Acupuncture and Fertility

With the success rates of acupuncture in treating infertility so high it's a wonder why every women who is struggling wouldn't consider it. Acupuncture studies have proven acupuncture to increase IVF efficacy rates to 50% and for those who have tried everything, acupuncture has fulfilled the dreams of many once childless couples. Acupuncture has been used for fertility issues for thousands of years. The Emperor would employ acupuncturist to come to the palaces and ensure the wife and concubines produced healthy heirs. In the 21st Century we are seeing both an increase in fertility issues and women choosing to conceive later in life. Many couples who struggle to get pregnant eventually seek out professional help and are advised to employ fertility drugs or other Assisted Reproductive Technologies namely IVF and IUI. The question is what is acupuncture's role in helping a woman conceive?

When we learn the intricacies of the female reproductive system and understand the gentle cascade of rhythmic hormonal flows that must occur in perfect orchestration, we realize conception truly is a wonder. In this beautiful primal process it doesn't take something serious to throw it off. It can be that the hormones in the meat you are eating are altering your estrogen and testosterone levels. That in turn can begin to alter the levels and cycles of other hormones necessary for normal follicular, ovulatory and luteal cycles. Or it can be that the stress you are dealing with at work is altering pH levels of your cervical mucus and making it hostile to sperm. Or it can be that you are dealing with unknown food sensitivities that are creating a compromised immune system making it difficult for your body to support a pregnancy. There are a myriad of other possibilities. Acupuncturist who treat reproductive issues are trained to detect underlying issues in both the Western and Eastern Medical perspective.

Acupuncture understands how to detect even subtle imbalances. More importantly it knows how to address those imbalances so that the body is restored to homeostasis and conception and pregnancy can occur. In an example, by observing a woman with a pale complexion, puffiness of the face and complaints of tiredness and poor digestive health an acupuncturist may assess that the spleen qi is deficient which affects proper blood production and quality. This in turn can affect the quality and thickness of the endometrial lining which is needed for successful embryo implantation. An acupuncturist can detect how a yin imbalance in the body is not allowing for sufficient fertile cervical fluid which is needed for the proper transport of sperm to egg. Having an understanding and way to address subtle and not so subtle imbalances can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of natural conception or that which is aided by IVF.

Couples who are regularly treated with acupuncture find that their health often greatly improves. Because Acupuncture is a system of medicine that works to bring balance to the entire system there is an overall improvement on the physical, mental and emotional level. The stress that accompanies fertility issues can be quite taxing on couples. This anxiety and worry gets addressed and benefits greatly from acupuncture with its calming effect on the nervous system. With IVF treatments the health and thickness of the endometrial lining can be addressed and treated with acupuncture which in turn significantly increases (50%) the chance of proper implantation of the embryo. Acupuncture increases blood to the ovaries which improves their functioning and nourishes developing follicles. Acupuncture helps with implantation by reducing uterine spasming. Acupuncture prepares the body for conception and supports the body during pregnancy by treating morning sickness, excess edema and works to prevent possible miscarriage; and is used to aid in a healthy delivery and is a wonderful postpartum support.

In conclusion, acupuncture and an Acupuncturist's role in reproductive health is a vital one. An acupuncturist who treats fertility issues will teach you when your most fertile time is and give you diet and lifestyle advice. The acupuncture will be increasing blood flow to the ovaries, thickening the endometrial lining, addressing hormonal imbalances, healing PMS and giving the body a better foundation in which to have a healthy and thriving pregnancy.

Acupuncture and Chronic Pain Management

From post-surgery and debilitating medical conditions to migraine headaches and natural aging people have to deal with all kinds of pain. Common areas of chronic pain include the back, neck, joints and shoulders where people will complain of quick sharp pains to dull and lengthy pain that inhibits their daily activities. There are many ways to treat pain including surgery, drug therapy and the alternative healing method known as acupuncture. If you have tried surgery or medication to treat pain and have little or no success you may want to consider acupuncture treatment that has proven to be successful in treating many types of pain conditions.

A national survey recently discovered over 25% of Americans report experiencing pain that lasts for more than one day. Everyone will have sudden pain due to a number of causes but when pain lasts for days on end and forces someone to miss work because they can't get out of bed due to shooting back pains then it's time to seek out treatment. Some people may experience pain due to a recent injury or have had a debilitating condition worsen over the years. For many living with pain is just a part of life but often this pain can become too intense to ignore and will require some form of medical attention. From over the counter drugs such as Advil or Tylenol to prescription medications and rehabilitation people have a number of choices for managing pain.

Though there is some skepticism from doctors and other professionals in medicine about the success of acupuncture it is actually the oldest known form of healing in the world. Originating in China over 3,000 years ago the practice of strategically placing fine needles on specific pressure points on the body to re-direct energy and improve the internal balance has helped many people deal with all kinds of pain. Though the success rate varies the same can be said about surgery and drug therapy. Not everyone who has reconstructive surgery or takes a specific form of medication eliminates chronic back and neck pain. Acupuncture is considered an alternative healing therapy and many people will try it to avoid the high cost of hospital bills and expensive medications.

Results of the success of acupuncture treatment vary depending on the patient and the condition. Acupuncture is regularly used to treat migraine headaches, chronic lower back pain, menstrual cramps, Carpal tunnel syndrome and Tennis elbow. By stimulating specific points on the human body, most often by inserting the needle through the skin, acupuncturists try to regulate the flow of vital energy, or 'qi', along a series of pathways called meridians. While some patients may not experience any noticeable change others have attributed acupuncture with eliminating chronic pain completely. As studies indicate, believing in the practice can have a significant impact on whether or not it works. Of course, the same holds true with medications and has been proven through case studies done with placebos. If you are trying to manage recurring pain and want to try a less costly method of treatment than surgery or prescription drugs, look into acupuncture.

Benefits of Acupuncture

An ancient practice that dates back nearly 3,000 years, the practice of acupuncture has become more popular as people with debilitating conditions and pain seek out alternative healing therapies to replace surgery and drug treatment. While Western science and medicine are still the go-to methods for treating many illnesses and health abnormalities, Chinese Herbal Medicine and the practice of acupuncture have seen steady increase in participation as people face rising health care costs that make many surgeries and drug treatments unaffordable. Whether one fully believes in the re-channeling of body energy, or qi, there are indications that acupuncture therapy has benefits when done properly by a licensed practitioner.

The main benefit to choosing a holistic approach to an illness or chronic back pain is the cost. Health insurance has been skyrocketing the past few years and many families have found themselves in severe debt because of hospital bills. People who don't have medical insurance through an employer are practically priced out of receiving care due to the cost. With alternative healing therapies such as acupuncture the cost for treatment is much less than surgery or drug therapies. While critics may argue the legitimacy and success of acupuncture a patient runs the same risks with traditional medical treatments that also can't promise 100% recovery or a cure. Having an affordable option when it comes to pain management and disease is a great benefit for families that can't afford health insurance.

Though acupuncture has not been fully embraced by the medical establishment, clinical trials have proven this method of treatment to be successful in treating many conditions including pain management, respiratory disorders, asthma and neurological disorders including paralysis after a stroke. People who practice Chinese Herbal Medicine believe that illness and disease is a result of the blocking of energy in the human body and that acupuncture can help "unclog" the movement of energy and allow the body to heal itself through a return to balance. By strategically placing fine needles at certain meridian points on the body related to specific symptoms. In addition to treating a disease or illness, acupuncture also benefits the overall health of a patient and helps to boost the immune system to prevent future sickness.

Lastly, acupuncture can also benefit in the weaning off of drugs and prescription medications. Often used in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction, acupuncture treatment has also been used to help patients recover from surgery and treat an illness without having to resort to costly medications that have unintended side effects that can make a bad situation worse. Today's society has grown comfortable with the idea that a pill can cure everything and this reliance on medication has actually made the human immune system weaker since it is not naturally fighting off germs and bacteria. By using acupuncture therapy you can bypass expensive drug treatments that also can't guarantee success and in many cases lead to a patient being dependent on a specific drug.