Acupuncture and Infertility – Needle or Needless Therapy?

Acupuncture & Infertility – Tracing Its Roots

Acupuncture originated in China over 1,000 years ago.  A lot of health professionals in the West consider this type of treatment valid when applied to different kinds of illnesses.  It can remedy muscle tension, improve skin condition and get rid of smoking, to name a few.  Recent research findings show that acupuncture is beneficial to couples experiencing infertility.

 

View From The West

Although acupuncture is widely popular, there still are some Westerners who doubt it is effective.  Many consumers are reluctant to try acupuncture due to a lack of scientific validation.  But many researchers are already investigating the issue, according to the National Institutes of Health in the United States.

Hazards To Health

The procedure is painless when performed by a trained practitioner.  Adverse effects have been observed in only very few people.  Organ puncturing, the spead of infection, or forgotten/broken needles are some of the risks that come with acupuncture.  These can be done away with by having an experienced practitioner perform therapy.    However, acupuncture should not be applied to individuals with bleeding disorders and people using blood thinners.

A Single or Complementary Process

Acupuncture taken by itself is a great aid to fertility procedures.  It is also viewed as greatly complementary to modern fertility procedures.  Acupuncture perhaps provides better results for couples experiencing functional problems, particularly when used by itself.  By itself, this practice may not work as effectively in fixing structural problems such as blockage of sperm ducts.

Some acupuncture practitioners recommend that Chinese herbs be used alongside acupuncture procedures and treatments.  If you are taking prescription drugs, check with your doctor before starting any program of herb therapy.  Some herbs may prevent fertility drugs and procedures from working properly.

Acupuncture for Fertility - Is It Truly Effective?

How acupuncture works as a infertility cure is still debatable.  Many practicing experts say that this ancient therapeutic procedure can help regulate the body’s system.  It helps boost blood flow into reproductive organs and regulates hormone levels.  The general outcome is enhanced ovarian function in females and a higher sperm count in males.

Acupuncture positively affects women who use it together with other procedures that aim to boost fertility.   Some also say that acupuncture, when incorporated with rather stressful fertility procedures, helps women relax.  Findings of recent studies show acupuncture’s ability to increase the conception rate in women who opt for in vitro fertilization (IVF).

How To Choose the Best Practitioner

Healthcare professionals who want to add acupuncture to their roster of services are required to have around 300 hours of specialized training to be certified.  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.

More and more people are seeing the benefits and are now practicing acupuncture.  To make sure patients land in good hands, here are some things that must be taken into account.  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.One can find good recommendations from family and friends who have tried acupuncture services of certain providers.

 

Before jumping into the procedure, patients should always ask about the possible total costs to be prepared.  A lot of people are thankful that certain insurance plans also cover acupuncture treatments.

What To Watch Out For

To get the best results, one has to undergo more than one acupuncture treatment.  Frequent visits, usually lasting a few weeks to a few months, must be done to maximize its benefits.  Expect every visit to the acupuncturist to last about an hour, as the practitioner will be discussing your current health status in detail and entertain whatever queries you might have on the process.

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