Is Acupuncture for Infertility a Scam?

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February 6, 2010

Acupuncture for Infertility – Tracing Its Roots

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing practice dating back over a thousand years. Some medical practitioners in the West accept this treatment as a valid way of addressing several types of ailments. It has the ability to relieve muscle tension, help a person quit smoking, and improve skin quality, among many other benefits. Researches show that acupuncture greatly helps couples who are having a hard time making a baby.

The Western View

Although acupuncture is widely popular, there still are some Westerners who doubt it is effective. The shortage of scientific proof about how this ancient medicinal practice works prevents many people from trusting it and giving it a try. A lot of studies are already being conducted on the matter, the National Institutes of Health in the US says.

Risks To Health

Acupuncture performed by a trained professional is generally painless. Only a few suffer ill effects. Common risks associated with the practice of acupuncture are organ puncturing, forgotten needles, some bleeding (although very minimal), and the spreading of infection. These can be done away with by having an experienced practitioner perform therapy. However, acupuncture should not be applied to individuals with bleeding disorders and people using blood thinners.

A Single or Complementary Process

Acupuncture may be used as a single procedure to complement fertility treatments. It may also be seen as a procedure that can enhance the effects of modern fertility therapies. Used as a single method, acupuncture brings positive results to people who have functional reproductive problems, like intermittent ovulation. By itself, this practice may not work as effectively in fixing structural problems such as blockage of sperm ducts.

Some acupuncturists urge patients to use Chinese herbs in addition to acupuncture treatments and other procedures. Persons under medical care should check with their doctor before taking herbs. Some herbal medications prevent the proper functioning of some fertility drugs and processes.

Acupuncture for Fertility - Is It Truly Effective?

How acupuncture works as a cure of infertility is still debatable. However, practitioners emphasize this age-old treatment's ability to normalize the body's functions. It boosts the flow of blood into reproductive organs and helps stabilize hormonal functions. Ovarian function is boosted and sperm production is enhanced, as a result.

Acupuncture has been found to benefit women who are using it in conjunction with therapies that aim to increase fertility. Some also say that acupuncture, when incorporated with rather stressful fertility procedures, helps women relax. Studies show that acupuncture helps raise a woman's chance of conception when acupuncture is applied with in vitro fertilization.

Choosing the Right Practitioner

In order to practice acupuncture, doctors are required to complete more or less 300 hours of special training before they are awarded a certification. Those licensed in other medical fields must still complete 2000 to 3000 hours of training and pass the board exam to be officially called an acupuncturist.

There are many people who practice acupuncture, and the number continues to rise. There are a few things to consider before seeking the services of practitioners. Patients must first look into the background of the acupuncture therapist before undergoing a procedure. Any practitioner must be licensed in the state or town where he or she is providing services.Reliable recommendations for acupuncture services would be family and friends who've benefited from the them.

Before jumping into the procedure, patients should always ask about the possible total costs to be prepared. It is good to know that certain insurance plans include acupuncture expenses in their roster.

Things You Should Expect

More than one acupuncture treatment is needed to get desired results. To maximize the benefits of acupuncture, the entire procedure would take some weeks to several months. Usual visits to the acupuncturist take around an hour, to allow for discussions over the present situation, as well as entertain questions on the procedure.