Acupuncture and Infertility
by Andrea Kehler

Infertility is on the rise in Canada. Studies are now showing that one in six heterosexual couples will experience difficulties in conceiving. Acupuncture is an ancient form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has been used for treating infertility in both men and women for over 2,000 years. Acupuncture is a safe and drug-free therapy with no side effects. It is different from Western Medicine in that Traditional Chinese Medicine treats the root of the problem rather than just treating one’s signs and symptoms.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of hair-thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body to achieve a therapeutic effect. These points are found along meridians or energy channels, which act like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in the flow of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up the channels’ natural flow. When these energy channels become blocked, an imbalance is created in the body, which can lead to illness, including infertility. Needling these energy points, unblocks the channels bringing the body back into balance.

A growing body of evidence suggests that Traditional Chinese Medicine really can enhance a woman’s chance of conception. In a recent review in the Journal of Fertility and Sterility, (“Role of Acupuncture in the treatment of Female Infertility” Volume 78, December 2002, pages 1149–1153) discovered that acupuncture may help with the following:

1. Increasing blood flow to the uterus, thus improving the lining of the endometrium, which improves chances of implantation.
2. Reducing anxiety and stress, which is very important when trying to conceive. Stress reduces blood flow to the reproductive organs and negatively affects hormonal balance. A 2001 study from the University of California, San Diego, found that women with high stress were 93% less likely to become pregnant.
3. Regulating hormone levels and endocrine systems.
4. Regulating the menstrual cycle and helping women with endometriosis, PCOS, and the inability to ovulate.
5. Improving sperm count as well as motility in men.

Acupuncture can also be used to improve ovarian reserve in women, enhance cervical mucus, and improve the endometrial lining, thus reducing the likelihood of miscarriage. It is a great alternative for women who wish to try a natural and less invasive treatment than In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Not only will acupuncture help treat infertility it also strengthens, supports, and balances overall health and wellbeing. And once you are pregnant, try acupuncture for morning sickness, labour pain, back pain, heartburn, and more!

Andrea Kehler is a Registered Acupuncturist and Reiki Master with a special interest in Obstetrics and Infertility. She enjoys working with women, and believes deeper healing occurs when the physical, spiritual, and emotional body as a whole is brought back into balance. For more information email: andkeh@hotmail.com or visit www.acupuncturebyandrea.net or call (306) 261-1959. Also see the Directory of Services ad on page 28 of the 18.5 January/February issue of the WHOLifE Journal.