How can acupuncture help infertility?
Acupuncture allows practitioners of TCM to tap in to the energy system that enlivens the body. Based on the archaeological evidence, it is believed that the earliest precedents of acupuncture dated as far back as 1000 BC.Acupuncture takes the form of inserting very fine needles into the body's energy lines, or meridians. There are 14 major meridians in the human body, 12 of which are dominated by the major Organs. Each of these links energy points across the whole body, which are all related.
The needles are inserted at special points on the meridians, where the energy can be regulated. It may be helpful to think of this in terms of the electricity supply to a room. The meridians are the wiring, the acupuncture points are the light switches, dimmers and fuses, and the Organs are the electrical appliances. Practitioners will choose a combination of points to achieve the desired effect. The choice is guided by long-standing formulae, modified to suit each individual and problem.
Needles come in different lengths, which are chosen according to where they go and what they are treating. They are always sterilised and often disposable, and so perfectly safe. The practitioner may use from five to 15 needles, leaving them in place for just a few minutes or for up to half-an-hour. When the needles are inserted correctly, they cause a sensation known as 'de qi', which is a slight tingling, heaviness or numbness at or around the needles. This is a sign that the needle is working on the energy channel and that the Organ is being properly stimulated. Acupuncture should not be painful, however. Indeed, the experience can produce a deep sense of relaxation that promotes a general feeling of wellbeing.
Acupuncture for reproductive medicine is complex as the diagnosed condition may involve more than one organ system. This means that acupuncture points relating to different organ systems will need to be carefully chosen collectively to address the imbalances of energy flow in these systems. Generally speaking however, there are a set of points which relate to the reproductive system as a whole. In additon, there exists a good number of points that are known to be effective for the tonifying of specific organ systems. Based on diagnosis made on an individual basis, a group of points will be carefully chosen to target the condition found in the patient. As the patient improves, so is his/her condition. The points chosen may therefore need to vary accordingly to achieve the optimal effect at any one time.
Modern research have found acupuncture can enhance the chances of IVF and increase blood flow in uterus (see research page for more details).
