How does acupuncture work and will it increase my chance of pregnancy?
How does acupuncture work? Ah. The million dollar question. As with so much in TCM, the answer is both simple and complex. Let’s try break this down.
Acupuncture and TCM: 101
Acupuncture is one part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM is a medicine of observation, meaning that the effects of using different TCM modalities have been studied for literally thousands of years. All this feedback and information has been culminated into the TCM we practice globally today. AND it is still evolving as our environment changes, as we work alongside allopathic therapies and as we work with developing technologies.
How does acupuncture work?
A fundamental aspect of TCM theory is the concept of a life force or an energy that supports and drives every part of us, physical, emotional, spiritual, and we require free flow within this energetic system to live and functional optimally. Acupuncture is a technique to support this energy and encourage smooth flow.
Trying to understanding TCM in a conventional medical setting
There isn’t one clear explanation of how acupuncture works as per our current understanding of modern science. Our bodies are made up of lots of different systems, and there is likely a combination of systems engaged when we receive acupuncture.
Acupuncture points are nerve-rich areas that encourage microcirculation and physiological action. Research suggest that acupuncture may activate neurohormonal pathways and trigger biochemical processes in the body. It has been widely accepted that acupuncture causes the release of;
endorphins
serotonin
enkephalins
GABA
norepinephrine
dopamine
Treatment at The Fertility Suite, Manly.
How does acupuncture impact my fertility?
With this information, we can assume that acupuncture has an impact on the physiology and hormonal processes of our reproductive system. Unfortunately when it comes to fertility, conception, healthy pregnancies and healthy babies there are so many factors involved and there are no guarantees. However, research on acupuncture, herbal medicine and fertility show optimistic results. For example,
This study showed patients presenting with unexplained infertility had a conception rate of 60.9% when treated with acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Acupuncture has been shown to improve the structure of the endometrial lining – an important part of successful implantation.
This animal study looked an immune markers important for implantation and found improved levels after acupuncture treatments.
A 2016 study found that women undergoing an acupuncture protocol had a statistically significant increase in their fertility awareness and significantly decreased time to conception.
Or this 2020 randomised controlled trial in the IVF space, which found that two acupuncture treatments before, and one following embryo transfer significantly increased pregnancy and live birth rates.
Are all findings this positive?
As with so many areas, research has been conflicted. There are certainly studies that have found acupuncture to have a neutral effect on fertility outcomes – like this one , which found that women undergoing an acupuncture protocol consisting of one acupuncture treatment before and one following an embryo transfer didn’t have a clinically significant impact on pregnancy rates.
Could it be placebo?
The placebo effect is a positive impact on a person’s health, triggered by a belief in the benefit from the treatment rather than the characteristics of the treatment itself.
We do know that ‘sham’ acupuncture is difficult to administer and may still have a physiological or energetic impact. There have been plenty of studies like this which have looked at acupuncture, sham acupuncture and pain relief. Most research here concludes acupuncture is more efficacious than sham acupuncture, but this research doesn’t appear to have been extended to the fertility space just yet.
Wondering if acupuncture is right for you? Contact us here, or book an appointment with one of our practitioners here.