Have you heard about getting acupuncture to help boost your fertility, but wondered how it actually works? We hear and see this question asked all the time.
A lot of people think acupuncture is a ‘woo-energy thing’ but the way it works is actually all about blood flow.
Here’s how we affect your fertility with acupuncture and herbs:
1) Acupuncture helps the brain to open up blood flow along lines of fascia (connective tissue) in the body. Everybody has heard of the IT band, right? Well just like your IT band connects to your hip, TFL, & side body, you also have fascia that connects to the pelvic muscles and organs. Relaxing this fascia and bringing the body’s attention there improves blood flow, especially on the microcirculation level (like all the little capillaries that go to your ovaries). Better blood flow = better function.
2) Herbs and dietary changes improve your blood quality. Better blood quality and flow = better function (think liver function, ovulatory function etc)
3) Acupuncture helps to reduce inflammation. If you have PCOS, painful periods, endometriosis or other inflammatory conditions, acupuncture and herbs can help to clear the inflammation.
4) Acupuncture helps you relax which lowers cortisol and that allows other hormones like progesterone to normalize.
5) We treat the whole body. If you have other issues like constipation, digestive bloating or insomnia for instance, those are also affecting your nutrient intake, hormone levels and organ function. We work on that too!
Also FYI, herbs are hugely important when it comes to treating fertility. An acupuncturist who treats you for fertility and doesn’t give you herbs is not a specialist.
Ok so the other question we get all. the. time? When to start acupuncture if you’re dealing with infertility. The answer is now! Research shows the best outcomes with holistic treatment for at least 3 months. If you’re working on a shorter timeline than that because of an upcoming procedure, we try to get you in for at least 8 treatments beforehand. But our practice is pretty busy so please call ASAP to get on the schedule.
Photo Credit: Ashley Langtry