Acupuncture has a long history of benefits to humanity through the ages. Believed to originate in China, around 100 BC, acupuncture has a track record of getting to the point of bodily issues and energy flow. Acupuncture is the process of rebalancing the body’s flow of energy by inserting fine needles at corresponding nerve points. A licensed acupuncturist can help stimulate the body’s own healing response. This ancient practice can include modern day benefits for people experiencing fertility issues. Studies show acupuncture may just be able to help regulate fertility hormones, increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs.
Stress
It is commonly accepted that stress has a negative impact on wellness and impedes the immune system. Likewise, stress can also interfere with fertility. Ironically, worrying about the possibility of impaired fertility can actually impair a woman’s fertility. Fortunately, acupuncture promotes relaxation and healthy sleep, making it useful in combating stress and, for many patients, reducing stress can increase the odds of maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
As an added bonus, acupuncture treatments can spur the body to release endorphins, chemicals that do more than simply make people feel happy. These natural painkillers are also involved in the regulation of the menstrual cycle.
Hormones
Special chemical messenger hormones, created in the endocrine glands, play a major role in the body’s ability to function, impacting everything from growth and metabolism to mood and reproduction. Because acupuncture is capable of encouraging hormonal balance, it can be used to restore harmony within the body, setting the stage for conception and a healthy pregnancy. While acupuncture doesn’t stimulate the ovaries to release multiple eggs (like egg-producing fertility drugs do), the pregnancy rate for women undergoing acupuncture to boost their fertility and those taking medications are close to equal. Both groups have around a 50% chance of producing a pregnancy within three months.
Circulation
Improving blood flow can improve wellness and healing by ensuring a good supply of the nutrients that tissues require to thrive. Acupuncture can improve and increase the blood flow to vital parts of the reproductive system. For example, improving circulation to the ovaries may make hormonal stimulation more effective. Boosting circulation to the uterus can nourish the endometrium, creating a rich, thick lining by facilitating the absorption of critical nutrients and hormones. This produces a better foundation for an implanted embryo and may reduce the risk of miscarriage.
If you’re interested in learning more about how acupuncture can boost infertility, schedule an appointment with Dr. Durana at Seasons in Our Life. With 30 years of experience in this craft, Dr. Durana can help you understand how acupuncture can benefit your life and overall wellness.