August 2008
What's Affecting Your Fertility?

Poor dietary habits, overwork, stress, and emotional upset, may all lead to infertility. With our busy and hectic modern day lifestyles, it's very easy for us to forget that we are still a part of the natural world, and our bodies have been designed to function according to natural laws. When we place unreasonable demands, and constant stress on our systems, things just plain start to go wrong.

In cases of infertility, the patterns of disharmony will usually be related to the energetics of the Kidneys, Liver, and Spleen.

The Kidneys are the storehouse of our "Original Life Energy" or "Yuan Qi" and are intimately related to reproduction. It is the Kidney's energetic function that governs conception. Overtaxation from excessive work, lack of sleep, or other lifestyle irregularities will eventually lead to a decline in Kidney Qi. Once the Kidney Qi is weakened, the body may no longer be able to support a healthy pregnancy. If the warming function of the Kidneys is impaired, cold can easily invade and obstruct the uterus.

The Liver's function is to ensure a smooth flow of Qi throughout the entire body. Excessive anger, irritability and constant exposure to stress will impair this function. Once the Qi flow becomes sluggish, or depressed, it may also impair the circulation of blood. Without a smooth flow of Qi and blood, PMS, irregular cycles, and infertility all may result.

Poor dietary habits, worrying, and over-thinking tend to damage the Spleen. The Spleen plays an important role in generating Qi and blood from our food and water. If the Spleen's function is impaired, the body may become weakened and lack both Qi and blood. Since Qi and blood are vital for nourishment of the egg, and regular menstrual cycles, Qi and blood deficiency is also a common cause of infertility. Another function of the Spleen (and Kidney) is to transform and transport fluids. If the Spleen's function of transportation and transformation is impaired, dampness and phlegm will begin to accumulate. Damp/phlegm obstruction can also inhibit conception and lead to conditions like PCOS, or fallopian tube blockage.

Through a careful pulse diagnosis, tongue diagnosis, and questioning, your acupuncturist will determine the best course of treatment depending on which pattern(s) predominate.

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years for the treatment of infertility, and modern studies confirm that acupuncture:

  • Increases blood flow to the uterus which improves the chances of implantation.
  • Positively affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which plays a key role in fertility.
  • Normalizes hormone and endocrine systems that regulate ovulation.
  • Reduces stress, anxiety, and stress related hormones that can significantly decrease fertility.

Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine provide a safe, effective, drug-free, and natural approach to treating infertility and enjoying a healthy pregnancy!

Call today at (815) 230-9070 for your free consultation.

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