If you've looked into fertility treatment at any time in the past few years there's a good chance you've heard about acupuncture. As a fertility treatment on its own, or as a complement to modern fertility treatments, acupuncture is becoming increasingly accepted by GPs, fertility specialists, and couples the world over.

Current research indicates that acupuncture works by regulating the reproductive hormones and improving blood flow to the reproductive organs of both men and women. It improves the quality of egg production, nourishes the endometrium, and sets up an optimum environment for a healthy pregnancy. In conjunction with IVF, acupuncture can boost the quality of follicles and eggs, relieve stress, and increase implantation rates. For men, acupuncture has been shown to improve sperm count, motility, and structure.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are most effective in cases of functional, rather than structural, infertility.

Functional infertility is a term used to describe reproductive imbalances such as irregular menstruation or polycystic ovarian syndrome. Structural infertility describes more mechanical problems such as blockage of, or damage to, the sperm ducts or fallopian tubes. As acupuncture is wonderful for regulating hormonal imbalances and blood flow to the reproductive organs, men and women with functional infertility are encouraged to try it.

A fertility acupuncture treatment involves a comprehensive diagnosis during which you will be asked general health and lifestyle questions, as well as questions relating to your reproductive health. These questions tell the practitioner how your body is working and what patterns are creating the imbalance (if any). After this an individualised diagnosis and treatment will be chosen, and herbs may also be prescribed. The acupuncture treatment itself involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points, mostly on your feet, legs, hands, arms, and abdomen. Only a few points will be chosen for each visit.

Acupuncture is a gentle therapy that enables your body to utilise its own healing capacity. It takes just over three months to create one egg or one

sperm. For this reason, it will take roughly twelve weekly sessions before you see the big changes your body has been making. When considering IVF, many couples decide to spend a few months preparing their bodies with acupuncture before beginning treatment.

Conception is not the sole focus of Chinese medicine fertility treatment. Fertility encompasses the good health (both reproductive and overall) of BOTH future parents, the strength of the genetic material that will create the embryo, and a healthy, trouble-free pregnancy and childbirth. Chinese medicine believes a healthy family is created long before conception even takes place. For this reason, couples are encouraged to have acupuncture and Chinese herbs to prime their bodies for this momentous event. Lifestyle and dietary adjustments are also recommended according to each couples physical and emotional needs. Whether you are thinking about babies, suffering with a reproductive imbalance, trying for a natural conception, or wanting to improve your chances of successful IVF treatment, acupuncture and Chinese herbs can

provide effective treatment to help you start a healthy and happy family.

Aja Stuart has a bachelor of health science in traditional Chinese medicine (UTS). Aja's clinical practice is built on her compassion for the human spirit, her commitment to quality health care, and her belief that each individual has within them the power to heal and thrive. Specialising in family health, Aja uses acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine combined with modern scientific research to naturally improve health during the times of fertility, pregnancy and childhood. A healthy family is a happy family.

Aja's practice is at Rozelle Total Health, 579 Darling st, Rozelle, Sydney, (02) 9087 4600 You can ask her a question at www.tribemagazine.com.au/ask- an-expert/meet-the-experts

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