Acupuncture and 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 has the ability to relieve muscle tension, help a person quit smoking, and improve skin quality, among many other benefits. Reports from latest studies reveal that acupuncture is highly beneficial to couples with infertility issues.
The West’s Point Of View
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. The National Institutes of Health in the US says that researches are currently being conducted on the issue.
Hazards To Health
Acupuncture performed by a trained professional is generally painless. Very few patients experience adverse effects. Puncturing of organs, spreading of infectious diseases, forgotten or broken needles and minimal bleeding are the usual risks infrequently associated with acupuncture. You can do away with these if a professional practitioner does the job. However, acupuncture must not be performed on people who have bleeding disorders and those who use blood thinning agents.
A Solitary or Complementary Process
Acupuncture may be used as an alternative to fertility issues, especially when used as a single treatment. It is also viewed as greatly complementary to modern fertility procedures. When used by itself, acupuncture benefits those who have functional problems, like intermittent ovulation, better. 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. 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 & Fertility – Does It Work?
How acupuncture works as a cure for infertility is still debatable. Many practicing experts say that this ancient therapeutic procedure can help regulate the body’s system. It increases blood flow into the vital organs and stabilizes hormonal activity. The general outcome is enhanced ovarian function in females and a higher sperm count in males.
Acupuncture benefits women positively, particularly those who are undergoing fertility boosting therapies. Some also say that acupuncture, when incorporated with rather stressful fertility procedures, helps women relax. Studies show that acupuncture helps raise a woman’s chance of conception when acupuncture is applied with in vitro fertilization.
Choosing the Right Practitioner
In order to practice acupuncture, doctors are required to complete more or less 300 hours of special training before they are awarded a certification. 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.
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. Any practitioner must be licensed in the state or town where he or she is providing services. Good friends and relatives are excellent recommendation and feedback sources regarding potential acupuncturists.
Would-be patients should first inquire about ballpark total expenses just to be prepared with the costs early on. It’s great to know that some insurance providers will pay for acupuncture treatments.
Know What to Expect
More than one acupuncture treatment is needed to get desired 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.