My First Acupuncture Treatment: Not Scary at All!

The acupuncture needles aren't scary. Promise! Credit: mikefats

I’ve read so much about the benefits of acupuncture. From reducing stress to boosting fertility, it’s pretty darn amazing. Seeing that my husband and I are trying to get pregnant (and I tend to get a bit obsessive about things), I’ve been interested in trying it and even researched a few places in my area that specialize in acupuncture for fertility. However—mostly because I’m really trying to chill it on out and trying not to “fix” myself in any way—I hadn’t actually gone in to try it. I figured that once I went in, I’d probably buy a package, and I wasn’t sure I was totally ready to commit to regular acupuncture sessions.

But it’s like the universe heard my call anyways. Because a few weeks after making this decision, I had the opportunity to attend the Dole Healthy Lifestyle Blogger Summit in California. And you know what I got to try? Yep, acupuncture. And I have to say that my first acupuncture treatment was nothing short of lovely. Done at the California Health & Longevity Institute, it was top-notch.

My acupuncturist, Christina Kohler, was amazingly easy to talk to. Although she knew that I lived in the Midwest and therefore wouldn’t be jet-setting back for appointments in Cali, she took a good 30+ minutes to get to know me. We talked about stresses in my life, what I do to take care of myself, my nutrition and workout habits, and my irregular cycles since coming off the pill. After the consultation, she got me up on the table, checked my pulse and looked at my tongue. From this, she—quite correctly—surmised that I didn’t eat red meat often and that I avoided dairy. While it was good for me to avoid dairy (all this she could tell from the tongue), she said that my pulse indicated that my iron was low. To help with that, she recommended I eat lean cuts of grass-fed red meat twice a week. We recently found a local free-range bison farm to buy meat from, so the timing of this couldn’t have been more in synch.

Then it was acupuncture needle time. I’m not deathly afraid of needles or anything, but I certainly don’t find them cuddly. So I—despite being totally comfortable with and trusting of the acupuncturist—was a bit nervous. But, they really didn’t hurt. A few of them stung for a few seconds, and then dissipated. Others I couldn’t even feel go in. She put them in my ankles, stomach area, hands and head. Then she lowered the lights, put on some soft music and let me zen out. While in there, I just did some deep breathing and took it all in, trying to be as open as possible. (I’m not always the best at accepting help or giving up control, so I find that it helps for me to consciously let go and just be.)

Afterwards, I felt good. I don’t know if it was my energy or just being relaxed (I had gotten a body polish a couple of hours before…) or just feeling like I was understood (I felt in some ways like the acupuncturist and I were like long-lost buds), but I left feeling lighter and healthier.

Since my first acupuncture treatment, I have had two shorter cycles. This could be attributed to a variety of things (namely, more time from being off birth control), but I like to think that the acupuncture had something to do with it. Now that I’m back at home, I’m not ready to sign up for a full acupuncture package yet—I still want to give my body (and mind) a few more months to do their own thing on their own timeline. But would I consider acupuncture to boost fertility and help with my overall health in the coming months? Absolutely. 

Have you tried acupuncture for fertility or for your health? Tell me about your experience! —Jenn