Over the past 40 years infertility has been on the rise in most Western Countries , in fact one in 10 couples in the United States currently struggle to conceive. Chances are someone you know has struggled and turned to Western Medicine for help such as taking Clomid, artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization (IVF). Did you know that Traditional Chinese Medicine has been treating reproductive health for thousands of years? Most people don’t, here are a few ways acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can help you conceive;
Acupuncture
Out of the hundreds of acupuncture points on the body over 50 are specific acupuncture points that help balance hormones; reduce stress, increase blood flow to the reproductive organs and improve sleep. All of which improve the chance of conceiving, in fact the Journal of Complementary Therapies In Medicine reported women to be twice as likely to conceive if they had acupuncture once a week for three months!
Chinese Herbs
Like acupuncture, Chinese Herbs have been used for thousands of years to treat reproductive health. After doing an evaluation the acupuncturist will select specific herbs to address the underlying issues that may be contributing to fertility issues such as; PCOS, endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes or poor sperm morphology. Chinese herb formulas are tailored to your specific condition and can help build and support your reproductive system.
Life Style Recommendations
Practitioners of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine encourage patients to implement specific diet and lifestyle recommendations to balance and support the reproductive system. Dietary recommendations such as eating steamed/cooked vegetables and avoiding ice cold drinks and foods may help support digestion and avoid introducing cold into the reproductive system (cold constricts!). Once implemented you may start to see improvements in your health before conceiving such as improved digestion, a better menstrual cycle or improved sleep.
Sources:
http://www.conceiveeasy.com/get-pregnant/chinese-herbs-for-infertility/
http://www.babble.com/pregnancy/brenda-strong-fertility-yoga-tips/
http://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/stories/alternative-therapies-for-fertility
