The goal of acupuncture — a primary component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) — is to restore harmony and equilibrium to every bodily system. The ancient healing practice is therefore a natural fit for the treatment of infertility, a symptom of a reproductive system that is out of balance.

Though it has been used for centuries to treat male and female infertility, acupuncture has only recently attracted modern attention for its role in conquering fertility problems. In 2002 a German study found that acupuncture significantly increases an IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) patient's chances of becoming pregnant. The findings were confirmed at the 2004 meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. The results are in, but how exactly does it work?

TCM is all about the healthy flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”), the body's vital energy. Using tiny needles to stimulate points on the body's energy meridians or pathways and medicinal Chinese herbs, an acupuncturist can strengthen — and in some cases unblock — a patient's Qi, which in turn increases the possibility of conception.

For some, this may be an adequate explanation, but scientists have taken it further. They say that acupuncture may increase female fertility by reducing the stress hormones that can interfere with ovulation; increasing blood flow to the uterus, which improves the chances of a fertilized egg implanting; facilitating the ovulation cycles of women with polycystic ovary syndrome and of course, giving IVF patients an added boost.

[via NYC Acupuncture and Prevention Magazine]

(Image: Memorial Hospital)