Recent statistics suggest 1 in 8 couples struggle with fertility. If you have been trying to conceive for a while you may be feeling discouraged. Please know that you are not alone and that there is help! Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can assist you in any stage of infertility you are at. Our clinic specializes in all areas of reproductive health including acupuncture for fertility, miscarriage prevention, ovulation disorders, menstrual irregularities, hormone imbalance, and pregnancy care.
What Is Acupuncture?
Very basically, it is the insertion of very fine needles on the body’s surface, in order to influence physiological functioning of the body. The purpose of these needles is to stimulate specific acupuncture points to promote self healing of imbalanced, or unhealthy, areas. The modern scientific explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body’s own internal regulating system. Ultimately, acupuncture provides the pathway for the body to return to it’s fully-functioning, good health self.
An acupuncture treatment consists of the gentle insertion of fine, sterile, disposable needles into specific points near the surface of the body that regulate the flow of Qi (or energy) . Acupuncture is often used in conjunction with other forms of TCM such as includes herbal medicine, nutrition, electrical stimulation, moxibustion, cupping, massage techniques, gua sha, and herbal patching. Incorporating these practices into acupuncture strengthen its ability to stimulate the body.
How Acupuncture Can Help Couples Conceive
Can acupuncture increase your chances of conceiving? It really depends on what exactly is causing your infertility. However, acupuncture – when performed by a licensed acupuncturist – can restore your body’s life force and potentially correct problems associated with infertility. Fertility clinic researchers recently performed a study to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture as a fertility treatment. Studies reported by the American Pregnancy Association suggest that the most effective fertility treatments involve a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and traditional medical interventions. However, conception certainly can occur without traditional medial intervention with boosted fertility success when acupuncture and herbal medicines are used alone.
*For more information on how Health Pointe Jacksonville Acupuncture and Wellness Clinic can help boost your pregnancy and fertility rates click here.
IVF
If you have found through further lab testing that In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the best course for you and your partner to take to conceive, know that acupuncture can further boost your success rates not only for a successful implantation (transfer), but also support you throughout your pregnancy to ensure an easier delivery and healthy child. In 2008, the British Medical Journal published research which concluded that acupuncture can be offered as a significant, clinically relevant adjunct to IVF, relaxing the uterus and increasing blood flow for the successful implantation of an embryo within the uterine lining.
Call (904) 448-0046 today to see how I can be of further assistance in your fertility journey. Or click here to schedule your initial evaluation and treatment today!
10 Ways to Boost Your Fertility
1) Manage Your Weight
Being either underweight or overweight can significantly reduce your chances of getting pregnant. One study involving the analysis of 2,112 female participants found that women with a body mass index (BMI) of 25-39 required twice the length of time to become pregnant as women with a healthy BMI of
less than 19.
2) Eat More Liver
Some people might turn their head at the thought of eating liver, but it’s actually a delicious dish that can prove helpful in boosting your fertility. In fact, a report published by the Weston A. Price Foundation
found liver to contain more nutrients, gram for gram, than any other food. Whether it’s beef or chicken, liver contains vitamin A, vitamin B, protein, folic acid, iron, purines (precursors for DNA) and more.
3) Eat More Seafood
Seafood – fish, oysters, clams, mussels, lobster, crab, etc. – are an excellent food for boosting your
fertility. They contain large amounts of zinc, iron, selenium, vitamin A & D, omega fatty acids (the good
type of fat), and other essential nutrients, many of which are directly linked to the body’s reproductive system. When choosing seafood, however, it’s recommended that you opt for smaller-sized (wild-caught, not farm raised) fish to minimize your consumption of mercury. Because of its large size, tuna carries a heavy dose of the toxic chemical mercury, and therefore should be consumed sparingly.
4) Acupuncture
The treatment of infertility with acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) dates back 2,000 years. These ancient, time-tested techniques improve fertility rates and support a woman’s whole body, unlocking unlimited potential for health, healing, and childbearing. Back in 2002, a team of German researchers performed a study to determine the effects of acupuncture on fertility. Researchers split 160 women who were trying to conceive into two groups: one group received acupuncture, while the second group did not it. They concluded that 42% of the women who
received acupuncture got pregnant, whereas only 26% of the control group got pregnant. This form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is proven to help couples conceive in less time.
5) Cut Back on Animal Proteins and Processed Foods
One of the easiest ways to boost your fertility is to improve the quality of the fuel you put into your body. Women struggling to conceive often feel powerless, but even something as simple as increasing the amount of vegetables you eat can drastically improve your overall health and fertility. Buying organic vegetables,whenever possible, provides the highest nutritional content without harmful chemicals. Remember, what you eat forms essential building blocks for a healthy uterine lining and optimal egg development; both are essential for conception and a healthy pregnancy. Many women who struggle to conceive eat far too many processed foods. While a fast food burger and fries may seem appetizing, it forces heavy amounts of saturated fat, sodium and even sugar into your body while offering little-to-no real nutritional value.
Whole foods also play an important role. A low glycemic load, such as that created by low-carbohydrate and whole grain diets, appears to protect fertility. Women with high glycemic loads, the result of a diet high in processed and refined foods, were demonstrated to have nearly twice the risk of ovulatory infertility as women with low glycemic loads. So, cut back on the pastas, sugars, breads, ice creams and cookies for now.
Last nutritional note note: eating the RIGHT fats are important. So increase your intake of avocado and olive oil intake, and cut out the harmful trans fats.
6) Drink More Water!
Just as important as the foods you eat, are the drinks you drink. Not enough water leads to dehydration which can have negative effects on your fertility. Point here: the more hydrated your cervical mucus is, the easier it is for the sperm to travel through it to reach the egg. So boost your daily water intake and cut out those sugary drinks (sweet teas/sodas), alcohol, and caffeine that lead to dehydration for best results
7) Go to Bed
Are you getting enough sleep? Sleep is essential for hormone regulation, which is the cornerstone of a healthy reproductive cycle. Not only does sleep deprivation cause lower levels of leptin (building block for GrNH, FSH, LH) but also increases levels of coritsol (the stress hormone). So make sure you’re packing in a healthy 7-8hours of shut-eye each night.
8) To Exercise or Not?
Exercise plays another very important role in fertility, just don’t over do it. If you’re planning for a baby in the next year, now is not the time to begin training for a marathon. Or signing up Cross Fit, hot yoga, and/or soccer. These activities are simply too intense at a delicate time like this. However, moderate exercise 3-5x/week is very acceptable and highly encouraged.
9) Reduce your Stress
Multiple studies have also shown that unregulated stress may be extremely detrimental to your fertility. The presence of stress significantly reduces the probability of conception during every day of the fertility window (near ovulation times). Furthermore, as stress levels increase the likelihood of conception decreases. Meditation, yoga, massage, acupuncture, and time spent with friends are all healthy forms of stress reduction.
10) Sex
Are you loving up your partner at the right time? The timing of intercourse is quite possibly the most important factor that is most commonly over looked. And it’s the least common subject covered in any doctor’s appointments related to fertility. Many people assume that the mere act of sex can, and will, lead to conception. Not necessarily. The fertility window (highest chance of conception) is always 4 days before ovulation, and perhaps up to 2 days afterwards.
Don’t know when you ovulate? There are some common key signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for including mid-cycle cramping (especially one-sided), increased cervical mucus (thick, egg-white consistency is best), increased libido, and a raised cervix positioning. Still unsure? You can purchase ovulation predictor kits at most pharmacy/drug stores to track hormone levels and eliminate guess work.
If you, or someone you know, are struggling to become pregnant, please schedule an appointment with a Licensed Acupuncturist that is also certified in fertility assistance treatments to see if it can help you. This centuries-old practice could be the missing element to your new family.
Call (904) 448-0046 today to learn how you can get back on track to better health!
About The Author: Julee Miller
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