3 Ways Acupuncture stands out in the Fertility Journey.
Acupuncture is utilized during the fertility journey, but why?
At Crescent Health Collective we ensure our community is educated on all services and resources that relate to fertility, pregnancy and parenthood. This post will look at three foundational concepts in acupuncture fertility support, how they differ from Western medicine approaches and how the can be utilized in conjunction with Western medicine.
On a fertility journey, many people will have seen their family doctor, fertility clinic, etc, only to be met with a diagnosis of unexplained infertility; whereas Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) aims to find the root causes of the factors impacting fertility.
The main difference between Western medicine and TCM is that:
- Western medicine focuses on results found through blood work and scans and utilizes medications to support fertility.
- TCM focuses on treating the root causes to help with fertility support. The treatment is unique to the individual and is chosen based on the findings from asking detailed questions about the patient’s health history, as well as observations through tongue and pulse diagnosis.
It is important to note that both approaches are beneficial. Furthermore, Western Medicine and TCM can work together, to better support the person, or family on their fertility journey. There are a variety of ways that acupuncture supports the body, but we will touch base on three ways that really standout in fertility.
1. The impact of the kidneys on fertility and reproductive organs.
Firstly, in TCM, the kidneys dominate reproduction, making them an important consideration in the fertility journey. The kidneys Yin and Yang (energy) must be adequate and balanced for optimal function of reproductive organs. In regards to the kidneys, it is equally important to ensure that both partners are balanced and adequate.
In TCM, the practitioner observes not only the signs and symptoms primarily associated with fertility (menstruation, ovulation, sperm quality etc) but also factor in other signs that may give clues that your body is not functioning well. Looking at all aspects of the person, allows for a better guide to fertility support and overall wellness. Some common things your practitioner will look into to form a proper TCM diagnosis are:
- How you feel (anxiety, stress, anger, depression) and behave,
- Your energy level and how you sleep,
- Your food intake and digestion,
- How you perceive pain and
- Other comprehensive clues
2. Improved circulation to assist in detoxification.
The fertility journey can be extremely stressful, which can negatively affect the body’s circulation, hormone balance and detoxification processes. In brief, this often negatively impacts follicle growth and egg quality, which are important factors when trying to conceive. Acupuncture can positively impact the blood circulation to better guide nourishment to the reproductive organs, thus impacting follicle growth and egg quality, as well as help the body eliminate and move metabolic waste that can interfere with hormones, blood qualities and energy flow.
3. Alleviate anxiety, calm the mind and decrease the stress response.
As mentioned, the fertility journey can be stressful to the body, mind and soul. Acupuncture aims able to calm the body and mind via endorphin stimulation. This can lead to feelings of euphoria, pain relief, inflammation reduction, decreased anxiety and improved mood. Having natural ways to improve how the body responds to external stressors is an ideal way to support the body during the fertility journey.
Looking to book an initial appointment for acupuncture to support you in your fertility journey? Click here
Warmly,
The Crescent Health Team