The Benefits Of Acupuncture

Fertility specialists report that it is common to meet patients who are overwhelmed by stress and tension. Their inability to start a family, the pressure from their families to have a child, and the prospect of complicated or costly treatment are all causes for stress. Some patients were under significant stress before they began trying, perhaps due to their job or finances, and that stress may be interfering with their efforts to start a family.

Role of Fertility Doctors in Managing Stress

The best fertility doctors will look for signs of stress and, together with the patient, create a plan to eliminate or at least reduce the stress the patient is experiencing. If the stress isn't addressed, it can reduce the chances of successful treatment.

There are many ways to reduce stress, and fertility consultants identify acupuncture as a proven method for stress reduction. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, treating anxiety through therapy can take months, and using drugs to treat anxiety can expose patients to potentially serious side effects. 

Benefits of Acupuncture for Fertility Patients

Acupuncture, however, brings faster results without the side effects of drugs, making it a promising solution for fertility patients.

"In general, acupuncture is believed to stimulate the nervous system and cause the release of neurochemical messenger molecules. The resulting biochemical changes influence the body's homeostatic mechanisms, thus promoting physical and emotional well-being," according to the British Acupuncture Council.

Expert Insight on Acupuncture’s Safety and Efficacy

It is believed that acupuncture can help reduce the stress associated with infertility and therefore improve the body's ability to respond to fertility treatment. 

"Acupuncture has been around for almost 3,000 years. It's safe, and there are no bad side effects from it," says Dr. Lisa Lilienfield, a family practice and pain management specialist at the Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine in McLean, VA, USA. "It may not be the only thing done in isolation to treat infertility, but it helps get the body primed and maximizes the potential effects of fertility treatments."

If stress is a concern for couples seeking fertility treatment, they may benefit from acupuncture treatment benefits. A good first step is to ask a fertility specialist who can incorporate acupuncture into their fertility treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions