Fertility Support · Galway & Ireland
Your body isn't
broken. It needs
restoring.
Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and personalised lifestyle support — for women and men ready to give conception every possible advantage.
"After two years of trying, Ian's treatment changed everything. Six months later I was pregnant naturally."
Sarah M. — GalwayThe Elmtree approach
Two thousand years of medicine,
applied to your situation
Chinese medicine doesn't see fertility as something broken that needs fixing. It sees it as a reflection of how the whole body is doing — and that's where we start.
When tests come back normal but something still isn't working, we look at sleep, energy, the rhythm of the cycle, even the colour of your tongue. These aren't vague clues — they're a precise system refined over two millennia of clinical practice.
Ian's approach combines this classical framework with modern diagnostic understanding, CBT-informed care, and 20+ years of clinical experience in Galway.
How we work
Three pillars. One integrated plan.
Every fertility programme at The Elmtree Clinic is built on the same three foundations — working together, not in isolation.
Acupuncture &
Moxibustion
Fine needles placed at specific points along the body's meridian system regulate the flow of Qi and Blood — directly influencing the reproductive system, hormonal balance, and the nervous system's effect on fertility.
- Regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis
- Improves uterine blood flow and lining thickness
- Reduces cortisol and stress hormone interference
- Supports progesterone production in the luteal phase
- Improves sperm parameters in men
- Moxibustion adds warmth for cold-pattern fertility
Chinese Herbal
Medicine
Classical formulas — refined over centuries — address the specific TCM pattern identified in your consultation. Unlike supplements, herbal formulas treat the whole pattern, not isolated nutrients. Every formula is tailored to you.
- 12 formulas covering all major fertility patterns
- EU-regulated, quality-tested herbs only
- Women's range: Kidney Yin, Yang, Blood Stasis, Liver Qi
- Men's range: Jing deficiency, DNA fragmentation, circulation
- Monthly subscription — delivered to your door
- Formula adjusted as your pattern shifts
Food, Lifestyle &
Mindset
What you eat, how you sleep, how you manage stress — these aren't peripheral to fertility, they are fertility. Ian's CBT and mindfulness training means the psychological dimension is given the same weight as the physical.
- Pattern-specific dietary advice — not generic
- Sleep optimisation for Yin recovery and testosterone
- Stress and cortisol management through breathwork & CBT
- Movement recommendations for each TCM pattern
- Environmental and toxin load reduction
- Mindfulness practices for the emotional journey
Acupuncture for fertility
What acupuncture
actually does
Acupuncture works on fertility through several measurable pathways. It isn't mysterious — it's a precise intervention on the nervous system, the endocrine system, and the reproductive organs themselves.
Sessions are typically weekly during the follicular and luteal phases, with specific timing around ovulation and, for IVF patients, around egg retrieval and transfer. Most women notice changes to their cycle within 2–3 sessions.
What the research shows
- Acupuncture alongside IVF has been shown to improve clinical pregnancy rates in multiple randomised controlled trials — particularly in women with poor ovarian response.
- A 2023 systematic review found acupuncture significantly improved sperm motility and morphology in men with idiopathic infertility compared to controls.
- Studies measuring cortisol before and after acupuncture consistently show significant reductions — directly supporting the hormonal environment needed for conception.
- Doppler studies have confirmed increased uterine artery blood flow following acupuncture — a key marker for endometrial receptivity.
- Ian reads the current literature and applies evidence-informed practice — you'll always know why a specific treatment is being used.
Chinese herbal medicine
A formula made
for your pattern
Chinese herbal medicine operates on a completely different logic to supplements. Rather than targeting isolated deficiencies, each classical formula addresses a whole constellation of signs and symptoms — a pattern — identified through careful clinical assessment.
The Elmtree range covers 12 formulas across the six most common fertility patterns. All herbs are EU-regulated and sourced from quality-tested suppliers. Formulas are available to order directly from the shop, or prescribed in consultation with Ian.
The free assessment identifies your pattern in 3–5 minutes and recommends the formula most likely to help — with specific food and lifestyle guidance alongside it.
Food & lifestyle
What you do every day
matters most
The herbs and acupuncture work best when the soil is prepared. These are the lifestyle foundations Ian addresses in every consultation — tailored to your specific TCM pattern.
Food as medicine
Pattern-specific nutrition
In Chinese medicine, food has warming, cooling, nourishing or moving properties — and what's right for one pattern is wrong for another. Ian gives specific dietary guidance based on your diagnosis, not generic fertility eating advice.
- Kidney Yin deficiency: black sesame, eggs, bone broth, slow-cooked moist foods
- Kidney Yang deficiency: lamb, ginger, cinnamon, root vegetables — warming throughout
- Blood stasis: turmeric, dark berries, oily fish, beetroot — avoid cold and raw
- Liver Qi stagnation: leafy greens, lemon water, sour foods — avoid alcohol
- Spleen Qi deficiency: warm cooked breakfasts, soups, congee — no cold drinks
Sleep &
restoration
The most underrated fertility factor
Kidney Yin — the foundation of egg quality and oestrogen — rebuilds between 11pm and 1am. Testosterone in men is produced during deep sleep. Poor sleep is one of the most common and impactful factors in unexplained subfertility.
- Sleep before 11pm — this window is non-negotiable for Yin restoration
- 7–9 hours of quality sleep for male testosterone production
- Blue light reduction after 8pm directly supports hormone recovery
- Cool, dark bedroom environment
- Avoid eating within 2 hours of sleep — Spleen Qi recovery at night
Stress &
the nervous system
CBT-informed fertility support
Chronic stress suppresses ovulation, reduces progesterone, and elevates cortisol — which directly competes with reproductive hormones. Ian's CBT training means this dimension is treated as part of every programme, not left to chance.
- 4-7-8 breathing: reduces cortisol within minutes — practice daily
- Reframing the fertility timeline — reducing catastrophic thinking patterns
- Identifying and breaking the obsessive monitoring cycle
- Qi Gong and restorative movement to calm the nervous system
- One week per month without tracking tools — a genuine reset
Movement &
circulation
The right exercise for your pattern
Exercise recommendations depend entirely on your pattern. Over-exercise depletes Kidney Yin and Yang. Too little worsens Blood stasis. The goal is pattern-matched movement — not generic fitness advice.
- Kidney Yin / Yang deficiency: gentle walking, Qi Gong, restorative yoga
- Blood stasis: swimming, cycling, brisk walking — 30 minutes daily minimum
- Liver Qi stagnation: daily cardio — walking, running, anything that moves Qi
- Spleen Qi deficiency: gentle movement only, avoid exhausting exercise
- All patterns: morning sunlight activates Yang and regulates cortisol
IVF preparation & support
Alongside IVF,
not instead of it
Ian works alongside fertility clinics, not in opposition to them. The evidence supporting acupuncture and herbal medicine as adjuncts to IVF is solid — particularly for improving ovarian response, endometrial receptivity, and reducing the stress that compromises outcomes.
For someone spending €6,000+ on a cycle, a three-month preparation programme is both logical and evidence-backed. Many of Ian's most successful patients have combined both approaches.
Where to start
Not sure what
your body needs?
The free assessment takes 3–5 minutes. It identifies your TCM pattern, recommends the formula most likely to help, and gives you tailored food and lifestyle guidance — instantly, wherever you are.
Patient stories
In their own words
"After two years of trying and one failed IVF, I came to The Elmtree Clinic not knowing what to expect. Six months of herbal treatment and acupuncture later, I was pregnant naturally. I honestly believe it saved my dream of becoming a mother."
"My husband's sperm analysis improved dramatically after 12 weeks of herbal treatment. The doctor couldn't believe the numbers. We're now expecting our first child and are so grateful for everything Ian did."
"I was told my chances were very low due to poor ovarian reserve. The herbal formulas and acupuncture gave me back not just hope, but results. Our daughter was born last spring. We call her our little miracle."
© 2025 The Elmtree Clinic · Galway, Ireland
This website does not provide medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner.
Fertility & AcupunctureAt The Elmtree Clinic, We take a holistic approach to fertility and hormonal health, helping your body return to balance so it can function at its best. Supporting both men and women is key when preparing for a healthy pregnancy.
Gynaecological/Pre-ConceptionPrivate, natural care that focuses on the root cause of issues, not just symptoms.
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Infertility & IVFAcupuncture and Chinese medicine can improve your chances of conceiving, whether naturally or alongside IVF and other treatments.
Pregnancy & SupportGentle support throughout pregnancy and recovery after birth, helping you feel your best at every stage.
Babies & ChildrenSafe, effective treatments for babies and children, including colic and other common conditions.
Clinical Traditional Chinese Medicine adopts a holistic approach to healthcare. It is important to treat the presenting symptoms but even more important to treat the underlying cause to ensure the root of the problem can be reached.
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Our ApproachWe combine Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern understanding to support your health naturally.
Treatment may include:
Preparing for a Healthy BabyIf you’re trying to conceive or planning ahead, small changes can make a big difference. We help you:
The Programme This programme supports you (and your partner) in restoring health without stress or pressure. By improving overall wellbeing, we create the best possible foundation for conception, pregnancy, and a healthy baby. If you are considering creating a healthy baby or have been trying for some time without success, you might need some added help with acupuncture, nutritional advice, herbal medicine and/or lifestyle guidance. The creation of a new, unique and very special little person can be very exciting and sometimes overwhelming times. The most direct way you and your partner can positively affect fertility, the course of pregnancy, the birth and the health of your baby is making intelligent and informed dietary, environmental and lifestyle choices even before falling pregnant.
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