Fertility Acupuncture

Trying to conceive a baby can be an emotional roller coaster full of struggles for some couples. It can feel like there is no hope or that there is little support available for couples who are struggling with conception and infertility. Did you know that Montana has an amazing option for helping with infertility in a more natural way? I had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Rhianna Weaver, owner of Big Sky Fertility and Wellness, about this very topic! Dr. Rhianna is a Chinese herbalist and acupuncturist who focuses specifically on reproductive health for women and men!

Rhianna, Owner of Big Sky Fertility and Wellness

            Dr. Rhianna started her career path with nursing until she suffered a severe back injury. She came across Chinese herbal medicine as she was looking for alternative support for her back pain. Skeptical, she checked out a Chinese medical clinic in Denver, CO and was blown away when her pain was alleviated. Shortly thereafter, she dropped out of nursing school and pursued a PhD in Chinese Herbal Medicine. Raised by women who are passionate about women’s health, Dr. Rhianna’s education didn’t stop there. She pursued education that specializes in infertility and women’s health, including acupuncture. Dr. Rhianna fell in love with helping women have babies. Dr. Rhianna started her practice in Denver, CO and about 6 years ago, relocating to Bozeman, MT. Dr. Rhianna is the only person in Montana who has specific training in acupuncture for in vitro fertilization (IVF).

            One of the first things I noticed about Dr. Rhianna is her calming yet cheerful presence. As we sat at the coffee shop talking all about fertility and her services, feelings of comfort and relaxation embodied me for our time together. Dr. Rhianna is the type of person that you feel like you’ve been friends for decades, even if you just met. Her passion to help women (and men) is fierce and her commitment to her work is fervent. If you’re like me and not a huge fan of needles, Dr. Rhianna is such a calming presence that acupuncture actually sounds like fun!

What is Acupuncture and How Does it Work?

            According to John Hopkins Medicine, “acupuncture is the practice of penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles which are then activated through gentle and specific movements of the practitioner's hands or with electrical stimulation”. Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine where traditional practitioners believe that there are over 2,000 acupuncture points in the human body that are connected by pathways or meridians. These pathways allow for energy (Qi, pronounced "chee") and blood to flow through the body. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe that Qi is responsible for overall health and if there is a disruption to the flow of energy and/or blood flow then disease can occur. Acupuncturists insert needles to certain points to improve the flow of blood and Qi, thereby improving the health and wellness of the client.

            Inflammation and stress are known to impede conception in women by lowering a woman’s egg quality, causing anovulation (not ovulating), hormone imbalance, low progesterone, estrogen dominance, and spotty/heavy/painful/irregular periods. In men, sperm quality, quantity, and motility can all be affected by inflammation and stress. With infertility and reproductive health, acupuncture aims to balance hormones, decrease inflammation, and balance a client’s reproductive system. Acupuncture increases blood flow to a client’s reproductive system to oxygenate cells and increase cell efficacy. In addition, acupuncture increases the body’s “feel good” hormones such as endorphins to trigger relaxation. Acupuncture also works to stimulate the pituitary gland and turns off over stimulated parts of the brain. Relaxation is crucial to managing stress and reducing inflammation. 

            Research is really promising with utilizing acupuncture treatments for infertility in men and women. Studies suggest that acupuncture plays a positive role in treating infertility including addressing ovulation dysfunction, increasing success for embryo transfer for IVF families, and improving male infertility. Acupuncture provides women with increased uterine blood flow and has shown to reduce depression, anxiety and stress in men and women. Acupuncture has also shown to positively affect a person's immune function.

Big Sky Fertility and Wellness

            Dr. Rhianna’s services include acupuncture, cupping, gua sha, and Chinese herbal medicine. While many people see Rihanna for conception related problems, Rhianna treats so many additional issues related to reproductive health such as: natural conception, IVF/IUI support, male infertility, pregnancy and postpartum symptom care, natural menopause treatments, pain management, comprehensive treatment for PCOS, endometriosis, irregular cycles, and post birth control detox. Dr. Rhianna’s approaches her client’s issues holistically by treating the symptoms while finding and addressing the root causes. Individualized care is at the foundation of Dr. Rhianna’s practice because each client’s needs are so unique.

            Dr. Rhianna starts with a comprehensive consultation where she looks at a client’s lab work, health history, and menstrual cycle information (if trying to conceive). The goal of these consultations is to dive deep into what might be going on with a client and see what areas could benefit from additional testing. From there, she develops a treatment plan for her clients designed to address their current symptoms and the root causes of their ailments. Along with acupuncture and Chinese herbals, Dr. Rhianna works with families on their nutrition, environmental factors, and sleep hygiene to help clients see the most success.

            What I love most about Dr. Rhianna is her approach is realistic and aimed to meet each family where they are at. Her practice goes beyond acupuncture and herbal medicine and dives deep into helping clients make small adjustments and create balance between life and work, set boundaries, and engage in self-care. When you meet Dr. Rhianna, you’ll see her dedication to her clients, her empathy, and her amazing work-ethic. Her work speaks for itself, and it speaks volumes. She has helped so many women and families in her 10+ years of work. If Dr. Rhianna cannot help you, she will find someone who can- she refuses to leave you hanging. While much of her work is in-person, she does offer telehealth visits as well!

How do you know if Dr. Rhianna is the person you need to see? Schedule a free consultation! She offers a free 30-minute phone consultation to see if her services would be right for you. Book now on her website!

References

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

Chang, R., Chung, P. H., & Rosenwaks, Z. (2002). Role of acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility. Fertility and Sterility, 78(6), 1149-1153.

Huang, D. M., Huang, G. Y., Lu, F. E., Stefan, D., & Robert, G. (2011). Acupuncture for infertility: is it an effective therapy?. Chinese journal of integrative medicine, 17(5), 386-395. 

Westergaard, L. G., Mao, Q., Krogslund, M., Sandrini, S., Lenz, S., & Grinsted, J. (2006). Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the reproductive outcome in infertile women: a prospective, randomized trial. Fertility and sterility, 85(5), 1341-1346.

Zhu, J., Arsovska, B., & Kozovska, K. (2018). Acupuncture treatment for fertility. Open access Macedonian journal of medical sciences, 6(9), 1685.