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I have been using acupunture since june 06… just absolutely love it and have seen some drastic changes. (here is a few exemples, I am sleeping better at night, my body feels warmer, drastic change in the pain that occurs during af, no headaches, I am eating better and aware of herbal benefits. have discovered I am lactose intolerant!, no blood clots, period is less heavy on day 2 (i used to use 20 tampons in 2 days)…I am more relaxed and stress free, I don’t have sensitive boobs and no more PMS…
Spence is caring and listens to me about what I have to say about my body…
I have never felt better in my life about my body and totaly feel in charge now…
Val
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“My main goal when I approached Dr. Pentland for acupuncture treatment was to help me with anxiety and stress relief following up to and including my IVF procedure. Both of these goals were met. Dr. Pentland has a very sincere, caring manner that is both professional and respectful. I was very much at ease with Dr. Pentland and was particularly impressed with how familiar he was with the IVF procedure. I have no idea whether acupuncture helped medically the IVF procedure work, but I’m pregnant now and that’s all I really care about. I would enthusiastically recommend Dr. Pentland if you’re considering acupuncture treatment for fertility issues.” -Erin
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“Dr Pentland quickly became “Spence” such is his easy-to-be-around manner. He clearly has a passion for helping couple’s achieve their goals, and that is, the successful birth of a wee monkey. Or in my case, a not so wee monkey. His optimism and expertise made him an invaluable part of both my IVF and first trimester journeys.”
– Mary-Jo Dionne
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After a long and frustrating journey with infertility I am proud to announce that I am 14 weeks pregnant with a healthy baby! My husband and I recently had the pleasure to see our angel baby on ultrasound and we were amazed to see the beautiful result of our endurance and resilience. We would not be at this settled place without the help of Dr. Spence Pentland.
Our journey began almost two years ago. After six months of trying we had ourselves checked out by the fertility doctors. At first we appeared to be “normal” and after more months of testing and waiting, we were told that we were running out of time and we needed to proceed to IVF as soon as possible. At this point we had tried four times unsuccessfully with IUI and a large dose of clomid. As it turned out my FSH levels were on the “high” side (12.2) and although my husband had over 200,000 million sperm, there was an issue with the morphology (2-8 %). I had just turned 36 years old.
Having a science background as well as training in anatomical acupuncture myself, I did the research on acupuncture and its success with fertility and more specifically when combined with IVF treatment. I was convinced and committed to see Spence two times per week leading up to our first round of IVF. Unfortunately right before the procedure I was hospitalized with septic pneumonia and had to delay our plans. I thought that I was recovered and five months later we tried IVF with ICSI. It did not work. My embryos were poor quality and only two made it for the procedure. Devastated and then to be told that it was probably not going to work and to consider an egg donor, I did not know where to turn. Going in to see Spence that week helped me stay the course and not give up. He said that we could improve the egg quality with acupuncture and a healthy lifestyle. He was convinced that we would be parents one day and to “keep my eye on the child”. So I spent the rest of the summer going to acupuncture, two weeks of herbals, and eating a healthy, fertility friendly diet. My husband even came to see Spence so that he could help and find out what he could do to improve our situation.
The second round of IVF proved successful! This time we had excellent quality embryos along with a healthy and relaxed mom- to- be. I knew that it was going to work and I can honestly say that with Spence’s knowledge, research, and reassuring words, we were able to make our dreams come true. In the words of Maya Angelou: “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Thanks Spence!
Suzanne
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I write you hereby a short description of “our story”. I imagine every couple’s story will be different, but still, the doubts and disappointments must be there for everyone, and I would be most glad to encourage those who have lost faith.
In my case, I had fully normal cycles when I was young. I started taking the pill at the age of 22, and only stopped 18 months ago (age 34), when we wished to have a child. While I was rather sure that I would be pregnant soon – both our families are very fertile, we had a healthy lifestyle, etc – nothing happened at all. I mean, I didn’t have any menstruation during several months. My gynaecologist diagnosed a polycystic ovary and prescribed a treatment with Clomid. Without success. I moved on to a fertility specialist, who rather thought that the cause was to be found in a hypothalamic disorder. We tried again with a series of Clomid, and then with a pulsatile gonadotrophin-releasing pump. The treatments were awful. I was either angry and aggressive or mawkish and depressive. I hardly recognized myself. My breasts hurt, the pump was such a hassle and difficult to hide … I hated it, and both my husband and I had the impression we didn’t fully ‘live’. Everything was in function of our desire to conceive.
So then we moved to Vancouver for my husband’s job. The fertility specialist here confirmed a hypothalamic amenorrhea, but suggested that I stopped any treatment for a while and rather concentrated on my life style: fewer sports, an acupuncture treatment, and an appointment with a nutritionist. I tried to reduce long distance running, hiking and cycling (put on some weight and didn’t like it) and went instead to yoga and body ball classes. The nutritionist found that my eating habits were extremely healthy, but we had a very interesting discussion. And then I started a treatment of acupuncture and Chinese herbs at Acubalance. I must admit I was rather skeptical about the whole thing. You lie down on that table for about 45 min with some needles in your body and … just feel nothing. The herbs taste weird and have Chinese writing on their labels that are – of course – fully ununderstandable. Anyway, if it wouldn’t benefit, I thought it wouldn’t harm neither and maybe it would help my body to relax in some way.
That was in November, just two months ago. I felt rather good after the first treatments. Nothing tangible, but it was just nice to be taken care of and not having those hormone treatments for a while. Then, surprisingly, I got a menstruation. My first natural bleeding since a year and a half. I had ovulated while I was on a business trip, so no chance to be pregnant. We still believed it was an exceptional one-time happening and I was already fully prepared to start a new hormone treatment in December. But the echo showed a new mature follicle ready to ovulate… and two weeks later I was pregnant!
Was it the removal to Vancouver and a new environment? Less stress at work? Less endurance sports? The acupuncture and Chinese herbs treatment? A combination of all those factors or a pure coincidence? We will never know, but I strongly believe that the acupuncture played a very crucial role in it. So, Spence, so far you are our biggest hero!
Thank you very much.
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My husband and I started trying to conceive in January of 2006. Because of my having PCOS, we had already seen an infertility specialist at Genesis. I wasn’t ovulating as I hadn’t had a natural period in over a decade. My doctor started me on clomid right away. After about six months of trying and having no success, I heard of acupuncture through a friend. I decided to give it a try and met with Spence. Aside from receiving the acupuncture treatments, it was really nice to be able to discuss my infertility frustrations with someone so knowledgeable. After a month or two, my husband also started coming to see Spence. In September, I had my ninth cycle of clomid with no luck. We decided to take a break from the clomid. One month later, I had my first natural period in ages, and was ovulating on my own. By December, our doctor told us that we probably wouldn’t be able to conceive without the help of in vitro. We made our appointment for the orientation for January. But, we proved the doctor wrong. Our late Christmas present that year was finding out on New Year’s Eve day that I was pregnant. I really attribute our success to Spence and acupuncture.
MM
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After my wife and I tried unsuccessfully to conceive for two years, we were faced with the daunting prospect of finding out “why”? Through a series of tests it was determined that my sperm morphology was a likely culprit. Thus began my adventure with Spence Pentland.
The idea that my sperm were somewhat dysfunctional was a thought that had never occurred to me. I admit that I did not handle the news all that well. In particular, I remember two disheartening sessions with a urologist who made me feel quite inadequate. The medical prognosis was non-existent. In other words, hard luck!
At the suggestion of one of my wife’s friends, we both attended an information session at Acubalance with Lorne Brown which offered a glimmer of hope to our dilemma. I decided to throw caution to the wind and began attending the clinic twice weekly. Although I am open to alternative therapies, I had never tried acupuncture previously.
Over the course of five months the team at Acubalance confidently guided me through a regime that included acupuncture, herbal remedies, a dietary cleanse and some quite amusing lifestyle changes. I changed from briefs to boxers. I stopped taking hot baths. I cut back on intoxicants. Anything to try to normalize my swimmers.
Being a creature of habit, these changes did not come about easily. Looking back, I couldn’t have done it without the guidance and support of Lorne, Raeghan, and particularly Spence who was always willing to listen to my concerns and understood that I sometimes felt like a reluctant guinea pig in my own research project.
And then, the unlikely happened – my sperm tests began to improve. Slowly but surely I went from abnormal to well within normal range. The perfect happy ending to this story would be that my wife and I conceived naturally. The actual outcome is close. We decided to proceed with IVF treatments and yes, we now have a lovely baby girl.
Could we have done it without IVF? Possibly. Did Spence and the Acubalance team help? Undoubtedly. The proof lies in my improved test results.
Infertility is a blow to any couple who wants to experience the joy of childbirth. And the subject of male infertility appears to be quite unexplored. I recommend Spence Pentland to any man who experiences the letdown of male infertility. There is hope.
MG
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I began seeing Harris in August of 2012 while undergoing IVF. I knew immediately upon meeting him that he would help me in my fertility journey. I am certain that his treatments helped me become and stay pregnant, something I was beginning to think would never happen. Not only does Harris go above and beyond in terms of gentle care during acupuncture treatments, but he also takes as much time as you need to discuss your concerns, answer questions, and give you pertinent information. During my pregnancy he helped in relieving me of some not so pleasant symptoms, and gave me lots of ideas surrounding health and nutrition that I took to heart. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
Sincerely, Lindsay
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“I’ve never had abdominal massage before so at first I thought was a little weird, but the effects are so beneficial that I’m going to ask for my tummy to be massaged every time”
L.W.
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Yesterday was the first time I visited the washroom at Yinstill. The moment I open the door and began looking around at all the hopeful positive messages I felt at ease. Surrounded by others’ struggles and stories of happiness calmed me in a lasting way. I felt so hopeful and optimistic.
Yinstill is such a beautiful place. Even the bathroom is so inspiring!
Warm and fuzzy,
Z
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Shortly after getting married in 2013, I had a miscarriage. I was 35 at the time and my husband and I were devastated — I became obsessed with motherhood. “My whole focus turned to getting pregnant. And every month that it didn’t happen, my obsession got worse.” After losing another baby at around 10 weeks, I was desperate. A trip to a fertility clinic with my husband, revealed that I had high levels of follicle-stimulating hormones and lower levels of Anti-Mullerian Hormones. Basically the doctor at the fertility clinic told me that I was running out of eggs and the quality of the eggs were questionable, meaning I was less likely to get, and stay pregnant . The doctor at the Fertility clinic told us egg donor would be our best option, I was gutted and left the fertility clinic feeling heartbroken and even more devastated. I longed to be a mother and to have a child that both my husband and I created together. So I took a friend’s advice and made an appointment with Harris Fisher at Yinstill Reproductive Wellness Clinic. Dr. Fisher assessed me, started me on Chinese herbs and acupuncture treatment. After about 2 months , I was rewarded with a positive pregnancy test. Dr Fisher immediately put me on a “miscarriage prevention” program that included needles and Chinese herbs. And although I constantly worried about losing the baby, I found the treatments painless and soothing. Acupuncture was just so healing for me, emotionally and physically. May 23, 2015 my son, John Atticus was born — my husband and I are forever grateful to the remarkable care, knowledge, support and treatment I received from Dr. Fisher. I plan to resume the treatment with Dr. Fisher when we try for baby number two.
~Theresa
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Hi, my name is Gianni, I’m 49 years old and had been struggling with erectile disfunction since the age of 40. I was prescribed Cialis and Viagra at different times and continued taking them on and off. I had tried to speak to different doctors about my situation and about different options for treatment, the answer was always the same……..take this pill, it will help!……
I got tired and frustrated and began to look into alternative medicines. This is when I found Yinstill clinic on Main st. in Vancouver.
My first appointment I met Sean Quigley, he is a registered acupuncturist. He made me feel comfortable and not worried. I was amazed at the results, and within the first two sessions of acupuncture I was achieving erections without any pills!! I am so grateful to Sean and Yinstill.
Thank you so much
- Gianni