Fertility challenges are becoming increasingly common, and innovative approaches to reproductive health are gaining attention. Enter Michelle Oravitz, a renowned fertility health expert, licensed acupuncturist, and Fellow of the Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine (FABORM). She is revolutionizing the way we think about conception.
Michelle’s newly released book, The Way of Fertility — Awaken Your Reproduction Potential Through the Power of Ancient Wisdom, marks a significant departure from conventional fertility self-help literature. Unlike many resources that focus primarily on physical aspects, Michelle encourages women to look inward, exploring the profound connection between mind, spirit, and fertility. This intriguing work makes ancient TCM and Ayurvedic teachings accessible, offering readers practical techniques to correct imbalances and release blockages that may be hindering their fertility journey.
From the unexpected applications of acupuncture beyond pain management to the power of mindfulness in enhancing fertility, check out our interview with Michelle Oravitz below.
What led you to specialize in fertility health and integrate Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with Western approaches?
Michelle Oravitz: I used to work in architecture, and after many years of suffering from irregular periods and other hormonal imbalances, I finally found my solution in acupuncture. This inspired me to change my career to help others with similar conditions eventually.
Can you explain how acupuncture specifically supports fertility and reproductive health?
Michelle Oravitz: Acupuncture stimulates meridians that allow for more qi (life force vitality) flow in the body. As practitioners, we address the pattern that our patients present with, and when there is more harmony, there is more life force vitality and self-healing. This self-healing will always reflect on fertility health, which is a reflection of overall health.
We also use the needles locally in the pelvis, which increases blood flow to the ovaries and uterus in women, and some points can support “jing” production, which is a term that refers to reproductive essence and is seen as sperm in men.
Your new book, The Way of Fertility, focuses on the mind-spirit connection to fertility. Why do you think this aspect is often overlooked in fertility treatment?
Michelle Oravitz: Many couples who are going through the fertility journey are often bombarded with numbers, statistics, and to-do’s. This can add more stress to an already stressful experience.
In TCM, we learn that the body is not only a physical entity, but that it has a spiritual and energetic element that guides the physical to its intended design – this design is meant to thrive and reproduce. When we overlook our emotions (because they are more abstract) and only pay attention to that which we can see and count, then we are missing a very important behind-the-scenes aspect of our fertility.
What inspired you to write The Way of Fertility, and what do you hope readers will gain from it?
Michelle Oravitz: My biggest intention for everything I do is to inspire hope in the people I work with. I have seen so many miracles in the journeys of those I work with, and I truly believe that we have lost our faith in our own internal power and placed most of it outside ourselves.
I wanted to share what ancient wisdom has been teaching us for centuries, that the answers lie within us. We are made out of an ingenious, intelligent force, and this force speaks to us, heals us, and guides us. In The Way of Fertility, I outline ways for people to reconnect with this divine intelligence.
What are some common misconceptions about fertility that you address in your work?
Michelle Oravitz: Common misconceptions are that women who are over forty can’t get pregnant and I’ve seen over and over again that that’s just not true. The oldest woman to get pregnant naturally and birth a child as recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records was 58. I know that this is the extreme, but I do believe that we can exceed our past expectations of ourselves and that our bodies have the potential to self-heal and even become younger.
What role does nutrition play in your fertility wellness approach, and are there specific dietary recommendations you make?
Michelle Oravitz: Nutrition is at the core of our health. I would take it a step further and say that in order for our right diet choices to work, we need to optimize gut health, which has been compromised tremendously by the processing of many foods that have ingredients that are shown to harm gut health. We need to go back to the way our ancestors ate what was grown from the land and also what was in season and local to where people lived.
Can you explain the concept of “blockages” in the body and how they relate to fertility issues?
Michelle Oravitz: “Blockages” are basically anything that gets in the way of flow – and this can be blockages in the way of qi or blood flow in the body.
If an ambulance is trying to get to another part of town but the highway is blocked, this will come at a cost to the person who needs it. We can see this with food or supply trucks as well. Our body not only needs qi flow, but the channels are also necessary for communication of the different aspects of the body.
How do you work alongside traditional healthcare providers to support your clients’ fertility journeys?
Michelle Oravitz: Many of my patients and online coaching clients are in the process of IVF when they work with me. I help them optimize their egg quality and uterine lining, along with their overall well-being, through acupuncture, nutrition, supplement recommendations, mindfulness practices, and hypnotherapy audios, to name a few. I believe that conventional and alternative treatments can help tremendously when done together.
Can you discuss some of the ancient techniques you teach to correct imbalances in the body?
Michelle Oravitz: I guide my patients and clients on how to meditate, do breathing exercises, ground their feet in the earth, self-massage, and chant mantras to calm their nervous systems.
How do you address the emotional and psychological aspects of fertility struggles with your clients?
Michelle Oravitz: I spend a lot of time speaking to new patients and online clients when we first start working together. I listen a lot and really closely to what they are saying, where they feel stuck emotionally, what causes them to feel pain, and what keeps them up at night. I feel like they benefit so much by being heard and having a safe space to express themselves.
Based on what they share, I will suggest different things. I almost always suggest meditation and will other times suggest journaling with certain prompts and sometimes suggest counseling depending on the amount of trauma they are experiencing. Many of my patients also listen to hypnosis audios I created for different needs on the fertility journey.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their fertility journey?
Michelle Oravitz: My first advice is to find a good fertility doctor who can get a baseline of tests done. I can’t tell you how many times couples have spent so much time not knowing what was wrong, only to find out that there was a reason they were struggling. We have the tools and technology, so why not use medical help when it comes to diagnosing.
My second piece of advice is not to jump to fertility treatments unless there is no other option. Look for alternative ways and perhaps couple them with fertility treatments while also working with nutrition and doing things like acupuncture to create overall balance in the body.
As a FABORM (Fellow of the Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine), how do you see the field of fertility treatment evolving in the coming years?
Michelle Oravitz: I see many different practitioners coming together as a team for our patients. We are now seeing the benefits of the many different modalities working as puzzle pieces for our patients.
Lastly, is there a specific mantra, quote, or affirmation that you hold close to your heart?
Michelle Oravitz: I love the quote by Rumi that says, “What you seek is seeking you.” I believe that to be the case for many of the couples I work with.
Learn more about Michelle at MichelleOravitz.com.
Emily Sprinkle, also known as Emma Loggins, is a designer, marketer, blogger, and speaker. She is the Editor-In-Chief for Women's Business Daily where she pulls from her experience as the CEO and Director of Strategy for Excite Creative Studios, where she specializes in web development, UI/UX design, social media marketing, and overall strategy for her clients.
Emily has also written for CNN, Autotrader, The Guardian, and is also the Editor-In-Chief for the geek lifestyle site FanBolt.com
