| Acupuncture |
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Acupuncture and Chiropractic Adjustments Fighting Infertility
Infertility is an issue facing millions of couples nationwide. Acupuncture and
chiropractic have started to make headlines as the public looks for alternative forms
of therapy. CBS news aired a piece that focused on new research showing a link
between spinal adjustments and increased fertility in women. The study, which was
led by Dr. Behrendt, looked at 15 women who struggled with infertility, some for
more than a decade. Then for various reasons, each went to a chiropractor.
Fourteen became pregnant and are now mothers. Dr. Behrendt states: “the
chiropractor identifies spinal distortions, which are called subluxations, and once
they were detected and corrected, the fertility function improved,” She further
mentions a link between chiropractic care and fertility because the nerves to your
reproductive system run through your spine. When the back is misaligned, the
nerves misfire and cause a hormone imbalance, which can prevent a woman from
getting pregnant. Dr. Behrendt is trying to get funding for a larger, more
comprehensive study on chiropractic care and fertility.
Acupuncture has also been shown to improve a couple’s ability to conceive. From
the Chinese standpoint, acupuncture and herbal medicine help infertile women by
opening the body's energy blockages. From the Western standpoint, the treatments
work by releasing brain chemicals that balance the body's hormones and relax the
uterus. Acupuncture has also been shown to increase oxygenation to the uterus
and reproductive organs, thereby increasing their function and the likely hood of
conception. Research in the journal Fertility and Sterility followed two groups of
women through in-vitro fertilization treatments. With standard treatment, 26 percent
of the women got pregnant. After adding acupuncture, the pregnancy rate rose to
42 percent.
Infertility is an issue facing millions of couples nationwide. Acupuncture and
chiropractic have started to make headlines as the public looks for alternative forms
of therapy. CBS news aired a piece that focused on new research showing a link
between spinal adjustments and increased fertility in women. The study, which was
led by Dr. Behrendt, looked at 15 women who struggled with infertility, some for
more than a decade. Then for various reasons, each went to a chiropractor.
Fourteen became pregnant and are now mothers. Dr. Behrendt states: “the
chiropractor identifies spinal distortions, which are called subluxations, and once
they were detected and corrected, the fertility function improved,” She further
mentions a link between chiropractic care and fertility because the nerves to your
reproductive system run through your spine. When the back is misaligned, the
nerves misfire and cause a hormone imbalance, which can prevent a woman from
getting pregnant. Dr. Behrendt is trying to get funding for a larger, more
comprehensive study on chiropractic care and fertility.
Acupuncture has also been shown to improve a couple’s ability to conceive. From
the Chinese standpoint, acupuncture and herbal medicine help infertile women by
opening the body's energy blockages. From the Western standpoint, the treatments
work by releasing brain chemicals that balance the body's hormones and relax the
uterus. Acupuncture has also been shown to increase oxygenation to the uterus
and reproductive organs, thereby increasing their function and the likely hood of
conception. Research in the journal Fertility and Sterility followed two groups of
women through in-vitro fertilization treatments. With standard treatment, 26 percent
of the women got pregnant. After adding acupuncture, the pregnancy rate rose to
42 percent.
Acupuncture…How does it work?
Acupuncture started nearly 5000 years ago, and is based on the
belief that there is an electrical energy force, called Chi or Qi, flowing
through every living creature. The Chinese believed this energy to
be a life force. They believe when a person is no longer living this is
what leaves the body. The energy currents were mapped out in
pathways, called meridians, throughout the body. Energy constantly
flows up and down these pathways. As long as this energy flows
freely through the meridians, health is maintained. When pathways
become obstructed, deficient, excessive, unbalanced, Yin and Yang
are said to be thrown out of balance. Once the meridian is blocked
the body cannot function properly, and illness is sure to follow. A
helpful analogy is to think of blocked Chi as an electrical short-circuit
that causes a blackout. Acupuncture works to restore normal
function by stimulating certain points on the meridians in order to
allow the Chi to flow evenly. Thus, allowing the body to function at
its optimal level and use the power within to heal. If you find
acupuncture hard to believe, all you need to do is find someone you
know that has tried it and ask how well it worked. Nine times out of
ten that person will tell you it was like magic.
Acupuncture started nearly 5000 years ago, and is based on the
belief that there is an electrical energy force, called Chi or Qi, flowing
through every living creature. The Chinese believed this energy to
be a life force. They believe when a person is no longer living this is
what leaves the body. The energy currents were mapped out in
pathways, called meridians, throughout the body. Energy constantly
flows up and down these pathways. As long as this energy flows
freely through the meridians, health is maintained. When pathways
become obstructed, deficient, excessive, unbalanced, Yin and Yang
are said to be thrown out of balance. Once the meridian is blocked
the body cannot function properly, and illness is sure to follow. A
helpful analogy is to think of blocked Chi as an electrical short-circuit
that causes a blackout. Acupuncture works to restore normal
function by stimulating certain points on the meridians in order to
allow the Chi to flow evenly. Thus, allowing the body to function at
its optimal level and use the power within to heal. If you find
acupuncture hard to believe, all you need to do is find someone you
know that has tried it and ask how well it worked. Nine times out of
ten that person will tell you it was like magic.
| I really enjoy Dr Jena. I went through clomid treatments with and without her services, and it was much easier with her treatment. She is kind and compassionate. She worked hard for me. -Kara T |
Summary of Research of the Effects of Acupuncture on Infertiltiy
2. Increased release of endorphins, and hormonal regulation.
3. A reduction in the levels of anxiety and stress following an acupuncture treatment.
References:
Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Wolfgang E Paulus,
Mingmin Zhang, Erwin Strehler, Imam El-Danasouri, and Karl Sterzik, Fertility and Sterility Vol 77, Mo 4, April 2002.
Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improved the reprodctive outcome in infertile women: a prospective,
randomized trial. Lars G. Westergaard, Q nhui Mao, Marianne Kroglsund, Steen Sandrini, Suzan Lenz, and Jorgen Grinsted.
Fertiltiy ad Sterility, 2006
Acupuncture: Impact on Pregnancy Outcomes in IVF Patients, Paul C. Magarelli, Diane, Cridenna, Mel Cohan
Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, prospective,
controlled clinical study. Stefan Dieterle, Gao Ying, Wolfgang Hatzmann, Andreas, Neuer. Fertility and Sterility, 2006
Acupuncture in IVF Linked to Lower Miscarriage and Ectopic Rates, OB/Gyn News 2005, International Medical News Group.
Influence of acupuncture stimulation on rates for women undergoing embryo transfer, Caroline Smith, Meaghan Coyle, B. Hlth.
Sc. And Robert J. Norman. Fertiltiy and Sterlitliy, 2006
Clinical Studies on the Mechanism for Acupuncture Stimulation of Ovulation, MoX; Li D; Pu Y; Xi G;Ke X; Fu Z Zhejiang College
of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou.
- A study found the clinical pregnancies were documented in 42.5% of patients undergoing
acupuncture with IVF (in vitro fertilization), compared to clinical pregnancies at 26.3% of
patients undergoing IVF alone.
- One study demonstrates that acupuncture administered on the day of ET (embryo transfer)
significantly improves the reproductive outcome in women undergoing IVF or ICSI treatment
for infertility.
- Another study demonstrated the effects of acupuncture in relation to female infertility might be
mediated through the release of endorphins, serotonin, gonadotrophins, ovarian follicular
growth, ovulation, and fertility. It was also proposed that the effect on uterine blood flow
might improve the growth and thickness of the endometrium, rendering it more receptive to
implantation of the embryo.
- A study shows a significant increase in the number of live births, a significant reduction in
miscarriage, and a significant reduction in the number of multiple pregnancies.
- A retrospective study including 131 women found that the miscarriage rate for the study group
receiving acupuncture was almost cut in half. The researchers believed the results were due
to acupuncture improving the uterine environment allowing implantation to be successful.
- The results of this study support the significance of acupuncture in improving the outcome of
IVF/ICSI. The study also sites the main reasons for the increased rates of pregnancy with
acupuncture as:
2. Increased release of endorphins, and hormonal regulation.
3. A reduction in the levels of anxiety and stress following an acupuncture treatment.
- Subjects in another study who received acupuncture in a double-blinded study who correctly
guessed they received acupuncture vs the placebo reportedly made their decision based on
the fact that they felt relaxed, better, calm or happier after the acupuncture treatment. This
study also says the research suggests that acupuncture may have a promising role in
reproductive medicine at the time of embryo transfer.
- The results of another study showed acupuncture may adjust the endocrine function of the
generative and physiologic axis of women, thus stimulating ovulation.
References:
Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Wolfgang E Paulus,
Mingmin Zhang, Erwin Strehler, Imam El-Danasouri, and Karl Sterzik, Fertility and Sterility Vol 77, Mo 4, April 2002.
Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improved the reprodctive outcome in infertile women: a prospective,
randomized trial. Lars G. Westergaard, Q nhui Mao, Marianne Kroglsund, Steen Sandrini, Suzan Lenz, and Jorgen Grinsted.
Fertiltiy ad Sterility, 2006
Acupuncture: Impact on Pregnancy Outcomes in IVF Patients, Paul C. Magarelli, Diane, Cridenna, Mel Cohan
Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, prospective,
controlled clinical study. Stefan Dieterle, Gao Ying, Wolfgang Hatzmann, Andreas, Neuer. Fertility and Sterility, 2006
Acupuncture in IVF Linked to Lower Miscarriage and Ectopic Rates, OB/Gyn News 2005, International Medical News Group.
Influence of acupuncture stimulation on rates for women undergoing embryo transfer, Caroline Smith, Meaghan Coyle, B. Hlth.
Sc. And Robert J. Norman. Fertiltiy and Sterlitliy, 2006
Clinical Studies on the Mechanism for Acupuncture Stimulation of Ovulation, MoX; Li D; Pu Y; Xi G;Ke X; Fu Z Zhejiang College
of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou.
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