Acupuncture and Infertility – Needle or Needless Therapy?
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.
View From The West
There remain some Westerners who doubt acupuncture’s effectiveness, despite its popularity. No scientific evidence is available to support acupuncture and, as a result, many healthcare professionals are reluctant to recommend it. The National Institutes of Health in the US says that researches are currently being conducted on the issue.
Health Hazards
Acupuncture is generally painless when it is done by a highly-trained professional. Adverse effects have been observed in only very few people. 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, people who have bleeding disorders and those who use blood thinning agents should not use acupuncture.
A Solitary or Complementary Process
Acupuncture may be used as a single procedure to complement fertility treatments. It may also be seen as a procedure that can enhance the effects of modern fertility therapies. Acupuncture perhaps provides better results for couples experiencing functional problems, particularly when used by itself. By itself, effectiveness in treating structural problems, as with sperm duck blockage, could be weak.
Some acupuncture practitioners say that acupuncture treatments are best complemented by the use of Chinese herbs. Persons under medical care should check with their doctor before taking herbs. There are some herbs that interfere with the correct mechanism of certain fertility medications and procedures.
Acupuncture for Fertility - Is It Truly Effective?
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 boosts the flow of blood into reproductive organs and helps stabilize hormonal functions. As a result, ovarian function is improved among females and sperm production is increased among 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. Women undergoing IVF, or in vitro fertilization, boost their conception rate with the introduction of acupuncture into the program.
Selecting 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.
A lot of people are into acupuncture nowadays, and this number is rising by the day. To ensure that potential patients land in the hands of good practitioners, a few things must be considered. Prior to undergoing acupuncture, patients must first check the background of the chosen therapist. A professional must first acquire the approval of the local government and undergo certain trainings before he or she can practice in a specific area.One can find good recommendations from family and friends who have tried acupuncture services of certain providers.
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.
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. Patients should expect each visit to their acupuncturist to be at least an hour long, with time for discussion of lifestyle and present health condition, as well as thoughts and queries about the process.