Infertility and Acupuncture Part One

by Shara Lawrence-Weiss

Can acupuncture increase your rate of fertility? Not all experts agree on the answer to that question but don’t write off the premise too quickly.

Acupuncture is most commonly used to treat chemotherapy patients, fibromyalgia, headaches, labor pain, low back pain, menstrual cramps, migraines, osteoarthritis, dental pain, and tennis elbow (MayoClinic.com). Acupuncture is increasingly being used to treat infertility, as well.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acupuncture/MY00946

While more studies are needed, Medicinenet.com shares: “In 2002, researchers studied the effects of acupuncture on pregnancy rates. Women having fertility treatments were assigned to either a control group or an acupuncture group. Scientists transferred embryos into each woman. Half of the women received acupuncture treatment, while the other half (control group) did not. Six weeks later, 26 percent of the women in the control group were pregnant. In the acupuncture group, 42 percent were pregnant.” http://www.medicinenet.com/acupuncture_for_infertility/views.htm

 

I recently reached out to Jean Morris, Licensed Acupuncturist from Southern California, to gain her insights:

 

My name is Jean Morris and I practice Acupuncture, Chinese Medicinal Herbology and Functional Nutritional Medicine. I have had my practice in Redondo Beach for approximately ten years.

 

Infertility is a very complex issue. There are many factors that may cause a woman not to be able to conceive or keep a fetus to full term such as blood sugar regulation, autoimmunity, hormonal imbalances, stress levels and age – just to name a few.

 

Acupuncture aids in the balancing of the bodies Qi or energy through the Meridians or pathways of the body. Qis is the energy that moves blood, facilitates in metabolism and catabolism, and brings oxygen and nutrients to every cell in the body. By choosing specific points we can guide and augment the flow of Qi from areas of excess to areas of deficiency.

 

When a couple comes into my office, they have often tried other options with little or no success.  I will evaluate a comprehensive health history, review blood test at functional levels, and review nutrition and lifestyle choices. I may send out for more testing based on what we find. It is my goal to determine the root cause of the infertility. Treatments vary according to the individual. I will often treat both partners. I also request that my patients not try and conceive before they have had 3-4 normal periods. We want a healthy uterine lining so that the fetus can mature, grow and thrive. 

 

Jean M. Morris, L.Ac. | Redondo Beach, California  

 

In part two of this blog series we will explore additional benefits related to acupuncture and fertility. 

 

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post on behalf of HRC Fertility of Rancho Cucamonga

https://www.havingbabies.com/about-hrc/locations/rancho-cucamonga/

This information is a blog article and one should seek due diligence in regard to their own personal medical situation.