Faced with a wide array of alternative treatments for fertility issues, some people may ask about the combination of acupuncture and infertility therapy. The truth is that acupuncture is not generally used as a primary therapy for most fertility problems, though it is commonly used as a secondary, supporting therapy. The underlying physical symptoms of infertility are not easily addressed through the methods provided by acupuncture.
However, acupuncture is considered a powerful and effective complementary treatment for infertility. When acupuncture and IVF (in vitro fertilization) are combined, the two treatments are able to address two separate elements of health and fertility. IVF includes an entire range of therapies specifically aimed at fertilization and eventual implantation of a viable embryo. IVF therapies are excellent for producing eggs, and ensuring a woman’s womb is prepared to accept a fertilized egg. However, they are likely to be counterproductive for the patient’s level of comfort, and sense of overall health.
It is in this realm that acupuncture and infertility therapies complement each other. Acupuncture is reported to provide pain relief, and is able to address issues of overall health and well-being. This can help to provide patients with the best level of comfort and relief, and can possibly reduce the impact of the most challenging aspects of IVF. Acupuncture is also used to directly affect levels of egg production, and even more critically, to improve the odds of successful implantation. Read the rest of this entry »