude and mindset: if you are looking for the silent core of your own body and the connection with "the All", then you will certainly find assistance with acupuncture. It is not very expensive, but mostly you're asked to come back for a series of sessions. You can find the same inner calmness with yoga and silent meditation. Anmolmehta (see source) is a very rich, thorough site with some very stimulating videos.

Hi!! My RE recommends it for all of his patients going through IVF. I keep meaning to ask when I was there and forgot. I had read about it on his website and found it interesting. Our RE has 2 offices. One is an hour from our house and the other one is 5 hours from our house. The one that is the farthest away is the office that does IVF so the acupuncturist is located there. When we try our third treatment cycle (got to get my faith and strength up to try again) I will try to remember to ask if they do it at this location as well or if there is anyone locally that provides this service. If so I may give it a whirl. Even if it only reduces my stress level that is something...LOL!!!

I have read positive stories online about it and I have even talked to a girl that was ttc for a while and was waiting to start her first treatment cycle using injectible meds. She decided to try acupuncture that month while she was waiting and she got pregnant. She didn't get the needle thing. The acupuncturist looked at her tongue and gave her certain herbs to use. So you never know.

Best wishes!!!

Well I'm not sure about how well it works for conceiving but it does work, as long as you don't mind literally hundreds of needles being stuck into your skin and laying there for a while, it works by touching certain nerves in your body.

Never tried it, don't know the price, but I'm sure it works. The Chinese definitely know what they're doing, especially when it comes to chi.

I tried it and it didn't work for me but I have beard that it has worked for other people. I thought that it was relaxing though.

I have heard of it, but I don't know.