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Lauree Talis
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 12:41: | |
Hi.
Can acupuncture treat infertility?
How does it regard infertility in terms of physiological disorders?
Thanks. |
Shmuel Halevi
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 13:29: | |
Yes Lauree, in many instances acupuncture can treat infertility. I suppose you are concerned with female infertility, but acupuncture has even better results with male infertility. The causes of female infertility may vary substantially. Infertility may be due to an anatomical pathology such as blocked fallopian tubes, or endometriosis and so on. It may also be due to energetical-physiological disharmony which disrupts the proper functioning of the uterus and the reproductive system. The anatomical-pathologies may range from excessive damp-phlegm in the uterus causing clogged passage in the fallopian tube, to a blood stasis pathology causing myomas, endometriosis, ovarian cysts etc. The physiological disharmonies may vary considerably and, to mention only a few, may be a Qi deficiency, or Yang deficiency resulting in "cold uterus" to a lack of sufficient blood circulation in the uterus. There may also be Qi stagnation or Yin deficiency, blood deficiency or even blood stasis without a pathological change in any of the uterus tissues or organs. Many Zang-Fu (internal organs) may be involved in these possible disharmonies. The kidneys play an essential role in fertility of both sexes. Weak kidney energy may lead to a lack of energetical nourishment to the reproductive system which will result in infertility or, sometimes, habitual abortions and the like. The liver system is also very predominant in many of the infertility syndromes. These are mostly of the blood deficiency or stagnation types. The spleen is the third organ-system that plays an important role in the health of the uterus. Spleen malfunctioning may give rise to excessive dampness which will result in leukorrhea or the formation of cysts and will eventually interfere with the free flow of Qi and blood in the uterus, ovaries and tubes. Emotional problems can also affect dramatically the ability to conceive. Emotional problems, such as apprehension, anxiety, depression and the like are often related to the heart-organ system and may need to address this organ in treatment as a preliminary procedure before directly addressing the uterus functioning. To make it even more complicated, there are also extra meridians such as the Ren Mai, Chong Mai and Dai Mai that are often involved in infertility and have to be taken in consideration in the diagnosis. In short, it is indeed a vast topic and if you want to delve deeper there is plenty of material - even on the internet. |
L.Talis
| | Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 13:37: | |
Much obliged for this comprehensive answer
Lauree.
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Infertility