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The idea of sticking a bunch of needles in your skin might seem a little daunting, but people who’ve tried acupuncture will most likely say they loved it. Acupuncture has been around for ages and has been strongly associated with relaxation. The whole idea of acupuncture is to stimulate the nerve endings that are found deep within the surface level of the skin. Several needles are used in specific areas of your body that need relief. The acupuncturist uses mild electrical stimulation to activate particular nerves in your body. When these nerves are activated, your body releases endorphins, better known as the feel-good hormones. Endorphins play an essential role in alleviating pain and stress (1), (2). Acupuncture has been the go-to treatment for several medical conditions such as backache, anxiety, and indigestion (3), (4), (5). But how exactly can acupuncture help with fertility? Read on to know more.
Does Acupuncture Work For Fertility
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The jury is still out on whether or not acupuncture works for fertility. However, few kinds of research have been conducted to support the fact that this procedure might help. One study, in particular, concluded that acupuncture is effective in treating infertility not just in women but also in men (6).
One way that acupuncture contributes to better fertility is by reducing stress and relaxing you. Specific procedures stimulate the flow of blood to the uterus. This, in turn, helps your endometrial lining. It can also reduce inflammation, which in turn might help infertility. One particular research saw that acupuncture helped with ovarian cysts and improved the quality of sperms in men (7).
Can Acupuncture Be Risky?
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Acupuncture is a safe practice that does not have any health risks. However, there are a few things that you must cross-check before you sign up for this treatment. Make sure that the acupuncture treatment center that you have chosen is a reliable one. Check the reviews before you settle on that place. There are a few rare cases where the needle breaks in the skin — this can cause internal bleeding.
A seasoned practitioner will take extreme care to avoid this. Your acupuncturist is supposed to use single-use disposable needles, so ask them about this to be sure. A good practitioner with safety standards will rub your skin with alcohol using swabs every time a needle is inserted to prevent any infection. People who have a bleeding disorder are usually advised against this treatment (8).
What To Expect At A Session
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Perhaps, the first question that comes to your mind is, ‘will it hurt?’. The answer is no. We do know that getting poked by a needle, let alone several of them, can hurt, but acupuncture is a practice that promotes relaxation, not pain. The practitioner will first ask you important questions concerning your health. Since you are trying out acupuncture for fertility, there are a few points that will be targeted. The needles will be inserted around a few points on your head. This is to get you relaxed and eliminate stress.
Another point that is targeted will be your stomach. This is primarily done to stimulate a fresh supply of blood to your ovaries. In some cases, the legs are targeted as well. This way, blood flow from the feet is stimulated to the reproductive organs. The entire session might last for twenty to thirty minutes. You might experience some soreness once the session is over. You might also experience slight bleeding (9).
One of the oldest practices stemming from Chinese medicine is acupuncture, and it is believed to stimulate the body’s generation of natural painkillers. This ancient practice has no known health risks and is a beautiful way to ease your body and mind. Much more research has to be conducted to prove that acupuncture helps with fertility, but we do have enough to know that it is worth a try. Let us know in the comments if you have tried this practice and if it has worked for you!
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