Acupressure and Fertility

The inability to become a parent naturally may have any number of causes.  While there are many medical treatments that can be used to help a couple become pregnant, some people also have described success using acupressure and/or acupuncture alone or in conjunction with medical treatments.  Before beginning acupressure treatment a couple should have thorough physical examinations to rule out anatomical causes of infertility.  These should be corrected if possible. Unless both partners have the anatomical requirements for reproduction acupressure cannot be helpful. 

Acupressure is an ancient Chinese healing art which calls for stimulating specific pressure points on the body to promote healing.  Acupressure may be able to help the body relax, help the blood circulate more freely and quicken the healing process. 

It is thought that pressure applied to specific points on the hands and feet can help stimulate the ovaries, uterus, and adrenal, pituitary, thyroid, and parathyroid glands to balance hormone production.  According to five element theory of Oriental Medicine, infertility is influenced by the water element (inside the Bladder and Kidney areas) and the earth element (inside the spleen and stomach areas).

Acupressure spots are often identified by organ and number.  For example, the tip of the middle finger may have a specific pressure point that is thought to help the spleen.  That point may be called "spleen 3."  An acupressure chart can help you with finding specific points.

specific acupressure points that may be used to help during the preconception period include:

-  Spleen 3

-  Large Intestine 11

-  Triple Warmer 7

-  Conception Vessel 3

The Liver 3 point is also helpful as it relaxes the nervous system.  Also, Spleen 6 and Stomach 36 improve circulation.

There are many acupressure resources available.  While it is possible to visit an acupressure massage therapist, much acupressure can be done at home.  Acustimulation is a variation on acupressure and uses an electrical stimulus instead of pressure, and there are products for both acupressure and acustimulation that will activate these points through the use of wristbands or similar devices.

Unfortunately, we will be unable to answer medical related questions.
