Oriental Medicine and Herbal Treaments

Many acupuncturists who have studied Chinese (sometimes called Oriental) medicine also treat their patients with herbs, and these are often used to treat infertility. Certain herbs and combinations of herbs have been known to increase sperm count and motility, as well as regulate hormones in both sexes.

There have been some clinical observations, such as those at the Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness in New York City, which indicate that the most effective way to combat an infertility problem is to combine acupuncture with herbal medicines and modern fertility drugs. However, some herbs can interfere with fertility drugs, so anyone who is combining these treatments should let their doctors know everything they are taking. Some practitioners also contend that acupuncture helps to counteract the toxicity that can accumulate in the body as a result of taking fertility drugs.

In many instances, Doctors of Oriental Medicine will include exercises in their treatment regimen. The exercises utilized are often Qi Gong (sometimes spelled Qi Kung and pronounced "chee gung.") These meditative exercises have been practiced in China for more than 3,000 years and are believed to promote healing, as well as balance the meridians in the body and relax the mind.