If you are having trouble conceiving, you are not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a staggering 10.9% of women between 15 and 44 struggle with infertility. In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is the standard treatment of choice. While IVF has a good track record, it is complicated and expensive, and the results are never guaranteed. Fertility acupuncture offers a safe, natural, scientifically proven option that is often used in tandem with IVF but can also be performed alone.

Your acupuncturist will take a holistic approach to ensure that your physical and emotional state are conducive to conceiving and maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Your first session will consist of a thorough evaluation followed by a comprehensive 3- to 6-month treatment plan. Depending on your individual needs, your plan will likely include nutritional advice, compassionate counseling, Chinese herbs, and lifestyle suggestions as well as regular acupuncture sessions. Whether used alone in combination with Western medical treatment, here are 5 ways that acupuncture can help boost your fertility.

1. Enhance the Success of IVF
Top IVF specialists frequently suggest that their patients seek fertility acupuncture as part of an integrated treatment protocol, and fertility acupuncturists are happy to work with Western doctors to design a comprehensive plan for success. Acupuncture is known to ready the body for the changes of pregnancy, reduce uterine contractions, and create a healthy environment for implantation.

2. Unblock Qi
Traditional Eastern medicine views Qi as the vitality or life force that is the essence of all living beings. Qi flows freely through the body, stimulating natural healing and creating an optimal state of wellness. Yet busy modern life and its stressors can cause Qi to become blocked. Inserting acupuncture needles at targeted points on the body unblocks Qi and encourages its flow toward the reproductive system, producing an environment that is conducive to creating new life.

Western medicine does not accept the existence of Qi, but it does recognize that acupuncture triggers the body’s natural healing responses, likely by causing chemical changes in the brain. However you choose to explain it, there is little doubt that acupuncture has a tremendous effect on health and wellness.

3. Improve Male Fertility
As part of a holistic treatment protocol that includes Chinese herbal remedies and supplements, acupuncture plays an important role in enhancing male fertility. From sperm count to low libido, acupuncture can treat a wide range of male fertility issues. Even if you have not been diagnosed with any specific issues, it is important for both partners to be as physically and emotionally healthy as possible.

4. Combat Stress
Acupuncture is well-known for its ability to induce deep relaxation and even euphoria. This is due to the release of powerful feel-good hormones called endorphins. Since the hormones of the female reproductive system are particularly sensitive to stress, acupuncture’s ability to ease worry and anxiety can balance the hormones and improve your chances to conceive.

5. Support Healthy Pregnancy
The benefits of acupuncture do not end with successful conception. Acupuncture continues to play a vital supportive role for both mother and baby. During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, when miscarriages are most likely to occur, acupuncture helps the body adapt. It regulates ovarian and thyroid activity, and ensures that the baby has the best possible environment in which to grow and thrive.

Later in pregnancy, acupuncture is considered a safe and effective treatment for such common but miserable side effects as back pain and morning sickness. When the time comes to deliver your new baby, acupuncture can again assist. Turning breech babies and inducing delayed onset labor are two of the major benefits that acupuncture can offer.

While no single treatment is right for everyone, fertility acupuncture has been scientifically proven to improve the odds of successful conception and a healthy pregnancy. It is frequently used in tandem with IVF, allowing you a comprehensive, integrative treatment approach that melds the best of the East and the West.

Located in Pacific Palisades, with satellite clinics in Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, and Beverly Hills, Thumos Health Center offers patients exceptional personalized care. If you are ready to take the first steps toward a more integrative approach to your health care, we invite you to phone 310-428-1215 to schedule an appointment at any of our Los Angeles locations. Our highly knowledgeable and friendly staff will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have.