Active Acupuncture - New York - NYC

Experienced Acupuncturists and Healers Serving New York City

Specialists of Acupuncture for Infertility, IVF, Women's Health,
Immune Disorders, Depression, and Pain Relief.

Appointments / Inquiries: (212) 974-2880

Active Acupuncture

Acupuncture for Infertility

Nothing is more important than experience:
Eileen Chen is a specialist of women’s health. In China, she studied under world-renowned masters of Chinese traditional medicine, specializing in women’s health and fertility. More than half of her current patients are being treated for a fertility related disorder. Her broad experience has led to a high rate of success, helping over 200 couples conceive and carry through to term.

NYC Infertility IVF Acupuncture

We can significantly increase your chances of conception if your infertility is due to:

  • Amenorrhea
  • Endometriosis
  • Irregular and Annovulatory Menstrual Cycles
  • Luteal Phase Defect LPD
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease PID
  • Premature Ovarian Failure POF
  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome PCOS
  • Stress
  • Poor Egg Quality
  • Thin and Unresponsive Endometrium
  • Cervical / Uterine Factors
  • Immunological Factors
  • Fallopian Tube Factors
  • Ovulation Factors

Acupuncture is able to increase the chances of pregnancy through natural conception, IVF, IUI, and other ARTs because it has been clinically shown to:

  • Regulate and stabilize hormone levels
  • Help produce more follicles
  • Increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries by lowering impedence 
  • Thicken the endometrial lining
  • Reduce the chance of miscarriage
  • Strengthen the immune system and the overall health of the body
  • Reduce stress
  • Absorb nutrients and maintain ideal weight
  • Faciliate relaxation
  • Improve the quality of sleep
  • Have NO side effects - does not introduce toxicity to you and your baby

We have compiled a question and answer  on acupuncture for infertility. If you have any additional questions that you would like answered please email it to acupuncturew57@gmail.com. The Q&A will be updated again in the near future! We urge you to look through published scientific literature, and some of the testimonials from our past cases:


Testimonials

acupuncture new york infertility testimony
New York, NY 2013

Eileen Chen is a experienced and patient therapist. I was not having periods for more than 6-8 months and my menstrual cycle was irregular. I was diagnosed with PCOS and Hypothyroidism. She was recommended to me as someone who specializes in PCOS and infertility. I started getting regular acupuncture sessions from her and with her expertise, Eileen helped in restoring my normal periods. I conceived naturally within months of getting a normal cycle and now I have a healthy baby boy! I again started having problems with my menstrual cycle after a year of delivery and went back to her. My periods have resumed their normal pattern!

Eileen is not dismissive of Western medicine and will often work with the line of treatment suggested by the doctor. She will also honestly tell you what may not work but will guide you in meeting your health goals. Her hours are very convenient and the office staff is friendly. EIleen is an expert in dealing with reproductive and gynaecological issues and I highly recommend her.

BB, NYC, New York 2012
acupuncture new york infertility testimony
New York, NY 2012
acupuncture new york infertility testimony
New York, NY 2012
acupuncture new york infertility testimony
New York, NY 2012
 acupuncture nyc infertility testimony
acupuncture new york infertility testimony
-New York, NY 2010
 acupuncture new york infertility testimony
New York, NY 2010
acupuncture new york infertility testimony
New York, NY 2009

acupuncture nyc infertilityAt 37 I was told by one of NY’s Top Doctors (as rated by NY Magazine) for Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility, that I had (at best) about a year to conceive a child of my own as my ovaries were failing and my eggs were aging. Thankfully, he was wrong. I delivered my beautiful and healthy son on 6/22/09, conceived naturally with Dr. Chen’s help. I’m 42 years old. My experience with Dr. Chen was truly remarkable. Over the course of several months, she changed my menstrual cycle, regulated my hormones and prepared my body for conception- something the Western medical doctors were not able to do. Acupuncture works. Be patient and follow Dr. Chen’s instructions. Have treatments as frequently as your time and budget will allow, and you have as good a chance (if not better) of conceiving naturally, as you do conceiving through fertility treatments. Thank you Dr. Chen and God Bless! I will be back when I’m ready to try for #2!

Regards, Kerri C. New York, NY


New York, NY 2009

Dear Dr. Chen, I am happy to tell you that our son - Oliver Luka - was born on October 17. He is healthy and beautiful, and after four miscarriages we can hardly believe that he is here. When I came to you for acupuncture I didn't know what to do - whether to give up or to persevere. You saw me through a fourth pregnancy loss and you were a huge reason why I kept trying. My weekly appointment with you was an oasis from worry and gave me hope each time, and for this I cannot thank you enough. I also believe very much that your treatments helped to bring him here.

nyc infertility acupuncture

CBN 11/2011 New York, NY

Dear Dr Chen,
My husband and I would like to thank you for helping us on our fertility journey. Thanks to you we are now proud parents of a wonderful baby boy, born on 7/11/11, weighing 7 lbs 6 oz and measuring 21 inches. It was a tough and stressful journey before we met you. We tried all the options available through western medicine - unfortunately none of the worked. I was told that my chances of conceiving at all were very slim - it was hearbreaking to hear that. We had almost given up when we heard about you and came to you for help. You have been extremely supportive and encouraging. Right from the beginning you told me that I would be able to conceive naturally with the help of acupuncture. You were calm and patient with me and encouraged me to have a positive attitude. You told me not to give up and you were so right ! I am glad we listened to you. It took some time (more than a year) since I was so stressed out but in the end it worked out. We conceived naturally and have been blessed with a wonderful boy. I am now a firm believer of acupuncture. The acupuncture sessions I had with you were so relaxing. Even before I became pregnant, I could sense a subtle change in myself due to the acupuncture sessions. I had more stamina, more energy and I was more relaxed and calm. You have been wonderful throughout with your encouraging words and patient but positive attitude. God bless and thank you once again for our miracle baby!

NN 11/2011 New York, NY

infertility acupuncture testimony new york city

New York, NY 06/2011

Dr. Chen was wonderful. She has such a calming presence that I found helped me to relax during the treatments. I had a miscarriage in December 2009 and had been trying to conceive since February 2010. I came to Dr. Chen the end of May and conceived the following month. All I can say is that I was able to achieve my goal and if acupuncture and the herbs I took helped, then I have Dr. Chen to thank.

Susan 9/2/2010 New York, NY

After having one miscarriage and failing to get pregnant 8 months later – I decided to see Dr. Chen while on Clomid. I found Dr. Chen on the internet just doing research on acupuncture and infertility. I immediate felt I was in the right place upon speaking to Dr. Chen. She is extremely knowledgeable about the human body and the ways in which works. Dr. Chen recommended that I see her 2Xs a week which I initially thought was a lot (and expensive). I got pregnant the FIRST month I started treatment! I couldn’t believe after so many months of trying. I gave birth to a perfect baby boy on 8/8/09.

Dr. Chen also helped me go into labor! I was a week late and was going to be induced if I didn’t start to labor on my own. I went to see Dr. Chen and went into labor 14 hours after my treatment.

We are trying for We are trying for baby #2 and of course, I am back to seeing Dr. Chen weekly.

She is wonderful and I HIGHLY recommend her services to any woman having difficulty conceiving

Anonymous Patient, New York, NY.

I’m a big believer in Western medicine, so when my wife, who is 28 and suffers from PCOS was unable to conceive, we quickly found a celebrity OBGYN who assured us that my wife would respond to Clomid and Progesterone (which my wife tried in increasing doses for three months). The hormones had no effect on my wife other than giving her hot flashes, making her EXTREMELY moody, and making her gain weight. The doctor eventually told us to see a specialist.

We then researched the best infertility specialist we could find; someone affiliated with a prestigious hospital and a publisher of numerous books on infertility. After a barrage of tests, he eventually concluded that the only “safe” option was IVF (and an even greater dose of hormones).

When my wife suggested that we try acupuncture, I had many doubts. A close friend who is a medical doctor told me that it was a waste of money. Another friend whose wife also suffered from PCOS told us not to waste our time and to go to their specialist who was successful after a year of hormone therapy and IUI.

When we met with Dr. Chen, I was immediately struck by the fact that she looked at things the other doctors ignored. She commented on my wife’s feet and the lack of curvature in her lower back as well as the temperature of her body at various points. We began a twice-a-week treatment in conjunction with special exercises, massages, and various other recommendations by Dr. Chen. Just two days after the very first acupuncture treatment, my wife’s basal body temperature began to rise. After five weeks of treatment, my wife found out that she was pregnant!

In addition to being the only doctor that was able to help my wife conceive, Dr. Chen was also extremely professional, kind, knowledgeable, and reassuring, explaining everything she was doing and being completely frank and honest with us from the very first meeting. She kept repeating that she was going to help my wife heal herself, which seemed like a much purer and more natural way to approach my wife’s condition. While I had my doubts in the beginning, I am now the BIGGEST believer in acupuncture - Thank you so much Dr. Chen for everything! You are brilliant!

H. H. 2/25/2010 New York, NY

We started seeing Ms. Zhao since November 2008, I was 34 years old and we have been trying on our own for a year. My FSH were fluctuating very high levels, at one point, it reaches 125 prior to acupuncture. Which puzzles my obgyn and my MD. My husband encouraged me to go see Ms. Zhao after seeing the reviews on her website. We researched other acupuncturist, but nobody seems to be more straight forward and caring than her. When we asked if we need chinese herbs to compliment the treatment, she dismissed it until we know what is really wrong with me. At that point we knew that she is not trying to sell us any ‘service package’ or anything else unnecessary unlike other acupuncture center we read. We try to go regularly every week for her treatment, and within the first month, my FSH was lower than 15 and stayed consistent. She advised us to eat healthy and try to not stress out, which is a hard thing to do. She asked my husband to help me on the exercise that she taught to me to do at home and also to give me a simple massage. We are very lucky, with Ms. Zhao and my husband’s patience and support; in June 2009 we found out that we are pregnant. are pregnant. searched on the web for acupuncturist in NY and liked the website of Acupuncture for Natural Healing. I told myself that I would try it out and if it wasn't as good as my old acupuncturist, and I would return to her, no harm done.

When I entered the premises I noticed a woman doing someWhen I entered the premises I noticed a woman doing some exercises in the waiting room. Immediately, I felt a sense that this place was going to be better. After speaking with Dr. Chen, I left the place feeling really good. I was still doubtful whether it would work of not, but I felt it was a better fit than my previous place.

I had decided that I would continue for 2 months of acupuncture and then try my last of IVF cycle. I do not have to explain to those who have tried these procedures how arduous the process is, how you lose your mind during the imbalances of drugs. I needed a break and was prepared to do whatever it took. of acupuncture treatment, and exercises, I became pregnant. I am still shocked by this outcome, as I have not gone through an IFV cycle. How could this happen?

The only explanation that I have is the with the exercises and accupucture, my body was able to heal itself into a healthier state. To all of you and the desperately trying to conceive. Do not give up, try these treatments before you do. It is a lot less expensive than IVF and it a natural way of rejuvenating the body.

Thank you very much Dr. Chen

RC 41 and pregnant. June 13th, 2008

I went to Dr Chen for 3 months before getting pregnant. I was nervous I would have problems as I had just turned 38 years old. I was always regular with periods but after going off the pill I had very scant or light periods. When I went to Dr Chen she stated that my circulation or blood flow in my reproductive area was slow. She gave me needles to my ovaries and uterine area and I got pregnant in no time. I am now 39 with a beautiful healthy girl. I plan on going back to Dr Chen in the spring when we try again.

Lori N, N.Y, N.Y

I was recommended to Dr. Chen by my husband&#I was recommended to Dr. Chen by my husband's friend for infertility in the Spring of 2005. My husband and I had been trying to conceive for more than a year. We were told by our western doctors that due to my many health problems that the chances of having a baby were very low. I saw Dr. Chen as a last resort – and now I realize they should have been the first option I sought. After just three months of treatment (I usually went once or twice a week), I conceived my first baby! As a bonus, I felt many of my other health problems get better. The acupuncture and exercise lessened the frequency of my migraines and helped my back and leg pain significantly. I even got a bigger appetite! My baby was born healthy and I cannot be more thankful to Dr. Chen. During my treatments, I met many people who were suffering from a wide variety of ailments and they all had positives stories about how Dr. Chen helped them… I certainly underestimated the power of good Chinese medicine. I highly recommend Dr. Chen's services to anyone with health problems!
-A.G, Active Acupuncture patient, NYC, New York

In July 1998, I was diagnosed with severe dysplasia of the cervix; to rule out any possibility of cervical cancer I had to go through surgery, a procedure called cone biopsy, where basically, a cone-shaped piece of my cervix was removed.

After that, my chances of getting pregnant were reduced. My cervix was not producing enough of the mucus where my husband’s sperm was supposed to survive prior to conception. At the same time we also learned that John has a very high percentage of ‘immature’ sperm, making things even more complicated. My doctor recommended to start a fertility treatment right away after we saw the results of a post-coital test: five hours after sex, there were no surviving sperms.

We wanted to have a baby very much, but we also wanted to try to conceive ‘naturally’ first. My gynecologist thought that would be a waste of time. Then, I went to visit Dr. Zhao Yang Chen, who I met a year before when she helped me to quit smoking. That was October, three months after surgery. Her diagnosis was that, at that point, I would not be able to get pregnant because my "pelvis was too crowded, there is no room for baby.”

We started a treatment based on acupuncture, massages, pelvic exercises and herb infusions. In the meanwhile, my first Pap-smears after surgery came back normal, with no sign of dysplasia. It was about December when she finally announced that my body was in a ‘perfect condition’ and ready for pregnancy.

In January, three months after starting treatment, we got pregnant (and we should not count December, as my husband was in a two-week business trip during my ovulation). Indeed it has been a stress-and-frustration-free fertility treatment. Dr. Chen helped us to ‘pleasantly’ conceive this baby and we can only be grateful to her.
-J.G, Active Acupuncture patient, NYC, New York

I went to Dr. Chen last March (1998) in the hope that she could help me with my infertility problems. Prior to this, I had already undergone infertility tests and procedures over a period of several years. These included a laparoscopy for tubal problems, and artificial inseminations. I was 37 years old, and in-Vitro Fertilization was recommended to me as the right step to take if I wanted to become pregnant. Medically , I had one completely blocked fallopian tube, on damaged tube, an immunological problem with my husband’s sperm, and ovarian problems. To my continued discouragement, I found out from my day 3 blood test at New York Hospital that if I maintained my FSH and estradiol levels*, I could not even be a candidate for IVF.

At that point  I decided to try acupuncture. I was referred to Dr. Chen by a friend who was also being treated for infertility problems. I found out on my initial visit that my body kept a lot of heat and that was damaging to my ovarian function. Dr. Chen told me it could take 3 to 6 months to see a change and that she would work on my circulation and other balancing to bring my temperature down and to regulate my hormones. I felt better after that visit, and as the treatment went on continued with blood tests at New York Hospital during each menstrual cycle.

My husband noticed changes in my body during the first month of acupuncture, and we both felt more able to enjoy making love, and less stressed about "that time of the month” (ovulation). I drank the herbs regularly that Dr. Chen recommended. I saw changes in my basal body temperature at each cycle. In that I would not respond well to medications, based on my past history and medical test results. But I did respond well to the daily injections, produced a number of mature eggs, and got a positive pregnancy test. I feel of course extremely grateful to both Dr. Chen and to the IVF program and doctors at New York Hospital for my pregnancy. In my case the combination seemed to be essential, and opened my mind in a very positive direction about both acupuncture and the possibilities of western medicine.

-J.Y, Active Acupuncture patient, NYC, New York

I was actually a patient of Dr. Chen's almost five years ago. I am writing this because till this day I am extremely grateful for her help with my infertility. I had stage 2 endometriosis, which did a number on my fallopian tubes. A lot of my hormone markers were also out of the normal range. We tried to conceive naturally for two years. No luck. my RE recommended IUI. We did it for 2 rounds with no druggs and then a third with 50mg Clomid and an HCG shot. With no results, we were told IVF was our only option. We did two rounds of IVF. Both unsuccessful, which left us emotionally and financially drained. We decided to adopt. Two years later, we made the decision to try it one more time with a different RE. The RE told me about a lot of alternative options including acupuncture. At that time, there was less evidence that acupuncture could help infertility but my RE said several of his patients had tried it with good results. I found Dr. Chen through an ad and made my first appointment a month before I was going to start my IVF cycle. She told me that my body was strong but there was poor circulation in my lower body which was affecting circulation in my reproductive organs. She sounded very confident that she can help me. I went to see her twice a week. To be honest I did not feel much of a difference, but my RE was monitoring my hormones and the numbers improved significantly. And looking back, I remember that there was much less pain I and felt better during my periods (they were usually pretty bad ever since I was a teenager). My IVF started off very well. I became pregnant and continued to have acupuncture because I didn't want to lose my only chance. 9 months later we had our daughter who is now almost in kintergarden. I am absolutely sure that the acupuncture I recieved from Dr. Chen helped me. If I had to go through another IVF cycle I would seek Dr. Chen's help without hesitation.
- Citysearch member, NYC, New York

Dear Dr. Chen,
We’re so happy to be able to share our news with you – our daughter was born on April 21, 1999.

Thank you again for everything. We will always be grateful and have a special appreciation for your help in bringing her to us!

I hope all is well with you. I hope to see you again.

With warm wishes and sincerely,
-J.Y, NYC, New York

Hopefully you are having a nice summer! I have been meaning to write you because I had a very positive experience that I wished to share with you in case the information could be of use to any of your other patients. I have worked with an acupuncturist Dr. Eileen Chen at 250 west 57th Street who specializes in women’s problems… The first effect that I noticed as that the color in my face improved. Then I went to the gynecologist this spring and she reported that my vaginal tissues had become so flush that she was having trouble finding my cervix… I am also happy to report that my bone density increased 11%. I have been taking Evista, but it occurred to me that [the treatments] may also have contributed to the improvement.
-J.C (to her doctor), Active Acupuncture patient, NYC, New York

I was trying to get pregnant for two and a half years. A year and a half ago I did get pregnant by insemination. I had lost it after 10 weeks. Slowly slowly my f.s.h. was climbing. At one point the doc. had left me the option of a donor egg only. I went from one doc. To another. Nobody wanted to touch me with high f.s.h., I was looking for any kind of help to take f.s.h level down. I had found an article from a British paper, talking about infertility treatments supported by alternative medicine. Acupuncture was one of them. It seemed to me that I had found something that could help me. I was asking people who are familiar with the field and that is how I got to doc. Chen.
-T.Z, Active Acupuncture patient, NYC, New York (Continued Below)

I came to doc. Chen on the beginning of July 09. She is taking care of me since. With her help my f.s.h. level went down, and six weeks ago I got pregnant by in vitro. It was after sevens months that my f.s.h. was too high and no doc was ready to treat me.
-T.Z, Active Acupuncture patient, NYC, New York

It’s been just over a year that I’ve been going to Dr. Chen for acupuncture treatments. The reason is that I want to get pregnant. Prior to that, I have gone to two fertility clinics in New Jersey and New York. I tried a variety of drugs, artificial insemination and in vitro.

Unfortunately, nothing worked. The fertility drugs really played with my emotions, I was depressed and moody. I believe that my mood swings were directly related to the fertility drugs. Physically and psychologically, I felt terrible.

As a rule, I have a difficult time ingesting aspirin. I prefer naturally remedies. I also never saw doctors (other than annual check up) before this ordeal. After two years of the fertility doctors, I decided to seek a more natural method. That brought me to Dr. Chen.

It took a while for the fertility drugs to get out of my system. Dr. Chen gave me Chinese herbs, acupuncture treatments and incredible Chinese massage treatments. Almost immediately, I felt better psychologically.

In her practice, Dr. Chen took the time to get to know me and to understand my medical history. Her treatment is different for each patient. She treats the whole – in addition to the symptom.

No doctor or fertility drug was able to get me pregnant. However, last February I was pregnant for the first time in y life. Unfortunately, I miscarried at the beginning of my fourth month because I was ill.

We are trying again. This time, I feel quite hopeful. My husband encourages me to go to Dr. Chen because after each visit, he says I come home in a great mood. Psychologically, I do feel better. The acupuncture treatments are up lifting.  

I see Dr. Chen twice a month. Also after each visit I feel physically better. The treatments last quite a while. I can honestly say, that I am feeling better all the time.

I am hopeful that I will get pregnant again. Before the acupuncture and with the fertility drugs, my temperature readings were always low – averaging about 97.2 all the time. I didn’t ovulate every month. Now, thanks to the acupuncture treatments, I ovulate and my temperature has been up around 98.2. That’s a big improvement.

Once I get pregnant, I plan on continuing treatments with Dr. Chen. After that, I plan on visiting her four times a year for overall wellness.
-M.H, Active Acupuncture patient, NYC, New York


Scientific Literature

If you do not have access to full length articles, we have copies at our NYC office.

Key points from recent studies:

  1. Acupuncture before IVF increases chances of conception by 65%
  2. A randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study showed that the pregnancy rates more than doubled (15.6% to 33.6%) for IVF/ICSI treatment when acupuncture was given.
  3. A randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study showed that miscarriage rates decreased (15.4% to 11.8%) for IVF/ICSI treatment when acupuncture was given.
  4. A randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study showed that implantation rates almost tripled (5.9% to 14.2%) for IVF/ICSI treatment when acupuncture was given.
  5. Using doppler ultrasonography, it was observed that acupuncture can lower arterial uterine blood flow impedance, a key to optimal endometrial receptivity.
  6. Clinical and experimental evidence shows that acupuncture has long-lasting benefits for women who suffer from polycystic ovaries syndrom (PCOS) and anovlulation.
  7. Acupuncture can benefit men who have abnormal sperm.
  8. A randomized, prospective trial showed that a single session of acupuncture can increase the chances of pregnancy in infertile women.
Quick Facts:
  • A third of our patients are being treated for a fertility related problem.
  • We have helped over 200 couples conceive and carry through to term.
  • In clinical trials, acupuncture has been shown to significantly increase conception rates and decrease miscarriage rates. (details)
  • Modern medical technology has shown that acupuncture can increase blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, which can help thicken the uterus lining.
  • Clinical studies have shown that acupuncture can regulate chemical and hormone levels in the body, which can be particularly useful to women who have chemical imbalances, like high FSH.