Fertility Issues
Fertility issues are relatively common. These issues are distressing to both men and women and may result from dysfunction in the reproductive tract of either partner. In some cases, no cause of infertility can be isolated. Although some percentage of reproductive problems are related to anatomical abnormalities, diseases, such as cancer and diabetes, or exposure to toxins or radiation, in many cases fertility issues may be associated with improper functioning of the nervous system, a condition chiropractic care is specifically designed to address.
Chiropractic Care for Fertility Issues
Chiropractors work under the assumption that in order for the body's systems to work efficiently and in harmony with one another, the pathways that transport blood, oxygen, nutrition and electrical impulses must be open. Any blockages that impede the process of delivering energy from one part of the body to another threaten an individual's health and well-being. Through manual adjustments to the vertebrae, chiropractors keep the spine in alignment, allowing free nerve transmissions and promoting healthy functioning. In many cases, couples who have had trouble conceiving prior to undergoing chiropractic care, are delighted to find, sometimes after only a few months of chiropractic treatment, that they are expecting a baby.
Chiropractic care for fertility issues may address them in either partner, optimally in both. By making manual adjustments to correct vertebral subluxations (misalignments), especially in the pelvic and cervical spine, chiropractors relieve compression on spinal nerves, allowing improved communication among all the systems of the body, including the reproductive system. Because vitality and relaxation are both important to conceiving a child, chiropractic treatment often facilitates the process.
In addition to manual adjustments, chiropractors may use several other methods to release tension and improve energy flow in couples trying to conceive. These methods may include:
- Ice or heat therapy
- Ultrasound therapy
- Electrical stimulation
- Deep muscle massage
- Trigger point therapy
- Applied kinesiology
Chiropractic care also emphasizes healthy lifestyles changes, any or all of which can make pregnancy more likely. These include: eating a nourishing diet, exercising regularly, not smoking or using recreational drugs, not drinking alcohol to excess, and finding ways to diminish stress.
Benefits of Chiropractic for Fertility Issues
While there are many medical treatments that may make conception more probable, several are not only invasive, but prohibitively expensive. Chiropractic methods have many advantages over such techniques since chiropractic care is:
- Inexpensive
- Non-invasive
- Safe for the fetus if conception occurs
- Medication-free
- Beneficial to the immune system
- Helpful in reducing stress
Several studies validate the fact that chiropractic care may be helpful in resolving fertility issues. There is also much anecdotal evidence supporting this theory. There is every reason to believe that decompressing nerves in the spine may lead to better neurological communication throughout the body. Conception involves transport of woman's egg, once it has been fertilized, to the uterus, as well as the motility of the man's sperm. Keeping the body at an optimal activity level may therefore provide an environment conducive to conception and implantation.
Many couples feel that receiving chiropractic care while undergoing other medical procedures, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), greatly improves their chances of conceiving.