Acupuncture and IVF Information: What Acupuncture Is and How It Relates to IVF
If you and your spouse have been trying to get pregnant for some time and are considering undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF), studies abound show that acupuncture often increases the chance that IVF treatments will be a success. Various studies have been performed at a multitude of institutes, such as the University of New Mexico, University of Maryland’s School of Medicine Center, and New York’s Meridian Medical Group, with results that show that, more often than not, incorporating acupuncture into IVF treatment increases chances of success: very often, the women who decide to go through acupuncture will have lower miscarriage rates, a higher live birth rate and often healthier babies.Diabetes supplements
While this may shed some light on the matter, before you run to your nearest acupuncturist it is important to understand what acupuncture is, the effects it produces and how it relates to in-vitro fertilization. Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese medicinal practice, uses hair-thin, disposable needles to penetrate just under the skin and stimulate specific pressure points in the body for the acceleration of the body’s natural healing processes. While traditionally practiced in the East, acupuncture has taken on a bigger role in Western medicine through recent years, particularly when involved in fertility treatments such as IVF.
Acupuncture is initially believed to “relax” the uterus before in-vitro fertilization, as to ensure the embryo will “take” before the uterus contracts and attempts to expel it. However, while acupuncture is known for its therapeutic approach, researchers often disagree whether the procedure itself helps relax the patient, or if it has a certain placebo effect – because a woman feels the acupuncture will increase her chances of successful pregnancy, she feels more relaxed. For women whose infertility may have deeper causes, this kind of thinking won’t be enough, thus some doctors question whether or not acupuncture has any real effect. However, even a few doctors who haven’t seen any medical distinctions still recommend acupuncture, because in the worst case scenario, it won’t hurt anything. One must also take into account the relationship between mind and body; when the mind feels relaxed or has a “good feeling”, the body will often follow suit.
Deciding whether or not to incorporate acupuncture into your fertility treatment plan is a personal choice that is completely up to you. Attempting to conceive after several failed attempts is not only disheartening and frustrating, but can wreak physical havoc on the body, such as muscle tension. Acupuncture can help to relieve the tension, as well as give a mental boost before IVF treatment takes place. For more information on infertility and how to remedy it, please visit this website for details.