Acupuncture for Infertility – Tracing Its Roots

Acupuncture, which originated in China, is over a thousand years old.  Many people in the Western medical practice see it as an effective procedure to address a wide range of health problems.  It can remedy muscle tension, improve skin condition and get rid of smoking, to name a few.  Researches show that acupuncture greatly helps couples who are having a hard time making a baby.

 

View From The West

Despite its popularity, a lot of Westerners still doubt the effectiveness of acupuncture.  The shortage of scientific proof about how this ancient medicinal practice works prevents many people from trusting it and giving it a try.  Studies are currently being conducted on the matter, says the National Insitutes of Health based in the United States.

Hazards To Health

Acupuncture, when done by a trained acupuncturist, is normally painless.  Only a few suffer ill effects.  Some of the usual risks linked with acupuncture include minimal bleeding, organ puncturing, broken or forgotten needles, and the spread of infection.  These can be done away with by having an experienced practitioner perform therapy.  However, acupuncture must not be performed on people who have bleeding disorders and those who use blood thinning agents.

Solo Versus Complementary

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.  Used as a single method, acupuncture brings positive results to people who have functional reproductive problems, like intermittent ovulation.  Taken alone, it may not work as well in addressing structural issues, like a blockage in the sperm duct.

Some acupuncture practitioners say that acupuncture treatments are best complemented by the use of Chinese herbs.  If you are taking prescription drugs, check with your doctor before starting any program of herb therapy.  There are certain herbs that may inhibit the action of fertility procedures and drugs.

Acupuncture for Fertility - Is It Truly Effective?

How acupuncture works as a cure of 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 positively affects women who use it together with other procedures that aim to boost fertility.   Some say that the stress that comes with fertility procedures can also be lessened with acupuncture.  Findings of recent studies show acupuncture’s ability to increase the conception rate in women who opt for in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Selecting The Best Practitioner

Doctors looking to enter the field of acupuncture will need to complete around 300 training hours to receive a certification.  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.

There are many people who practice acupuncture, and the number continues to rise.  There are a few things to consider before seeking the services of practitioners.  A background check on the selected acupuncture expert must be done prior to agreeing to any procedure.  A practitioner should have the training and certification required by the state or other government authority where he or she conducts practice.Reliable recommendations for acupuncture services would be family and friends who’ve benefited from the them.

 

Future patients must ask for a ballpark figure of cost to be financially prepared for the treatment.  It’s great to know that some insurance providers will pay for acupuncture treatments.

What You Can Expect

Several acupuncture treatments have to be undergone before one gets the best results.  To get the most out of acupuncture, patients usually go through a series of visits that can run from several 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.

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