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2500 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02140
ph 617.661.6225
fax 617.492.2002
372 Washington Street
Wellesley, MA 02481
ph 781.235.5200
fax 781.235.1103
According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 7.5 million women of child-bearing age in the United States are dealing with infertility issues...
"There may be much that Western medicine can learn about infertility from the Eastern healing traditions," says the Marino Center Wellesley's Yan Jennifer Cao, Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist, trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
From a historical perspective, much of Chinese medical practice and theory developed around the needs of the royal families. The key to succession was the birth of heirs, so the fertility of the royal families was a major concern for ancient Chinese physicians. As a result, much of Chinese medicine is centered on women's health issues including fertility, menstruation and menopause.
In China, the use of acupuncture and TCM for the treatment of infertility has a history dating back thousands of years and is very well accepted today. The Chinese healing tradition is more focused on the whole person, the environment that they live in, their social relationships, diet, etc. By helping the patient to achieve an appropriate state of balance, they can work towards improving the patient's health, and in this case, their fertility.
TCM is a holistic medical system consisting of acupuncture, herbal medicine, meditation and diet. In the holistic philosophy of TCM, all parts of our bodies are seen as interconnected. Energy and signal transactions (Qi flow) are carried through pathways called meridians, which are distributed on the surface of the body. It is believed that blockages of the Qi flow through meridians cause imbalances which, in turn, result in illness. Acupuncture attempts to heal by restoring the flow of Qi through the meridians--allowing the body to heal itself.
In the United States, the use of acupuncture and TCM for fertility issues continues to rise. "Many clinical reports and my own clinical experiences have demonstrated that the integration of acupuncture may bring increased opportunities for successful results to women with infertility issues who have had no response from conventional methods such as medicine and IVF," reports Ping Yao, Licensed Acupuncturist at the Marino Center Cambridge.
"Having a baby seems like it should be such a natural thing," adds Cao. "But to someone who has been trying for months or even years, it can become an all encompassing issue - filled with emotions and anxiety. Integrating acupuncture and TCM can to bring that individual into balance and prepare them for what lies ahead."
To schedule an acupuncture appointment at the Marino Center, please call 617-661-6225 for Cambridge, or 781-235-5200 for Wellesley.
