If you’ve ever typed “Does acupuncture work?” into Google while wincing in pain, battling a stubborn symptom, or navigating fertility struggles, you’re not alone.
This question shows up in my treatment room all the time — usually followed by:
“So… will this fix me?”
“Will I be pain-free after today?”
“Can you make me pregnant?”
“Can you cure me?”

Ah, the magic wand myth.

Let’s break this down together. Acupuncture isn’t pixie dust. It’s not a one-time fix. It doesn’t “treat” disease in the conventional Western sense. What it does do — beautifully, powerfully, and consistently — is shift your terrain.

Acupuncture has been shown to positively influence the HPA axis, which plays a key role in regulating stress hormones like cortisol. By reducing stress, acupuncture helps normalize reproductive hormone levels, including estrogen and progesterone, which are critical for conception and pregnancy. Acupuncture has been found to support ovarian health by increasing blood flow to the ovaries and improving follicular development.

How does acupuncture work? Acupuncture regulates the Central Nervous System and its various feedback loops in the body. When acupuncture needles are inserted into an acupuncture point, it stimulates an impulse into the complex feedback mechanisms between the brain, hormones, glands and organs which are responsible for regulating all bodily processes. Acupuncture points are higsly pecific areas on the body just beyond the surface of the skin. They have high concentrations of nerve endings, mast cells, lymphatic vessels, and capillaries.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the kidneys play a vital role in maintaining balance within the body's energy systems. The Kidney Meridian, a pathway through which energy (Qi) flows, is connected to the lower extremities. From a TCM perspective, kidney imbalances may contribute to issues such as poor circulation and disruptions in the flow of Qi, potentially manifesting as RLS symptoms.