Acupuncture And Infertility

Archive for the ‘acupuncture and infertility’ tag

Acupuncture and Infertility - Needle or Needless Therapy?

Acupuncture & Infertility – Tracing Its Roots

Acupuncture originated in China over 1,000 years ago. Many people in the Western medical practice see it as an effective procedure to address a wide range of health problems. It has the ability to relieve muscle tension, help a person quit smoking, and improve skin quality, among many other benefits. Studies show that acupuncture benefits couple who have fertility problems.

The West’s Point Of View

Although acupuncture is widely popular, there still are some Westerners who doubt it is effective. No scientific evidence is available to support acupuncture and, as a result, many healthcare professionals are reluctant to recommend it. The National Institutes of Health in the US says that researches are currently being conducted on the issue.

Risks To Health

Acupuncture performed by a trained professional is generally painless. Only a small few have reported adverse outcomes. Some of the usual risks linked with acupuncture include minimal bleeding, organ puncturing, broken or forgotten needles, and the spread of infection. These can be eliminated by having the treatment peformed by an experienced professional. However, acupuncture should not be applied to individuals with bleeding disorders and people using blood thinners.

A Solo or Complementary Procedure

Acupuncture may be used as an alternative to fertility issues, especially when used as a single treatment. It is also seen as therapy that can complement modern fertility treatments. Used as a single method, acupuncture brings positive results to people who have functional reproductive problems, like intermittent ovulation. Taken alone, it may not work as well in addressing structural issues, like a blockage in the sperm duct.

Some acupuncturists urge patients to use Chinese herbs in addition to acupuncture treatments and other procedures. Individuals undergoing medical treatments should consult their doctor if they are taking or intend to take herbs. There are some herbs that interfere with the correct mechanism of certain fertility medications and procedures.

Acupuncture and Fertility - Does It Truly Work?

How acupuncture works as a infertility cure is still debatable. However, practitioners emphasize this age-old treatment’s ability to normalize the body’s functions. It helps boost blood flow into reproductive organs and regulates hormone levels. Ovarian function is boosted and sperm production is enhanced, as a result.

Acupuncture positively affects women who use it together with other procedures that aim to boost fertility. Some say that the stress that comes with fertility procedures can also be lessened with acupuncture. Findings of recent studies show acupuncture’s ability to increase the conception rate in women who opt for in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Selecting The Best Practitioner

In order to practice acupuncture, doctors are required to complete more or less 300 hours of special training before they are awarded a certification. Professionals in other fields who would like to specialize solely in acupuncture have to train for 2,000 to 3,000 hours and complete board examinations to qualify as acupuncturists.

The number of people who are practicing acupunture is continuously increasing. There are a few things to consider before seeking the services of practitioners. A background check on the selected acupuncture expert must be done prior to agreeing to any procedure. Practitioners must be officially certified by the local authorities before he or she can practice in a particular area. Good friends and relatives are excellent recommendation and feedback sources regarding potential acupuncturists.

Would-be patients should first inquire about ballpark total expenses just to be prepared with the costs early on. It’s great to know that some insurance providers will pay for acupuncture treatments.

Know What to Expect

To get the best results, one has to undergo more than one acupuncture treatment. To get the best out of acupuncture, regular visits must me made to the chosen practitioner, which can run between a few weeks to a few months. Patients should expect each visit to their acupuncturist to be at least an hour long, with time for discussion of lifestyle and present health condition, as well as thoughts and queries about the process.