If you were to look at the data about fertility across the world, you would find that the Chinese have the lowest infertility rate, less than 3 percent. What could make this kind of difference? After all, every woman is born with the same potential. Differences in fertility potentials depend to a large extent on environmental and cultural factors. If you visited any hospital of Chinese medicine in China, you would find the infertility clinic to be one of the busiest places there. Many practitioners of Chinese medicine specialize in this area of practice. It’s not that the Chinese have fewer problems with infertility; it is my belief that, for a majority of infertility patients, Chinese medicine provides a more effective approach than the approach that is used in the West to address the problem.
As an acupuncturist treating infertility, strong emphasis is placed on providing the best possible fertility care, addressing both the physical and the emotional concerns of the patient. Therefore the most important part of dealing with infertility is to take the wants, needs, and the overall health of the patient into consideration. Many factors play a part in infertility including, lifestyle, diet, eating habits, exercise, stress, environment, emotional and psychological issues and hereditary influences. TCM identifies these factors and there ability to cause imbalance within the body.
Imbalance is caused when energy or Qi (pronounced chee) is not flowing correctly through meridians or channels within the body. Fine needles are inserted into specific acupuncture points to correct the flow, bring about harmony and well being. When the needles are manipulated, strange sensations can be felt either around the needle or along the channel, feelings like tingling, dullness or aching. It is not unpleasant. The majority of people feel an overall feeling of tiredness, relaxation and heaviness throughout the treatment. These results can last for several days and can happen from the first treatment.
Acupuncture can be used alongside western infertility treatments like IVF, and have been used in this way to much success. For example, stress and infertility can very often be directly related. Stress and other negative emotions can disrupt hormonal communication between the brain, the pituitary, and the ovary, which causes an imbalance in hormonal function. Such imbalances can lead to irregular or missed menstrual cycles and may cause the fallopian tubes and uterus to contract inhibiting the movement of the egg to the uterus. Many years of emotional stress, depression and anxiety have even been implicated in the complete cessation of ovulation. When patients have decided to resort to IVF, it is often there last option and patients are also under high levels of physical stress as hormonal medications can cause mood swings and emotional upsets not to mention the financial impact. According to modern science, acupuncture affects the autonomic nervous system and activates the parasympathetic nervous system to decrease stress, muscle tension, anxiety and irritability. Acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system and increases the production of endorphins and encephalins, which are naturally occurring chemicals in the body that improve a persons mood and overall feeling of well-being.
Acupuncture infertility treatment is gaining in popularity. Studies have shown the success rate for IVF in combination with acupuncture is double the success of IVF alone.
Clinical studies show that Acupuncture can be used to regulate Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) other hormonal imbalances, stimulate ovulation, increase blood supply to the uterus, relax the uterus, also nutritional deficiencies preventing conception can be made more readily absorbable.
TCM theory and its explanation of disease is logical, especially when making sense of infertility. The kidneys have prime importance since they govern birth, growth, reproduction and development. They are also regarded as the root of all Yin and Yang energies particularly during conception. The liver is concerned with ensuring the smooth circulation of Qi throughout the body and it is affected by any kind of emotional strain. The Liver channel runs through the genital region. Thus Liver disharmony can cause infertility. Spleen Qi is used for production of blood, especially post-natal blood. Therefore, acupuncture infertility treatment focuses on specific points that include the kidney, liver and spleen channel. Also treatment may focus on points that stimulate the ovaries, the uterus and the various glands that work together to facilitate hormone secretion.
Traditional Chinese medicine offers treatments according to each individual and their specific TCM diagnosis. Acupuncture can be used alone or in conjunction with IVF, as it helps nourish and strengthen the body. Acupuncture is safe and a very effective way to prepare the body for conception and healthy full term pregnancy.
Rebecca Woods
