What is Acupuncture?

As of October 2014: no pregnancy yet.

I have been friends with needles since the day I was diagnosed with APAS. So when two of my friends suggested that I undergo acupuncture, I didn’t bat an eyelid. Needles? Meh!

Acupuncture is said to help with fertility in both men and women.

According to MedicineNet, some couples are trying acupuncture to boost fertility. There is research to indicate acupuncture might improve uterine blood circulation, help regulate ovulation, increase sperm count, and improve rates of success with IVF.

 In the same website, acupuncture is described as a component of the health care system of China that can be traced back at least 2,500 years. The general theory of acupuncture is based on the premise that there are patterns of energy flow (Qi) through the body that are essential for health. Disruptions of this flow are believed to be responsible for disease. Acupuncture may, it has been theorized, correct imbalances of flow at identifiable points close to the skin.

So, I visited St. Francis Natural Health Care at #19 Panay Avenue in Quezon City. I was referred to Sr. Regina Liu (her Chinese name is Shengrong Liu). Sr. She has been practicing Chinese medicine for more than twenty years and took her master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Oakland, California. She is a California-licensed acupuncturist and herbalist.

Acupuncture is not only for fertility. There were other patients there who suffer from insomnia and other body aches.

St. Francis Natural Health Care has been operating for around ten years now. You have to book your appointment because there’s a long list of clients especially for Sr. Regina. I was asked to fill out three pages of medical background.

I arrived a little early for my appointment so I drove first to a Mcdo nearby to have my lunch. When I went back, I was ushered to the cubicles where they hold the treatments. In Sr. Regina’s cube, there were pictures of babies hanging on the walls. Aww…

These were the acupuncture paraphernalia. All needles are new and they sterilize the areas to be “pricked” on with alcohol, similar to the hospitals.

Acupuncture needles are really puny in terms of diameter. They are almost 10% in size compared to the normal medical syringe.

Sr. Regina asked me several medical histories and checked if I brought my medical records. I didn’t though but I promised to bring it on my next visit. She is very familiar with APAS. I didn’t have to explain anymore my condition which was a BIG relief.

And so, the procedure. I had four needles on the head (possibly for my migraines) –

1. Drink less cold drinks. You should always keep the body warm; therefore:
2. Drink a lot of soup.
3. Sleep by 10:30 PM. She scolded me because I still sleep at around 12 midnight even if I have no work anymore. She told me I should rest and should let the body recuperate and be in deep sleep from 11:00 PM to 3:00 AM. Sleeping late affects fertility.
4. Avoid raw veggies, fish, and meats.
5. Drink warm water.