Your Acupuncture fertility care clinic in Toronto- learn about our reproductive support

Moxibustion (also referred to as “Moxa”) is an ancient heat therapy that involves burning the herb mugwort over specific Acupuncture points. It’s incredible for expelling internal coldness, promoting circulation, and increasing blood flow into the uterus and ovaries, especially when used on the lower limbs and abdomen. We use Japanese Moxibustion for fertility which we can layer into any 1 hour clinical appointment for free. This works as a wonderful adjunct to Acupuncture.

Moxibustion warms, nourishes and and stimulates the uterus. In TCM, cold accumulation inside the uterus is one of the most common causes of female infertility. Cold in the uterus can come from many sources, including frequent consumption of iced beverages and cold/raw foods, as well as prolonged exposure to environmental coldness such as walking barefoot in the winter or wearing clothes that expose the abdomen. All of these factors can decrease or slow down blood flow to the uterus poor circulation can prevent a healthy uterine lining from developing, making it difficult for an embryo to implant.

Common symptoms of a cold uterus include painful periods, clots in menstrual blood, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis all of which are closely linked with decreased fertility.

The process also calms the mind and body, relieves aches and pains, and induces a general state of relaxation. At Acupuncture Center Toronto, we use only the best quality premium mugwort imported from Japan. We love incorporating Japanese Moxibustion into our fertility treatments at no extra cost!

• Acupuncture can help regulate your menstrual cycle, lower stress and anxiety levels, boost libido, and improve blood flow to the reproductive organs.
• Regular treatments are especially helpful if you recently got off of hormonal birth control and your endocrine system needs a fresh “re-set”.
• While every case is different, generally the best timing to get Acupuncture is the week after your period, around ovulation time (typically mid-way through your cycle), and during implantation (6-10 days after ovulation). This works out to be roughly once a week, except the week when you’re on your period.
• We highly recommend tracking your menstrual cycle (ex. by using a free period tracker app) if you’re unfamiliar with where you are in your cycle.
• It’s important to remember that Acupuncture is not a quick-fix solution, and for most women, it takes at least a few cycles for menstruation to be regulated, especially if there’s a history of reproductive issues such as PCOS or prolonged usage of hormonal contraceptives.
• If you’re planning to or currently undergoing medical fertility treatments such as IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) or IUI (Intra-Uterine Insemination): 6 to 8 weeks before the embryo or sperm transfer would be a good time for most people to start Acupuncture treatments if you’re going through an IVF or IUI cycle.
• For complex cases, it’d be more ideal for us to start seeing you 3-4 months before embryo transfer, so we can have enough time to really work on any menstrual cycle irregularities, improve egg quality, and address any lifestyle concerns that may impact the outcome of the fertility treatment.
• Immediately after an IVF embryo transfer would be another important time to get Acupuncture to prepare the uterus for successful implantation. However, don’t panic if you’re already a few days away from your IUI or embryo transfer Acupuncture can still be very helpful at preparing the uterus for the procedure!

Remember: maintaining healthy blood flow to the uterus is crucial in improving fertility! Generally, it’s advisable to opt for warmer, cooked foods and avoid cold/iced beverages, even during warmer months. Thermogenically “cold” foods such as salads, smoothies, raw fish, and cold fruits or dairy eaten straight out of the fridge can be very taxing on the digestive system as the stomach needs to use a lot of energy to warm everything up first. Over time, this can lead to impaired circulation in the abdomen and an accumulation of coldness in not only the digestive tract, but also the female reproductive organs which are located in close proximity to the intestines.

If your lower abdomen feels cold/cool to the touch, or if you tend to have cold hands and feet even in the warmer months, try incorporating warming spices such as cinnamon into your diet and drinking hot water or ginger tea. Another tip is to use a hot water bottle or heating pad over the abdominal area as well as the lower back (right in between the kidneys) to help boost circulation. Also, make sure to keep your feet warm and well covered by wearing warm socks and slippers at home. Try soaking your feet in hot water before bed this is also very relaxing and can help you get a better night’s sleep!

Try to establish and maintain a consistent daily schedule, which includes regular timing for eating, sleeping, and exercising. Our body (and mind) craves routine and the female reproductive system in particular (think the monthly cycle of menstruation) functions best when we can maintain a healthy rhythm in all aspects of our life.

Avoid smoking, excessive consumption of caffeine, alcohol or other stimulants, and other known risk factors of infertility such as being severely overweight or underweight.

Overwork or over exercising can also contribute to fertility issues as it exhausts your body of resources over time and in severe cases may even lead to amenorrhea (aka abnormal absence of periods) often seen in high level female athletes.

When elements of our lives seem unmanageable, routines can give us a sense of control. Sticking to a daily pattern of sleeping, eating, and exercising within reason can help you fight the effects of stress.

Practicing self-care also has many mental, physical, and emotional benefits. Self-care can mean something different to everyone, so try to choose activities that are most relevant to you. For instance, taking time just to relax, seeing friends, going for a walk or a bike ride, or watching your favourite TV show – as long as the activity makes you feel good, that’s all that matters.

Other stress management techniques include meditation, yoga or Qi Gong practice, and different breathing techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing and box breathing.

Of course, getting regular Acupuncture treatments is also amazing for reducing stress and anxiety!

If you and your partner are struggling to conceive… you’re not alone! According to a 2023 report published by the World Health Organization, about 17.5% of the adult population that’s roughly 1 in 6 people worldwide experience infertility.

The current medical definition for infertility is when a couple cannot get pregnant despite having regular, unprotected sex for at least 12 months. It can be further classified as primary infertility, where a couple has never been able to conceive, or secondary infertility, when a couple has successfully conceived before but is now struggling to do so again. Infertility can become a tremendous source of both mental emotional and financial stress on not only the couple trying to conceive but also their families.

• Although the root cause of infertility can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint, and about 15% of all infertility cases remain unexplained (where no clear medical cause can be identified), some of the most common factors include:
• Ovulation disorders that affect the release of eggs from the ovaries, including hormonal issues such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thyroid dysfunctions (hyper or hypo thyroidism)
• Uterine conditions such as uterine polyps or fibroids
• Endometriosis, where tissue that is similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus
• Other health conditions such as inflammatory pelvic disease

In closing, TCM, infertility is often attributed to an energy imbalance that disrupts the normal functioning of Zang Fu organ systems pivotal to conception. With a thorough examination, a skilled Chinese Medicine practitioner can determine which organs are involved and develop a personalized treatment plan based on careful syndrome differentiation. We creat point prescriptions based on a Chinese medicine diagnosis based on “imbalances”. We should note that there’s nothing wrong with your organs so don’t worry! And you don’t really need to understand Chinese Medicine physiology terms below so don’t sweat it.

Common imbalances and patterns that your Acupuncturist may identify:

• Liver Qi Stagnation, Blood Stasis or Deficiency
• Kidney Deficiency
• Cold Stagnation in the Uterus
• Spleen Qi Deficiency leading to Dampness

Debbie Yang R. Ac is a second generation lineage healer who loves treating reproductive concerns. She began learning about Chinese Medicine as a child from her father is who also a Registered Acupuncturist. Her practice in our Yorkville clinic is busy.  Debbie Yang is adept at treating and researching complex health issues and loves coming up with perfect point prescription for her patients. She has a reputation in the industry for having razor sharp intelligence and is extremely personable. Debbie enjoys treating all reproductive concerns for all genders. She speaks 3 languages including Japanese, Chinese and English at an advanced conversational level. Click here to book an appointment with Debbie.