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The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness: Revolutionizing Infertility Treatment in New York City

Dec 21, 2023
The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness: Revolutionizing Infertility Treatment in New York City
Posted By Mike Berkley, L.Ac., FABORM


Discover how The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness in New York City offers cutting-edge treatments such as acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and low-level light therapy to help patients facing fertility challenges. Learn how these holistic approaches can provide hope and improve reproductive health.

Introduction

Infertility is a challenging and often emotionally distressing journey for many individuals and couples. In their pursuit of parenthood, individuals explore various treatment options to enhance their chances of conceiving. One innovative center in New York City, The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness, is transforming the landscape of infertility treatment through its unique and holistic approaches. This article will delve into the center's exceptional methods, including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and low-level light therapy, shedding light on how they can be effective in addressing infertility issues.

Infertility: Seeking Hope at The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness

The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness, nestled in the vibrant city of New York, stands at the forefront of infertility treatment. By combining traditional Chinese medicine techniques with modern advancements, this center provides hope to those struggling with infertility.

Acupuncture: A Promising Solution

Acupuncture has gained recognition as an effective alternative therapy for infertility. With its roots in ancient Chinese medicine, acupuncture restores balance and promotes overall well-being. At The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness, highly skilled acupuncturists employ this technique to address infertility issues.

Acupuncture stimulates blood flow to the reproductive organs, regulates hormone levels, and reduces stress and anxiety. These combined effects contribute to improved fertility and reproductive health. Many individuals have found solace and positive results through acupuncture sessions at the center.

Chinese Herbal Medicine: Unleashing Nature's Healing Powers

Chinese herbal medicine is another cornerstone of The Berkley Center's approach to infertility treatment. With a rich history spanning thousands of years, this traditional practice harnesses the therapeutic properties of various herbs to restore balance and promote optimal reproductive function.

Experienced and Board-Certified herbalists at The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness create customized herbal formulas tailored to each individual's specific needs. These formulas may include herbs known for their ability to regulate menstrual cycles, enhance egg quality, and improve sperm quality. By addressing the root causes of infertility, Chinese herbal medicine offers a holistic and comprehensive approach to fertility enhancement.

Low-Level Light Therapy: Illuminating New Possibilities

Low-level light therapy, also known as photo biomodulation, is an emerging technique that utilizes specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular activity and promote healing. This non-invasive treatment has shown promising results in various fields, including infertility.

At The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness, low-level light therapy is employed to enhance mitochondrial function(energy) at the level of eggs and sperm.  This significantly improves sperm and egg quality. This cutting-edge therapy offers new possibilities for individuals seeking effective and non-invasive treatments for infertility.

FAQs About Infertility Treatment at The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness

Q: How long does a typical acupuncture session last?

A: A typical acupuncture session at The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness lasts around 20 minutes except for the first visit which takes 1.5 hours as it consists of an intake/evaluation and treatment.

Q: Are the Chinese herbal formulas safe?

A: Yes, the Chinese herbal formulas prescribed at the center are carefully selected and tested for safety. The herbalists at The Berkley Center have extensive knowledge and experience in using herbs to support fertility and overall health.

Q: Is low-level light therapy applied directly to the reproductive organs?

A: No, low-level light therapy at The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness involves the use of specialized devices that emit light externally. The light penetrates the skin and reaches eggs and sperm promoting increased mitochondrial function and enhancing fertility outcomes.

Q: How many sessions of acupuncture or low-level light therapy are usually recommended?

A: The number of sessions recommended varies depending on the individual's specific condition and response to treatment. The acupuncturists and therapists at The Berkley Center will develop a personalized treatment plan based on each person's needs, which may involve regular sessions over a period of several weeks or months.

Q: Can these treatments be combined with other fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

A: Yes, acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and low-level light therapy can be used in conjunction with other fertility treatments. Many individuals choose to incorporate these holistic approaches to enhance the effectiveness of assisted reproductive techniques like IVF, as they can support overall reproductive health and reduce stress.

Q: Is The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness only for individuals experiencing infertility? A: Yes.

Conclusion: A Beacon of Hope for Infertility in New York City

The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness in New York City is revolutionizing infertility treatment through its unique blend of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and low-level light therapy.

With a focus on holistic care and personalized fertility treatment plans, the center offers individuals struggling with infertility a renewed sense of hope and possibility.

Through acupuncture, the center stimulates the body's natural healing mechanisms, promoting balance and enhancing fertility. Chinese herbal medicine harnesses the power of nature to address underlying causes of infertility and improve reproductive function. Low-level light therapy, on the other hand, utilizes cutting-edge technology to support healing and optimize reproductive function.

Whether individuals are embarking on their fertility journey or seeking to enhance their reproductive well-being, The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness provides a comprehensive range of treatments tailored to meet their unique needs. With a dedicated team of practitioners and a commitment to holistic care, the center stands as a beacon of hope in the heart of New York City.

Additional Notes

Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) and its Promising Effects on Female Infertility and Pregnancy Low-level light therapy (LLLT), also known as photobiomodulation, red light therapy, or cold laser, has been studied for its potential benefits in improving the health of various body parts, including female and male fertility. Approximately 70% of conception issues can be improved by addressing female reproductive health, with thyroid problems, PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, and other internal growths being among the leading causes of infertility. LLLT uses red light, near-infrared light, or a combination of both to target the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and general hormonal systems (thyroid, brain, etc.). Near-infrared light at wavelengths between 720nm and 840nm has the best penetration into biological tissue, making it ideal for targeting internal tissues like ovaries.

Researchers have overwhelmingly selected the 830nm near-infrared wavelength for studying female infertility. In a study conducted in Japan, 830nm near-infrared light was applied to the necks of infertile women, resulting in a high percentage of previously deemed 'severely infertile' women not only getting pregnant but also achieving live births.

In Denmark, a study involving three near-infrared light therapy sessions per week directly applied to the abdomen showed that out of 400 previously infertile women, 260 were able to conceive following the treatments. LLLT has also been shown to improve depression during pregnancy, with minimal side effects for the mother and no known risk for the unborn child.

Western reproductive medicine has traditionally maintained that aging and declined egg quality is an irreversible process. However, groundbreaking research with LLLT conducted in Denmark and Japan is now showing that it may be possible to improve egg quality, slow down the aging process, and significantly improve fertility in women.

LLLT shows promising results in improving female infertility and pregnancy outcomes. With its non-invasive nature and minimal side effects, it could potentially offer hope to the increasing numbers of older females with infertility worldwide. Further multinational studies are warranted to explore the full potential of LLLT in addressing infertility issues.

Acupuncture and Female Reproductive Function:

A Comprehensive Review Poor ovarian response (POR) is a pathological condition characterized by a low ovarian response to controlled ovarian stimulation, with an incidence of 9%-24% among women receiving controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).

The clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) for POR patients is approximately 2%-18%, significantly lower than the 33%-40% rate for women receiving in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Advanced age is one of the most important causes of POR, as the number of follicles in the ovary gradually decreases, the quality of oocytes declines, and the ovarian response to Gn decreases with age, affecting female pregnancy outcomes.

Acupuncture has been widely used in IVF-ET and has shown progress in improving clinical outcomes in terms of pregnancy.

Clinical practice has demonstrated that acupuncture can benignly regulate the secretion function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in patients with POR, promoting the secretion of Gn, improving ovarian reserve function, and oocyte quality.

Acupuncture improves fertility by regulating fertility hormones, increasing the number of good quality eggs, optimizing the uterine environment, and reducing stress and anxiety levels.

 It also improves male fertility by increasing sperm quantity and quality. Research has shown that acupuncture can influence female reproductive functioning by altering the secretion of reproductive hormones, increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, and reducing cortisol levels.

Acupuncture treatment is more successful in increasing the IVF pregnancy rate if administered at all stages of IVF, not just around the time of embryo transfer.

Female health and fertility are intimately related to menstrual health. From a Chinese medical perspective, cyclical disorders are both indicative of and causal in subfertility.

Acupuncture has been found to regulate uterine and ovarian blood flow, encouraging a thicker uterine wall and improving fertility through more successful embryo implantation.

Male infertility is a growing concern worldwide, causing significant psychological, social, and economic burdens.

Despite advancements in understanding its etiology, the cause of infertility in over half of male patients remains undetermined.

Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice with a history dating back nearly 2,000 years, has been increasingly studied for its potential to treat male infertility.

Research has shown that acupuncture can effectively improve male fertility by positively influencing sperm parameters, such as sperm concentration, motility, vitality, and count.

Additionally, acupuncture has been found to potentially regulate testosterone levels, which are crucial for adequate sperm production.

Studies have also suggested that acupuncture treatment can increase in vitro fertilization (IVF) fertilization and implantation rates, providing couples with more embryos and improving clinical pregnancy rates in patients with a history of failed IVF cycles.

Acupuncture's benefits extend beyond sperm parameters and hormone regulation. It has been shown to increase blood flow to the reproductive organs, which is essential for embryo implantation.

Furthermore, acupuncture has been found to regulate immune function, which can be crucial in cases where immune system issues prevent embryo implantation.

Infertility can cause significant emotional distress, comparable to a cancer diagnosis. High stress levels can further reduce the chances of conception by affecting reproductive hormones, reducing sperm quality and quantity, and causing menstrual cycle irregularities.

Acupuncture has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress symptoms in infertility patients by lowering cortisol levels, one of the body's major stress hormones.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommends acupuncture as a safe and effective non-pharmacological method for managing stress and other infertility-related issues.

To maximize its benefits, acupuncture treatment should be started at least two to three months before commencing medical infertility treatment and continued throughout all stages of IVF and early pregnancy. This is because ovarian follicles and eggs take over a year to develop, while sperm takes around three months to be produced.

In addition to acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs can also help improve sperm production, increase sperm count, and promote the production of healthy sperm. Acupuncture and TCM herbs can address various underlying health issues and lifestyle habits that may affect sperm production, such as improving blood circulation, reducing inflammation, cooling excess heat, boosting testosterone and erectile function, and optimizing overall health by reducing stress and anxiety and improving sleep.

While acupuncture cannot cure infertility outright, it can enhance reproductive function in patients.

Acupuncture has been found to be beneficial in regulating menstrual cycles, increasing blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, reducing stress, and supporting patients undergoing assisted reproductive treatments such as IVF.

As research continues to explore the potential effects of acupuncture on male reproductive function, it offers a promising complementary treatment for male infertility.

The Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness: 212-685-0985

www.berkleycenter.com