Acupuncture for Fertility: Appropriate for You?

Acupuncture for Infertility – Tracing Its Roots

Acupuncure, an ancient Chinese healing tradition, dates back over 1,000 years.  A lot of health professionals in the West consider this type of treatment valid when applied to different kinds of illnesses.  It can help improve the skin, relieve muscle stress, and eliminate smoking habits, among many others.  Researches show that acupuncture greatly helps couples who are having a hard time making a baby.

 

The Western View

Acupuncture may be popular, but some Westerners still doubt its effectiveness.  Very little scientific evidence is available to support acupuncture. As a result, many people shy away from using it.  Studies are currently being conducted on the matter, says the National Insitutes of Health based in the United States.

Risks To Health

Acupuncture is generally painless when it is done by a highly-trained professional.  Only a small few have reported adverse outcomes.  Organ puncturing, the spead of infection, or forgotten/broken needles are some of the risks that come with acupuncture.  These are virtually eliminated when an experienced practitioner does the treatment.  However, people who have bleeding disorders and those who use blood thinning agents should not use acupuncture.

A Solitary or Complementary Process

Acupuncture, when used as a solo treatment, is regarded as an alternative method in treating fertility concerns.  It is also seen as therapy that can complement modern fertility treatments.  When used by itself, acupuncture benefits those who have functional problems, like intermittent ovulation, better.  By itself, this practice may not work as effectively in fixing structural problems such as blockage of sperm ducts.

Some acupuncture experts encourage the use of Chinese herbs to complement acupuncture treatments.  Persons under medical care should check with their doctor before taking herbs.  Some herbal medications prevent the proper functioning of some fertility drugs and processes.

Acupuncture & Fertility - Effectiveness Factor?

How acupuncture works as a cure for infertility is still debatable.  However, many acupuncturists stress that even this age-old therapy can aid in normalizing the body’s functions.  It improves the flow of blood to reproductive organs and steadies hormone levels.  The general outcome is enhanced ovarian function in females and a higher sperm count in males.

Acupuncture has a positive effect on women who use it in combination with fertility boosting procedures.   Some also say that acupuncture, when incorporated with rather stressful fertility procedures, helps women relax.  Women undergoing IVF, or in vitro fertilization, boost their conception rate with the introduction of acupuncture into the program.

Choosing the Right Practitioner

Doctors in the field of medicine who wish to practice acupuncture have to take nearly 300 hours of training before becoming 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.

The number of people who are practicing acupunture is continuously increasing.  There are a few things to consider before seeking the services of practitioners.  Patients must first look into the background of the acupuncture therapist before undergoing a procedure.  Any practitioner must be licensed in the state or town where he or she is providing services.Reliable recommendations for acupuncture services would be family and friends who’ve benefited from the them.

 

Would-be patients should first inquire about ballpark total expenses just to be prepared with the costs early on.  It is good to know that certain insurance plans include acupuncture expenses in their roster.

Things You Should Expect

Several acupuncture treatments have to be undergone before one gets the best results.  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.  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.