Acupuncture and Fertiliy treatment

A recent article in the Telegraph (10th March 10) has reported that acupuncture does not aid fertility. Unfortunately there were no details or references to support this statement and I would therefore ask readers to be wary of scare-mongering headlines such as this. I am frustrated that acupuncture is being portrayed in such a negative light.

Acupuncture can treat many conditions associated with fertility problems. These include stress, anxiety, abdominal pains, regulating and improving menstrual problems, back pains etc.

There have also been studies to suggest use of acupuncture around the time of embryo transfer can aid implantation. As yet conclusive evidence to support this is still not available. However proving something works at an evidence based level is often very difficult. This means that the best quality studies should be 'double blinded randomised controlled trials'. In other words the acupuncturist and patient should not know if they are giving or receiving acupuncture, and there should be a treatment group and control group ( ie not receiving any treatment). Clearly this is a very difficult criteria to meet when dealing with administering acupuncture needles and the nature of giving acupuncture treatment.

Western Medicine tends to dismiss studies that do not conform to the above criteria. It does not allow for analysis of benefit at an individual level. Obviously many people find acupuncture helpful because it is a therapy that has been widely used in many countries for many centuries.

I would encourage anyone with chronic health problems to call us at the Chester Acupuncture Clinic in Cheshire to see if we think acupuncture can help you. It is safe and effective for many conditions and could significantly improve your quality of life.