Acupuncture & Infertility – Tracing Its Roots
Acupuncture, which originated in China, is over a thousand years old. In the West, many people in the field of medicine consider it a valid procedure for treating an array of ailments. It can remedy muscle tension, improve skin condition and get rid of smoking, to name a few. Reports from latest studies reveal that acupuncture is highly beneficial to couples with infertility issues.
How The West Sees It
There remain some Westerners who doubt acupuncture’s effectiveness, despite its popularity. 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. Very few patients experience adverse effects. Common risks associated with the practice of acupuncture are organ puncturing, forgotten needles, some bleeding (although very minimal), and the spreading of infection. These are virtually eliminated when an experienced practitioner does the treatment. However, acupuncture is not recommended for individuals who use blood thinners or having bleeding disorders.
A Single or Complementary Process
Acupuncture taken by itself is a great aid to fertility procedures. It may also be seen as a procedure that can enhance the effects of modern fertility therapies. When used on its own, acupuncture probably offers more positive results for couples who have functional problems like irregular ovulation. By itself, effectiveness in treating structural problems, as with sperm duck blockage, could be weak.
Some acupuncture experts encourage the use of Chinese herbs to complement acupuncture treatments. Individuals undergoing medical treatments should consult their doctor if they are taking or intend to take herbs. There are certain herbs that may inhibit the action of fertility procedures and drugs.
Acupuncture for Fertility – Does It Work?
How acupuncture works as a infertility cure is still debatable. However, practitioners emphasize this age-old treatment’s ability to normalize the body’s functions. It improves the flow of blood to reproductive organs and steadies hormone levels. The result is improved ovarian function in women and increased sperm production in males.
Acupuncture has a positive effect on women who use it in combination with fertility boosting procedures. Acupuncture has been found to help women relax while undergoing fertility procedures. Recent researches show that a woman undergoing in vitro fertilization has a higher chance of conception if acupuncture is introduced into therapy.
Choosing the Right 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. Anybody who would like to enter the field of acupuncture professionally must first go through 2000 to 3000 hours of training and pass the board examination.
There are many people who practice acupuncture, and the number continues to rise. To make sure patients land in good hands, here are some things that must be taken into account. Prior to undergoing acupuncture, patients must first check the background of the chosen therapist. Any practitioner must be licensed in the state or town where he or she is providing services.Great recommendation sources for acupuncturists would be friends and family members who have tried the procedure.
Future patients must ask for a ballpark figure of cost to be financially prepared for the treatment. It is good to know that certain insurance plans include acupuncture expenses in their roster.
Things You Should Expect
One has to go through several acupuncture sessions in order to attain the best results. To maximize the benefits of acupuncture, the entire procedure would take some weeks to several months. A visit to the acupuncturist normally goes on for an hour or so, as this time will be used to discuss your present health condition and entertain any question about the entire procedure.