Feet of baby girl (2-5 months) lying on bedAcupuncture has been used for centuries to help vital energy flow healthily throughout the body—so what better time to harness its power than when you’re trying to bring a new life into the world?

A healthy baby needs healthy parents in order to thrive, but today, there are more threats than ever before to men’s and women’s fertility. Whether it’s stress, pollution, disease, or any number of other reasons, sometimes parents just aren’t able to conceive all on their own. If this sounds like you, don’t give up hope. Acupuncture, in conjunction with conventional fertility treatments, can have a profoundly healing effect upon your fertility and your overall reproductive health.

Back in 2002, a medical study showed that women undergoing acupuncture and in vitro fertilization were more than 20 percent more likely to conceive than those who didn’t receive acupuncture. Since then, acupuncture has become an increasingly popular treatment for women looking to supplement their conventional fertility treatments. Why? Because acupuncture produces astounding results for stress reduction, overall health, and reproductive health—all of which are vital to pregnancy.

And it’s not just women’s responsibility to look after their reproductive health. Men with low sperm count or other reproductive challenges are a vital factor in the fertility equation. Fortunately, acupuncture has been shown to increase male vitality, sperm count, and sperm quality. Truly, acupuncture is for both parents because it takes two to conceive!

How else can acupuncture help you get pregnant?

Strengthen and heal your uterus.

The uterus is your future child’s “home,” and it needs to be in tip-top shape in order to host a healthy fetus. Many women who suffer from infertility have poor circulation and lack of blood flow to the uterus and ovaries. Because our blood carries all the vital nutrients to every part of our body, it’s crucial to have healthy blood flow to the uterus if you want to conceive. Acupuncture can help detoxify your blood as well as increase the amount that travels to the uterus, thereby improving your chances for conceiving.

Regulate menstruation and ovulation.

An irregular menstrual cycle can throw off ovulation, the phase of the cycle during which conception is possible. There are so many reasons why a woman’s cycle might be off-balance, it can be hard to pinpoint the culprit. Fortunately, acupuncture is a holistic practice, taking into account the whole mind, body, and spirit. With regular treatment, overall health improves—and the menstrual cycle will regulate itself.

Balance hormones.

It can be hard for the body to regulate its hormones when vital energy, or qi, is blocked. Acupuncture can actually trigger the production of important pregnancy-enhancing hormones, as well as “reset” the body so a woman’s hormones are stabilized and conducive to pregnancy.

Normalize thyroid function.

The thyroid is the gland in charge of the hormones that regulate your metabolism, and a common block to fertility is either overproduction (hyperthyroidism) or underproduction (hypothyroidism) of these specific hormones. These conditions can have serious effects on conceiving as well as the health of a baby carried to full term. Acupuncture has been used for centuries to regulate the thyroid so you—and your baby—can have stable, healthy metabolisms.

Reduce stress.

It’s true—something as common as stress can pose a very real threat to your ability to conceive. Acupuncture, as a mind-body-spirit treatment, addresses your whole self on every level, banishing physical and even emotional discomforts that contribute to stress.

Acupuncture treatment for fertility is a process, so start before you try to conceive to produce the best results. It’s a safe, effective, and calming healing modality for mothers-to-be. Don’t spend years attempting to conceive without giving it a try! Chances are, it could be just what you need in order to create the family you’ve always wanted.