ACUPUNCTURE & NUTRITION — CORK, IRELAND
Nurturing your path to new beginnings
Compassionate, personalised acupuncture care to support your fertility journey — whether you're trying to conceive naturally or alongside assisted treatments.
The Harmony Clinic
The bridge between your GP and Assisted Fertility
Did you know that 50% of the patients I see do not or did not need IVF treatment? The Harmony Clinic acts as a vital bridge in your care, working to optimize your natural fertility before or alongside medical intervention.
An initial Fertility Consultation at the Harmony Clinic is comprehensive. We work to:
- Ascertain if you are Ovulating
- Strengthen cycle via Herbs and Foods
- Analyze viability of sperm
- Improve Sperm motility & morphology
- Recommend correct supplementation
- Advise on Lifestyle & Diet
We use a combination of traditional wisdom and modern nutritional science to create the best possible foundation for new life.
Acupuncture Benefits
Assisting your fertility journey
Acupuncture assists female fertility through targeted mechanisms that optimize reproductive health and support both natural and assisted conception.
Enhanced Blood Flow
Increases blood flow to the uterus and ovaries while thickening the endometrial lining to create an optimal environment for implantation.
Hormonal Balance
Helps regulate and stabilize hormone levels, including reducing high FSH, E2, and Prolactin, while regulating thyroid hormone levels.
Ova & Follicle Support
Improves egg (ova) quality and helps the body produce more follicles, enhancing the chances of successful conception.
Immune Function
Balances immune function to reduce the chance of miscarriages and ensure the body is ready to accept and sustain a pregnancy.
ART & IVF Success
Improves the outcome of ART procedures and significantly increases the success rates of IVF and IUI treatments with no side effects.
Stress & Wellbeing
Provides essential stress relief, energy improvement, and weight control, calming the nervous system for the journey ahead.
Client Stories
Journeys of hope and healing
Every story is unique, and we're honoured to be part of so many. Here are some experiences shared by clients who have walked this path.
"For years I suffered with chronic sinus infections. At the start of this year I attended Harmony Acupuncture where I met Rachel — whose holistic approach finally left me symptom free after 13 years. The clinic rooms were peaceful and harmonious, almost like attending a spa."
Susan Byford
Cork
"As we are on our last round of IVF and have tried everything else, we decided to try acupuncture. It was amazing — lovely, calm, with a warm atmosphere. Rachel was fantastic. She called it my spa day to myself. I am so looking forward to the next session. Would recommend Harmony."
Ciara
Ireland
"My initial visit to Rachel was for Acupuncture for Premature Ovarian Failure. Her friendly but professional manner and her empathy put me at ease immediately. The results of the treatment were excellent — my symptoms disappeared. I can't recommend Rachel highly enough."
Liz Cronin
Cork
"I have Ulcerative Colitis and was on very strong steroids. Since having acupuncture, after a few sessions, my condition is in remission and I am off the steroids. My general wellbeing is so improved — I feel like I have balance back in my body."
Martina
Ireland
"Hi Rachel, just wanted to let you know that I am now 9 weeks pregnant! When I came to you I was having scanty 1 day periods and was feeling pretty hopeless about everything. I really do think your weekly acupuncture made a world of difference to getting my cycle back on track and conceiving. Had a scan last week and everything is looking really! Thank you :)"
Client Success
Cork
"Hi Rachel, hope you are well. Just sending a quick message to let you know that I am pregnant!! I just had my 12 week scan during the week and all good with baby. No ivf or no laparoscopy, it's a miracle baby!! I just want to say thank you so much for all the help, I have no doubt it was the acupuncture/change in diet and the supplements you recommended was what made this happen. Thank you so so much for everything."
Client Success
Cork
"Hi Rachel, sorry for the late message! Elaine here and have some amazing news, our baby boy was born this morning (emergency c-section as heart rate was dropping with the contractions, but perfect once he was out!!!) I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you for what you did for us, I had given up hope of having a baby before I went to you, I know it's a direct result of all your wonderful work that we got pregnant and stayed pregnant!! Thank you and all the best!!"
Client Success
Cork
"I cannot say enough about Rachel. I initially went to Rachel for fertility treatment but she has helped in so many other ways. I now have a 6-month-old daughter who I do not believe would be here without Rachel's help. Cannot recommend enough."
Donna
Ireland
"I received fertility acupuncture from Rachel and I cannot recommend her enough! She is extremely knowledgeable, answering all of my questions with a listening ear. She was supportive throughout my fertility journey and now I am experiencing my second baby."
Maeve
Ireland
Initial Consultation
How to prepare for your first visit
Essential Documentation
- 1
Health History: Write down your and your partner's health history in chronological order, including all past medications (antibiotics, steroids) since school age.
- 2
Family History: Detail illnesses running through both families (e.g., Crohn's, IBS, Coeliac, Inflammatory Bowel Disease).
- 3
Female Bloods: Include TSH, FSH, Free T4, Vit D3, and Prolactin. Day 3 and 21 bloods are optional but helpful.
The Sperm Test — Essential
50% of infertility is Male Factor and in most cases, it is fixable. I will not take on new fertility cases without a recent Sperm Test (within 3 months).
"Trying to get pregnant without a sperm test is like having a car with a faulty petrol gauge – you don’t know whether it will start or how long it will go for!!"
Complex Fertility
Support for challenging journeys
Complex Infertility involves any couple who have had multiple miscarriages or multiple failed IVF/Assisted procedures.
If IVF treatments have taken place:
- • Dates of each treatment
- • Number of eggs collected & fertilised
- • Number of blastocysts & frozen eggs
If Miscarriages have taken place:
- • When did conception take place?
- • At what stage did the miscarriage occur?
- • Any additional paperwork from pregnancy loss
During Your Session
A moment of calm in your week
Each session at Harmony is designed to feel like a sanctuary. You'll be welcomed into a warm, private treatment room where Rachel will check in on how you're feeling — both physically and emotionally.
Gentle assessment
Rachel checks your pulse and reviews how you've been since your last visit
Targeted treatment
Fine, sterile needles are placed at specific points — most clients feel only a mild tingling
Deep relaxation
You rest for 20–25 minutes in a warm, dimly lit room with soft music — many clients fall asleep
Aftercare guidance
Rachel provides personalised advice on nutrition, lifestyle, and what to expect before your next session
"The needles are extremely fine — much thinner than injection needles, often no thicker than a single hair. Most people describe the sensation as a gentle warmth or tingling, followed by a feeling of deep calm."
Pre & Post Implantation
Optimizing IVF Success
Research shows that acupuncture pre and post implantation dramatically increases the chances of a successful implantation.
Pre-Implantation
Increases blood flow to the womb ('warming the oven') and ensures the immune system is relaxed to prevent rejection of the embryo.
Post-Implantation
Objective is to completely calm the nervous system and reassure it, aiding the successful implementation of the new embryo.
Hormonal Regulation
Auricular Acupuncture is used both pre and post to regulate the body's hormones during the critical implantation window.
Pulse Diagnosis
Pulses act as a great indicator to determine how the body is accepting the embryo on the day of implantation.
"Acupuncture pre-implantation ensures the immune system is completely relaxed, reducing the chance of rejection."
Common Questions
Everything you need to know
We understand you may have questions before your first visit. Rachel is always happy to discuss any concerns — please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Ask Rachel a QuestionStart Your Journey Today
Ready to take the first step?
Book your initial fertility consultation and let's work together to create the best possible foundation for your future family.
Booking Reminders:
- • Please contact the clinic by text to 0872366155 only.
- • Cancellations within 48 hours incur a 50% charge; within 24 hours incur a 100% fee.
- • All new clients must be seen in the mornings — pre 2pm.
- • If we haven't responded within 3 working days, please resend your query.
- • The clinic is very busy; some appointment times are booked weeks in advance.
- • The clinic does not open on weekends or Friday afternoons.