Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used in many Eastern cultures for countless centuries and is a long established component, in particular, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is used as a primary source of preventative medicine and treatment to support male and female reproductive health generally. It is also used to help with specific gynaecological concerns such as endemetriosis, dysmenorrhea, pelvic inflammation, uterine fibroids and PCOS.
Over recent years acupuncture has begun to feature more prominently in mainstream healthcare in the UK, usually as an adjunct to Western medicine, which is how we always employ it here at the Clinic. Though there is a growing body of scientific research into its uses, there is, however, little data that conforms to the usual Western medical standards of large scale, double-blind, randomised controlled trials on the human population and, as a result, its efficacy must still be considered to be largely unproven scientifically. All of the references to research made within the paragraphs below need, therefore, to be seen in that context.
Despite this, we remain strong supporters of its use as part of a co-ordinated approach, alongside dietary and lifestyle management and Western medicine, to promoting the best possible levels of reproductive health.
Acupuncture at Zita West
Both stress and hormonal imbalances are thought to be frequent contributors to fertility problems and a lot of the work we do at the Clinic is focussed on trying to reduce them. Research suggests that acupuncture may, for example, be good for relieving stress and helping the body to relax, as well as balancing female hormones. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture is routinely used to help support fertility by stimulating the reproductive organs and by helping to restore emotional balance generally.
Research suggests it may help with male fertility too. There have been a number of studies investigating acupuncture's ability to modulate male fertility parameters, as well as one which reported significant improvements in total sperm count, concentration and motility. Further, later studies, although conflicting in relation to the degree to which male fertility may be supported by acupuncture, have all reported some positive results, suggesting that levels of anti-sperm antibodies, testicular blood flow and scrotal temperature may be influenced.
Personally developed by Zita West, all the Clinic's acupuncture protocols incorporate a five element approach, integrated with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Based on her early experiences as the pioneer of acupuncture in the NHS, Zita is widely regarded as a world-leading authority on all aspects of its use for supporting male and female fertility and pregnancy and all the clinic's practitioners are trained in her techniques.
