For those struggling with infertility, you have likely come across some information about how acupuncture may be able to help you conceive. In fact, fertility acupuncture is becoming so popular that many medical fertility clinics are now hiring acupuncturists to work directly in their clinics to provide this service to their patients. If you want to do everything you can to improve your chances, consulting with a fertility acupuncturist is a great decision. But how do you find the right person? Follow the tips and questions below and feel confident in your choice.
Tip #1 – How to find an acupuncturist in Toronto
Finding a qualified acupuncturist in Ontario just got a whole lot easier! Since the development of the College of TCM Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO), you can now search for qualified people with the click of a mouse. To go to the acupuncture directory, click here. If you want to read another article of mine about how to best find a registered acupuncturist, click here.
Tip #2 – How to find someone who specializes in fertility acupuncture in Toronto
Finding an acupuncturist who specializes in fertility enhancement can be a little trickier. Most practitioners will say that they treat infertility but is this just one issue they treat out of a huge list? Remember the saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none.”? This is something you should remember when searching for your fertility acupuncturist. If prospective practitioners have a website (and they should), look for their focus. Do they treat everything or is it obvious that they focus on something specific? If it isn’t clear, contact them and ask them how much they see people with infertility (i.e. what percentage of their practise is focused on fertility enhancement?). Ninety percent of my clients are fertility clients; the other ten percent is pain management.
Questions to ask when looking for fertility acupuncture in Toronto
Are you a member of the College of TCM and Acupuncturist of Ontario?
Refer to tip #1
How long have you been a fertility specialist?
This can range considerably. If the practitioner is just out of school and they are claiming to be a specialist in something, I would say they are likely not. Also, just because someone has been in practise for 15 years does not mean they have been focusing on fertility enhancement for 15 years. Specifically ask how long they have concentrated on fertility before you book with them. For example, I have been in practise for 11 years but have only focused on fertility for 7-8 years.
Are my treatments covered through my insurance if I work with you?
If your acupuncturist is a member of the college, you will have coverage with them. Check your insurance provider for details.
Which continuing education courses have you taken?
The answer to this question may not make sense to the lay person but I think it is a good one to ask to keep your practitioner on their toes. They should have an answer for you and if you are in their clinic, you should be able to see evidence of their continuing education on their walls.
What else can you do to help me conceive?
As a registered TCM practitioner, I am aware of the shortcomings of this medicine. For instance, one cannot deny the evidence of dietary supplements and how they may be able to help with certain fertility concerns. Obviously, Chinese medicine does not cover this important area (supplements were not available 2000 years ago!). So when looking for a fertility acupuncturist, ask them if they have any additional skills which will help you reach your goals faster. To feel that I was doing all I could to help people, I took 2 years of additional training in nutrition to ensure I was qualified to advise clients on nutritional supplements.
So if you are starting a search for fertility acupuncture in Toronto, follow the advice above to ensure you are working with someone who is qualified.
