Research based Fertility Acupuncture That Works

Author: Brian B. Carter, MS, LAc

A 2003 study proved that acupuncture increases in-vitro

fertilization success rates nearly two-fold.

Maybe you saw the October 2003 'Sex in the City' episode that

talked about fertility acupuncture. It's true, there is now a

good research study from Germany that showed how a specific

acupuncture treatment could raise the success rate of in vitro

fertilization (IVF) from 26.3% to 42.5%.

Is Fertility Acupuncture the Best Way? If you have access to an

acupuncturist, it's part of the solution. If you're doing in

vitro fertilization, acupuncture before and after increases the

success rates (according to a 2003 German study that received a

lot of press).

Of course, there are many causes of infertility, and you should

review them and the specifics of your medical case with your

medical doctor and with your acupuncturist.

The best solution would be to combine acupuncture with a natural

fertility drug (herbal combination). Make sure you partner with

a trained and licensed acupuncturist/herbalist - they can help

you immensely!

Chinese Medicine Fertility Chinese medicine has some wisdom and

research to add to the topic of fertility. Let's understand

theoretical basis of Chinese Medicine fertility.

1. The Uterus: Called 'bao' in Chinese, it is thought to be the

reservoir of blood and nutrition needed by the woman's body to

sustain a growing fetus. You need plenty of blood for fertility.

Also, the uterus needs to be free of heat (inflammation, etc.).

Fertility acupuncture can clear heat from this area. To

understand this better, we have to understand the Chinese view

of 'blood'...

2. Blood: Called 'xue' in Chinese, blood is more than the plasma

and serum of western medicine. It includes much of the

nourishing aspects of yin (all things passive, cool, and fluid).

It is hard to correlate Chinese and western medical concepts

exactly, but some hormones, vitamins, and neurotransmitters may

be included in 'blood.' All of these are important in fertility.

If there's not enough blood, the uterus can't provide the fetus

with enough nourishment to survive. Blood can be deficient,

leading to paleness, insomnia, and memory loss. There is an

entire category of chinese herbs that can help with this. Blood

can also stagnate, leading to symptoms like late menstruation,

menstrual clots, dark menstrual blood, sharp stabbing pains

(especially before menstruation). To fix that, there's another

category of herbs that moves (regulates the flow of) the blood.

Fertility acupuncture can also address the condition of the

blood by regulating its flow. Intertwined with blood is an

extraordinary fertility acupuncture channel called the 'chong,'

or penetrating vessel...

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3. The Penetrating Vessel: The 'chong' acupuncture channel is

also known as the 'sea of blood.' It links 4 acupuncture

channels (Spleen, Kidney, Conception, and Governing) that

correspond to digestive function, some endocrine functions,

menstruation, some neurological functions, and heredity. It is

often involved with gynecological disorders. It also helps

protect the chest, abdomen, and back from disease. The qi and

blood must flow properly within the Pentrating Vessel for

optimal menstruation and natural fertility. Certain herbs can

boost the sea of blood and others regulate the flow of blood

witin the Penetrating Vessel.

Acupuncture can also optimize the condition of the Penetrating

Vessel. The two main acupoints of the chong channel (Sp4, P6)

are great fertility acupuncture points.

4. Yin and Jing (Essence): Yin, mentioned with blood in #2, is a

fundamental aspect of the body. It includes blood, is cool, and

is closely related with jing. Jing is the fundamental potential

of the body and mind. We are given a limited amount at

conception, and we protect it by eating and digesting properly.

A lack of jing or yin can impair menstruation, gynecological

function, conception and fertility, and make for a miserable

menopause later in life. There are herbs that specifically boost

yin and/or jing.

Acupuncture can boost yin and jing somewhat, but herbs are even

better. Many acupuncturists believe that herbs are better at

supplementing deficiencies than acupuncture is. One exception to

this is moxibustion, the heating of acupoints. In fertility

acupuncture, we can moxa the acupoints that nourish yin and

jing.

Putting it all together As European Chinese medicine scholar

Philippe Sionneau summarizes, "The penetrating vessel originates

in the uterus. It is the sea of blood. It moves qi and blood in

the twelve channels and is connected to the liver. The

conception vessel also originates in the uterus. It moves qi and

blood in all yin channels. Woman's fertility is directly linked

with it, 'The conception vessel governs uterus and fetus.' It is

connected to the kidneys. Furthermore, the spleen is the root of

later heaven, the origin of qi and blood production and

transformation. Thus, if kidneys qi is flourishing, liver qi is

harmonious, spleen qi is productive, and then the pentrating

vessel and conception vessel are abundant and flow freely,

disposed to favor birth (fertility)."

Paulus WE, Zhang M, Strehler E, El-Danasouri I, Sterzik K.

Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who

undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertil Steril. 2002

Apr;77(4):721-4. Maciocia G. Obstetrics and Gynecology in

Chinese Medicine. Wiseman N, Ellis A. The Fundamentals of

Chinese Medicine. Sionnea, P. Xin Fang: Modern Chinese Herbal

Formulas (In Process).

About the author:

Acupuncturist, herbalist, and medical professor Brian B. Carter

founded the alternative health megasite The Pulse of Oriental

Medicine (http://www.PulseMed.org/). He is the author of the

book "Powerful Body, Peaceful Mind: How to Heal Yourself with

Foods, Herbs, and Acupressure" (November, 2004). Brian speaks on

radio across the country, and has been quoted and interviewed by

Real Simple, Glamour, and ESPN magazines.

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Research based Fertility Acupuncture That Works

Article : Research based Fertility Acupuncture That Works