IVF, Infertility & Acupuncture: What Patients Wish They Knew | Katerina Jones
What do patients wish they knew before starting IVF? Fertility nurse Katerina Jones joins Dr. Deb Ma to discuss the appointments, injections, costs, uncertainty, and relationship strain that can come with infertility treatment.
We also discuss acupuncture as supportive care during IVF and why telling someone to “just relax” is not enough.
A research note on the acupuncture discussion: a large randomized trial found no significant difference in live birth rates between acupuncture and sham acupuncture. A secondary analysis found a small reduction in anxiety after embryo transfer. Possible anxiety relief should not be presented as proof of improved conception or live birth. Claims in this conversation about reproductive blood flow or hormone balance do not establish better pregnancy outcomes.
Research:
• Live-birth trial, JAMA (2018): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29800212/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29800212/)
• Anxiety and quality-of-life analysis (2019): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30592302/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30592302/)
• A 2025 review found a higher clinical pregnancy rate, but its detailed live-birth analysis was not statistically significant: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12446238/ (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12446238/)
The opening cost graphic presents UCSF's published cash-pay estimates accessed in September 2026. Costs and coverage vary; these figures are not an individual treatment quote.
Cost source: https://crh.ucsf.edu/fertility-fees-and-cost (https://crh.ucsf.edu/fertility-fees-and-cost)
Guest: Katerina Jones
Host: Dr. Deb Ma, Puzzle Acupuncture
https://www.puzzlesf.com/ (https://www.puzzlesf.com/)
https://www.puzzlesf.com/blog/ivf-support-san-francisco (https://www.puzzlesf.com/blog/ivf-support-san-francisco)
This conversation is general education. Coordinate acupuncture, herbs, supplements, and any changes to care with your fertility team. Acupuncture should not delay fertility evaluation or replace prescribed treatment.
#Infertility #IVF #Acupuncture #PuzzleExchange
16 Oct 2026
What a Pill Can’t Fix | Ayurveda, Integrative Medicine & Acupuncture
What happens when the usual treatment isn’t the whole answer?
Dr. Malathi Acharya joins Dr. Deb Ma to explore Ayurveda, integrative medicine and acupuncture, and what diet, lifestyle, breathwork and herbs can add alongside conventional care.
They discuss menopause care, walk through alternate nostril breathing and humming bee breath, and explain the questions they ask before choosing a treatment plan.
Dr. Malathi Acharya: https://www.ayur.today/ (https://www.ayur.today/)
Puzzle Acupuncture: https://www.puzzlesf.com/ (https://www.puzzlesf.com/)
15 Oct 2026
Over 50? You’re More Capable Than You Think | PT & Acupuncturist Explain
Does getting older mean giving up the activities you love?
Physical therapist Tiara Dunson and acupuncturist Dr. Deb Ma discuss what changes after 50, how to adapt your workouts, and how to get moving again after injury.
Plus: how physical therapy and acupuncture can complement each other.
Read the accompanying article:
https://www.puzzlesf.com/blog/strength-after-50-acupuncture-and-physical-therapy (https://www.puzzlesf.com/blog/strength-after-50-acupuncture-and-physical-therapy)
Dr. Deb Ma | Puzzle Acupuncture
https://www.puzzlesf.com/ (https://www.puzzlesf.com/)
Tiara Dunson | Kauno
https://kauno.health/ (https://kauno.health/)
#HealthyAging #PhysicalTherapy #Acupuncture #PuzzleExchange
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