Acupuncture And Fertility

Throughout the years, alternative medicine has become a godsend for those experiencing a wide range of health problems and want to explore other, less invasive/intensive avenues of treatment. Ancient, non-medical methods such as acupuncture are now being used to bring about increased well-being and address fertility problems, among others. Before the correlation can be made between acupuncture and fertility, brief discussions of the two will be made first.

Acupuncture, in the simplest of words, is the placement of fine needles on predetermined points on the human body. These predetermined points are found along "meridians" or energy pathways that exist throughout the human body. The most basic tenet of acupuncture is that a human being's qi or life force flows through these meridians. If specific points are blocked, qi cannot flow freely, which leads to the various ailments and pains that an individual experiences in his or her daily life. The ancient Chinese believed that the unblocking and "rebalancing" of meridians via the insertion of needles into specific points below the skin will lead to a better state of health, along with an improved mindset and a greater sense of well-being. Compared to other treatments, acupuncture has very minimal side effects, none at all if done by an accredited and experienced acupuncturist.

Acupuncture has been a topic of interest since its birth in the Classical era to its popularity in modern times; and led to different forms currently being practised around the world, regulated by different organisations, and studied by medical professionals and experts. However, what hasn't changed is the use of acupuncture to tackle numerous health concerns, one of which includes infertility. Numerous studies have shown that acupuncture and fertility work very well together.

"Infertility" describes the inability of a couple to conceive through natural methods over an extended period of time. This inability might be either biological, circumstantial or environmental. Fertility problems experienced by females may be attributed to ovulation and reproductive system-related concerns like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, while for males, a low sperm count, varicocele and cystic fibrosis are the most common causes. For both sexes, the typical causes include stress, age, excessive alcohol and/or drug use, smoking, and weight problems.

While medical treatments such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) are available for couples who have problems conceiving, acupuncture is increasingly recognized as a safe, natural treatment for conception. The effects of acupuncture on a client/patient (e.g., pain relief and increased relaxation) are well established – these effects can help boost a person's fertility.

Those who want to see and experience how acupuncture and fertility go hand-in-hand should book in to see the Crows Nest Complementary Health Centre’s resident Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner and remedial massage therapist, Fiona Larcombe. Ring 02 9964 9722 or e-mail Reception to schedule your acupuncture appointment with Fiona. The Centre is located at Suite 208, 3 Bruce St. corner Pacific Highway, Crows Nest, Sydney.