Acupuncture is just one branch of ancient medicinal practice that is perceived to have numerous benefits including treatment for fertility. There have been many other systems of medicine as well, such as Tai chi, Tuina etc. All these systems of medicine are being practiced for thousands of years. Among all these different medicinal practices, the practice of acupuncture has acquired a special place. It has been a very popular form of ancient medicine. It’s history dates back to about 3000 years. The popularity of acupuncture can be ascribed to its benefits.
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Importance of Acupuncture
It is said that acupuncture is able to solve many physical and psychological problems. Research is being carried out on the benefits of acupuncture, even in USA. Studies have pointed out to the potential benefits of this form of medicine.It is said that the art of inserting needles in the body can work in three ways –by reducing stress, by rectifying endocrine abnormalities and by increasing blood flow to organs. This trio of benefits can work to the benefit of infertile men and women too.
Acupuncture Treatment of Infertility Due To Stress
Stress is responsible for many physical ailments. It can cause infertility too. In fact, the role of stress in stoking infertility has been corroborated even by modern medicine. Stress in the body is manifested by the release of a hormone called Cortisol. As more and more of the hormone is produced the stress level goes on increasing. This can cause low sperm count in male and lack of ovulation in women. However, lack of ovulation is not the only problem in women. Infertility in women can be caused by several other factors too, such as failure of the fertilized egg to implant on the uterus, failure of the egg to move through the fallopian tubes etc. Overall, stress may have a role to play in all these scenarios.
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The approach of acupuncture in treating infertility, in this case, revolves around de-stressing. By inserting needles, infertility may be treated in both men and women. In fact this has been corroborated by some scientific studies as well. It has been shown that acupuncture may have a role to play in combating the effect of Cortisole in the body. Acupuncture can trigger the release of endorphins, which are also known as mood alleviating hormones. This may fight the harmful effect of Cortisoleand combat stress.
Acupuncture Treatment of Infertility Due To Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalance may as well be one of the main culprits for many women failing to conceive. If the level of progesterone is low, the fertilized egg may fail to implant on the uterus. Hormonal imbalance may also reduce the chance of ovulation. If you have a high level of prolactin in blood, it may inhibit ovulation. The significance of this hormone is that it aids in breast milk production.
Not only in women, in men too, high levels of some hormone or hormonal imbalance may affect production of sperm or sperm motility. Hormonal imbalance can be rectified to a large extent with the help of acupuncture. It has been observed that acupuncture may have the ability to aid or inhibit different glands to produce specific hormones. The effect of acupuncture on the pituitary, hypothalamus and other glands has been studied, and it has been found to be appreciable. So acupuncture may as well have an effect on infertility.
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Treatment of Infertility By Increasing The Flow Of Blood
Lack of blood flow may be responsible in a number of cases of infertility. Lack of blood flow may result in weakening of reproductive systems such as the ovary, uterus and fallopian tubes. In men too, lack of blood flow to different sexual organs may result in lack of libido or sperm count. If blood flow to the penis is not adequate, men may have an erectile problem. So increasing the flow of blood may increase the chances of enhanced sexual prowess in both men and women. Doctors have observed that piercing needles at specific points may have the ability to increase blood flow. This can automatically rejuvenate the specific organ and invigorate your sexual and reproductive capabilities.
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What Is Done In Acupuncture
In acupuncture, needles are pierced on specific points of individual energy meridians. This is expected to rectify abnormalities in the flow of energy, if any. Apart from specific points, the acupuncture specialists also depend upon special needles. There are various needles like Filiform, Round-Pointed, Round-Sharp, Long, Big etc. These are all classical needles which had been originally made from precious metals like gold, silver or bronze. However, in modern acupuncture, therapists use only stainless steel needles.
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References
https://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2015/04/17/how-does-acupuncture-fertility-work-increase-chance-conception-without-side
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378553/
