Orchid Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture

12/27/2022

New data from one of our ABORM fellows was published in Fertility and Sterility, showing a strong association of benefit in adding acupuncture to FET (frozen embryo transfer) cycles.

Specifically, of 2,330 patients undergoing FET, the 579 patients who elected to add *personalized* acupuncture (versus standardized point selections) to their transfer, there was a demonstrated 55% increase in live birth outcomes and a 42% decrease in rates of biochemical pregnancy

A few other interesting points on this publication:

• This study focuses on the most current type of transfer cycle. (The older, most commonly cited studies explore the use of acupuncture with regards to a day 3 fresh transfer cycle, not frozen embryos.)

• The group OPTING IN for acupuncture treatment differed slightly from the control (no acupuncture) group; acupuncture recipients, as a whole, were slightly older and had a higher incidence of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and ovulatory dysfunction. Rates of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy did not vary between the 2 groups.

• This data only shows the impact of acupuncture immediately before and after the transfer itself. While the numbers are promising, for maximum impact across all phases of your IVF cycle, we do recommend beginning treatment earlier than this. Acupuncture has been shown to be a DOSE DEPENDENT therapy, meaning that for maximum impact on egg and s***m health treatment should begin several months prior to the beginning of an egg retrieval cycle.

• The use of PERSONALIZED ACUPUNCTURE is most applicable to how many specialist acupuncturists (ahem, *points to Orchid*) practice. Your health history is likely very different from the others in the waiting room, and your treatment should always reflect that!

Similar to the author of this study, both of Orchid's providers hold the same specialist board certification through ABORM and work with patients across all phases of the reproductive continuum. Treatment is both evidence- and experientially-informed, and will always be tailored to you and the step of treatment you're currently navigating.

Scheduling info and all details on this study are available at the LINK IN BIO!

07/13/2022

We just have really dreamy light streaming in this afternoon. That’s all. ☺️

06/10/2022

As clinicians trained in the use of BBT (basal body temperature) for cycle tracking, we know the value to patient and provider alike. Like many, however, we’ve also personally had difficulty in taking our own temperatures with the method at one time or another.

Tempdrop™ is a wearable temperature tracker that we’ve found to eliminate many of the traditional difficulties in getting accurate BBT readings — whether that may be due to time changes, wanting to sleep in, worrying about whether your digital thermometer is still working, waking multiple times to nurse a feeding baby, to (hello!) just plain forgetting in the morning.

Personally, I’ve been looking into easier ways to do temperature tracking as a way to help patients for years. First came the apps themselves, shortly before thermometers with additional Bluetooth™ capabilities and so on. However, none of these methods have truly addressed each of the inherent difficulties with long term temperature tracking — so while they were exciting developments, they never truly succeeded in actually making tracking easier. (And hey, wasn’t that the point, after all?)

Tempdrop™ is, without a doubt, the first temperature tracking method to address the most common challenges associated with traditional BBT collection. Having used Tempdrop™ both professionally and personally for the past year, I’m now pleased to announce a discount code available for those who wish to try the device themselves! Simply enter the code ORCHIDCHINESEMED at checkout for 10% off your order.

Happy tracking!

02/17/2022

Everybody needs a rotation of quick and healthy meals, and here’s the link to our most commonly recommended one.

Aside from (ahem) everybody, what times are there where congee is *exceptionally* wonderful? Well, early pregnancy, post egg retrieval (IVF cycles), early postpartum and cold/flu bugs would be just a few!

Congee is a simple rice porridge that’s infinitely customizable, and it’s the perfect sort of nourishment for weary bellies (and sometimes hearts, too.) A quick and easy pressure cooker recipe is linked in our bio.

12/14/2020

Thanks for the love, Dr. Jen!

Dr. Jen here! Many of you know I’ve been on a journey to help my periods! One step has been starting acupuncture with Lisa Mussak Orchid Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture. This has been a great way for me to slow down and take some quiet time while working on my health—and we’re making improvements! If you look close at this picture you can see there’s some needles on my face, head, and ear! How are you taking some “me” time this week?

12/03/2020

Best of MKE Voting Closes Thur PM + Orchid's Holiday Hours - https://mailchi.mp/b592e59f9fea/holiday-hours-2020-bom-final-voting

11/19/2020

Help Orchid win Best of MKE 2020! 🏆 - https://mailchi.mp/8b65797e0ddf/help-orchid-win-best-of-mke-2020

11/02/2020

Today is 🌎 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 50 million couples have been unable to have a child. Today, let's join the global conversation to help further demystify the stigma around childlessness and infertility.

IVF babble

09/22/2020

What’s on your bookshelf for Fall? 📚 Love, love, loving this book already! It’s packed with tons of info on how views the role of , plus hundreds of recipes based by season and health condition.

09/08/2020

MASSAGE SPECIAL: Book a massage this week and receive $10 off your session!

We’ve moved! Our new address is 4433 N. Oakland Ave in Shorewood. Please also note that for the time being, all new patient acupuncture consultations will be conducted via telemedicine. Other clinic procedures have also temporarily changed to best ensure your safety. Please refer to appointment co...

09/02/2020

September is PCOS Awareness Month. PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a condition that affects 10-15% of women of reproductive age. Learn more here and spread the word!

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be effective in regulating menstrual cycles, improving hormone balance, and increasing frequency of ovulation in women with PCOS. Check out our blog post for additional information on how diet, exercise, and supplements may further assist!
https://www.orchidchinesemedicine.com/acupuncture-fertility-pregnancy/pcos

We are here- let us know if we can help

07/21/2020

Join Dr. Ellen Hayes of , along with Rebecca and Lisa tomorrow!

06/18/2020

Orchid was featured on episode 20 of the Revitalize Woman podcast with Dr. Brenda Heinecke of
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We talk both collaborative care and all about for the childbearing cycle - , and !
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06/18/2020

"We all have our blind spots and areas we can't serve. But when you put all of those layers together, all of a sudden we don't have the gaps anymore, and you're getting really great healthcare."

Talking acupuncture for reproductive health and sharing our thoughts on collaborative care models today. Join us on episode 20 of the Revitalize Woman podcast with Dr. Brenda Heinecke of Revitalize Physical Therapy!

Today's guest is Lisa Mussak, board-certified acupuncturist. She uses acupuncture for fertility and to support women in pregnancy, postpartum and beyond.

06/06/2020