Acupuncture and Infertility: Why Acupuncture Could Be The Missing Link In Your Quest To Conceive

Acupuncture 101

Acupuncture is part of the oriental medicine healing system that has been practiced for over 2000 years. Developed in China, the practice of acupuncture is based on the belief that a disruption in the vital energy flow in the body can cause chi imbalances, which is considered to be the root cause of most of the diseases suffered by people. These blockages can be cleared and the energy flow of the body can be redirected by the insertion of tiny needles into specific areas of the body. There are over 2000 different acupoints on the human body and the ailment determines which insertion points should be used. Acupuncture is now used all over the world to treat a variety of conditions, such as bronchial asthma, smoking addiction, infertility, nocturnal enuresis, toothache and headache.

How Can Acupuncture Cure Infertility?

The use of acupuncture to cure infertility is a relatively new concept for western civilizations. The theory behind acupuncture for infertility is that acupuncture will increase the volume of blood flow to the reproductive organs and stabilize the hormones present in the body. This practice is confirmed to be effective by increasing ovarian potency in women and assisting in sperm creation for men.

Using acupuncture for infertility treatment is most commonly applied when a couple is experiencing functional issues, such as infrequent ovulation or erectile dysfunction. In some situations, acupuncture is used as supplemental procedure for in vitro fertilization, helping women to relax their uteruses during the embryo transfer process. A study conducted in 2002 by German researchers found that acupuncture increased the success rate of in vitro fertilization by up to 16% and reduced the amount of miscarriages in women receiving in vitro fertilization by 12%.

What is the Acupuncture Treatment Like?

Acupuncture is a reasonably painless procedure and side effects are very rare. The most common negative events reported include the transmission of infectious agents, needles broken beneath the skin and minor bleeding at the insertion point. These risks will be very much reduced if the acupuncturist is a licensed and experienced professional that has undergone the required 2000 to 3000 hours of training and has passed the required board exam.

Acupuncture for infertility treatment can be a tedious process. On average, acupuncture therapy requires 12 individual consultations, each about an hour in length and occurring weekly. During this hour long appointment, a physical examination will be given and any complications or issues that have arisen since the last appointment will be discussed.

Using acupuncture to treat infertility is rapidly gaining acceptance in the USA. Although whether the procedure is useful is fiercely debated among doctors, the fact of the matter is that it seems to work and it certainly doesn’t hurt to try. For couples who have been trying to conceive a child without success, using acupuncture therapy to aid in infertility treatment may give them the breakthrough they need to finally be blessed with a baby.