My journey with Junko started about three years ago and I now consider acupuncture sessions with her an important part of maintaining health and returning to health when I get overly stressed or make less good choices. Acupuncture with Junko works for my mental health and emotional well-being in addition to the excellent results for my reproductive health. Before getting treatments with Junko, I had been diagnosed with endometriosis and my husband and I were experiencing repeated failed attempts to get pregnant for almost a year. After more investigation on both our reproductive health, my husband started getting treatments at Yinstill too (with Sean Harris in 2017). I don’t think it was even three months of my husband receiving treatments that we got pregnant. As for my endometriosis symptoms of pain and heavy flows, they have not reoccured as long as I have maintained the diet that works for me and apply the strategies I learned in my sessions with Junko. 

I continue to see Junko for acupuncture and for the space of tranquility Yinstill provides. Junko is so generous and a great listener. I can also highly recommend treatments with Junko for postpartum recovery or recovery from surgery of any kind. 

Since he was a newborn our baby was known for his pleasant temperament. Everyone who meets him comments on how calm and happy he is. I can’t help but think that my weekly sessions of acupuncture with Junko had an influence on his development in utero.  

Junko is so knowledgeable and it’s so clear she is passionate about helping the people who come to her treatment table. Junko is committed to and is very good at considering the individual as a whole social, emotional, and spiritual being in a physical human form. I ask questions of Junko when she is assessing my tongue or putting a needle in and her responses are so often affirming and fascinating. My love and appreciation for my body has grown on this journey of preparing for pregnancy, carrying baby, birthing and healing postpartum. Beyond my gratitude for her support along my fertility/pregnancy/birthing/postpartum journey, I have a deep appreciation for Junko Lodge as a human being. 

My husband and I went to Yinstill for treatment during our fertility journey (including IUI and IVF). As a physician myself trained in Western medicine, I sought out acupuncture with the mindset that it would enhance our fertility and compliment the fertility clinic treatments. What we found, was a complete surprise; under the care of Dr. Harris Fisher, we were supported in the most wholistic way possible. Dr. Fisher is an extremely kind, astute practitioner and his emotional support was exceedingly valuable. The care he provided was creative and touched all aspects of our lives: sleep, nutrition, exercise, relationships, stress management, work-life balance…and the list goes on. Fertility treatments can be very stressful and can impact many areas of your life; Dr. Fisher was an endless source of positivity, blended perfectly with practicality. Due to his care and the acupuncture, my body physically handled the fertility treatments well, and his over all treatment plan really helped us make our way through. We’ve yet to birth our beautiful little baby, but we are well on our way (second trimester!) and I know that I will continue to access Yinstill’s service for labour prep and for any future needs. The clinic and care you will receive is the most patient-centred, warm, and empathetic I have ever encountered. With gratitude.

We had a wonderful experience at Yinstill with Dr. Harris Fisher. Yinstill is a peaceful oasis with staff who greet you warmly at the front door. Dr. Fisher provided acupuncture and so much more on our long journey to parenthood. He is extremely knowledgeable, empathetic, supportive, and ever positive. He meets you where you are, without judgement, and provides care that is perfectly suited to your needs, both physical and emotional. With Dr. Fisher’s gentle guidance and care, not only did we achieve pregnancy and the birth of our beloved baby girl, we learned much about our health, wellness, and life along the way.

All the best,

Sean is such an incredible practitioner! I’ve seen him multiple times for acupuncture – one of which was while I was suffering form daily headaches during the beginning of my pregnancy. After one treatment with Sean, my headache went away completely! Plus his positive energy and humour is always welcome! Highly recommended as a fertility acupuncturist!!!

Sean was wonderful with my care of my needs while I was pregnant and wanting to ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy and of course a safe delivery. Thanks for everything Sean. Baby Liv is also grateful! 😉

Hello,
This is Sean from Yinstill. I just wanted to drop you a line to see how you are doing. Did the baby manage to turn with the moxibustion treatments? I hope you, baby and family are well.
Take care,
Sean

Hi Sean,
Yes, I think the moxibustion worked!
You and I started the 10-day treatment on a Tuesday, and the baby’s head was at 10 o’clock. By the next Tuesday, it was at 4 o’clock according to an ultrasound I had that day. My husband and I finished the last treatment on Thursday night – the day before we were scheduled for a version at the hospital. Friday morning, they did an ultrasound before performing the version, and the baby’s head was already down!!
Coincidence? Maybe, but maybe not. The timing seems pretty spectacularly synchronized to the moxibustion treatments.
Thank you so much!

On the eve of the birth of my first child, I find it important to reflect and give gratitude to the people who played an intricate part of my success. I first came to Yinstill on August 12th, 2013 after a laproscopy and miscarriage. I had been told that, at 37, I had little to no chance of successfully carrying a baby to term because of low egg quality and quantity. Needless to say, I was crushed but decided to give IVF and acupuncture a try regardless of the odds.

My first visit with Dr Spence Pentland was full of nerves and ambiguity. I knew I had nothing to lose but could never have imagined how valuable and crucial my treatment over the the next few years would be. He put me immediately at ease, and in my first session, despite a fear of needles, I felt as if I had already let go of something. It’s hard to explain, but I came home feeling rejuvenated. My first IVF worked, despite all the medical statistics stacked against us.

Dr Pentland saw me through two more IVF retrievals as I banked what eggs I could. Each one of those was more successful then the last, with better quality and higher numbers. It truly was a miracle given my diagnosis of having no chance.

Dr Pentland listened intently to my fears, offered the best counsel and cared for me with a deep compassion I did not receive from other members of my infertility journey. He was instrumental in helping me not only stay focused but also remain positive in the face of great diversity. Acupuncture I absolutely attribute to my continuous success.

On my fourth retrieval we decided to do a fresh transfer. It was also at this time that I met Junko as Dr Pentland went away on leave. I was reluctant to pass my care on to someone else, but found Junko to be equally as capable in her abilities and in her compassion for my situation.

After the first transfer failed, I broke down, completely devastated. Perhaps all the doctors were right and this whole venture was fruitless. If not for Junko, I would have given up. Not only with words of encouragement, but also with a reminder that although it didn’t likely make sense right then, I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I’ll never forget the warmth I felt that day and the words that carried me back from a deep darkness, and will forever be indebted.

Ironically, three weeks later and one week before my 40th birthday, I discovered I had become pregnant naturally. I continued to visit Junko through the first 12 weeks of my pregnancy to help baby stay with us. I have now seen Junko in these final days for inducement and after each appointment felt amazingly relaxed. I’m entering into labour and delivery feeling strong and confident thanks to her.

To say that the care and services of the staff at Yinstill were paramount to my success would be an understatement. They are like a family. And while it might take a village to raise a child, in my case it took this family to make one.

Deeply knowledgeable and sincerely caring, Dr. Fisher and the team at Yinstill have been wonderful.

I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for reproductive wellness professionals.