According to the Centers for Disease Control, 10.9% of all reproductive-aged women and 6% of married women of the same age cannot conceive after one year of trying. Many couples struggling with infertility have found success in fertility acupuncture. Often, this success has come without medically assisted reproductive techniques (ART). However, when combined with techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), practitioners have seen a dramatic increase in the ability of couples to become pregnant. If this is the route you choose to take, know that not all acupuncturists are the same. Let’s take a look at four criteria to research before scheduling an appointment with a fertility acupuncturist.
Experience
When visiting any practitioner, experience is vital. To ensure you choose the best acupuncturist for fertility treatments, look for an acupuncturist specializing in fertility acupuncture. A focus in this area means typically; the acupuncturist has thousands of hours of experience under their belt.
Dr. Bennett takes experience to the next level as she is not only a fertility acupuncture specialist but Dr. Bennett is also a successful IVF patient. In fact, through the use of highly effective fertility acupuncture and the help of an excellent fertility MD specialist, Dr. Bennett was able to conceive not once but twice. Dr. Bennett’s journey, combined with her many years of educational and clinical fertility experience, sets her apart from other fertility acupuncturists. She understands your journey, as she too almost lost hope, but it happened for her, and it can happen for you.
Fertility Integrative Medicine
Does the fertility acupuncturist also practice fertility integrative medicine? When a patient feels their traditional medical doctor is not correctly diagnosing a concern or providing the proper treatment, they often search for an alternative medicine practitioner. However, a conventional medical doctor should not be written off entirely. Instead, the patient should look for an integrative, alternative medicine practitioner who views health traditionally and holistically. These practitioners are considered “integrative” because they work closely with traditional medical doctors to coordinate patient care. When you seek treatment from an alternative, integrative practitioner, you won’t feel forced to choose between conventional and holistic medicine. Instead, you may find adding non-allopathic fertility medicine to your ART produces the best results.
Dr. Bennett worked daily with MDs from an internal medicine clinic for the first ten years of practicing acupuncture. As a result, she receives many referrals from board-certified reproductive medical specialists, pain management, internal, and family physicians. Dr. Bennett also receives referrals from other providers who see the benefits of acupuncture and functional medicine and believe co-management is critical to providing fertility patients with the best care possible.
Fertility Knowledge
Once you have found an acupuncturist with both training and experience, it is essential to test the waters. Interview your practitioner and ask detailed questions to determine their knowledge of fertility treatments. Be ready to discuss the fertility treatments you are currently receiving and any methods you have tried in the past. When you feel like the practitioner has a firm understanding of your unique situation, ask them how they can help you. They should clearly explain several ideas and options that pertain specifically to you.
An Acupuncturist Knows When to Refer to MD
A good acupuncturist understands that not all conditions, such as infertility, are best treated with alternative medicine. Some states such as fibroid tumors and fallopian tube blockages should be referred to Western doctors, and acupuncture should only be used for assisted healing.
Regardless of your medical concerns, your fertility acupuncture practitioner should collect information regarding all of your medical conditions, your symptoms, and any prescription medicine or supplements you are taking. When you become a patient of Dr. Bennett’s, she will conduct a thorough intake to provide care explicitly catered to you. Dr. Bennett will co-manage your care with your MDs and if you have one, your reproductive MD. She believes keeping an open dialogue with your medical providers or your reproductive medical specialist is the best way to ensure you receive the treatment that best benefits you. Dr. Bennett will handle all of your case management needs and make calls to your doctor(s) with updates. We refer to Dr. Bennett as the “doctor’s doctor,” treating many local MDs, their families, and their patients.
When it comes to starting a family, fertility acupuncture is a highly successful treatment option for many couples when used alone or in conjunction with infertility treatments such as medical Assisted Reproductive techniques and protocols. However, it is imperative to choose the right fertility acupuncturist for you to receive the best outcome.
If you have any questions or are ready to schedule a consultation, please call Dr. Bennett at 714-962-5031.
Also, read about infertility and fertility treatment here.