Massage Memberships - Lock in the old rate and take advantage of ALL the add-ons!

Etana Wellness

Acupuncture + Fertility

By

Can Acupuncture Really Help With Fertility?

Some couples seek out alternative natural methods to improve their fertility. Acupuncture is a practice that has been around approximately 3000 years, yet it’s just newly gaining popularity in Western cultures in the past 40 years.1

For couples struggling with fertility, the potential for a less invasive alternative to Western fertility treatments is appealing, as is the potential that acupuncture can help to increase the success of treatments like IVF. However, it begs the question of whether acupuncture can really help with fertility or not. 

Today, we’ll explore what acupuncture is, how it improves fertility and some of the most common acupuncture points that help with fertility. 

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine and it can help to manage a variety of conditions and symptoms. When receiving acupuncture, your acupuncturist, Jenny, will stick a very thin, sterile needle into a variety of specific points of the body to help stimulate blood and energy flow to that area.

How does acupuncture help with fertility?

We are so glad you asked!

Acupuncture works to restore the flow of Qi (pronounced “chee,” your body energy) so that it can flow uninterrupted. When Qi is unable to flow naturally and freely, then it causes interruptions that lead to disease and illness and dysfunction, such as infertility. 3

When using acupuncture to promote fertility, it helps to stimulate and boost blood flow to reproductive organs, balances hormones and reduces stress. When acupuncture needles are applied to the appropriate points, it helps to move Qi from areas that may be too abundant in 

energy to areas that are deficient, to help encourage fertility.  2

Does acupuncture really help with fertility?

We know you like the science!

Some infertility doctors are recommending the use of acupuncture alongside infertility treatments like IVF in order to improve patient outcomes and increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. 3

Claiming that in one study that compared two groups of patients – one group of 80 patients receiving two, 25-minute acupuncture treatments prior to having fertilized embryos transferred into their uterus and another treatment directly afterwards and the other group of 80 patients who underwent the embryo transplant without acupuncture treatments. This study claimed to find that the rate of pregnancy was significantly higher in the acupuncture group, with 34 pregnancies compared to 21 pregnancies in the IVF alone group. 3

What are some of the acupuncture points for improved fertility?

There are a number of different acupuncture points that can really help with fertility, for both men and women. Your acupuncturist will choose the right points for you based on their assessment.

Here are a few examples:

  • Yin Tang 

This point is located in between the eyebrows at the ‘third eye’ location. It is a very useful point for stress, anxiety, insomnia and improved focus. 4

  • Stomach 36 

This point is located below the kneecap, about one finger width lateral (moving outward from your center) to the boney edge of your lower leg bone/calf. This point helps to build your Qi, your blood, it’s great for women trying to conceive it can help calm and balance your emotions.  4

  • Ren 12 

This point is located on the upper abdomen midline (so the middle of your upper belly) about a hands-widths length above the belly button. It’s also called the Conception channel, and it is important for female and male fertility. This point benefits the uterus and ovaries and helps regulate the qi. It is also a useful point if you have issues with digestion such as bloating, gas, or reflux.  4

Have you tried acupuncture yet? 

Acupuncture not only helps to improve fertility, but it helps with menstrual regulation, sleep, injuries and pain, to name a few. You can book your appointment with our acupuncturist, Jenny, here: Book Now

Sources: 

  1. Hao, Jason, and Mittelman, Michele. “Acupuncuture Past, Presnet, Future.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4104560/
  2. Andreson, Allie. “Does acupuncture help you get pregnant.” https://patient.info/news-and-features/can-acupuncture-help-you-get-pregnant#:~:text=In%20terms%20of%20physiological%20effects,the%20uterus%2C%20thereby%20making%20embryo 
  3. Bouchez, Colette. “The Ancient Art of Infertility Treatment.” https://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/features/ancient-art-of-infertility-treatment
  4. Terzo, Laurie. “Top 10 Acupressure Points For Fertility.” https://www.drlaurieterzo.com/dr-laurie-terzo-blog/2019/3/5/top-10-acupressure-points-for-fertility 

Etana Wellness