Acupuncture for Fertility & Pregnancy
In recent years acupuncture has developed a reputation for increasing male and female fertility and enhancing natural conception. It also increases the chances of assisted conception in IVF/ICSI/IUI cycles.
1 out 0f 6 couples will have trouble conceiving, although only 1 into 20 will actually be diagnosed as infertile. Acupuncture has a lot to offer many people, as a drug free, natural method of regulating the body and allowing it to restore its own rhythm.
Common causes of female infertility include endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids, pelvic inflamation or irregular, painful or absent periods. The Acupuncture Research Resource Centre carries research into the effectiveness of some of these conditions and the World Health Organistation also lists several of these conditions that it has found evidence for its effectiveness.
Sometimes there is no obvious reason why a couple are failing to get pregnant, and are given the diagnosis of unexplained infertility. Stress has a large part to play in inhibiting fertility and acupuncture has a powerful effect on reducing stress hormones and allowing the body to relax. Acupuncture has much to offer in many of these cases and may prevent the need for more invasive and costly medical procedures later on.
Male fertility is an issue in about a third of all cases and acupuncture can help increase the volume, motility and morphology of sperm as well as improve sexual function. Couples trying to conceive may improve their chances if both partners improve their fertility through acupuncture.
For those couples that are committed to IVF , IUI or ICUI inorder to conceive, acupuncture can increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. Several clinical trails in recent years have shown increased pregnancy rates by using acupuncture, most notably Paulus in 2002, where 42.5% of the acupuncture group became pregnant versus only 26.3% in the group that did not receive acupuncture whilst undergoing IVF.
For best results acupuncture is given several weeks before embryo transfer, this helps counter the side effects of down regulation, helps mature enough eggs and thickens the endometrium ready for implementation.
In both IUI and IVF acupuncture helps reduce stress and prepares your body so its working at its optimum, maximising the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Acupuncture in Pregnancy
Acupuncture is ideally suited to treating problems in pregnancy because it does not involve taking pharmaceutical drugs to make a change. Often problems arise as the mothers body adjusts, and a wide range of conditions can be successfully treated, including pregnancy specific problems such as morning sickness and later problems such as breech presentation.
Researchshows that having pre-birth treatment from 37 or 38 weeks until delivery reduces labour time and the need for medical intervention, increasing the chances of having a natural birth. Acupuncture induction can also be used to instigate labour and avoid medical induction once overdue.
Both of these treatments are great at providing emotional support at a very stressful time, and women find it very empowering to be able to do something towards helping the birth process along.
Indeed, using acupuncture throughout the pregnancy to maintain good health, ensures the mothers body is functioning at its best and supplying all it needs to your baby.
Chinese medicine can also provide much needed support and nourishment postpartum, to aid the recovery of the mother and help return the body back to normal. Giving birth is one of the biggest physical and emotional changes a womans body can go through, and is often complicated by surgery or trauma. Acupuncture can provide great support
My Biography
I hold a BSc Honours in Tradtional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture from Westminster University. I am also a Member of the British Acupuncture Council and am bound by its strict code of conduct. I have done a number of post graduate courses and am committed to continuing proffessional development. I have also worked at the Gateway NHS acupuncture clinic, and also at a GP`s surgery in Bedfordshire.
For the last four years I have been based in East Sussex, and practice acupuncture primarily at the Heeler centre in Hassocks. I am also a founder member of Lewes Community Acupuncture, the first multi bed practice in Lewes and also recently co founded Eastbourne Community Acupuncture. I am passionate about spreading the benefits of acupuncture and making it more affordable for all members of society.
I enjoy all aspects of general practice but have a particular interest in treating children and those with fertilty issues.
I have practiced Tai ji quan and Qi gong for over 13 years, and for the past 6 years have been studying traditional Wu style under Michael Acton. He is a disciple of Dr Li Li Qun a 4th generation Wu stylist and Qi gong Doctor from Shanghai. Now in his 80s he is one of Chinas leading exponents in both arts and a true master. He was a senior disciple of Ma Yeuh Liang one of the most celebrated Tai ji masters of modern times. Ma himself was senior disciple of Wu Jianquan, founder of the Wu style.
