Acupuncture and Moxibustion Before and After Embryo Transfer | Explaining Timing, Frequency, and Research Results
Regarding acupuncture and moxibustion before and after embryo transfer (implantation acupuncture), I will explain what is known from research and its limitations.
I will avoid definitive statements such as "it increases implantation rates" and instead provide information to help you make your own decisions.
Conclusion
While acupuncture and moxibustion before and after embryo transfer are sometimes introduced as "implantation acupuncture" that increases implantation rates, some systematic reviews verifying this have concluded that no clear superiority in live birth rates was confirmed. However, many of these studies focused on single sessions performed only around the time of transfer and did not verify the effects of constitutional improvement through continuous visits.
In this article, I will share the status of this research and our clinic's approach.
Who this page is for
Those who are scheduled for an embryo transfer in IVF and want to know when to receive acupuncture and moxibustion before and after the transfer
Those who have seen the claim that it "increases implantation rates" and want to verify if it is true
Those who are worried about whether there are any risks to receiving acupuncture and moxibustion before and after the transfer
Please note that this article is not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of specific symptoms or diseases. Always consult a medical institution regarding decisions about your own condition.
Explanation of Terms
Embryo Transfer: A medical procedure in which a fertilized egg (embryo) obtained through in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection is returned to the uterus
Implantation: The process by which an embryo returned to the uterus attaches to the endometrium
Implantation Acupuncture: A term commonly used in the industry to refer to acupuncture and moxibustion performed before and after embryo transfer. It does not have a medically established definition
Tests and Treatments Generally Performed at Medical Institutions
The schedule and method for embryo transfer are determined by doctors at medical institutions according to individual conditions (please confirm). Acupuncture and moxibustion are not involved in the medical procedure itself but are chosen in parallel as part of physical condition management.
Eastern Medicine Perspective: Tension and Disturbance of "Qi"
In Eastern medicine, it is believed that when strong tension or stress continues, the flow of "Qi" circulating through the body is disturbed, manifesting as stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and around the hip joints. During the period leading up to a transfer, many people feel strong tension both mentally and physically. The reason we prioritize care for the neck, shoulders, and hip joints at our clinic is based on the idea of relieving this disturbance of Qi through acupuncture and moxibustion, supporting you to face the transfer in as calm a state as possible.
(The above is a traditional theory and way of thinking in Eastern medicine and is not a physiologically verified mechanism in modern medicine.)
What is done during acupuncture and moxibustion
Acupuncture and moxibustion before and after embryo transfer are performed with the goal of conditioning the body.
It is a treatment often chosen specifically as care for the tension and stress leading up to the transfer.
What is known from research
Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been published internationally regarding the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion used in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Several meta-analyses targeting women undergoing IVF have reported that the group receiving acupuncture and moxibustion had a higher 'clinical pregnancy rate' (e.g., a systematic review published in the journal BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies in 2019).
On the other hand, in the same research group, multiple reports indicate that there was no statistically significant difference between the acupuncture group and the control group regarding the 'live birth rate.' Results vary depending on the indicator used.
Limitations of studies focusing only on treatment 'before and after transfer'
This is a particularly important point. Many of the systematic reviews to date have focused on 'one-off treatments' where acupuncture and moxibustion are performed only once or twice around the time of embryo transfer. Several studies report that no clear superiority in live birth rates was confirmed.
However, many of these studies have not sufficiently verified the type of treatment where patients visit an acupuncture clinic regularly to continuously improve their physical constitution, and many papers conclude that 'further research is needed' (Note: It is recommended to check the original text of individual papers for confirmation).
In other words, there is a problem where 'receiving acupuncture only at the time of transfer' and 'regularly visiting an acupuncture clinic in daily life' are often discussed as if they were the same, even though they should be treated as separate things in research.
This point is also explained in detail in 'Is Infertility Acupuncture Effective? What Research Tells Us and Its Limitations'.
What is still unknown
Results vary between studies, and conclusions differ depending on the indicator (pregnancy rate vs. birth rate).
Regarding the idea that 'it is desirable to receive treatment at specific times before and after transfer,' there are limited high-quality comparative studies to support it.
Based on this, this article does not use definitive expressions such as 'receiving acupuncture before and after embryo transfer will increase implantation and pregnancy rates.'
Our clinic's approach
We would like to introduce what our clinic is careful about regarding acupuncture and moxibustion before and after transfer.
Director's comment 'In preparation for transfer, I often get the impression that each patient feels strong tension, and many show significant tension in their neck and shoulders. At our clinic, we view this as autonomic nervous system excitation and perform treatments to relax the body's tension. Also, since many people have strong tension around the hip joints, we provide care for that area as well. Patients often visit us before the transfer, and within 2-3 days after the transfer. Since many people have particularly strong tension on the day of the transfer, we work to relax that tension and promote blood flow.'
All of these are 'treatments aimed at adjusting physical condition and tension' and do not guarantee a direct increase in implantation or pregnancy rates.
Anonymous cases and in-house data
At our clinic, we have compiled records of 374 patients and a total of 425 cases that resulted in pregnancy over the 7 years from 2019 to 2025 (65.6% IVF, 27.1% natural pregnancy, 7.3% artificial insemination; details are introduced in the article 'For those looking for infertility acupuncture in Tokyo | How to choose an acupuncture clinic you won't regret').
(Important premise for reading this data: This data only aggregates cases that resulted in pregnancy and does not include the number of people who did not achieve pregnancy. Therefore, it does not indicate pregnancy rates or the effectiveness of the treatment.)
Guidelines for Clinic Visits
At our clinic, for those undergoing in vitro fertilization, we generally recommend visiting us around the time of embryo transfer. If you are visiting on a weekly basis, we adjust that session to align with the timing of the transfer. A visit before the transfer and within 2-3 days after the transfer is the general guideline. For details, please refer to "Infertility Acupuncture in Shibuya | Support by Stage: In Vitro Fertilization, Artificial Insemination, and Natural Conception." We will propose an individual treatment plan based on the counseling provided during your first visit.
Costs
In principle, acupuncture and moxibustion treatments are not covered by health insurance and are fully out-of-pocket expenses. Our clinic's fees are as follows (tax included).
Item Fee Initial Consultation Fee 5,500 yen Acupuncture, Manual Therapy, and Seitai (1 session) 8,000 yen
First-time total 13,500 yen From the second visit onwards 8,000 yen
We do not offer coupon tickets or package pricing; payment is made each time.
For details on costs, please refer to "How Much Does Infertility Acupuncture Cost? Explaining Expenses, Frequency, and Medical Expense Deductions."
Risks and Precautions
Acupuncture and moxibustion treatments may generally involve the following risks.
Pain: You may feel temporary pain at the acupuncture site
Internal bleeding: Internal bleeding (bruising) may occur at the acupuncture site
Fatigue: Some people may feel temporary lethargy after the treatment
Since your body may be in a state where pregnancy is possible after the transfer, it is important to share your current condition with both the acupuncture clinic and your primary physician and proceed while consulting with them.
Cases Where You Should Prioritize Visiting a Medical Institution
In the following cases, it is recommended to consult or visit a medical institution immediately rather than considering acupuncture first.
If you experience symptoms that are considered urgent after the transfer, such as severe abdominal pain or heavy bleeding
Cases where an embryo transfer schedule has already been set by a medical institution and the physician's judgment should be prioritized
Acupuncture is not a substitute for medical examinations, diagnoses, or treatments at medical institutions. Please be sure to consult with your physician at your medical institution regarding decisions about your transfer schedule and methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Does receiving acupuncture before and after embryo transfer increase the implantation rate?
Some systematic reviews that have investigated this have concluded that no clear superiority in live birth rates was confirmed. The current state of research is that we are not at a stage where we can definitively state that it 'increases the implantation rate'.
Q2. Specifically, when should I receive acupuncture before and after the transfer?
At our clinic, we generally recommend visits before the transfer and within 2 to 3 days after the transfer. Since many patients experience significant tension on the day of the transfer, we provide treatment focused on relieving that tension. However, receiving treatment at a specific time does not guarantee results.
Q3. What kind of treatment is specifically provided with acupuncture before and after the transfer?
We provide treatment aimed at relaxing autonomic nervous system excitation, focusing on caring for tension in the neck, shoulders, and around the hip joints. This is not a treatment directly intended to increase the implantation rate, but rather to improve physical condition and reduce tension.
Q4. Does this mean that 'receiving acupuncture only before and after the transfer is meaningless'?
That cannot be said for certain. While some studies investigating treatment only before and after transfer have reported no significant difference in live birth rates, the effects of constitutional improvement through continuous visits have not been verified, so it cannot be definitively stated that it is 'meaningless'.
Q5. How long is it safe to receive acupuncture after the transfer?
After the transfer, the body is in a state where pregnancy is possible, so gentle and soft stimulation is required. At our clinic, we provide care at 10, 15, and 20 weeks to prevent minor troubles, and from 20 weeks onwards, we consult on frequency while monitoring the physical condition.
Summary
You may see claims that receiving acupuncture before and after embryo transfer as 'implantation acupuncture' increases the implantation rate, but some reports indicate that no clear superiority in live birth rates has been confirmed in research. On the other hand, many studies have targeted single treatments only before and after transfer, and the effects of continuous visits have not been verified. At our clinic, we provide treatment aimed at caring for the intense tension before and after the transfer, but this does not guarantee implantation or pregnancy rates.
References
The effects of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. (2019) https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-019-2523-7
Effects of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. (2023) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00404-023-07142-1
Acupuncture for women undergoing in vitro fertilization: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis. (2025) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0020748925001063
Japan Health Insurance Association 'How to use acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage' https://www.kyoukaikenpo.or.jp/g3/sb3080/r140/
*The overseas studies mentioned above may differ in subjects and research design from clinical situations in Japan. Please be sure to consult with your medical institution regarding individual symptoms and treatment policies.
Author/Supervisor/Update Date
Author: Shimpei Fukumoto
Supervisor: Shimpei Fukumoto (Director of Fukumoto Acupuncture Clinic, Acupuncturist/Moxibustionist)
Update Date: August 12, 2026