According to acupuncture, life force circulates in the body along 12 major energy pathways called meridians. There are over 1000 acupuncture points within the meridian system that can be stimulated to optimize the flow of the life force or qi.
An trained practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) or acupuncturist will typically diagnose the patient by studying a patient's pulse and using other diagnostic tools. Using the meridian system, acupuncture uses special needles placed into acupoints to rebalance the energy on specific meridian pathways. The intended effect is to correct the flow of energy, and restore health and function. Some practitioners use acupuncture for ADHD treatment.
Acupuncture is most often used in conjunction with Chinese herbs to treat many chronic diseases and the same is true of its effectiveness in the treatment of anxiety.
Numerous scientific studies have been conducted that demonstrate the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy in the treatment of infertility, including in women with anovulatory cycles, and those receiving IVF. The results of these clinical studies conclude that acupuncture increases the effectiveness of IVF, as well as being effective as a stand alone treatment for male and female infertility.
Acupuncture may significantly improve both male and female fertility. The brain and spinal nerves send branches out to all regions of the body, especially to the skin, and these nerves, when stimulated with acupuncture needles by a qualified Acupuncture specialist in treating infertility and gynecology, can enhance fertility by balancing the 'qi' or energy flow within the body.
Acupuncture & Accupressure is increasingly recommended by fertility clinics as a complimentary solution along with medical treatment such as in-vitro fertilization and artificial insemination. In Chinese Medicine, fertility is believed to be caused by “Patterns of Disharmony”, which is a condition that affects the kidney, liver, blood and uterus as well as other bodily systems. The goal of the treatment is to restore the body’s hormonal balance and biochemical functioning.
"It can allow you to cross the line from infertile to fertile by helping your body function more efficiently, which in turn allows other, more modern reproductive treatments, like IVF, to also work more efficiently," says James Dillard, MD, assistant clinical professor, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and clinical adviser to Columbia's Rosenthal Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Acupuncture consists of the usage of sterile, disposable, single-use, and hair thin needles inserted into points on the body that have scientifically and empirically validated therapeutic effects on the brain, nervous system, blood circulation, internal organs, and hormones.
The stimulation of these points impacts specific energy imbalances in the body and can create a harmonious environment in a woman’s body that can successfully achieve fertility. It is fairly well agreed on that Acupuncture helps with relaxation and increases beta-endorphins, known as the “feel good” hormones. Other benefits noted in use of Acupuncture during the fertility process are:
• Improvement in sperm quality and counts in infertile men
• Improvement in the lining of the endometrium and increased blood flow to the uterus
• Regulation of hormone levels
• Improvement of thyroid problems
Serious adverse effects associated with the use of acupuncture are rare. 1,2 The most commonly reported problems include short-term pain from needle insertion, tiredness, and minor bleeding. There is one report of infection caused by acupuncture given to a person with diabetes. 3 Some acupuncture points lie over the lungs and insertion to excessive depth could conceivably cause a pneumothorax (punctured lung). Because acupuncturists are trained to avoid this complication, it is a rare occurrence.
A recent report from China contained an example of another complication caused by excessively deep needling. 4 A 44-year-old man was needled on the back of the neck at a commonly used acupuncture point just below the bony protuberance at the base of the skull. However, the acupuncturist inserted the needle too deeply and punctured a blood vessel in the skull. The client developed a severe headache with nausea and vomiting; a CAT scan showed bleeding in the brain, and a spinal tap found a small amount of blood in the cerebrospinal fluid. The severe headache, along with neck stiffness, continued for 28 days. The man was treated with standard pain medication, and the condition resolved itself without any permanent effects.
Infection due to the use of unclean needles has been reported in the past, but the modern practice of using disposable sterile needles appears to have eliminated this risk.
Lyme disease is a condition which practitioners are still trying to figure outis often hard to diagnose or treat. However, acupuncture can help to at least mitigate some symptoms of the disease and support the body's natural ability to help itself as well.
Acupuncture can help to mitigate some of the symptoms that come with other melanoma treatments (such as chemotherapy) but may also be able to help correct some underlying imbalance that are contributing to the cancer as well. Acupuncture may reduce general pain, and be a way to reduce pain medication intake.
Acupuncture can help to mitigate some of the symptoms that come with other melanoma treatments (such as chemotherapy) but may also be able to help correct some underlying imbalance that are contributing to the cancer as well. Acupuncture may reduce general pain, and be a way to reduce pain medication intake.
