Reproductive Conditions

Acupuncture for Hormonal Balance and Menstrual Regulation

Acupuncture for Infertility

Most women who come in for infertility show signs of depletion such as low energy, exhaustion, stress, or short or light periods. Often this is due to a combination of overwork and lack of time to rest and recharge, though age can also play a part. In Chinese medicine when we are depleted it is very difficult to conceive because there simply isn’t enough extra energy or substance to nourish and grow a baby. The main treatment principle in these cases then is to “tonify,“ or replenish and strengthen. Another common cause of infertility is irregular cycles, which can be normalized with acupuncture so that everything is in sync once again and conception can occur. Some of the most useful acupuncture points for menstrual and reproductive conditions are located on the Ren Mai, the "Conception Channel," which begins in the uterus and travels up the mid-line of the body. Acupuncture can also be used alongside conventional treatments, like artificial insemination and IVF, to improve the rate of success of these types of medical procedures.

 

Acupuncture is safe to do during pregnancy and can be helpful for conditions like morning sickness, anxiety, and lower back pain. It can even help increase the chances of carrying your baby to full term if there is a history of miscarriage. If you find yourself overdue, there are five points that specifically induce labor by unblocking energy in the abdomen and moving it down and out. First, I usually do the five points that induce labor with the mother semi-reclined. Then I do the second set with her lying on her side so I can access release points on the lower back. During the treatment, the baby may become a bit more active or mild contractions may be induced, but usually there is not a dramatic, immediate inducement. The full effect usually takes 24 to 48 hours and most women do two to three treatments. Another benefit of these treatments is that they can both shorten and ease the labor process. After the baby is born acupuncture can be helpful during the recovery phase, accelerating the healing process, replenishing energy reserves, and helping with other issues that may arise like post-natal depression, mastitis, and insufficient lactation.

 

In Chinese medicine, there are two main governing principles in the human body: yin (cold and wet) and yang (hot and dry). Our systems function most optimally when we can maintain a balance between these extremes of temperature and moisture. As we age, however, our yin becomes depleted and we tend to dry out, resulting in symptoms like dry skin, dry hair, constipation, and dry mucous membranes. With the shift of menopause, there can also be symptoms like night sweats and hot flashes. In Chinese medicine these symptoms indicate what we call "false heat," and they occur not because there is too much yang heating up the body, but because there is not enough yin to balance the yang and keep it cool, making it relatively excess. Over time, as the yin becomes more and more depleted, it eventually fails to ground the yang, which then rises up. One example of this is seen in hot flashes, where it feels like the heat is rising up in a wave. Acupuncture can help with these types of menopausal symptoms by building yin to cool and moisten your system, clearing the excess yang, redirecting the ascendant energy back down and anchoring it. It can also help with other symptoms like mood swings, fatigue, palpitations, anxiety, and insomnia.

Complementary, Supportive Therapies that Enhance Acupuncture