For centuries, acupuncture has been used in Eastern medicine to balance the flow of energy, known as “chi”, in one’s body.
A useful method of incorporating holistic health, acupuncture has been found to alleviate pain, reduce stress, and influence reproductive health.
We often recommend that patients complement our medical approach to fertility care with alternative medicine like acupuncture to help improve outcomes.
Research into the impact of acupuncture on infertility patients has been promising, especially from a mental health standpoint. It is proven to promote relaxation and puts women at ease during what is usually a stressful time.
What is Acupuncture?
According to traditional Eastern medicine, energy in the body (chi) can be blocked by illness. Acupuncture is the practice of inserting small needles into specific points along the energy pathways (meridians) to re-balance the flow of that energy and alleviate various symptoms and ailments.
Acupuncture for Fertility: How Does it Work?
Acupuncture has been used to regulate menstrual cycles, treat pain, and decrease stress associated with conception. More specifically in infertility patients, it is used to boost fertility by increasing blood flow to the uterus and balancing the endocrine system.
In recent years, acupuncture has been found to benefit women undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in several ways.
It not only helps relax the cervix and alleviate cramping, but it also makes the lining of the uterus more receptive to the embryo when it’s transferred. Additionally, by promoting relaxation and reducing stress in patients undergoing infertility treatment, the body can better direct its attention to doing what it should.
For these reasons, our fertility experts often suggest acupuncture as complementary care to IVF.
The Science Behind Acupuncture
Because scientific data is limited to support claims that acupuncture works, researchers at our flagship clinic, Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey (RMANJ), performed a study of their own to determine whether or not acupuncture is beneficial to patients dealing with infertility. The study showed that women who had laser acupuncture pre-and-post embryo transfer during an IVF cycle had higher rates of implantation, pregnancy, and delivery than those who did not.
To learn more about whether acupuncture can be beneficial for you, please schedule an appointment.
