Expert Acupuncture Articles Written by Portland Acupuncture Studio

Acupuncture for Postpartum Pain

Acupuncture for Postpartum Pain

Whether you had a vaginal or a C-section delivery, after your baby is born there is often a time where you may experience discomfort, muscle weakness or even pain in the pelvic region. Your body has been through a lot of changes during the past 9 months! Between growing a being inside you, hormonal fluctuations […]

Acupuncture for Postpartum Support

Acupuncture for Postpartum Support

Whether you just gave birth to your first baby or your 4th, acupuncture and East Asian Medicine have a long history of supporting people during postpartum. Understanding Postpartum The first three months after your baby is born is also referred to as the “4th trimester”. It can be a tender time where you and your newborn […]

How Acupuncture Provides Help for Postpartum Moods

How Acupuncture Provides Help for Postpartum Moods

Improved awareness around the importance of mental health care has helped de-stigmatize postpartum depression and anxiety—and there is a lot available for new mothers seeking help for postpartum moods. The Postpartum time can be filled with so many emotions as you bond with your newborn and adjust to a new schedule. You may have more […]

10 Things to Avoid When Trying to Conceive

<strong>10 Things to Avoid When Trying to Conceive</strong>

Avoid These Things When You Are Trying to Conceive When you are trying to conceive, here is a list of things you should avoid. 1. Tobacco If you or your partner smokes tobacco, even just socially, it’s best to quit before you start trying to get pregnant. Nicotine has been shown to reduce sperm quality, […]

A Crisis of Low Sperm Counts?

A Crisis of Low Sperm Counts?

Infertility Due to Low Sperm Counts If you’ve been trying to conceive, you have probably read something about the proportion of infertility that is due to sperm production being around 40-50%. This surprises many because even today, “infertility” is thought of as a “female problem.” Part of the reason for that is due to the […]

Your Microbiome and Fertility—A Hidden Link?

Your Microbiome and Fertility—A Hidden Link?

Is There a Link between Microbiome and Fertility? The human microbiome is a complex and diverse ecosystem of microorganisms that inhabit our bodies. Recent research has shown that the microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining our overall health and well-being, including our fertility. The microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms that reside […]

First Trimester: Your Essential Pregnancy To-Do List

<strong>First Trimester: Your Essential Pregnancy To-Do List</strong>

Whether you’ve been trying to conceive for a long time or just found out you got pregnant spontaneously, there are a lot of adjustments to make in the first trimester.  Take Your Vitamins If you haven’t been taking a prenatal vitamin, it’s time to start. Prenatals contain the essential vitamins and minerals your baby needs […]

What You Need to Know About Period Panties and Fertility

What You Need to Know About Period Panties and Fertility

What about Period Panties and Fertility? If you heard about Thinx recently settling a class-action lawsuit about the marketing of their period underwear as “non-toxic,” you might be wondering how menstrual products might impact your fertility and if there are alternatives. The New York Times article about this topic discusses “forever chemicals” (more formally known […]

What is an IVF Embryo Transfer?  

<strong>What is an IVF Embryo Transfer?  </strong>

An embryo transfer is a procedure related to IVF that can help someone get pregnant. In an embryo transfer, a doctor inserts an embryo (technically called a blastocyst) that was previously fertilized in a lab directly into a person’s uterus. It is the last phase of the IVF process, and will hopefully result in a […]

How Vitamin D Boosts Fertility

How Vitamin D Boosts Fertility

The Role of Vitamin D in the Body Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that our bodies make when our skin is exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun. Our liver and kidneys also join in converting vitamin D into a usable form. If you live above the 45th parallel, like we do here in […]