Undergoing IVF? How Acupuncture and Physiotherapy Can Support
Your Fertility Journey
North Shore Health – Pioneering IVF Support Since 2008
Updated June 2025 | 3 min read
Navigating IVF with Confidence and Care
If you are currently undergoing IVF, you already know that it can be an emotional and physical rollercoaster. The experience often comes with a wave of hope, uncertainty, and information overload. You might be wondering what more you can do to support embryo quality, improve implantation chances, and feel more grounded during the process.
North Shore Health was founded in 2008 to meet the specific needs of IVF patients and collaborate with fertility clinics across Sydney and Melbourne. We were the first clinic in Australia to provide focused IVF acupuncture support integrated with evidence-based care. In the last 15 years, we’ve supported thousands of IVF patients and have seen firsthand the impact of tailored, supportive therapies on both outcomes and wellbeing.
Our clinic has contributed to ongoing research around IVF acupuncture, and we remain committed to offering our patients science-led care that enhances both clinical outcomes and emotional resilience.
Understanding the Role of Acupuncture in IVF
Emerging research suggests that acupuncture during the stimulation phase and around embryo transfer may positively influence IVF success rates. More than just a stress-reduction tool, acupuncture appears to exert biological effects that enhance fertility, especially when treatments begin in the months leading up to an IVF cycle. Ideally, acupuncture is commenced at least three months prior to initiating IVF, as this window allows us to support egg development, endometrial receptivity, and systemic balance. However, we understand that many patients start treatment when IVF is already underway, and we firmly believe that acupuncture can still offer significant benefits at any stage of the cycle.
The research journey on IVF acupuncture has evolved. Early studies focused almost exclusively on treatments administered only at the time of embryo transfer. While those studies showed some benefit, more recent research suggests that better results may be achieved when acupuncture is integrated more comprehensively—throughout the follicular stimulation, post-retrieval, pre- and post-transfer, and two-week wait phases. For those interested, we provide a deeper exploration of this research on our website blog.
Supporting Every Phase of the IVF Cycle
We see patients at all stages of the IVF process, offering treatments aligned with each key milestone. During the stimulation phase, we often see patients weekly or twice weekly for two to five sessions. This period is critical for egg development, and acupuncture at this stage aims to enhance blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, regulate hormone levels, and support follicular response to medication. Electroacupuncture is often used at this point, as it has been shown in multiple studies to improve ovarian perfusion and follicular quality by increasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and promoting improved microcirculation to the ovaries.
After egg collection, many patients find relief in a treatment one to two days post-procedure. Acupuncture at this time is aimed at reducing pelvic discomfort, bloating, and inflammation. We generally recommend waiting at least 24 hours after retrieval to allow the body to settle.
On the day of embryo transfer, we offer acupuncture either before, after, or both—depending on the clinic’s protocol and the patient’s preferences. These sessions are based on established clinical trial models. Several studies, including a 2022 meta-analysis published in Reproductive BioMedicine Online, have found that acupuncture around the time of embryo transfer may improve pregnancy rates, particularly in women with a predicted success rate below 30%. While data on pregnancy outcomes varies, patients consistently report that these sessions provide a sense of calm, mental clarity, and meaningful connection with their embryo.
Many women describe the two-week wait as the most challenging part of IVF. Acupuncture during this window focuses on keeping the nervous system calm, maintaining blood flow to the uterus, and supporting progesterone stability. Treatments are gentle and tailored to the emotional and physical needs of each individual. By modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, acupuncture reduces cortisol and supports parasympathetic nervous system activity—both crucial for optimal implantation conditions.
Evidence-Based Acupuncture and IVF Outcomes
Clinical research has increasingly validated acupuncture’s role in reproductive support. A 2023 randomized controlled trial in the Journal of Integrative Medicine found that women who received regular acupuncture in the lead-up to and during IVF experienced improved ovarian response, thicker endometrial linings, and reduced anxiety levels. The study noted a statistically significant increase in implantation and clinical pregnancy rates compared to the control group receiving standard care alone.
Physiological studies using Doppler ultrasound have shown that acupuncture improves uterine artery blood flow, which is a strong predictor of implantation success. Acupuncture also influences neuroendocrine pathways, improving secretion of reproductive hormones and helping the body respond more effectively to ovarian stimulation medications.
Importantly, acupuncture has been shown to modulate immune function, balancing cytokine levels and reducing inflammatory markers that may interfere with embryo implantation. These systemic effects contribute to creating a receptive uterine environment and enhancing embryo-maternal communication.
The Role of Physiotherapy in IVF Support
Physiotherapy also plays a vital, often underutilized role in IVF preparation and support. At North Shore Health, our physiotherapists work with patients to address pelvic biomechanics, myofascial restrictions, and postural imbalances that can affect reproductive organs. Pelvic physiotherapy is particularly beneficial for patients with endometriosis, past pelvic surgeries, or chronic pelvic tension. Manual therapy techniques, including myofascial release and visceral mobilization, help improve the mobility and alignment of the uterus, ovaries, and surrounding tissues.
A 2023 study published in the Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy found that pelvic physiotherapy improved blood flow, reduced adhesions, and enhanced reproductive organ function in women undergoing IVF, particularly those with secondary infertility or chronic pelvic pain.
By improving structural alignment and circulation in the pelvis, physiotherapy complements acupuncture’s systemic effects and helps create the most supportive internal environment for IVF success. Physiotherapy is also highly supportive in improving sperm health and pelvic circulation for male partners, especially those with lifestyle-related or idiopathic infertility concerns.
Resources, Education, and Community Support
At North Shore Health, we believe that knowledge is empowering. That’s why we invest in providing our patients with up-to-date, research-based educational content on fertility, IVF, acupuncture, and integrative health. Our mailing lists deliver tailored advice depending on whether you are trying to conceive, currently undergoing IVF, pregnant, or simply exploring holistic health options.
We offer a private Facebook community, created specifically to support individuals and couples on their fertility journey. The group is 100% confidential and provides a safe space to learn, share, and grow. Every week, we host our Making it on Monday sessions—live and recorded workshops focused on lifestyle, supplements, mindset, evidence-based therapies, and current fertility research. Our goal is to foster confidence and clarity, and to reduce the sense of isolation that can sometimes accompany fertility treatment.
You can also find additional resources on our website, Instagram, and YouTube channels, where we post interviews with practitioners, patient stories, practical tips, and research updates. For those particularly interested in the science behind IVF acupuncture, our dedicated blog dives into the latest findings and protocols.
Begin Your IVF Journey with Expert, Integrative Support
If you're currently undergoing IVF or planning a cycle in the near future, our team at North Shore Health is here to support you at every stage. Whether you’re seeking to improve clinical outcomes, manage side effects, reduce stress, or simply feel more in control, acupuncture and physiotherapy can be powerful allies.
We invite you to book an initial consultation, ask questions, and explore how our personalized care can make a difference on your path to parenthood. Many patients find that a conversation with an experienced fertility practitioner brings clarity, reassurance, and renewed confidence.
📍 Serving North Shore, Sydney
📞 Call us at (09) 8065 2034
🌐 www.northshorehealthclinic.com.au
North Shore Health – Supporting IVF with Expertise, Empathy, and Evidence.
Let us walk beside you on this remarkable journey.