Here at Team Miracle, our main aim is to help you to achieve the family that you’ve always wanted. We strive to keep up with the latest technologies, scientific breakthroughs, medical advancements and fertility training. In keeping up with the endless research out there, Team Miracle at Cyprus IVF Centre is proud to introduce a new service to their ever growing family of treatments, acupuncture.
What is Acupuncture ?
Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine which has been used for centuries to treat, heal and alleviate ailments of every type with its main focus being to relieve pain. Ongoing studies are even finding links between acupuncture and fertility. The Chinese believe that a life force “chi” travels through your body passing through channels known as “meridians”. When one of these paths becomes blocked this is when illness occurs or when the body can no longer operate in the way that it was designed. Whether you choose to accept this belief or not, the results seen when applying acupuncture, even in the modern day, for many people have been irrefutable.
How does Acupuncture Work ?
Acupuncture works by placing extremely fine needles into specific areas of the body where energy points are located and are used to manipulate and release the flow of blocked energy. The needles act as a tool which channel and “unblock” the disrupted flow and restore balance and thus alleviate the pain or allow the body to heal itself.
For those who are a little more skeptical about “chi” and “life forces” running through the body, they’ll be pleased to hear that Western practitioners have a scientific approach and belief as to why acupuncture has such amazing results. Inserting needles into specific points around the body stimulates nerves, muscles and connective tissue which triggers and releases endorphins, (the body’s natural painkillers). The process also increases blood flow. By increasing the flow of blood, more oxygen reaches all of the body’s vital organs and thus allows regeneration and repair of damaged or malfunctioning parts.
Benefits of Acupuncture with IVF Treatment in Cyprus
For some years now, the benefits of acupuncture and its impact upon fertility have been investigated. As mentioned previously, acupuncture increases the flow of oxygen around the body. This is especially relevant to your IVF in Cyprus since an increased level of oxygen to the reproductive organs, including the uterus, results in a richer and thicker endometrial lining and ovaries, improved follicle development and an increased chance of better quality eggs following oocyte retrieval.
Acupuncture also reduces stress which has major detrimental implications upon fertility when levels become too high. The Doctor is a huge believer in positive mental attitude and feels that psychology and stress levels have a huge impact on the outcome of the IVF cycle.
Further investigations have found that the practice has effects on balancing the endocrine system. In women, it is believed that acupuncture stimulates β-endorphin secretion which induces gonadotropin and steroid secretion by influencing the GnRH pulse generator which is a major factor when trying to get pregnant.
Scientific Trials relating to Acupunture and Fertility
Trials have been conducted and are producing some conclusive results that acupuncture assists with pregnancy. Implantation rates were seen to dramatically improve when acupuncture was performed on embryo transfer day, specifically when a session was undertaken both before and after the transfer.
In a randomised study conducted by Lars G. Westergaard MD PhD and colleagues, findings showed that acupuncture, when performed on embryo transfer day, was seen to have a 39% higher implantation rate than with no acupuncture at all. 39% may not seem to be that much of a significant improvement, but for a couple who have been experiencing infertility, 39% is the difference between fulfilling their dream of becoming a family or remaining without the joy that a child could bring.
Acupuncture with your IVF treatment at Cyprus IVF Centre
At Cyprus IVF Centre, we have a highly experienced acupuncture therapist who is able to offer patients specially tailored fertility acupuncture sessions to support and complement their IVF treatment. Sessions are tailored to an individual and as many or as few as are needed or wanted can be undertaken, all in the comfort of your own private bedroom at our hospital with no need to travel anywhere else.
The Doctor recommends one session prior to embryo transfer and one session after embryo transfer to maximise the impact of the acupuncture in assisting with implantation. Each session lasts for approximately 45 minutes to one hour. Following the embryo transfer, you must lie down in bed for two hours, so a session of acupuncture is an enjoyable way to spend that time and ensure you are fully relaxed.
We recommend booking your acupuncture treatment in advance to ensure that the therapist is available at the time of your embryo transfer. You can make your reservation via your Team Miracle International Patients Coordinator.