Evidence Based Oriental Medicine

TCM theory states that the four main organ systems in the body (kidney, liver, heart, and spleen) are likely be imbalanced in a woman experiencing infertility. Therefore, the goal of acupuncture and any other natural treatment is to return the body to a balanced state and restore the flow of energy.

 
Acupuncture, or the insertion of very fine needles into the body at strategic locations called meridians, clears blocked energy and works to restore balance in the body. The meridians, or ‘energy highways’, each have a specific function. If certain ‘highways’ are blocked, it can disrupt the body’s ability to stabilize hormones or to ovulate. Acupuncture stimulates these highways to improve fertility and enhance overall balance. 

Acupuncture can also help release the fertility-enhancing hormones called prostaglandins into the bloodstream. When a needle is inserted, it causes a micro electric current that stimulates the brain to release these beneficial hormones. This can boost fertility on its own or it can be used as an enhancement to more mainstream medical methods of increasing fertility.  

Finally, acupuncture can help provide a more nourished and healthier environment in a woman’s body that will encourage conception. It can boost the efficiency of reproductive organs and help deliver the positive energy needed to set the body up for reproductive success. 

Not only have studies shown that acupuncture can help treat female infertility, but they have also shown that it can boost the chances of conceiving via in vitro fertilization. There have also been studies that show a positive impact on male infertility. 

Starting your acupuncture journey

Primary chronic insomnia is poorly understood by the mainstream medical community. However, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that it stems from a fundamental imbalance of yin and yang energy as sleep is part of the natural body rhythm of yin and yang qi. Further explanations include deficiencies or excesses in the body such as a yin deficiency in the kidneys, an excess of certain emotions like anger, and qi deficiencies in the heart, gallbladder, or spleen. 

How long does it take for acupuncture to treat infertility?

How does Traditional Chinese Medicine explain insomnia?

Tips on choosing an acupuncture provider 

How does acupuncture boost fertility?

The first step to treating infertility with acupuncture is to schedule a consultation with your chosen practitioner and share your history with them. Your practitioner will consult with any other healthcare providers who are providing treatments, ask questions, and determine the best course of action for your specific goals. 

Though infertility can be extremely frustrating and emotionally devastating, there is hope that it can be treated and that you will be able to conceive. If you would like to see if acupuncture is a viable method of treatment for your condition, get in touch with our clinic today. 

As sperm and egg take about 90 days to develop, most practitioners of acupuncture recommend that those seeking the treatment to boost fertility start their protocol at least three months before attempting to conceive or before any planned fertility treatment such as IVF. The protocol can be continued until pregnancy is achieved and most practitioners encourage patients to continue to receive treatments throughout the pregnancy. 

How Can Acupuncture Help Those Struggling with Infertility?

It’s estimated that 9% of men and 11% of women in the United States struggle with infertility. While fertility naturally decreases as we age, some experience physical impediments that can make it more difficult to conceive no matter what age they are. While some conditions need medical treatment, others can be improved by lifestyle changes and natural treatments such as acupuncture. 

As with many complex conditions, infertility can have a number of causes and it’s always best to take a multifaceted approach to treatment. In addition to addressing any medical causes for the condition and looking into other natural treatments such as herbal medicine, the following lifestyle adjustments should also be taken into account:

• Reduction of stress.  Stress can lead to stagnation in the body and put the body into “fight or flight” survival mode, disrupting hormones and making conception difficult. Develop stress reduction habits such as indulging in hobbies, meditating, and removing overly stressful activities from your daily routine. 
  
• Adhering to a health diet. Ovulation can be affected by the diet. In addition to focusing on a whole food diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, TCM also encourages those experiencing infertility to warm their foods and chew them thoroughly to preserve the energy of the spleen. 
  
• Get enough quality sleep. Sleeping poorly or not enough disrupts hormones and increases stress, both of which can have an effect on fertility. Try developing a soothing bedtime routine that includes turning off devices an hour before bedtime and indulging in a relaxing activity such as a bath or reading.
  
• Get daily exercise. A half our to hour of light exercise every day can help condition and prime your body to conceive. Try to get some light exercise such as a walk or swim each day to improve your fertility. 
  

Just as you take time and care to choose a medical doctor to help you with your journey of conception, you should also put the same amount of care into choosing the right acupuncture provider. Look for a clinic that has experienced, knowledgeable, and trained staff who have used acupuncture and other TCM methods to treat patients with fertility problems. For example, EBOM’s main acupuncture provider is Dr. Yanchun Xu. She has completed eight years of professional education in TCM and has 20 years of experience in the field. She is also widely recognized as an authority in the field and has conducted years of trials on how the human body responds to TCM treatments such as acupuncture.  

A holistic approach to treating infertility