New Research Shows Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Reduce IVF Stress and Pain—Here’s How to Structure Your Care
If you’re navigating IVF, you already know how intense the experience can be—emotionally, physically, and mentally. At Luna Acupuncture, we understand these complexities and patient’s needs through IVF. But there’s good news: new research confirms that Whole Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine (WS‑TCM) may offer fast, effective support during this journey.
In a 2025 study from University Hospitals, researchers followed 146 patients receiving WS‑TCM alongside their embryo transfers. Patients were treated with acupuncture, auricular therapy, electro-acupuncture, and lifestyle advice across nearly 2,000 sessions.
The results?
- Pain dropped by 1.4 points per session
- Stress decreased by 2.1 points
- Anxiety fell by 2.2 points
This is big—especially because these changes happened after just one treatment. At Luna Acupuncture we recommend preparing for retrieval and transfer in advance rather than day of to help you have the best results.
🗓️ How to Structure Your IVF Support with TCM
Based on this evidence, here’s how to make the most of acupuncture and WS‑TCM during IVF:
1. Start Before Transfer Day
In the study, most patients had 3–5 sessions before their embryo transfer. This helps:
- Prepare the uterine lining
- Balance hormones
- Calm pre-transfer nerves
🗓 Recommended: Weekly or twice-weekly sessions leading up to transfer. This is tailored to the patients needs, but is recommended to start at least a month in advance.
2. Schedule Care on the Day of Transfer
Day-of-transfer treatments were the most common and showed high impact on stress/anxiety.
- Points used include KD3, SP6, ST36—known for relaxing the uterus and improving qi flow.
🗓 Recommended: Pre-transfer acupuncture within 2–3 hours before transfer time.
3. Continue Post-Transfer
Post-transfer care may support implantation, rest, and continued hormonal regulation.
- Patients in the study who received post-transfer sessions reported longer-lasting relief from stress.
🗓 Recommended: 1–2 sessions in the two weeks post-transfer and through the first trimester.
🌿 Include Lifestyle + Herbal Support
WS‑TCM isn’t just acupuncture. Patients also benefited from:
- Ear seeds
- Infrared heat therapy
- Herbal medicine
- Food and supplement guidance
At Luna Acupuncture, we tailor these elements to your body’s constitution and IVF timeline.
The research also looked at other therapies here.
Ready to Feel Calm and Supported Through IVF?
Our treatments are guided by this exact research—backed by data, informed by thousands of sessions, and tailored just for you.
Book your IVF support consultation at Luna Acupuncture and let’s design a plan that helps you feel calmer, stronger, and more connected on your fertility journey.
Call or Text 480.426.9251
Lu R, Rodgers‑Melnick SN, Flyckt R, Kim ST, Srinivasan R, Dusek JA, Kaiser CM. Clinical Delivery of Whole Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine and Impacts Upon Patient‑Reported Outcomes During IVF. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health. June 2025;14. doi:10.1177/27536130251349116.
Read the full text: PubMed Central (PMC): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40475372/
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