Acupuncture in the Treatment of Infertility

Although there are many people who still view acupuncture as more mumbo jumbo than anything based on scientific fact, it is the area of the treatment of infertility that acupuncture has seemed to gain the most acceptance among the skeptics. This is especially true when the cause of the infertility is functional rather than structural. Structural infertility would be a condition such as a blocked fallopian tube. Functional infertility would be a condition where the cause is rooted more in either a hormonal or emotional problem.

Of course, the acupuncturist looks at the treatment of infertility as he does at all conditions that suggest a disharmony within the natural order of the human body. Studies have shown that acupuncture is extremely effective when it is used in conjunction with such infertility procedures as “in vitro” fertilization. It is thought by the Western practitioner that this is due to the stimulation of certain essential gender specific chemicals within the female body by the insertion of the acupuncture needles. It is also thought that the sense of mental well being and confidence that often accompanies acupuncture is helpful as well.

The acupuncturist would see the reasons for the success rate as a restoration of blood flow to the reproductive organs and the stabilization of hormone levels within the body. This aids ovulation and even sperm production in males and these factors make the chances of conception more likely. Even the most skeptical physicians admit that acupuncture is virtually without risk and they often take a “more is better” approach when dealing with most infertility issues. This means that anything that can not hurt you might help.

Most acupuncture treatments that are designed to treat infertility problems will be coupled with herbal medicines. There are a wide variety of herbal preparations that are thought to have a desirable impact on infertility problems. It is fairly common for most acupuncture treatments to be coupled with herbal treatments as well as diet and other lifestyle related approaches. This is typical of the approach of Traditional Chinese Medicine to treating the whole person and not just a specific disorder.

Although acupuncture has also been shown to reduce miscarriages and troublesome pregnancies, there are certain acupuncture points that are not thought to be safe for needling during the later stages of pregnancy. These acupuncture body points would be well known to an experienced acupuncturist. Western practitioners still recommend that you select an acupuncturist who specializes in infertility and pregnancy treatments.

Acupuncture for Arthritis

It is sometimes possible to get a bit of insight into the attitude of Western vs. Traditional Chinese Medicine by examining the meaning of the words used to describe a condition. The suffix “itis” means inflammation, and the word artho is Greek for joint. So, arthritis simply means “inflammation of a joint.” The point here is that this is a condition or a symptom that is being discussed. The use of a special word gives it the status of a disease in Western Medicine.

Arthritis is one of the most common of all physical ailments. It is the most common complaint of people over 65 years of age. It causes much pain and loss of function, and most treatments for it consist of treating the pain and hoping for the best. Acupuncture for arthritis is a type of treatment that has been used for centuries to treat the pain and restore function. Traditional Chinese Medicine recognizes arthritis as the symptom that it really is and looks deeper to discover the cause.

Although Western practitioners do not understand this search for causation and would not agree with the conclusions of the acupuncturist as to how relief would be achieved, they do agree that acupuncture produces results in the treatment of arthritis. Many Doctors are suggesting acupuncture treatments for patients with long term chronic arthritis. Of course, they mostly suggest it as part of a comprehensive treatment that combines the different disciplines.

A recent study done by the National Institute of Health found that acupuncture could result in as much as a 44% reduction in pain and a 40% improvement in joint mobility in patients suffering from osteoarthritis. The study involved 570 patients over the age of 50 that were in an advanced stage of the affliction. The patients were divided into three groups. One received the suggested acupuncture treatments designed to treat the specific patient. The second group received a sham acupuncture treatment. The final group contained on the self help and medication program that they had been previously using.

The surprising results of this study led the National Institute of Health to issue a cautious endorsement of acupuncture for arthritis. This endorsement did have some important results in the acceptance of acupuncture as an alternative treatment for osteoarthritis by Insurance companies. It is not possible to describe the exact course of acupuncture treatment for arthritis as it will vary from patient to patient. A complete examination is done to determine the underlying disharmonies that are causing the condition and the treatment will be tailored to the individual patient.

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Acupuncture and Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that is rapidly getting out of control in the United States. The incidence rate is approaching 15%-20% in certain population groups such as the elderly. Non-insulin dependent diabetes is the most common form of the disease. It is characterized by low sugar levels in the body and its cause is often related to lifestyle issues. It is interesting to note that the earliest mention of a condition that appears to be non-insulin dependent diabetes in ancient Chinese texts referred to it as a disease of the rich. It suggested that the rich would not be willing to give up the excesses of their lifestyle.

The disease is far more prevalent in the United States and Europe than in the Orient, but it is on the increase there. This is thought to be the result of the modernization that is bringing the same harmful diet and lifestyle choices as are available in the United States. This idea of the effect of lifestyle on the onset and course of the disease suggests the first approach of Traditional Chinese Medicine to its treatment. Acupuncture for diabetes is often the third treatment option. First comes diet and improved lifestyle. Any of the twenty or so herbs that have been used in the treatment of diabetes for centuries would come next.

It has been said that an acupuncturist is going to be better able to treat diabetes simply because he will tend to spend more time with the patient than most busy Western doctors. This is because the acupuncturist is interested in the lifestyle of the patients. He needs to know factors about his life and condition that the doctor would not deem important. This is because the acupuncturist is going to see even the diabetes as a symptom of something amiss in the body, and not the problem itself.

For example, although many patients showing the onset of diabetic symptoms are also suffering from weight problems and might even be obese, this could be misleading. Overweight people are thought to have an excess of yin and a deficiency of yang. Closer examination will often reveal a deficiency of yin. This deficiency causes excessive heat that further stagnates the yin until the qi is impacted. The patient suffering from advanced diabetes will end up with deficiencies in qi, ying, and yang.

There are as many as twenty good acupuncture points for the treatment of low blood sugar. Usually, a dozen of these points are selected in each treatment depending on the patients overall situation. Many Western doctors have begun to give a cautious recommendation to the consideration of acupuncture. They have not been able to argue with the results. Although they do not accept the premises of why these treatments are successful, they will still suggest that it might be attempted as long as the more conventional treatment methods are retained. There is actually much common ground. Both disciplines recognize the impact of diet and lifestyle and their recommendations for maintenance are generally the same.