Tea Time with Jo | Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal time in the cycle for treatment? 

You can start treatment at any time in your cycle. Acupuncture optimizes each different phase of the menstrual cycle by working on the foundation. This means that what we do during the menstrual phase will set the stage for the ovulation phase. What we do in the ovulation phase will set the stage for implantation; so on and so forth. 

If I am having IUI or IVF, when should I plan to start Acupuncture?

It takes at least 3 months to affect egg and sperm quality so, in an ideal world, regular treatment should begin at least 3 months prior to any kind of A.R.T. However, there is a protocol that was studied several years ago and shown to improve chances of implantation when performed on the day of IVF transfer (clinically significant results may be seen up to 72 hours before the transfer). Acupuncture has also been shown to improve blood flow into the reproductive organs, therefore, planning treatments around IUI can also be beneficial. 

Can I bring someone with me?

For the initial consultation, you are encouraged to bring anyone that makes you feel safe or offers you moral support. We do encourage couples to come together for fertility related appointments. Please do keep in mind that treatment rooms have a limited size, so it is preferable to only bring one person with you. 

For follow up appointments, you can certainly have a support person present as long as they do not keep you from relaxing (the whole point of the treatment is to get your body into a relaxed state to facilitate healing). 

Newborn babies are also welcome for postpartum appointments especially to facilitate treatment around nursing schedules, etc. It is not recommended for children who require supervision to accompany patients to Acupuncture appointments as it will be very difficult to relax and look after them at the same time. These session should be treated as “you” time where you can come to disconnect and get some rest. 

Should I bring lab work? 

You are welcome to bring any lab work that you have regarding the health concern you wish to address but they are not required for your initial appointment unless specified by the provider. 

Do I need to be diagnosed first? 

Chinese Medicine uses a very different type of analysis that is rarely influenced by Western Medicine, if at all, therefore, diagnosis is not required prior to your consultation unless requested by the provider. 

How long should I expect a visit to last?

Initial consultations are thorough and in depth. You can expect the appointment to last up to 2 hours. Follow up visits can vary, but generally last 60-90 minutes.  

Should I eat first? 

Yes. It is recommended that you have a light meal or a snack prior to your visit. Fasting prior to your appointment may cause lightheadedness, dizziness and possible fainting.  

What concerns can we address? 

Chinese Medicine looks at the body as a whole so we can address any health concerns you may have. Often we find that, what seems like 3 separate complaints, are actually all related and can all be addressed simultaneously. Most common complaints include menstrual issues, digestive issues, pain, insomnia and low energy. 

How do I know the treatments are working?

Chinese Medicine works very differently than Western medicine, therefore, the way we track progress is much more subtle. If the main complaint was pain, obviously a good marker of progress would be that the pain decreases. When it comes to fertility, it becomes harder to track things like egg quality. It’s not exactly something that you can feel improving. However, you should start to see improvements in different areas of your life such as better quality sleep, improved digestion, better energy, smoother menstruation, reduced PMS, etc. All of these are signs that progress in moving in the right direction. 

Does Acupuncture hurt?

Acupuncture causes a lot of sensations (warming, buzzing, tingling, electrical, heaviness, numbness, etc). The most common description is “it feels weird”. That being said, it is not generally painful. Sometimes, you feel nothing it all. Occasionally, there will be some tender areas that may elicit some brief discomfort. Most patients agree that have any kind of hair removal (wax, plucking, threading), or getting a tattoo, are much more painful than Acupuncture.