How to Choose a Fertility Acupuncturist?

If you’re having fertility challenges, maybe you’ve heard that acupuncture can help.  But how do you find and choose a fertility acupuncturist who can actually help you with your fertility?

Choose a Fertility Acupuncturist: Look for Fertility Expertise

You want the best, and you are looking for an acupuncturist who has expertise in treating fertility. That expertise comes from a combination of education and experience.

Education

An expert fertility acupuncturist is well-educated in the treatment of fertility and women’s health.  In medicine board-certification indicates advanced training, and fertility acupuncturists are board-certified by the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine, or ABORM.

Certification requires additional training, passing a comprehensive exam, and meeting annual continuing education requirements.  You can learn more about the ABORM certification here: https://eastbayfertilityacupuncture.com/aborm-certified/

Experience

It takes both education and experience to develop expertise.  A clinician that specializes in treating fertility and women’s health – and sees fertility patients all day long – will gain much more experience at treating fertility compared to a clinician who treats the occasional fertility patient.

If a clinician has been specializing in treating fertility for at least 5 years, they will have developed the expertise that you want in your fertility acupuncturist.

How can I tell if an acupuncturist has the expertise I am looking for?

Take a thorough look at the website for the clinic.

Does the website indicate that fertility is the clinic’s primary focus?

Does the clinic provide information on the website about fertility including an up-to-date blog?

Do the clinicians’ bio pages provide their training and experience working with fertility?

Choose a Fertility Acupuncturist: Availability

Once you have identified a clinic that looks promising, consider the logistics.

How easy is it to get into the clinic for regular, in-person visits?

• Hours – What days and hours is the clinic open? Will this work with your schedule?
• Booking – Is online booking available?
• Parking – How easy is it to find parking at the clinic? How safe is the neighborhood?
• Communication with the clinic/clinician – How easy is it to communicate with the clinic, and ultimately with your clinician?

How do I find a fertility acupuncturist?

Word-of-mouth

The best way to find a great provider is through word-of-mouth.  Check with the people you trust:

• health care provider(s)
• fertility doctor(s)
• friends

Online

You could check various sites for reviews, such as Google and Yelp, but you need to be your own filter.  Look for reviews that talk about fertility, and then for patients who have worked with the acupuncturist over time and can speak from real experience.

Choose a Fertility Acupuncturist: At your first appointment

Once you meet with the fertility acupuncturist, ask yourself these questions during the first few visits to make sure they are a good fit for you.

• Do you feel comfortable with the clinician?
• Do they listen?
• Are they easy to talk to?
• Do they have a treatment plan?
• Are you comfortable with the plan?
• Do they answer your questions?
• Are they well connected in the health care community to help you find your fertility support team?

The answers to these questions can help you choose the fertility acupuncturist who fits your needs best.

Leslie Oldershaw, L.Ac.
Medical director
Fertility Acupuncturist East Bay
www.TheOldershawClinic.com
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