Those who received acupuncture increased their chances of conceiving by 65 percent.

This study is a reminder to those undergoing IVF and for that matter IUI.

February 8, 2008 ,
Victorio Hernandez- AHN News Writer

London, England(AHN)-Seven scientific trials among 1,366 women of different ages who found it difficult to conceive showed that having acupuncture at the same time the embryo was placed inside the womb during an invitro fertilization precedure more than doubles the chance of the woman becoming pregnant.
The study was made by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the VU University Amsterdam. It compared results of women who underwent acupuncture, those who were given fake needle treatments and those who had no extra therapy.
Those who received acupuncture increased their chances of conceiving by 65 percent, the study said. The British Medical Journal published the result of the medical breakthrough Friday.
While the study did not clearly explain how acupuncture aids fertility, experts theorized it could possibly be the relaxing effect of acupuncutre on the IVF procedure, considered extremely stressful.
Compared with repeated fertility treatment cycles which costs $7,784(4,000 pounds) per cycle in Britain, the acupuncture therapy is easier on the pocket.
One percent of births in the U.K. or 11,000 babies out of 32,000 IVF procedures are born every year in the U.K. The findings will be particularily significant for many western nations grappling with dwindling populations.

Kyleigh, born November 23, 2009!

The largest obstacle I find in helping couples optimize their fertility and to conceive naturally without ART is their commitment (actually patience) to a minimum of 3 months on this natural fertility plan. This is also true if you are going to utilize ART.
The ones that make the time and allow for the process where they change their eating and lifestyle habits, incorporate relaxation techniques and herbs and acupuncture find success not only in optimized fertility but also in quality of life (both physical and emotional).
My clients who have worked with me for at least 3 months know this to be true and some have taken 6 or 9 months but the time, is worth the wait.

Many of you who have conceived over the last several years are ready to have another child. Sometimes the second child is even harder not just because you are a year older but because, the energy it takes to raise a child can deplete your own energy that is why acupuncture is so helpful in the interim to boost your qi, your blood and revitalize your spirit. Herbal supplements are a wonderful addition when you cannot come in for acupuncture. Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is a wonderful tonic after having a child, I recommend it often in the year after delievery.

IVF Success Rate for 43+ vrs Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)

"IVF has a very low success rate for women aged 43 and older. Yet, couples are willing to pay $20,000 plus dollars to give IVF a try even though they know the odds are almost nil. Did you know that TCM can turn back the reproductive clock?"
In addition I say why would you not want to do something good for you?? Even though many couples are diagnosed with unexplained infertility, in TCM we know there are subclinical to deeper underlying issues going on when the body is not able to conceive. The beauty is we can address these issues. Western Medicine may not understand the term Kidney Essence, Yin, or Yang Deficiency or Spleen Deficiency, or Liver Blood Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation but all of these can be constitutional health issues or brought on by lifestyle. As practitioners of Chinese Medicine we can guide our patients back to balance. With a combination of acupuncture, Chinese Medicinals, food and lifestyle changes, - balance, health and fertility can be achieved and without side effects and with a better more positive mental attitude. It does take time however, but in the long run it does not reverse time and you feel super in a myriad of other ways. God Bless!

Liver Qi Stagnation and Unfulfilled Desires

We all in some form or another have Liver Qi Stagnation. Why? Because we all have unfulfilled desires. As adults we learn delayed gratification but sometimes delay can go on forever and then be thwarted by either the people or circumstances in our lives. This plays havoc on our Qi or energy that moves us, specifically our blood, governed by the Liver which controls the flow of blood.
Ahh free flow, when everything in our life is going smoothly and we feel on top of the world. Things just seem to fall into place. When they don't however, we emotionally become frustrated. Frustration and pent up emotions such as anger, cause us to tense up, we may develop some neck or shoulder pain, or a headache or severe menstrual cramps, PMS or a physical problem we never had before. Also, a long term illness or injury can cause us to develop this, because it limits our ability to do the things we normally love.

We can help ourselves with this by doing deep breathing, exercising, meditating, and focusing on letting go and accepting that which we cannot change, opening up to the now and seeing what happens as Eckhart Tolle and Deepok Chopra always say. Use the stumbling blocks in your life as a portal to take you deeper into the moment into your most perfect self when you let go of how it should look or be, then miracles do happen! Sometimes though surviving the emotional turmoil is real tough. I believe staying with your emotions is key, and knowing they will pass, especially if you can breathe, allow your body to regain a calmness and the mind to stop its endless story of how bad off things are. I love the feeling of the "Peace that Passeth All Understanding" There is no other feeling like it. I believe this is what St. Frances meant when he said, " True Happiness is Finding Peace In the Midst of Suffering"

Acupuncture is a perfect anecdote to moving our Qi, particularily when it has become chronically stuck. Helping us get the "Ahh" back in our lives. It is an energetic modality which biochemically releases our endorphins and neurotransmitters as well as regulates our hormones and immune system(when our immune system becomes overactive as in autoimmune diseases.) Using points along the Liver meridian like Liver 2, 3, 5 and 8 really help to smooth out the flow and soothe the liver. The liver sometimes is likened to a bully in the sense that when it becomes congested it will attack the other weaker organs especially the spleen.

Liver fire is a reference to heat rising or flaring upward causing an outburst in emotions as in raging anger, or eye problems or an intense head pain or an increase in high blood pressure. In this case, we sedate the liver. Sometimes women before their period can have this, when the blood has pooled up in the liver, which stores it before the menses begin. Menstrual clots during the period and spotting inbetween are examples of liver Qi stagnation which many women have. I see this all the time with women trying to conceivce who cannot. Once they begin a course of acupuncture treatments however, this is one of the first things that clears up along with the PMS and irritability(so often they tell me their husbands noticed they are less irritable) then I know and if they are patient and the body becomes regulated then conception can occur.
Acupuncture is an ancient procedure. When I use to do the Great American Teach In's for the schools, no matter what age, I would tell how acupuncture came to be, because when you are in pain or hurt you often hold the area to protect it but also to soothe and maybe alleviate some of the distress. So before metal needles were developed they would just apply pressure with stone or wood and then they began to sharpen them and apply more pressure to get even better results.

Stay tuned for how coffee, drugs, and alchohol congest the liver, yes even small amounts if you are already out of balance as in not being able to conceive or carry to turn.

God's Blessings Abound Far More Than Our Minds Can Fathom. May We Send This Goodness To Our Fellow Human Beings And Let Peace Reside In Our Hearts.

Welcome another new arrival born August 14th 2009!

Mom went into preterm labor back in June and we were a bit concerned as I had stated in one of my earlier blogs, but he was born just at 38 weeks and is a healthy baby boy!

His Dad after 8 months of acupuncture, change of diet, lifestyle, and a focus on his spiritual, emotional, mental and physical health, he and his wife conceived. She also received acupuncture and both took herbs throughout. In addition, I believe the meditation, postive thinking, and chakra work helped to keep them focused and calm and it also took their relationship to another level. As you all know, this fertility process can have some devasting effects on your relationships. I only wish they were still here in Florida.

Ron & Tamra, Proud Parents of Baby Chase

Welcome our newest baby, Chase born July 9, 2009! And once I get the right format of their baby pics I will post his picture. He is a little Ron all the way! Ron came to me for years for his low back and when he met Tam several years back, they decided they wanted a baby. So he underwent a reverse vasectomy. I continued to treat him for his low back but he would always say, can you improve the motility of my sperm, as he was diagnosed with poor sperm motility. We did and now he has Chase, one happy swimmer who made it to the finish line.
With each treatment on Ron, I would place points to improve the motility of his sperm, and for that matter the morphology and count. Points in the abdomen include both the Ren, Kidney, Stomach, and Spleen meridians and we did points along all 4 of them to help open blood flow and move any stagnant Qi as a result of the previous vasectomy surgery. Of course even the points we did for his low back helped to improve his fertility as the Du points and Backshu points are powerful points for reproductive health.

Prayers and Blessings to Jaime and Amber's IVF Success!!!

Hi Everyone,

It was so nice to hear from Jaime. For all of you reading this, please send her your prayers for her second IVF where she now lives in NJ. Back in 2007 she received acupuncture with me for 3 months before undergoing IVF. It was her first IVF and she wanted to do it right and she has William to show for it. In addition Amber, who has been undergoing acupuncture treatments will be having her first IVF Saturday August 8th if all goes well. If you could all send her your prayers. I pray her blessing will be received. Jaime said she would pray for you as well Amber.

HERE'S TO AMBER! Love, prayers and all our blessings. God Bless.

A Voice From The Past, Always Good To Hear!

Hi Carolyn,

Long time, no talk. I am not sure if you actually intended to send this to me, ie the Mother Theresa Novena, but the timing is interesting. As you know, I moved back to New Jersey about a year and half ago. William whom you helped me to conceive was born in NY on June 5, 2008. I am currently going through IVF again and my transfer is this Sunday. I was just recently thinking about you as I had some trouble finding an acupuncturist to treat me pre and post embryo transfer. I was remembering how nice it was when you came to my hotel in Clearwater to treat me. I wish you were here now! I did find someone though and I am all set for Sunday. Please pray for me!

Attached is a picture of William.

I hope all is well with you. Happy Birthday!

Jaime

Gonal F Meds @ a Reduced Rate

One of my dear patients asked me the following; so any of you looking for gonal F meds, at a reduced rate, let me know or Janice. Thanks, below is her e-mail to me. Good Luck and I hope someone out there on the web will benefit from her meds at such a reduced rate!!!
Hi Carolyn,
How are you? We are doing well. I am about 22 weeks now and progressing along fine, definitely getting bigger and I am feeling the baby moving on a daily basis now which is makes it all a little more real. I am usually exhausted at night and my feet are beginning to get a bit sore, and the nausea seems to be less now, although I am still taking the Zofran as needed but trying to get through the day without it.
I have a question for you. I have 25 syringes of Gonal-F Rff 75 iu left over from our IUI treatments. The expiration date on them is Apr 2010, so I won't be able to use them in time, but I was wondering if you know of anyone else who might be able to? I know I could donate them to my Dr's office to give to patients, but I would like to try to sell them to someone to see if we can get our money back. The cost of the medication without insurance was $2748.50 ($109.94/syringe), but luckily, our insurance had only a 30% co-pay, so we ended up paying approximately $824.55. I am trying to find someone who doesn't have RX coverage for these kinds of meds to sell them to since it would be a great savings to them and we could get our money back from what we paid (I don't want to make anything, just cover what we paid) and then I will put that money towards this baby's cord blood banking. I thought I would contact you to see if you might know of anyone or if there was anyone you might be treating who could benefit from this...I don't know anyone else who is going through fertility treatment at the moment.
Anyways, if you can think of anyone, let me know.
I hope all is well with you and you are enjoying your summer. I will keep you posted on any baby updates. My next appointment is Fri the 31st....just a general check up, no ultrasound.
Hugs,
Janice & Kaitlyn too :o)
By the way, the website and blog look great. It has been a while since I was on it and you have done a lot of changes. I was especially touched to see a bit of our story posted and in reading your little note you posted way back in February. That was the first I had seen of it and was very touched by your thoughtfulness....it brought tears to my eyes! You are such a wonderful and caring person Carolyn and you just put so much of your self into all of us you treat and get to know so personally. You truly are one of a kind!
xo,
Janice

The Spleen and it's role in reproduction

The Spleen in Western terms plays a role in the production and destruction of blood and immune cells. In Chinese Medicine, the spleen system includes the pancreas and governs most energetic processes in the body. The spleen transforms food into usuable nutrients and Qi to produce blood. So if we want a healthy menstrual cycle then we better eat good to have healthy blood. The Spleen is responsible not only for overall energy production but also for hormones such as the thyroid hormone, aspects of progesterone production, and immunologic systems. If the Spleen is weak, thyroid abnormalities, autoimmune processes, allergies, digestive disturbances and bleeding disorders can all occur. Menstrual difficulties can also be caused by its imbalance.

Excessive sugar and refined carbohydrates damage the Spleen and damp, greasy foods clog up its works. When the Spleen is weak we feel tired especially after eating lunch and or are muscles and whole body can ache. Often one has loose stools. In the menstrual cycle, if there is spotting before the period this is a sign of Spleen weakness.

Worry is the emotion associated with the Spleen. Also excessive use of the mind in thinking, studying, concentrating, memorizing over a long period of time tends to weaken the Spleen. This also includes "brooding". Exercise is beneficial. More on the spleen later after I get some nourishment myself. Above is Vals baby, Rachal who is now 3 months old what a cutie! Val had PCOS and worked with me for 6 months.

TESSA LEE BORN 6/12/09, What Happens in Vegas Doesn't Always Stay in Vegas!!

Hi everyone....Tessa Lee is here,, She is 21 inches and 6 pounds 11 oz. Everyone is good. She was born 6/12 AT 6:18 PM. WE ARE BLESSED !!!

Back in October, one of my clients sent the following e-mail: "I'm pregnant!!! After quite some time of an emotional roller coaster, God has finally blessed us. Thank you for your assistance. I will be forever grateful Carolyn for this wonderful miracle. I don't know exactly what changed but I believe it to be a combination of the acupuncture, herbs, relaxation and timing. We did conceive when we were in Vegas so obviously what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas :). I will be in touch in the future for your assistance throughout this wonderful time." Tessa Lee is Here! Born June 12, 2009!

Another miracle! For some of you who have chosen to move on, after a long journey of acupuncture, herbs and waiting I understand and respect your decision. Sometimes it is hard to move on and let go. However, in the letting go often your body, spirit and mind are able to open up and relax. Perhaps at another time you might come back but if taking a break is what you need then so be it.

Ultrasound Pics And Most Women are Not Infertile, Simply Imbalanced

"Hi Carolyn,
I just realized that I didn't send you the latest pictures (the last 5 pics) of our ultrasound done May 20th. The Dr. said everything looked great! Yeah!! You can see the baby sucking it's thumb in the first picture, just like their big sister!! We will go back to the Perinatologist on June 29th and find out the sex too.
It seems strange not seeing you every week!
Hope all is well with you and I will talk to you soon and let you know any updates. Our next regular ob visit is June 8th.
Hugs,
Janice & Baby"

"Hi Carolyn,
Isn't it amazing to look at the progression of these pictures? I am definitely starting to show and clothes are getting a bit snug for me. Makes it all a bit more real too which is nice. I would love to put something together for you to put on your website and it is no problem to use the ultrasound pictures either. I don't care if my name is on them or not. I haven't been shy about telling people that we did IUI since you never know who else may be battling fertility problems too and maybe our story will help others too."

Weeks ago if you remember I wrote and sent prayers for Janice on my blog and well those weeks passed. Janice did acupuncture with me for 6 months beginning July 30, 2008 but the work paid off. Yes she did an IUI with injectibles after trying on her own. She will be 40 years old in July this year. She also sadly had one unassisted pregnancy about 2 months before which ended in a miscarriage within a month with me. In addition before she saw me she had a few months of acupuncture somewhere else. I would call that commitment to a process. Chinese Medicine has proven success rates, increasing the odds with assisted techniques by 65%!

Most women as Dr. Randine Lewis who wrote The Infertility Cure would say, are not infertile, but simply imbalanced. Because of her own personal experience with infertility and her success with natural treatments utilizing Chinese Medicine, nutrition and lifestyle changes she has helped women become and stay pregnant.

How does success come? Success comes when we know we are doing good things for our body, mind and spirit, when we consciously take and active role in our health to prevent imbalance and to make adjustments in our diet, exercise routine, meditation and work ethics. It also, is realized when the menstrual cramps subside, the constipation stops, the headaches go away and your overall energy and sleep patterns improve.

Last week I received an e-mail from one of my patients I had not seen in a bit due to some unforseen circumstances. She said she wanted to come by for a few minutes to see me. I said that was fine. When she walked in, I saw the bassinette and said, "boy Darla that was quick!"

With a glow on her face I had not seen, she smiled "yes, just as we were getting ready for an IUI, Doctor Welden called and said he had to go out of town, we got the call they had a baby for us from the adoption agency!" Prettiest little baby girl I had seen with big blue eyes and I have never seen Darla look so happy...she said even her chronic constipation had disappeared.

I said you look like a natural with that baby. She said I feel that way and with one week to prepare they had the baby from birth. After our visit she sent this e-mail below.

"Carolyn,It was great to see you, too. I was so excited and couldn't wait to share my story with you and show off my baby girl. I will send you some pictures and write something for you to post. I truly feel that what happened was part of my destiny.I'll be in touch soon.Darla:"

After seeing Darla so happy, I wanted her to share her story so other couples would know this is a viable option in this fertiltiy process. God Bless.

I also want to send my prayers and love to some clients of mine who moved right after they conceived with acupuncture. His wife had gone into preterm labor and had to be on some drugs to maintain the pregnancy and was in the hospital. She was 26 weeks pregnant and I have not heard back this week how things were going.

For now, I must fix some lunch and return to work. For those of you still not there, hang in there..this goes for Sonia, Amber and Melody who have worked with me now for awhile. My prayers go out to them. They deserve this miracle of life! The seeds of life are planted within them! YES! YES!

We Welcome another, Jackson Presley...one day after Ricky

They say things come in threes and boy did it when these women, Val first and then Katie and then Renne' all conceived at once and gave birth within two weeks.

On April 16th Jackson Presley, Katie's baby arrived all in one hour of labor once her water broke.

He arrived exactly on his due date. We can at least say he might always be an on time kind of person. In hindsight, I kind of feel like I already know my babies before they arrive; after all they evolve from one tiny single cell...the largest in the body by the way.

Funny Katie, I have been listening to Elvis Presley from a CD of a friend and I remember your husband wanted to name him Elvis after him, but you compromised and chose to use his last name, Presley for your son's middle name and the place of Elvis's birth, I believe for his first name. I love Elvis's ballads by the way. Lullaby's for baby Presley...JP right?

I look forward to meeting him! Congrats on this amazing miracle of life.

May all my women feel this beauty in their hearts and know it there first, for it is the heart that supplies the blood to the womb and when it stays open and trusting and is at peace, the pituitary can make a better connection from the ovaries, uterus and the loop that connects the heart to them and ultimately to the hypothalmus of the brain that says yes, let's make this connection.

Everyday I assit this process in opening up this pathway so ovulation can occur and to nourish your essence, your eggs, your uterus and yes even men's sperm all by opening up blood flow and the nourishment comes from the Chinese Herbs and the supplements and food I recommend to you. My Blessings to all of you, I keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

Hi Everyone!

Richard Kenneth Sullivan " Ricky" came into the world on 4/15/09 @ 11:03 am. He weighed 8lbs 11oz and was 21in long. He is just the sweetest thing on the face of this earth and he is absolutely perfect! (no funny alien looking baby here)!!!! I'll send more pics soon! Enjoy! XOXO- Renee'

It is amazing that exactly a year ago today Renee was at my Fertility Forum listening to my other women with success speak. She came with her Mom. Renee is 40 years old and at the end of 3 months of acupuncture she was pregnant with Ricky after a devasting miscarriage and several rounds of clomid. See her video and success story on my site.

Blood is like Sunshine & Water to your Eggs & Uterus

"Can egg quality be improved? Think of it like this, the eggs are like beautiuful little flowers that need lots of sunshine and water to thrive and thick rich soil to grow in. " I quote this notation from Dr. Mike Berkley, a very wise practitioner and teacher who practices in NY. "Blood flow makes all the difference. Blood is a messenger that carries nutrients, hormones, oxygen, and electrolytes to the ovaries(the soil) and to the eggs themselves. Blood makes a return trip from the ovaries too. On its way back, it takes dead cells(known as debris) away from the ovaries. This delivery of the 'good' and excretion of the 'bad' is the rain and sunshine the ovaries need to improve the follicles and the eggs.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine answer this call beautifully. They are efficeint methods for improving blood flow. And amazingly, after a period of treatment with acupuncture and herbs we see the FSH start to go down!" But this is not only true for FSH levels which in turn affect follicular and oocyte health but for the quality of the uterus lining as well.
Thanks Mike for this insight! I love reading your blog musings and hope you do not mind I quote you if you ever read mine.

Mama Val and Baby Rachal

Double click to see how beautiful up close. Are these two not Ms. April calender girls?

Baby Rachal has arrived!!

We are pleased to announce last Wed. March 31 at 12:37 AM Val finally had her baby girl. Isn't she beautiful and so tiny only 6 lbs something. Very sweet! Val is still recovering I think but very very happy.

When we think back to last year, Val along with her husband had attended my Fertility Forum in April with hopes of conceiving yet feeling disillusioned since Val has PCOS. Not only did she conceive but she conceived with no assitance other than with acupuncture and Chinese Herbs.

Congrats to Val and Justin!

Soon Baby Jackson will be on his way. Katie came in yesterday and said she had some mild cramping. We did not try to induce but simply tried to keep her energy up and maintain things until her due date of April 16th, as Katie indicated she has far too much to do until then.

Saturday afternoon at Huffman Wellness

I am here with Sonia and Simon two of my clients who travel from Orlando to receive acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from me and I have finally figured out how to get back in here.
We all got to meet one of our newest fertility acupuncture babies today. Her name is Evelyn and she is the 3 month old baby of Jessica and Roger. It was almost a year ago the first week in March when Jessica calculated she must have conceived her and after 7 months of acupuncture!
She is precious and quite expressive!
Hopefully this wonderful gift of life will be passed on to Simon and Sonia who have diligently been adhereing to an overall healthy lifestyle and receiving acupuncture weekly and taking herbs and supplements.

May he give you the desires of your heart...

Picture I took in Vancouver, BC; May '07
while at Fertility Seminar

I pray for all my couples going thru this journey. I pray your hearts stay open to conceiving.

In some way we all are giving birth to an idea, a creative endeavor, a child, a career...fulfilling our dreams and desires. In this way we give life to the world at large. The new moon is a wonderful time to launch new beginnings. Next month I will be hosting my first healing circle at Huffman Wellness here. You all are invited, we will share our stories in a candle lit circle, meditate, and bring our hopes and dreams alive. I will share insight on how stress can actually be beneficial to the body...hard to believe right? I will share the studies that talk about this.

A special Prayer tonight to my dear client Janice....we are praying life is blooming within her. I send her love and the magical wonder of division into one tiny blooming embryo development.

Here is to Janice and Jeff and Katlyn. Love Carolyn

Fertility Reading

Angela Wu talks about before you enter her clinic, empty your cup of all preconceived thoughts...this story tells it so well.


To all my fellow clients, I love this story about one's cup overflowing...so empty your cups so you can take more in...not easy sometimes.

The student traveled far to consult with the wisest of teachers. Atop the highest mountain, in a humble shack, the student found the sage. "Tell me the purpose of your visit," said the teacher, pouring the student a cup of tea.
"I have apprenticed myself to the world's best instructors, read volumes, memorized every lesson, and tested my skills against the brightest minds," the student replied. "I know the laws of nature, man, and the universe. What can I learn from you -- an old hermit?"
As the student spoke, the teacher poured...and poured...and poured...until the tea overflowed onto the table, then the floor.
"Stop!" cried the student. "Can't you see that the tea is overflowing?"
"Yes, I see," said the sage, "that I cannot serve you, because your cup is already full."

Welcome To My New Blog

Here is a picture of 4 of the 7 women who shared their stories this past November at our 2nd annual Fertility Forum. It was so kind of them to come and do this. Val, I am sorry I was not able to attend your shower today, but I hope you will enjoy the gift cert for a photo session with Carmen. I know you will love her work. She was a doll in helping me get started with this baby.

I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge and all the fun stuff I want to share with my clients and those viewing my site. Carmen Wilson, the wonderful photographer who took the photo's on my home page is with me and helping me the lost rookie with this. xo to her!!!