3 Ways Acupuncture Supports Couples Facing Infertility

January 27, 2020

Becoming a parent is one of the most exciting and life changing experiences a person can have. Unfortunately, getting pregnant is not always an easy or straightforward experience for many couples.

Infertility is defined by the medical community as being unable to conceive after one year of trying. This is a deceivingly simple definition for a wide-reaching and complex problem. Nearly one in eight couples report having some issues with infertility and the number is rising. Even more worrisome is that very little is understood about the causes of infertility. In fact cases of infertility related to “unknown causes” may be as high as 15 percent.

The good news is that there is a range of treatments available that are often effective. Acupuncture is a great compliment to fertility treatments and a great way to balance your body as it prepares to conceive.

Here are three ways that acupuncture can help you as you begin your journey to parenthood:

Preparing to Conceive

Our bodies are incredible systems. Each function in the body works to support another. Becoming pregnant is one of the most intense experiences your body can go through. In order to have a healthy and happy pregnancy, your body needs to be in top shape. Acupuncture helps you balance your Qi, balance your energy and blood circulation and remove blockages. When your energy is blocked it can limit your chances of getting pregnant and maintaining a healthy pregnancy.

Acupuncture as a Primary Treatment

When people cannot become pregnant they often go to their doctor. Many doctors cannot always provide the answers about what is causing infertility and may quickly prescribe medicines, like clomid, to increase the chances of conception. While prescribing medicines to treat infertility is not inherently bad, instantly jumping to a fertility drug can mask underlying issues. Acupuncture is a better first step when you are considering pregnancy because it helps keep your body in balance. It does not mask underlying issues, but instead focuses on overall health and well-being, which better supports reproduction.

Acupuncture as a Complementary Treatment

There are some causes of fertility that acupuncture on its own cannot treat including endometriosis. However, acupuncture and herbal medicine, can help increase the chances of success with IVF, inseminations and embryo transfers. It is best to start a series of acupuncture treatments before attempting IVF, insemination or a transfer. These treatments can help prepare your body for pregnancy and increase the chances of implantation.

No matter what path you are taking on your pregnancy journey, acupuncture plays an important role. The risks are few and the primary side effect is perhaps the best of all — a healthy, happy baby!

Lotus Spring Acupuncture and Wellness Inc., the best restorative acupuncture clinic in American Fork, UT, USA is dedicated to providing valuable information about Traditional Chinese Medicine’s solutions to Naturally Restore Lungs Function.

The Link Between Lung Health and Nerve Growth

Have you ever thought about how the air we breathe affects more than just our lungs? It turns out, your lungs are super important not just for breathing but also for keeping your brain and nerves healthy.

Imagine your body is like a car engine, and oxygen is the fuel that keeps everything running smoothly. Without enough fuel, things start to break down. Well, the same goes for your body—without enough oxygen, your brain and nerves might not work as well as they should.

Did You Know?

Did you know that just a 1% drop in oxygen saturation can impair cognitive performance by up to 10%? Imagine you’re hiking up a high mountain, where the air is thin and oxygen is scarce. You might experience brain fog and find it hard to think clearly—this is because your brain needs a steady supply of oxygen to stay sharp. But it’s not just about high-altitude hikes. Oxygen affects your daily life in surprising ways:

Feeling Dizzy After Standing Up Quickly: Ever stood up too fast and felt lightheaded? This happens because your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen for a moment.
Struggling with Focus During a Tough Workout: If you’re working out intensely and feel like your concentration is slipping, it might be due to lower oxygen levels in your body.
Waking Up Groggy: If you have sleep apnea, you might wake up feeling tired because your body wasn’t getting enough oxygen during the night.

“Inhale and Exhale to Stay Calm”: Ever notice in movies how characters are told to breathe deeply to stay calm? This is because deep breathing helps get more oxygen to your brain, which can help clear your mind and improve focus.

What Happens If You Don’t Get Enough Oxygen?

If your lungs aren’t doing their job properly and your blood isn’t getting enough oxygen, you might face some serious problems:

Fatigue: Feeling tired all the time because your body isn’t getting the energy it needs.
Shortness of Breath: Struggling to breathe easily, even when you’re at rest.
Cognitive Issues: Difficulty concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions.
Headaches: Frequent headaches due to low oxygen levels in the brain.
Mood Changes: Feeling more irritable or down than usual, as oxygen levels affect your mood.

How Lung Health Supports Nerve Growth and Brain Function

Okay, let’s break this down into simpler terms. Think of your lungs as a big air pump. Their job is to take in oxygen from the air and put it into your blood. This oxygen-rich blood travels all over your body, including to your brain and nerves.

Brain Power: Your brain needs a lot of oxygen to think clearly and learn new things. Healthy lungs make sure your brain gets the oxygen it needs to stay sharp.
Nerve Growth: Just like plants need water to grow, your nerves need oxygen to stay healthy and grow. With enough oxygen, your nerves can work properly and repair themselves.
Memory and Learning: Good oxygen levels help you remember things and learn new skills more easily.

Tips to Keep Your Lungs Healthy and Boost Oxygen Delivery

1. Breathing Exercises

What to Do: Try deep breathing exercises like diaphragmatic breathing. Breathe in deeply through your nose, letting your belly expand, and then slowly exhale through your mouth.

Why It Works: Deep breathing helps improve lung capacity and oxygen flow. Aim for 5-10 minutes of deep breathing exercises twice a day.

2.Stay Hydrated

What to Do: Drink plenty of water throughout the day—about 8 glasses (2 liters) daily.

Why It Works: Water helps keep mucus thin and easier to expel, improving lung function.

3.Eat Lung-Friendly Foods

What to Do: Include foods rich in antioxidants, like berries, apples, and leafy greens. Omega-3 rich foods like fish and flaxseeds are also great.

Why It Works: These foods help reduce inflammation and support lung health. Try to eat at least one serving of these foods daily.