Chiropractic Healing Works

Chiropractic Healing Works

Can Acupuncture Be Used To Treat Male Infertility?

by Charlie Berry

If you and your spouse have been trying to conceive for months (or even years) with no success, you may be searching anxiously for answers as to the cause of your fertility troubles, as well as possible treatments. Fertility testing can provide some answers -- but if this testing reveals issues with sperm count or motility that significantly decrease your chances to conceive, you could find yourself deciding between the use of fertility drugs or donor sperm. Before going either route, you may want to investigate some alternative therapies to see if you can improve the quality of your sperm without resorting to more invasive measures. Read on to learn more about how acupuncture may be used to treat some causes of male infertility, as well as what you can do if you have health issues that prevent the use of acupuncture needles.

How can acupuncture help treat male infertility?

Although acupuncture is often used as an alternative to fertility-boosting medications for women, it can also provide a boon to men dealing with sperm issues. At least one study has demonstrated a significant increase in both sperm motility and quality after just five weeks of twice-weekly acupuncture treatments. The treatments found by this study to be effective were a mere 35 minutes each -- often manageable over one's lunch break or after work and before dinner.

While this data speaks for itself, many scientists, researchers, and medical professionals differ in opinion on exactly why acupuncture is so effective. Some cite its stress-relieving properties that help boost your immune system, while others believe its ability to promote blood flow and circulation can improve the quality of sperm produced. By improving vasodilation, which allows more sperm to travel from the testes through the vas deferens and to the urethra, acupuncture can even help you increase the number of sperm in each ejaculate.

Is acupuncture the right option for you?

For those who haven't tried acupuncture before, the appearance of the needles (and the prospect of having them inserted into your body for a half-hour or more) can be intimidating. Looks can be deceiving, as those who are acupuncture converts will state that the insertion of acupuncture needles is nearly painless, and the manipulation can feel like a mild achiness, spreading feeling of heaviness, or even the "zap" of a mild shock. Forcing yourself to lie still and listen to relaxing music while the needles are inserted and manipulated can help you unplug from the stresses of the outside world. 

However, there are a few medical conditions that can render acupuncture a contraindicated therapy.  For those taking prescription blood thinners like warfarin to prevent blood clots, the insertion of acupuncture needles could lead to uncontrolled bleeding. Others dealing with genetic blood clotting disorders like hemophilia could find that acupuncture causes more problems than it solves. If you're not sure you can physically withstand acupuncture, you may want to investigate acupressure as an alternative.

Like acupuncture, acupressure involves the use of specific pressure points throughout the body to improve blood flow and release stress-fighting hormones. Instead of inserting needles into these pressure points, an acupuncturist will place firm, unyielding pressure on these spots to help break up any scar tissue and improve lymphatic drainage. After your acupressure appointment, you may feel relaxed enough to fall asleep or keyed-up with energy.

Choosing acupuncture or acupressure before beginning a regimen of fertility drugs or flipping through a book of potential sperm donors may be just the push your body needs to help your spouse conceive naturally. Because your body continually produces sperm, maintaining a regular acupuncture schedule can ensure that the sperm you're producing is of the highest quality possible. To learn more about acupuncture, check out a clinic like Health Atlast Fountain Valley.


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About Me

Chiropractic Healing Works

I used to be skeptical about chiropractic healing. However, that was before I tried it for myself. I was in an accident that did serious damage to my back. I followed all of the doctor’s recommendations, did my physical therapy, and still didn’t feel any better. That was when I finally decided to try going to my friend’s chiropractor. It was such a relief when I finally started to feel better thanks to the great chiropractic care I received. That’s when I decided to start researching chiropractic care and how it could be used to treat different conditions. This blog contains the results of that research. If you’re looking for a way to feel better, you too may benefit from chiropractic healing. These articles will help you learn how.

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