Acupuncture for Fertility – How Does it Work?
acupuncture for fertility is widely known as a natural medicine treatment wherein ultra-thin, sterilized needles are being inserted into certain points in the human body which are located on meridians or energy channels. Meridians or channels of energy are pathways seen in the interior and exterior of the body. When the acupuncture areas are needled, specific functions of the body would be restricted in turn. Acupuncture can help cure many of conditions when it comes to health including hyper and hypo thyroidism.
The process of acupuncture has been used to treat issues of fertility. The combined utilization of herbal cures and acupuncture would solve unhealthy levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (also known as FSH), repetitive miscarriage, idiopathic infertility, hyperprolactinemia that isn’t related to prolactinoma, polycystic ovarian syndrome (or PCOS), male factor infertility such as DNA-fragmentation in the sperm and also luteal phase defect.
Acupuncture for fertility may be able to increase follicular and ovarian function. It may also boost up the circulation of the blood to the endometrium facilitating the formation of thick, rich lining of the uterine.
As stated by the traditional Chinese medicine TCM), channels of the body where “chi” (which means “energy”) flows are known as “meridians”. Such channels will be obstructed. Obstructed channels could end up in chi flowing heavily in certain spots and chi not flowing at all inother spots. Those who practice acupuncture say the pain you are feeling in several spots is actually a warning that chi channels in specific areas are blocked.
The points of acupuncture needled to cure infertility are seen in the conception vessel or as acupuncturists call it, the “ren mai” meridian. There are twenty-four points in the “ren mai” channel. They are known as points RN1 up to RN24. Some practitioners also call such points CN1 up to CN24. The “ren mai” points meridian form a line coming from the anus (RN1 or CN1) up to the trunk then to the chin (CN24 or RN24). Sometimes, acupuncture practitioners will target points in other portions of the body, such as in the hand or feet, because of the intricate interconnections within the human body.
When the time comes when you know you’re pregnant or after an embryo transfer or insemination, you should ensure that you stop undergoing acupuncture. The uterus, when roused during the time of pregnancy, will bring on contractions, pre-mature labor and miscarriage too. The acupuncture practitioner should ensure to refrain from putting needles in the abdomino-pelvic area. The 6 acupuncture points must be avoided are the Bladder 67, Bladder 60, Large intestine 4, Gallbladder 21,Spleen 6, Stomach 12 and all other points on the lower abdominal area.
Research conducted by Stener-Victorin along with others from the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fertility Centre, Scandinavia and University of Gothenburg proved it is best for women to get acupuncture therapy before and after an embryo transfer even though post-embryo transfer acupuncture therapy should be able to refrain from targetting certain points in the woman’s body. Clinical studies by the Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness have shown that combining traditional medicinal methods, acupuncture and herbal treatments is considered as the best way to increase the fertility. But, studies conducted have proven that the women can sometimes conceive while utilizing only herbal medicines and acupuncture therapies, minus the medical arbitrations (American Pregnancy Association, 2011).
In 2002, a German study said that acupuncture may help in treating fertility problems. Of the 160 women who had undergone In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), fifty percent also had undergone acupuncture therapy while the other fifty percent only had In Vitro Fertilization. The rates of pregnancy were higher among women who underwent both IVF and acupuncture therapy (Shetty, 2011).
Acupuncture for fertility may range from a few hundred bucks up to thousands of bucks relying upon the fertility center and time of the treatment. You may have to pay for this on your own due to the fact that acupuncture therapy isn’t covered by insurance plans most of the time. There are insurance firms which offer complimentary medicine coverage. Therefore, it’s advisable to verify with your insurance firm if they will and if not it would be best to search around for other firm which does.
What are the thoughts that you’d like to share about Acupuncture? Are you annoyed when it comes to the needles? I would really like to hear about your experience with acupuncture therapy.