Recently we have had a few requests from our patients asking for more information on acupuncture and its benefits. In return, we have contacted several acupuncturists and they have readily agreed to write for our blog periodically.
Our first post is written by Maureen Tighe, ND, L.Ac. at Trillium Natural Medicine in Pittsburgh.
Acupuncture is a therapy that not only compliments western medicine’s approach to infertility, but also offers a unique approach for improving outcomes with couples trying to conceive and have a healthy pregnancy.
Reproductive endocrinology (RE) and western medicine excel in their ability to diagnose obstacles with fertility such as fallopian tube obstruction, hypothyroidism, premature ovarian failure and luteal phase defect. Ruling out these possibilities or diagnosing them is imperative in order to determine the best course of action for each couple. Success rates with IVF and IUI are much higher than they were twenty years ago; therefore, RE offers many couples a much greater chance of conceiving.
Acupuncture gently nourishes or tonifies aspects of health that relate to women’s health: menstruation, fertility, pregnancy and menopause. Most often women have patterns of disharmony involving the yin organs: the liver, spleen or kidney, as well as qi (spiritual energy) and blood. With the insertion of fine, sterile needles along the surface of the body, movement of qi and blood is stimulated, allowing communication among organ systems. This restores normal physiology of organs and glands that relate to fertility.
A convenient side effect of acupuncture is the release of endorphins, which promotes a sense of calm and well-being. Many women opt to do acupuncture in conjunction with IUIs or IVFs in order to improve the efficacy. It is a proactive investment in one’s health that results in not only being more fertile, but also improving the health of the mom, the pregnancy and the baby.
At Trillium Natural Medicine, our utmost care is given to ensure the most thorough and effective treatment plan for addressing each individual’s or couple’s needs. We offer an empowered approach towards enhancing fertility and improving RE procedure outcomes.
Maureen Tighe, N.D., L.Ac.
Trillium Natural Medicine, LLC
3043 West Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15216
412-571-9355