IVF Acupuncture in Middlesbrough
Supporting your body and mind through every stage of your IVF journey
You've made a brave decision. Whether this is your first cycle or you've been here before, you deserve support that meets you where you are, not just on transfer day, but throughout the whole journey.
Book a Consultation Roots To Transfer™ ProgrammeNo pressure, just a conversation to begin | Initial fertility consultation: £99
Prefer to call first? 0800 593 2023 | The House, 283 Acklam Road, Middlesbrough, TS5 7BP
You Are More Than Your IVF Cycle
IVF is one of the most physically and emotionally demanding journeys a person can undertake. Acupuncture doesn't replace your medical team. It supports everything they can't: your nervous system, your sleep, your hormonal environment, and your ability to carry this experience without it breaking you.
At our clinic in Middlesbrough, we work with women at every stage of IVF, from those just beginning their first cycle to those navigating a third, fourth, or fifth attempt. Some arrive with a thick folder of test results and protocol notes. Some arrive in tears. Most arrive somewhere in between.
What the research makes clear is that timing and consistency matter far more than a single session on transfer day. Women who tend to get the most from treatment are those who begin 8–12 weeks before their cycle starts. That is long enough for acupuncture to do meaningful work on blood flow, hormonal regulation, and uterine receptivity.
If you are planning IVF, preparing for a frozen embryo transfer, or currently mid-cycle, this page explains how we work, what the evidence shows, and what to expect from treatment here in Middlesbrough and across Teesside.
This page is for you if:
- You are preparing for your first or a subsequent IVF or ICSI cycle
- You have experienced implantation failure or recurrent pregnancy loss
- You are preparing for a frozen embryo transfer (FET)
- You have been told you have a poor stimulation response, low AMH, or thin uterine lining
- You want consistent, structured support across the full cycle, not just on transfer day
- You are preparing for a fresh IVF cycle and want your partner's sperm health to be part of the preparation too
Acupuncture during IVF is a complementary therapy and does not guarantee a successful outcome. We work alongside your fertility clinic, not instead of it. If you are trying to conceive naturally without assisted reproduction, please visit our fertility acupuncture page.
How Acupuncture Supports IVF
Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points that influence the nervous system, hormonal signalling, and blood circulation. There are measurable physiological changes that happen during and after treatment, not simply relaxation, though that matters too.
In the context of IVF, three mechanisms are particularly relevant:
- ✨Blood flow to the uterus and ovaries. Acupuncture increases blood flow to the uterine lining, supporting endometrial thickness and receptivity.
- ✨Hormonal regulation. Acupuncture influences the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which affects how well you respond to stimulation medications and how follicles develop in the weeks before egg collection.
- ✨Nervous system regulation. IVF is stressful. Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which interferes with reproductive hormones. Acupuncture consistently shifts the body from a sympathetic state into a parasympathetic state, where your body is far better placed to support conception.
A single session cannot do all of this meaningfully. This is why starting treatment well before your cycle begins, rather than waiting until the week of transfer, makes a real difference to what is possible.
What patients typically notice:
- 🌿Deep relaxation during treatment
- 🌿Better sleep within the first few sessions
- 🌿Reduced anxiety around appointments and results
- 🌿A sense of doing something active for their cycle
- 🌿Most people feel very little from the needles themselves
What the Research Shows
🔬Transfer-day acupuncture: a starting point, not the full picture. The most widely cited early study (Paulus et al., 2002) found that acupuncture given immediately before and after embryo transfer increased clinical pregnancy rates from 26.3% to 42.5%. This generated significant interest. However, as more trials followed, two or three sessions clustered around transfer day were not consistently enough to produce reliable effects across different patient populations. The most recent systematic reviews suggest that transfer-day-only acupuncture is an insufficient dose.
📋The Whole Systems study: where the evidence shifted. The most significant research to date is a retrospective cohort study published in Reproductive BioMedicine Online (Hullender Rubin et al., 2015) reviewing 1,231 IVF patient records across three groups: IVF alone, IVF with transfer-day acupuncture only, and IVF with Whole Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine (WS-TCM). In non-donor cycles, the WS-TCM group achieved a live birth rate of 61.3%, compared to 48.2% in the IVF-alone group and 50.8% in the transfer-day-only group. After adjusting for confounding variables, WS-TCM was associated with more than twice the odds of a live birth compared to IVF alone (adjusted odds ratio 2.09, 95% CI 1.36–3.21). The average number of treatment visits in the WS-TCM group was 12.
📊What this means practically. The study authors note that results should be taken cautiously: it is retrospective, not a randomised controlled trial, and further research is needed. We share that caution and will never overstate what acupuncture can do. But this is, to date, the most adequately powered study comparing these approaches directly on the outcome that matters most: live birth. The direction of the evidence points clearly toward consistent, well-timed support throughout the cycle rather than a single session on transfer day. This is the thinking behind our Roots To Transfer™ programme.
💛A note if your clinic has been cautious about acupuncture. Some fertility clinics are hesitant when patients mention acupuncture, usually because they're familiar with the mixed results from transfer-day-only studies. The Whole Systems evidence is more recent and less widely known in fertility medicine. We work alongside your medical team, not instead of it. If it would help to share the Hullender Rubin paper with your consultant: Hullender Rubin LE et al., Reprod Biomed Online, 2015;30(6):602–612.
Evidence cited is drawn from peer-reviewed publications. Acupuncture is a supportive complementary therapy. Individual outcomes vary and we do not make claims of guaranteed results.
When to Start and Why Timing Matters
This is honestly the thing that matters most, and the thing most patients wish they had known sooner.
It takes approximately 90 days for an egg follicle to fully mature. This means the environment your eggs are developing in right now is already influencing the cycle you haven't started yet. By the time your clinic calls with a start date, the window to do the most meaningful preparatory work has often already passed.
The most common thing patients say when they arrive having already started stimulation is: "I wish I'd come sooner."
Here is how we think about timing across a typical IVF journey:
8–12 weeks before cycle start
Ideal start point. Weekly sessions to support ovarian blood flow, regulate hormones, and address poor sleep, high stress, or cycle irregularities. For fresh cycles, this is also when male partner treatment begins if relevant. This is when we discuss the Roots To Transfer™ programme if appropriate.
During stimulation
Continued weekly sessions to support follicular development and help manage the physical and emotional demands of stimulation injections. Many patients find this the most impactful phase.
Egg collection week
Treatment before egg collection to support relaxation and uterine circulation. After collection, sessions shift focus to uterine lining preparation ahead of transfer.
Transfer day
Acupuncture before and after transfer to support uterine receptivity, reduce uterine contractions, and calm the nervous system. Most effective as part of a longer course of treatment.
📅 Transfer day availability
Transfer day appointments are first come, first served and availability is limited. Patients on the Roots To Transfer™ programme are prioritised. If you are approaching your transfer date, please contact us as early as possible.
If we are unable to help, we would always rather you have support from a qualified colleague than none at all. The British Acupuncture Council has a practitioner finder at acupuncture.org.uk.
Two-week wait
Optional. Some patients find acupuncture helpful for managing anxiety during the two-week wait. We take a gentle, supportive approach during this period and never use strong stimulating points.
If you are approaching your cycle with less time available, please do not let that stop you getting in touch. Starting later is better than not starting.
Your Treatment Options
We offer both individual appointments and our structured Roots To Transfer™ programme for women who want a more integrated approach to IVF preparation and support.
🌿 Roots To Transfer™: IVF Preparation Programme
Roots To Transfer™ is our dedicated IVF acupuncture programme: a clinically structured 16-session pathway designed to support your body from preparation right through to post-transfer follow-up. It is built around the principle that the work done in the weeks before your cycle begins matters as much as, if not more than, what happens on transfer day itself.
What the 16 sessions include:
- ✨12 weekly sessions in the lead-up to your IVF cycle — supporting your body, nervous system, and emotional resilience during preparation
- ✨A dedicated session around egg collection
- ✨Two sessions on embryo transfer day — one before, one after
- ✨A follow-up session one week post-transfer
Programme investment: £999 | 16 sessions · one practitioner · continuous support | Full details on the programme page →
Find Out More About Roots To Transfer™ →Individual Appointments
If a structured programme is not right for you at this time, individual appointments are available throughout your IVF journey.
- Initial fertility consultation: £99 (60–75 minutes, full case history, treatment, and tailored plan)
- Follow-up appointments: £75 (45–60 minutes)
We know IVF is already expensive. Adding acupuncture on top is a real consideration. We don't shy away from that. What we'd say is this: if you're going to invest in a cycle, investing in preparation tends to be where the value is felt most. But we'll never pressure you into more sessions than you feel able to commit to.
We see patients from across Teesside who are being treated at local fertility clinics including the Darlington Fertility Centre, James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, and Hartlepool, as well as those travelling to Newcastle, Leeds, and further afield.
For Fresh IVF Cycles: Supporting Both Partners
If you are preparing for a fresh IVF cycle, male partner support is something we actively recommend. Sperm quality directly influences embryo quality, and the same 90-day development window that applies to eggs applies to sperm too.
For frozen embryo transfers (FET), the focus of treatment is entirely on the recipient: uterine lining, receptivity, and nervous system regulation ahead of transfer.
“For fresh cycles, improving the health of both egg and sperm gives every embryo the strongest possible foundation.”
Book a Fresh Cycle ConsultationAbout Your Practitioner
Deanna Thomas is a specialist fertility and women's health acupuncturist based in Middlesbrough. She holds a postgraduate diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and is trained through the Fertility Support Network.
Her work with IVF patients draws on both Traditional Chinese Medicine and an up-to-date understanding of reproductive medicine, meaning she can speak the same language as your fertility clinic while supporting what your body is experiencing through the process.
MBAcC CNHC Registered PG Diploma Obstetrics & Gynaecology Fertility Support Trained 71% Positive Pregnancy Rate* 800+ Five-Star Reviews Award-Winning Clinic
Deanna Thomas – Acupuncture & Wellbeing is fully insured and operates in accordance with the British Acupuncture Council's codes of safe practice.
*71% positive pregnancy rate tracked across committed Roots To Transfer™ programme clients. Individual results vary.
What Our IVF Patients Say
Real reviews from patients who came to us during their IVF journey
★★★★★
"I can't recommend Deanna enough. I began seeing her for acupuncture to support me through my 8th cycle of IVF, and from the very start she was amazing. She is highly knowledgeable, compassionate and genuinely cares about her clients. Our cycle of IVF was successful and I'm so grateful for her support."
Nikki Morgan · Google Review · ★★★★★
★★★★★
"I cannot recommend Deanna highly enough. I began seeing her for acupuncture to support me through the IVF process. She is not only highly knowledgeable, but compassionate and genuinely committed to her clients' wellbeing. Thanks to her expertise and care, our IVF was successful on the first attempt."
Lucy Richards · Google Review · ★★★★★
★★★★★
"Deanna made me feel so at ease and listened to during each appointment. She filled me with knowledge and reassurance for my IVF journey. I'm so thankful I found her and I'm sure she was a big part helping me to get my BFP pregnancy test."
Emma · Google Review · ★★★★★
Part of 800+ five-star reviews across Google and Fresha
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start acupuncture before IVF?
Ideally, 8–12 weeks before your cycle is scheduled to begin. This gives treatment time to support follicular development, improve uterine blood flow, and address contributing factors such as stress, poor sleep, or cycle irregularities. If you have less time available, starting later is still worthwhile.
Can acupuncture help if I have had a poor response to stimulation previously?
This is one of the most common reasons patients come to us with a history of IVF. A poor stimulation response can have a number of contributing factors. At the initial consultation we take a detailed case history of previous cycles and focus treatment accordingly. We cannot guarantee outcomes, but we can offer a considered, evidence-informed approach.
Is acupuncture safe during an IVF cycle?
Yes. Acupuncture performed by a qualified, registered practitioner is considered safe alongside IVF treatment. Deanna is registered with the British Acupuncture Council and the CNHC, and has specific training in supporting women through assisted reproduction.
Should I tell my fertility clinic I am having acupuncture?
Yes, we recommend being open with your clinic. Most IVF clinics are supportive or neutral about acupuncture as a complementary therapy. Deanna is comfortable liaising with your clinical team if helpful.
What is the difference between the Roots To Transfer™ programme and individual sessions?
Roots To Transfer™ (£999) is a clinically structured 16-session programme: 12 weekly preparation sessions, a dedicated session around egg collection, two sessions on transfer day, and a post-transfer follow-up. Individual sessions are available at £99 initial and £75 follow-up for those who prefer a more flexible approach or who are joining us later in their IVF timeline. We are happy to discuss which is most appropriate at your initial consultation.
Can my partner receive acupuncture too?
For fresh IVF cycles, yes, and we actively recommend it. Sperm takes around 90 days to develop, so starting treatment well before egg collection gives meaningful time to support count, motility, morphology, and DNA fragmentation. For frozen embryo transfers, treatment focus is entirely on the recipient.
Do I need a GP or fertility clinic referral to book?
No referral is needed. You can book directly through our online booking system at any time.
I have been told my AMH is low. Is it still worth starting acupuncture?
A low AMH result is not a definitive measure of fertility, particularly in women under 40. AMH reflects ovarian reserve but not egg quality. Acupuncture focuses on optimising the cellular environment around those eggs: blood flow, hormonal signalling, mitochondrial health.
Ready to Talk?
Your initial consultation is a conversation as much as it is a treatment. We will go through your full history, discuss your upcoming cycle, and agree a plan that makes sense for you, without pressure and without a one-size-fits-all approach.
Book Your Initial Consultation: £99Or call us: 0800 593 2023 | help@deannathomastherapies.com
The House, 283 Acklam Road, Middlesbrough, TS5 7BP
Supporting patients across Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Yarm, Ingleby Barwick, Thornaby, Darlington, and the wider Teesside area.
Not having IVF? Visit our general fertility acupuncture page →