stupid questions about acupuncture

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking about trying acupuncture for fertility. My question is, where exactly do they put the needles? Do you undress and lie under a towel or something, like you would for getting a massage, or do they just do them on your wrists & other "accessible" places? Is it a lot of needles? And how long to you sit/lie there with the needles in place? (This doesn't hurt, right?)

Do most acupuncturists also prescribe herbal remedies? My RE is ok with acu but not with any supplements or herbs.

[Anonymous]

mine did not prescribe herbal supplements. each practitioner is slightly different. i also had some headaches from the medication so I got a few needles on top of my head, got one needle each in my ears to help me relax. few needles in my abdomen, i usually just wore some drawstring pants that i would just have to slightly pull down. i also got some needles in my feet. I didn't think it was painful, found it to be relaxing.

[Anonymous]

pp here, just wanted to add that, it was not a stupid question. there are no stupid questions when it concerns fertility matters.

[Anonymous]

I've been doing acupunture for fertility for awhile now. The first practitioner I saw was a 5 Element practitioner and the person I see now is a TCM practitioner. Neither one is better than the other just different.

The main fertility points are the lower legs and feet. I also get points in my abdomen sometimes and in my head, ears and hands. With both practitioners the points have been mostly the same. The biggest difference is that the 5 Element practitioner burned moxa on my back a lot.

Most of the time you don't need to strip down. IF you go to someone who burns moxa, then you might need to take off your shirt, but not your bra. Some practitioners prefer bare legs others will just have you take off your socks and shoes and pull up your pant legs.

[Anonymous]

I hate needles. Deeply (pun intended). That being said, I have been getting accupuncture for a year now, and I did get preg once. I was skeptical, but it really does make me feel better and has cured headaches on the spot on a couple of occassions. If it hurts, it is really quick, and the payoff is worth it. The points you would think hurt, like on the top of your head on on your ears, just feel like a bit of pressure. When they hit a strong point, i.e., where stuff is blocked/builtup, it might hurt , but then you literally feel it clear up. But most points are easy. I suggest breathing into them (i.e., exhale as the needle goes in).
On moxa - it's like incense in smell. They don't burn your skin! They just use it to warm your abdomen. It fee ls like heaven. I highly recommend it. My friend who was TTC got preg successfully w/ healthy baby boy at age 40 (delivery atusing only accupuncture.

[Anonymous]

Just to pipe in...my acupuncturist places the needles in different spots (feet, legs, abdomen, arms, hands, head) based upon where you are in your cycle. I see my acupuncturist 3 times a month (days 1-6, right before I ovulate, right after I ovulate) so he is constantly changing needle positions based upon where I am in my cycle. Needles don't really hurt (if they do its only for a split second) and I can actually feel the energy flowing through parts of my body when the needles are placed in. Feels pretty cool and does not hurt at all while you are lying on the table. I strip down to my bra and undies but wear a paper gown that I am given. Towels are placed underneath my arms. I recommend finding an TCM dr who specializes in fertility. I see Dr. Eugene Zhang in Fairfax and he is wonderful. Really understands this TTC and ART stuff. He doesn't just do acupuncture but also tries to diagnose you from a TCM point of view as to what problems your body systems may be having that is affecting your fertility.