3 Ways to Identify Acupuncture Points for Infertility

1. Dip Into the Research

Science is evolving quickly in the field of holistic reproductive medicine. Studies are being conducted around the world and research results are phenomenal. The studies are widely published in academic journals and on the Internet. Acupuncture shows very promising results for enhancing everything from in vitro fertilization and embryonic transfer to treating polycystic ovaries, pituitary and hypothalamic disorders, delayed ovulation, hormone imbalances and even sperm motility problems for men. Each study will list the exact acupuncture points used on the active research participants. You can cross-reference these points with locations from online point references. Look for acupuncturists who take part in these studies, or those who are members of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine. The best acupuncturists to work with will be those who specialize exclusively in fertility and reproductive medicine, and those who work closely with medical specialists such as reproductive endocrinologists. These practitioners will have strong experience and proven track records in boosting fertility. That said, even more general practitioners can help with fertility by boosting overall health and creating balance in your mind and body.

2. Look for Tender Points

Another system of acupuncture, the Meridian style from Japan, uses less direct questioning and more palpation of the channels to find blockages and areas of weakness. By gently massaging acupuncture points, following the meridians, looking for tenderness, the acupuncturist can find the blockages, since obstruction in the channel creates mild pain. The advantage of this style is that it is very direct and works quickly because the acupuncturist is physically locating the blockage that is interfering with conception, rather than relying upon an intellectual model to determine the best points to use. Expect that your practitioner will ask numerous times whether various points are more reactive than another point nearby.

3. Go by Name

The ancient Taoists who developed the acupuncture system originally gave each point a name, often correlated with the function and usage of the point. The numbering system is a more recent development and many serious students of acupuncture choose to learn the point names as well as their numeric designation. The point names can reveal their usefulness, especially for fertility issues.
For example, an acupuncture point on the lower abdomen called Zi Gong, or Palace of the Child or Uterine Palace, depending up on the translation, is often used to help prepare the uterus for conception. There is an entire meridian named for its use in fertility medicine, the Conception vessel, which travels up the front midline of the body, from the genitals to the mouth. With guidance from your acupuncturist, you can use gentle massage on these points to help balance your system. Some practitioners recommend using essential oils on the points as a non-invasive way to help balance the system in between acupuncture visits.