Acupuncture – Bloodflow to Uterus

Acupuncture May Improve Blood flow to the Uterus and Ovaries!

Acupuncture may improve bloodflow to the uterus and ovaries.

Blood flow to the ovaries and uterus is a critical yet assumed factor in fertility. Blood carries essentials hormones and nutrients to bodily organs including the ovarian glands and uterine organ. Therefore, when blood flow to these organs is impeded, the chances of conception, implantation, and live births also reduce. So how can we facilitate improved blood flow to the uterus and ovaries? Studies show that acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine have a positive and significant impact on endometrial blood flow.

How Acupuncture Treatment Works

In a study by Stener-Victorin (1996), the findings showed that women who received acupuncture treatment experienced a reduced blood flow impedance and improved pregnancy rates. This was complemented by another study published in the Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology by Ming H et al. (2009), in which the researchers concluded that acupuncture increased blood flow in the uterine artery. The reason behind these findings is related to the sympatho-inhibitory effect of acupuncture on the uterine artery.

Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture needling on specific body meridians (energy channels) reduces factors behind blood flow blockage, stimulates appropriate body mechanisms to improve blood flow, and consequently increases the quality and thickness of the uterine lining (due to higher blood flow). Endometrial thickness (a  thick uterine lining) increases the success rate of implantation and pregnancy. Additionally, experts from the Peking University Third Hospital in Beijing recommend the inclusion of prescribed Chinese herbs in a fertility improvement program (Guo, Wang & Li, 2011).

Since acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine focus on remedying the root of the problem, it is important to first identify the source of the impeded blood flow. It may include factors such as aging, stress, or even a medical condition. Acupuncture, therefore, utilizes a holistic approach in which your practitioner will likely ask you questions about any underlying condition and your medical history so as to identify the imbalance in your body. 

Additional Recommendations

As much as acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine have proven to be effective treatments for an improved uterine and ovarian blood flow, experts at Centre of Balance Hamilton recommend a few additional lifestyle habits that will improve the outcome. They include:

  • Exercise– Whereas basic exercise increases the overall blood flow in the body, some specialized techniques such as Yoga encourage blood flow towards specific directions. For example, a posture known as Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, in which you lie on your back with your hips raised, is known to direct blood to the reproductive organs. Moreover, exercise helps a patient maintain an acceptable BMI and stimulates the release of endorphins.
  • Diet– A healthy diet comprising of fluids, good oils, plant based proteins, and green leafy vegetables supports hormone metabolism and improves blood circulation. It is also important to avoid foodstuff and drinks that may facilitate decreased blood flow such as a high intake of sugar (causes inflammation), artificial sweeteners, coffee, and alcohol.

In summary, scientific studies and traditional Chinese medicine both agree that acupuncture treatment increases the success rate of implantation and pregnancy by improving blood flow to the uterus and ovaries. Therefore, take the first step to improved fertility by visiting our offices in Hamilton, New Zealand or contacting us through our various channels.

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Guo, J., Wang, L. N., & Li, D. (2011). Exploring the effects of Chinese medicine in improving uterine endometrial blood flow for increasing the success rate of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao= Journal of Chinese integrative medicine, 9(12), 1301-1306.

Ho, M., Huang, L. C., Chang, Y. Y., Chen, H. Y., Chang, W. C., Yang, T. C., & Tsai, H. D. (2009). Electroacupuncture reduces uterine artery blood flow impedance in infertile women. Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 48(2), 148-151.

Stener-Victorin, E., Waldenstrom, U., Andersson, S. A., & Wikland, M. (1996). Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with electro-acupuncture. Human Reproduction, 11(6), 1314-1317.

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Monica

I am originally from Hebei province in China. I hold a NZ bachelor’s degree of health and science with a major in acupuncture. I am honoured to be an acupuncturist at Centre of Balance. Helping patients to alleviate their pain brings me the greatest joy. Chinese medicine emphasises the unity of human beings and nature. During the treatment, I hope to not only relieve your pain but also help you to understand the principles behind acupuncture’s effectiveness, as well as the significant impact of diet, emotions, lifestyle habits, and living environments on disease recovery. Self-healing is an ability that our bodies are naturally endowed with.

I studied acupuncture in New Zealand and completed one and a half years of supervised clinical internship before graduating. In the early stage of my training, I mainly worked with patients experiencing neck, shoulder, and lower back pain. Under the guidance of senior clinical tutors, I gradually developed hands-on experience and confidence in treating musculoskeletal pain conditions.
As my clinical exposure expanded, I began treating a wider range of internal conditions. Alongside traditional acupuncture, I was introduced to Umbilical Acupuncture and Tungs-acupuncture Points. What interested me most about these approaches is that they often do not require needling directly at the painful area, yet can still achieve very effective results.
I was especially inspired by observing my supervisor use Umbilical Acupuncture to treat common conditions such as insomnia, menstrual irregularities, and even rheumatoid arthritis, with very positive outcomes. Another supervisor was highly skilled in Tungs-acupuncture Points and achieved excellent results in treating pain, infertility, menstrual disorders, and a variety of women’s health conditions. After completing my studies and entering clinical practice, once I observed Dr. Szenan Phua using Tungs-acupuncture points to help cancer patients relieve pain, which further strengthened my trust in this treatment method.
I later completed training in Dr. Tan Balance Acupuncture, which had a strong influence on the way I approach treatment. One of the most noticeable features of this method is how quickly patients often feel improvement, especially with pain conditions. Dr. Szenan Phua’s New Balance Acupuncture combines meridian regulation with structural adjustment and internal organ balancing, including techniques such as pulse balancing and spinal adjustment.
From my clinical experience, pain is rarely just a local issue. It often involves underlying organ weakness or structural imbalance. When these aspects are addressed together, treatment can be more thorough and longer-lasting. I also apply this approach to internal conditions, particularly in fertility and women’s health. This includes supporting natural conception, IVF preparation and embryo transfer, pregnancy support, early-pregnancy nausea, and late-pregnancy labour induction. I combine these treatments with concepts learned from a few additional fertility training, which has given me a broader and more flexible clinical perspective. This has reinforced my belief that acupuncture should be adapted to each individual rather than applied through fixed formulas.
Two other areas of study that have been very helpful in my clinical work are Tongue Diagnosis and Dr. Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture. Although tongue diagnosis is taught in my standard Chinese medicine training, further study allowed me to deepen and refine my diagnostic skills.
My first formal training was in Li’s Tongue Diagnosis, which looks not only at organ patterns, but also at how different areas of the tongue reflect the body’s structure. This system also explores personality traits and changes during pregnancy, making it both clinically useful and engaging. I later attended online lectures on Yin’s Tongue Diagnosis and studied the related materials independently. this learning has helped me make clearer and more accurate pattern differentiation, allowing my acupuncture treatments to be more targeted. It covers a wide range of conditions, including skin disorders, oncology-related presentations, mental health patterns, and joint or limb problems. In practice, tongue observation often provides valuable insight even before a patient begins describing their symptoms.
In addition to the methods above, I regularly use local bloodletting techniques, which can be very effective for improving circulation, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. I also incorporate auricular (ear) acupressure and stimulation, which I commonly use for allergies, insomnia, headaches, stress management, and various internal conditions.
In my clinical work, I value taking the time to listen carefully to each patient and to understand their overall health, lifestyle, and concerns. Based on each individual’s condition, I also provide personalised dietary guidance and lifestyle or wellness advice to support overall health and long-term wellbeing. I commonly support patients with musculoskeletal pain, such as neck, shoulder, knee, and back pain, as well as stress-related conditions, sleep issues, migraines, digestive concerns, and women’s health and fertility-related conditions.