For centuries, acupuncture and Chinese medicine have been used to treat women’s health, and in the United States, female patients are increasingly turning to these modalities to fulfill a wide range of objectives, from resolving gynecological disorders to attaining facial rejuvenation.

Mengdan "Miranda" Liao, a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner at the Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine Center (AIMC), works almost exclusively with women, specializing in fertility issues and cosmetic acupuncture. Her approach involves a combination of targeted acupuncture sessions and customized herbal tea formulations, drawing from more than 400 Chinese herbs in the center’s pharmacy. She usually sees patients two to three times per week over a few months to monitor their progress.

Improving Fertility

“To help a woman with fertility, I always start by looking into the patient’s medical history, especially as it relates to her attempts to conceive in previous years. We want to know the root cause of the infertility. Is it related to egg quality, poor circulation, immune issues or hormone imbalance?” Liao explains. “What we’re doing is helping the body to work better. If the patient has hormone issues, then I work for hormone balance. If she has a low response from the ovaries, then I will use some herbal medicine or acupuncture treatment to help with ovary response. If the patient has uterus issues, like the lining of the endometrium is too thin or too thick, then I will use herbal medicine to improve the blood flow. It all depends on the patient’s needs.”

Liao may recommend that the patient consult a specialist about intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) options, although she is quick to note, “Research shows that IVF success rates are 30 percent, depending on age, and acupuncture and herbal medicine can enhance those success rates to 70 percent. They can also help reduce IVF-related side effects like bloating, emotional imbalance, sleep disorders and uterine contractions during embryo transfers.”

Some women opt for a completely natural approach or have already tried IVF or IUI with no results, and in those cases, Liao explains, “Results vary when you only do acupuncture and herbal medicine. Some patients get pregnant quickly, but others take more than a few cycles. Everybody is different. It takes time to change their body’s constitution.”

Looking Younger

In addition to acupuncture, Liao uses two other methods to rejuvenate a woman’s countenance, jawline and neck: facial gua sha, the gentle scraping of a flat, jade stone over the skin in upward strokes, following the acupoints and meridians; and facial cupping, the application of small, soft suction cups around the face.

“When people are stressed, it shows on the face,” Liao says. “These treatments help relax stiff muscles; promote tissue drainage; increase blood circulation; stimulate collagen production; brighten and even out skin tones; minimize the appearance of scars, fine lines and wrinkles; and decrease puffiness. I also use acupuncture needles on different parts of the body to restore your energy, release stress and improve the look of your face. And if you have acne on your cheek, we put five or 10 needles around that area to reduce local inflammation, promote blood flow and activate the skin healing process.”

For best results, Liao recommends a series of sessions. “This isn’t a one-time treatment,” she explains. “Some patients see a difference right after treatment, but to keep and improve results, it takes a few weeks or months, followed by monthly or bimonthly maintenance visits.”

The AIMC is located at 18601 LBJ Ste. 501, in Mesquite, and at 1320 W. Walnut Hill N., in Irving. For appointments or more information, call 972-444-0660 or visit aimcdfw.com.

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer and editor. Reach her at [email protected].