Trying to Conceive? A Holistic Approach with Chinese Medicine and Evidence-Based Acupuncture at North Shore Health
North Shore Health – Integrative Fertility Care for Your Parenthood Journey
Updated June 2025 | 3 min read
Understanding Fertility Challenges
If you've been trying to conceive for 6 to 12 months without success, you're not alone — and it's natural to begin questioning why. You may have already completed a series of fertility tests. Sometimes the cause is clear, but often, no obvious medical explanation is found. At North Shore Health, we understand how discouraging and emotionally exhausting this can be. That’s why we offer a comprehensive, integrative approach that combines evidence-based acupuncture, physiotherapy, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to support fertility and enhance reproductive health for both women and men.
A Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach to Fertility
Chinese Medicine views fertility through the lens of overall health, examining how internal balance affects reproductive function. Unlike conventional approaches that focus solely on hormone levels or structural concerns, TCM considers the quality of blood flow, the smooth circulation of energy—or “qi”—and the dynamic interplay of yin and yang within the body. Yin represents the body’s nourishing, hydrating, and cooling qualities. It’s associated with estrogen balance, egg quality, and the development of the endometrial lining. Yang, by contrast, reflects the body’s warming and activating functions. It’s linked to progesterone levels, the luteal phase, and the circulation of blood and energy through the pelvis. From a Chinese Medicine perspective, fertility depends on a harmonious balance of yin and yang, as well as a strong, steady flow of blood and qi. When these systems are in alignment, the body becomes a more fertile and receptive environment.
At North Shore Health, our treatments are designed to enhance these internal systems and support the body’s natural capacity for conception. Our fertility care commonly addresses conditions such as irregular cycles, PCOS, endometriosis, painful periods, unexplained infertility, hormonal imbalances, luteal phase defects, male factor infertility, and fertility support during IVF or IUI treatments.
Acupuncture and Fertility: A Scientific and Clinical Perspective
Acupuncture plays a central role in our fertility treatments and is supported by a growing body of scientific evidence. This ancient therapy works by regulating the nervous system, improving blood flow to the reproductive organs, and modulating hormonal pathways involved in ovulation and implantation. Clinical research increasingly supports acupuncture’s effectiveness in improving fertility outcomes.
Recent studies have shown that regular acupuncture sessions can regulate hormones like LH, FSH, and estradiol in women with ovulatory dysfunction, leading to more consistent and timely ovulation. In addition, Doppler ultrasound imaging has confirmed that acupuncture improves uterine artery blood flow, which is vital for creating an optimal endometrial environment. These improvements in microcirculation enhance the receptivity of the uterine lining and promote embryo implantation.
Perhaps one of the most important roles acupuncture plays in fertility is its ability to reduce stress. Chronic stress can suppress reproductive hormones through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Multiple studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can reduce cortisol levels, calm the nervous system, and create a more favorable internal environment for conception. A 2021 meta-analysis published in BMJ Open found significant improvements in emotional well-being, stress reduction, and treatment satisfaction in women undergoing fertility treatments with acupuncture.
Acupuncture also appears to have a measurable effect on IVF success rates. A 2022 Cochrane review found that women who received acupuncture within 24 hours of embryo transfer had higher pregnancy and live birth rates compared to those who did not. This supports our clinic’s carefully timed IVF support protocols, which include treatments before and after embryo transfer to enhance implantation success.
Personalized Acupuncture Protocols for Fertility
At North Shore Health, acupuncture treatments are synchronized with the phases of your menstrual or assisted reproductive cycle to maximize their benefit. In the follicular phase, treatments are aimed at stimulating ovarian function and encouraging the growth of the endometrial lining. We use techniques such as electroacupuncture to improve blood flow to the ovaries and uterus. As ovulation approaches, acupuncture supports the opening of the meridians that pass through the uterus and increases circulation in the pelvis to assist the release of a healthy, mature egg.
After ovulation, the treatment focus shifts toward nourishing the yang aspect of the body to support the luteal phase. Acupuncture points are selected to reduce cramping, calm the nervous system, and prepare the uterus for potential implantation. During the “two-week wait,” our approach emphasizes emotional stability and stress reduction, promoting a sense of calm while maintaining circulation and internal warmth. These targeted sessions help sustain progesterone levels and support a healthy uterine environment.
For IVF patients, our acupuncture program is customized according to the stage of treatment. Prior to egg retrieval, sessions are designed to improve ovarian response and reduce side effects from stimulation medications. Around embryo transfer, we schedule treatments within 24 hours before and after the procedure to improve uterine receptivity and reduce spasms. In the post-transfer phase, acupuncture helps support implantation and maintain hormonal stability.
The Role of Physiotherapy in Fertility
Fertility support doesn’t end with acupuncture. At North Shore Health, we also offer physiotherapy interventions that play an essential but often overlooked role in reproductive health. Our physiotherapists work with you to release pelvic tension, improve alignment, and increase blood flow to the reproductive organs. Gentle manual techniques like myofascial release and visceral mobilization help restore movement and reduce adhesions that may be restricting the uterus or ovaries. Pelvic physiotherapy can also support uterine positioning and reduce chronic pelvic pain, both of which can improve the body’s receptivity to conception.
A 2023 study published in the Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy found that pelvic physiotherapy significantly improved fertility outcomes in women with endometriosis and those with unexplained infertility, highlighting the importance of including the musculoskeletal system in comprehensive fertility care.
Comprehensive Fertility Support at North Shore Health
At North Shore Health, we believe that fertility is a reflection of overall health and balance. Our integrative approach begins with a thorough consultation, where we review your cycle, hormone levels, previous investigations, and overall well-being. From there, we design a personalized treatment plan that evolves with each phase of your cycle or IVF protocol. By combining acupuncture, physiotherapy, lifestyle guidance, and TCM-based herbal support where appropriate, we offer a whole-body approach to fertility care that respects both science and tradition.
When to Seek Support
If you’ve been trying to conceive without success or are beginning the IVF process, now is the right time to seek support. Whether your fertility challenge is related to hormonal imbalance, stress, structural issues, or unexplained causes, early intervention can improve your chances and ease the emotional burden of the journey.
Contact North Shore Health
At North Shore Health, we are committed to walking alongside you on your path to parenthood with personalized care that’s compassionate, evidence-based, and deeply rooted in holistic principles. If you're ready to begin your fertility journey with expert guidance and support, we are here to help.
📍 Serving North Shore, Sydney
📞 Call us at (09) 8065 2034
🌐 www.northshorehealthclinic.com.au
North Shore Health – Supporting Fertility, Restoring Balance, Creating Possibility.
Begin your journey with care that aligns your body, mind, and future.