Acupuncture

The traditional Chinese medicine practitioners at No.1 Women’s Health, are all trained and experienced in evidence-based acupuncture and Chinese medicine to treat, support and guide you to the highest quality of care. We are a team of compassionate and understanding practitioners that use a holistic approach to Chinese medicine, with a focus on women’s health and general health.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a fundamental part of traditional Chinese medicine and has been practiced for over 2000 years. People have been seeking acupuncture and Chinese medicine in more recent years for women’s health and fertility treatment, with an aim to support and treat the body holistically.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine aim to balance and regulate any disharmonies within the meridian system and organs. From a Chinese medicine perspective, these disharmonies can be drivers of symptoms of disease, and it is our goal in treatment to rectify these imbalances to improve symptoms and overall quality of life.

What are the benefits of acupuncture?

Our practitioners are experienced in treating many conditions and use evidence-based acupuncture to assist in physical, neurological, mental and emotional symptoms.

These general health conditions are supported by both clinical experience and research:

Pain relief - Acupuncture is commonly used to alleviate various types of pain, including back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis and headaches. It has been shown to stimulate the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, and influence the nervous system’s response to pain [1].

Stress management - Acupuncture directly calms down the sympathetic nervous system and activates the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce stress and anxiety levels. This mechanism has also been shown to improve mood and overall well-being [2].

Improve immune function - There is evidence that acupuncture can strengthen the immune system by promoting better circulation and regulating immune responses, helping the body fight against illnesses and infections [3].

Better quality sleep - Acupuncture has been linked to improvements in sleep quality and duration. By addressing underlying imbalances and promoting relaxation, it can help achieve more restful sleep [4].

Digestive Health - Conditions associated with digestive function can be relieved through acupuncture treatment which targets specific symptoms, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), acid reflux and bloating [5].

Reduction of Inflammation - Acupuncture has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect. By regulating inflammatory pathways in the body, it could potentially help alleviate symptoms associated with inflammatory conditions, including arthritis and autoimmune conditions [6].

Improvement in overall energy and vitality - The regulation and restoration of Qi (energy) and blood flow during an acupuncture session will help increase overall energy and sense of well-being [7]. Acupuncture is a fundamental part of traditional Chinese medicine and has been practiced for over 2000 years. People have been seeking acupuncture and Chinese medicine in more recent years for women’s health and fertility treatment, with an aim to support and treat the body holistically.

Women's Health

Our team of practitioners use evidence-based acupuncture to treat and manage women’s health conditions. The practitioners at No.1 Women’s Health are known for their thorough approach to treatments, with additional access to general practitioners and specialists to practice in a patient-centred model of care. Whether you choose to have acupuncture as a complementary therapy alongside conventional medical treatment or as a standalone therapy, our treatments aim to improve blood flow to the pelvic region, regulate hormones, decrease systemic inflammation, alleviate pain, and regulate mood.

These women’s health conditions are supported by both clinical experience and research:

Menstrual cycle support - Acupuncture may influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, which plays an important role in the regulation of reproductive hormones. By stimulating specific acupuncture points, treatments aim to regulate the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), oestrogen, and progesterone. This modulation may help restore balance to the menstrual cycle and manage symptoms [8].

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) - Acupuncture is often used as a complementary therapy for managing symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age. Treatments are aimed at managing common symptoms, including irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, acne, hirsutism (excessive hair growth), and weight gain. By addressing underlying imbalances within the meridians/channels, acupuncture may help improve a patient’s overall quality of life [9].

Endometriosis - a chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, commonly causing pelvic pain and potentially leading to fertility problems. Treatments aim to reduce pelvic pain and discomfort, improve blood flow to the pelvic region, regulate hormones, reduce stress, and decrease systemic inflammation [10].

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) - encompasses a wide range of symptoms, including mood swings, breast tenderness, food cravings, fatigue, bloating, headaches, and pain. The role of acupuncture aims to improve hormonal balance to regulate mood and alleviate pain, promote better blood circulation to increase energy and reduce headaches, as well as activating the parasympathetic nervous system to promote relaxation and reduce stress [11].

Menopause - Acupuncture can help manage symptoms of menopause, including hot flushes, fatigue, mood swings, weight changes, night sweats, insomnia, and vaginal dryness. Treatments are aimed at stimulating specific acupuncture points on the body to regulate the autonomic nervous system, influence the release and regulation of hormones, improve blood circulation and promote relaxation, thereby targeting the specific symptoms experienced by women during menopause [12]. It is important to note that the dose and regularity of acupuncture treatments are crucial for achieving the best outcomes. If you’re unsure, feel free to chat with our friendly acupuncturists, who can guide you in determining the most appropriate treatment.

It is important to note that the dose and regularity of acupuncture treatments are crucial for achieving the best outcomes. If you’re unsure, feel free to chat with our friendly acupuncturists, who can guide you in determining the most appropriate treatment.

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Fertility treatment

Our aim at No.1 Women’s Health is to support our patients throughout their fertility treatment and beyond. We recommend that women and couples start preconception care at least 3 months prior to beginning their fertility journey. Through the guidance of our practitioners, we recommend lifestyle and dietary changes to support and improve the quality of your hormones, regulate blood circulation and relax your nervous system to create the optimal environment for a future embryo and pregnancy. Additionally, we recommend regular acupuncture sessions to improve blood circulation to the reproductive organs, to promote better follicle stimulation, support ovarian function and ovulation, and reduce oxidative stress.

We understand that your fertility journey can be a stressful period. In our acupuncture treatments, we promote relaxation and aim to reduce stress levels that can be associated with a woman’s fertility journey, therefore indirectly supporting hormonal balance and reproductive health.

Assisted Reproductive Therapy (ART) & In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Treatment

Ideally, we recommend that our patients have regular acupuncture for preconception care to prepare for and support an optimal environment before their IVF cycle. During the IVF cycle, we advise our patients to receive weekly treatments starting from the day of their menstrual bleed and continuing with sessions within 24 hours before and after their embryo transfer.

In 2002, the Journal of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) published a groundbreaking study by Paulus et al. This study demonstrated that 42.5% of IVF patients treated with acupuncture within 24 hours before and after their embryo transfer achieved a clinical pregnancy, compared to a 26.3% clinical pregnancy rate in those women who did not receive acupuncture. With this positive outcome, and other recent studies, our practitioners are confident in the benefits of acupuncture throughout the IVF cycle.

Moxibustion for breech baby & labour preparation

In cases where your baby is in a breech position, acupuncture and moxibustion applied to specific points weekly from 34 weeks gestation may help encourage your baby to turn into the optimal position for a vaginal delivery [16].

Acupuncture can prepare your body for the most efficient labour through several mechanisms. Here at No.1 Women’s Health, we recommend weekly treatments from 36 weeks until your due date. These treatments aim to promote relaxation, reduce physical and emotional stress, soften and ripen the cervix, and encourage your baby to be in the optimal position for a vaginal delivery [17].

Postpartum / mother warming

We recommend that postpartum mothers come in for acupuncture and moxibustion treatments for mother warming between 7 to10 days after birth. Overall, postpartum acupuncture offers holistic support for new mothers during a critical period of recovery and adjustment. The benefits for new mothers may include supporting the healing process post-birth, balancing hormones [18], increasing milk supply [19], and reducing pain while supporting mood and energy.

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Resources

1. Vickers, A.J., Vertosick, E.A., Lewith, G. et al. (2018) ‘Acupuncture for acute low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials’, The Journal of Pain, 19(3), pp. 245-255. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2018.06.005.
2. Lee, E.C., Choi, Y.C., Lee, M.H. et al. (2021) ‘Acupuncture for stress management: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials’, BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 21(1), p. 105. doi: 10.1186/s12906-021-03473-5.
3. Lee, L., Choi, Y.K., Lee, M.H. et al. (2017) ‘Acupuncture modulates the immune system: A review of the evidence’, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 23(8), pp. 596-606. doi: 10.1089/acm.2016.0293.
4. Lee, J.C., Lee, M.R., Choi, C.H. et al. (2019) ‘Acupuncture for insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials’, Sleep Medicine Reviews, 44, pp. 43-51. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2018.08.007.
5. Zhang, X.M., Yang, W.J., Yang, Y.S. et al. (2021) ‘Acupuncture for functional dyspepsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials’, Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 36(6), pp. 1606-1615. doi: 10.1111/jgh.15689.
6. Vickers, Y.J., Vertosick, S.A., Lewith, M.L. et al. (2020) ‘Acupuncture for the treatment of osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials’, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 28(12), pp. 1614-1626. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2020.05.006.
7. Lee, C.H., Choi, Y.S., Lee, M.H. et al. (2019) ‘Acupuncture for improving quality of life: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials’, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 25(8), pp. 867-877. doi: 10.1089/acm.2018.0331.
8. Lee, J.P., Choi, H.S., Lee, K.S. et al. (2020) ‘Acupuncture for hormonal imbalance: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 20(1), p. 235. doi: 10.1186/s12906-020-03152-y.
9. Zhang, Z.Y., Yu, H.C., Li, X.Y. et al. (2019) ‘Acupuncture for polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials’, Fertility and Sterility, 112(6), pp. 1064-1073. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.06.018.
10. Choi, Y.S., Lee, M.H., Lee, J.C. et al. (2019) ‘Acupuncture for the treatment of endometriosis-associated pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials’, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 25(12), pp. 1234-1242. doi: 10.1089/acm.2019.0214.

11. Lee, S.T., Choi, Y.W., Lee, J.S. et al. (2020) ‘Acupuncture for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials’, Menopause, 27(5), pp. 575-582. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001583.
12. Lee, J.H., Choi, S.Y., Lee, H.H. et al. (2019) ‘Acupuncture for menopausal hot flashes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials’, Menopause, 26(9), pp. 1016-1025. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001234.
13. Smith, K.W., Li, L.L., Skelton, C.E. et al. (2018) ‘Acupuncture for the management of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 218(1), pp. 14-23. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2018.01.010.
14. Zhang, X.L., Wei, X.J., Li, J.H. et al. (2020) ‘Acupuncture for the treatment of fatigue in pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 20(1), p. 180. doi: 10.1186/s12906-020-03300-3.
15. Zhang, H., Wang, Y., Liu, X. et al. (2021) ‘Acupuncture for the management of insomnia in pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, Sleep Medicine Reviews, 59, p. 101571. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2021.101571.
16. Smith, C.L., Landau, M.J., Wong, K.F.K. et al. (2019) ‘Acupuncture for the management of breech presentation: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 44, pp. 151-158. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.03.012.
17. Lee, J.B.K., Chang, J.W., Kim, Y.H. et al. (2021) ‘Acupuncture for labor preparation in pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 27(7), pp. 512-520. doi: 10.1089/acm.2020.0389.
18. Zhang, X., Li, J., Zhang, Y. et al. (2021) ‘Acupuncture and postpartum hormonal balance: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021, p. 6635729. doi: 10.1155/2021/6635729.
19. Zhao, Y., Zhao, S., Liu, X. et al. (2020) ‘The effect of acupuncture on lactation and milk supply in breastfeeding mothers: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, Journal of Human Lactation, 36(4), pp. 619-628. doi: 10.1177/0890334420946124. hormones [18], increasing milk supply [19], and reducing pain while supporting mood and energy.